If you are a cat owner, you have probably wondered about many aspects of their bodily functions at some point. Whether or not a cat farts may even have crossed your mind. The simple answer to this is that they do, of course, fart just like any other mammal. If you have thought a little deeper into the subject, you might have then wondered what makes a cat fart and when it is something to worry about. Here are the answers to both these questions.
Why Do Cats Fart?
It is perfectly normal for a cat to fart and, fortunately, most cat farts do not smell. There are many different causes of feline farting. Some of these include eating a diet that is high in fiber, ingesting dairy products, eating garbage and spoiled food, having a hairball in their stomachs, and any sudden dietary changes. A further cause of feline farting is eating food too fast so that they swallow air at the same time.
When is Cat Farting a Problem?
In most instances, a cat farting is nothing to worry about and is just a normal bodily function. You probably won’t even notice them farting most of the time. However, there are some signs that you should look out for relating to a cat farting that are potential causes of concern. Farting accompanied by other symptoms should alert you that your cat may need to see a veterinarian. Some of the worrying symptoms include tummy rumbling, bloody stools, vomiting, diarrhea, abdominal bloating, loss of appetite, excessive drooling, pain when the abdomen is touched, and dragging their bottom along the floor. If the farting is accompanied by any of these other symptoms, you should seek professional advice.
Are There Health Problems That Cause?
There are also some health conditions with which excessive cat farting is linked. A veterinarian will ask questions during the consultation to determine if there is an underlying health problem that is causing the farting. Just some of these are worms, parasites, malabsorption, intestinal obstruction, pancreatic disorders, inflammatory bowel disease, gastrointestinal cancer, and intestinal virus or bacterial infections.
Preventing Cat Farts
In most instances, there is no real need to prevent a cat from farting if they are healthy, especially if they do not smell. However, if the cat farting is an issue, there are some steps you can take if you do want to reduce the amount your cat is farting. Their diet plays a big part in this, so make sure they are eating a diet that is low in fiber and try to avoid making any sudden changes to their diet. You should also avoid giving your cat dairy products and try to deter them from eating garbage by making sure you have a lid fitted securely on your trash bin. If you have more than one cat, try to feed them separately. This stops them from stealing each other’s food and also reduces the likelihood of them wolfing down their food too quickly to prevent another cat from eating their meal.