Have you ever questioned if your cat can fart? You’re in good company! Exploring the enigmas of how a cat’s digestive system works, especially their ability to release gas, is genuinely intriguing. Indeed, cats can fart. The way their digestive system operates is similar to that of humans and dogs.
That said, a lot of cat parents may not even realize that cats can fart, as they do so less prominently and less frequently than other species. Although a cat fart may not necessarily be a threatening health issue, any abnormality from what is considered normal for digestion could be causing discomfort to your kitty. Fortunately, once the cause is determined, it can be fixed easily.
Reasons Your Cat is Farting
Just as it does to a dog or to people, gas buildup in the digestive system in your cat results in cat flatulence. Oftentimes, cats fart for completely normal reasons.
For instance, if your cat eats quickly, it may also be ingesting too much air, which leads to gas buildup. There are several answers to the question “why do cats fart?”, the most common reasons for feline flatulence are:
Their Diet
A cat’s diet could be the reason why your cat farts. Some cats have food sensitivities to the type of food or certain ingredients, such as ingredients in canned cat food. A diet that is high in fiber can also lead to gas, as can consuming foods such as cruciferous vegetables or legumes.
Generally, your pet needs a diet consisting of fats and animal-based protein. Make sure you are not feeding your pet too much people food, as well.
Cat farts can also be caused by foods made for people. Cat foods are designed to break down properly through a cat’s unique digestive tract, and once human food is added to the meal, it can throw his tummy out of whack.
If you are going to give your pet human food, it is vital to note what human foods are fine for cats to consume, and stick to those. Of course, even if human food is technically safe for cats if you observe any discomfort or flatulence, it may not be jiving well with your kitty and it is wise to discontinue serving it to them.
Dairy Products
Another possible reason for the cats’ gassy case is consuming dairy products. Although people are accustomed to the saucer-of-milk stereotype, many cats are typically intolerant to lactose. A cat has gas due to consuming dairy products like cheese, milk, and yogurt that can lead to an upset belly in your pet, including flatulence.
Allergies
As with diet, food allergies, and other types of allergies, maybe causing a cat’s digestive problems. These include pest allergies like mites, fleas, and tick bites, as well as environmental allergies such as pollen and dust.
Intestinal Parasites or Diseases
Why do cats fart? Intestinal parasites including hookworms, roundworms, or tapeworms may be the culprit [1]. Worms are very common in young kittens and typically occur in cats that have not been properly dewormed.
In rarer circumstances, the parasite could be the recently found Tritrichomonasfoetus. A medication prescribed by vets will help kill the invaders if your pet has intestinal parasites.
Cats can sometimes suffer from an imbalance of gut bacteria or known as dysbiosis, which is a common cause for a gassy cat and is often corrected with probiotics.
More serious reasons for flatulence in cats include pancreatic disease, inflammatory bowel issues, and some types of cancer. Weight loss, vomiting, and diarrhea are often evident alongside the flatulence in these cases, at least as the intestinal disorder develops.
Spoiled Food
Eating old or spoiled food is another common cause of your cats’ farting. Securely closing trash bins can help prevent your pet from grabbing a brackish snack. Make sure to inspect the use-by dates of the cat food, as well.
What You Can Do About Your Cat’s Farting?
You can do the following tips to avoid serious health issues and excessive feline flatulence. These tips include:
Reduce the Dairy and Fiber in their Diet
If you suspect the reason is with your cat’s diet, it may take some tests to work out. Some cats have less gas on dry or wet food or do better with different ingredients than others.
As mentioned, food regimens that contain large quantities of common gas-producing snacks, such as cruciferous vegetables, or legumes, may be contributing reasons for a cat farting excessively.
Changing foods may help reduce farting in cats. Going for quality food with simple ingredients can be a good starting point. If you opt to add more intricate ingredients back in and the issue returns, then you have found the culprit (s) your kitty is sensitive to and why he farted.
Cat flatulence can also be caused by too much fiber intake. While fiber is an essential part of a cat’s diet and increasing its fiber consumption (if it is not getting enough) can help regulate its digestive system, too much fiber can also make the cat gas worse. Thus, it is crucial to look for the right balance. Probiotics can help keep your pet happy and regular, as well.
Keep in mind, dairy products are not a natural part of a cat’s diet and as a general rule, these should not be given to them.
Reduce the Size of their Meals
The best method to minimize your cat’s farts is to lessen his dietary changes and to feed quality cat food that agrees with your cat. Feed your kitty smaller meals periodically. This could keep your cat from insatiably gobbling down his food and your other cats’ food, as well.
Have Regular Exercise for Your Cat
Provide your cat a wealth of opportunities for exercise to keep “things moving.” Having lots of cats increases the chances of active play, but it is also vital to engage your feline with fun toys like feathered wands.
When Should You Be Concerned with Your Cat’s Farting?
Although passing gas is completely normal, there are times when excessive farts can be a cause for concern. If your cat is passing specifically foul-smelling gas or he is experiencing other symptoms, it may be an indicator of a health concern. Other symptoms to watch out for include:
- Vomiting
- Bloating
- Diarrhea
- Drooling excessively
- Reduced appetite
- Blood in bowel movements
- Scooting their rear-end along the floor
Frequently Asked Questions
Is it normal for a cat to fart?
Yes, it is normal for a cat to fart. It may not be as common as the flatulence of a dog, but feline flatulence is perfectly normal. Many times, you probably will not even notice that your feline has farted but it does occur. Passing gas is a way for cats to expel excess air from their digestive system.
Why do cats fart when you pet them?
This is probably because of the type of food you are feeding your cat. Experts explain that cat gas is caused by an overpopulation of bacteria in the cat’s colon. And by bacteria, it doesn’t mean the good ones that aid in digestion, but the bad bacteria.
This excess of bad bacteria can be caused by consuming the wrong type of food or ingesting too much food. Choosing a good quality brand of cat food and providing probiotics may help decrease this issue.
Should I take my cat to the vet for excessive farting?
Yes, you should take your cat to the vet for excessive farting. While the feline gas will pass on its own, cat farting excessively can be a symptom of something more serious.
You should contact your vet if your pet has on-going symptoms such as bloating, vomiting, bad smelling gas, bloody stool, or if they are refusing to drink or eat. It is always best to take your feline for an evaluation.
Conclusion
So, can cats fart? Yes, they can and do. Most of the time, a bit of flatulence in cats is not a cause for concern. Their small bodies are simply processing what is passing through. While it is completely healthy for cats to pass gas, it is crucial to pay attention to ‘meow’ farts or cat farts that occur with accompanying symptoms or that are excessive.
After all, as cat parents, no one wants to see their furry babies sick. If you have any questions about your kitty’s digestion, your vet can help you get the drift of what is going on, and even offer personalized recommendations for a good feline brand and food. For now, you can go back to blaming the dog for those smelly poots!
