It's common for cats to experience occasional upset stomachs, which is one of the most frequent issues veterinarians address. Many cat owners are familiar with the unpleasant sound of a hairball being expelled in the middle of the night.
But when should vomiting, diarrhea, or other digestive problems become a cause for concern? And how many hairballs are considered too many?
Here are some key points to understand about digestive system issues in cats.
Symptoms Of Digestive Issues In Cats
Digestive or gastrointestinal (GI) problems can be sudden and obvious or develop gradually and subtly over time.
Here are some common clinical signs to watch for:
- Vomiting
- Diarrhea
- Constipation
- Decreased appetite or anorexia
- Weight loss
- Fever
- Dehydration
- Abdominal pain (signs include a hunched posture, overgrooming the abdomen, or distress when picked up)
- Abdominal enlargement or distension
- Behavioral changes (such as lethargy, irritability, reduced playfulness, or hiding)
Recognizing these symptoms early is key, as cats typically won't show all these signs simultaneously. Even one or two signs can indicate a problem and warrant attention.
Cause Of Digestive Issues In Cats
Cats can experience a variety of stomach and intestinal issues. Let's explore some of the most common causes.
Hairballs
Hairballs appear as vomit containing significant amounts of hair, often in tube or cylinder shapes. Food and digestive fluids are commonly expelled along with the hairball. You might also recognize the characteristic sounds of a cat bringing up a hairball, which can resemble coughing or wheezing. However, hairballs are actually vomited from the stomach, not coughed up.
Hairballs are normal, as cats ingest hair while grooming and pass it through their stool. However, excessive hairballs can indicate an underlying digestive or health issue. Many vets agree that more than one hairball per month warrants investigation.
To reduce hairballs, long-haired cats should be brushed frequently, ideally every day. Cats prone to hairballs may also benefit from a special hairball control diet or supplements that help hair move through the digestive tract.
Food Changes
Digestive problems can occur when changing a cat's food. Even when switching to a healthier diet, the body needs time to adjust. Food changes should be done gradually over 1-2 weeks to minimize digestive upset and increase acceptance of the new food.
Infectious Causes
Infections from viruses, bacteria, and intestinal parasites (like roundworms) are common in young kittens due to their underdeveloped immune systems. These infections can be severe and sometimes fatal. Cats of any age can be affected, particularly those that go outdoors. Even indoor cats can contract certain infections or parasites, so it's crucial to keep their vaccinations current and consult your vet about prevention.
Improper Eating Habits
Dietary indiscretion occurs when cats eat something they shouldn't, such as garbage, table scraps, or old food. While this is less common in cats than dogs, it can still lead to mild stomach upset or severe illness requiring medical care.
Stress
Stress can cause digestive issues in cats, including decreased appetite, vomiting, or diarrhea. Any significant change in the home or routine can lead to stress. If stress is the cause, it's still important to seek veterinary care, as complications like dehydration can occur.
If you're moving or traveling, talk to your vet about supplements to help your cat during these times. Products like Feliway, which contain calming cat pheromones, can also be helpful.
Inflammatory Conditions
Some cats may develop food allergies, sensitivities, or inflammatory bowel disease (IBD). Pancreatitis, or pancreas inflammation, can also occur, leading to long-term digestive issues. Diagnosing these conditions may involve a feeding trial with specific foods. Treatment usually includes a strict diet, supplements, and possibly medications, which can be required occasionally or long-term.
Toxins and Medications
Certain foods (like sugar-free gum, fatty foods, or desserts), household chemicals, poisons, medications, and even certain plants can cause digestive upset in cats. These substances can also lead to severe health issues like kidney failure or seizures.
Even pet-safe medications, such as antibiotics, can cause stomach upset as a side effect.
Constipation
Constipation, or difficulty with regular bowel movements, can affect any cat but is most common in overweight, inactive cats or those with underlying health issues like kidney disease. Symptoms include straining without producing stools, fewer stools in the litter box, abdominal pain, dry stools, decreased appetite, and vomiting.
If your cat frequently suffers from constipation, your vet may suggest a special diet, supplements, increased water intake, weight loss, and more exercise.
Intestinal Blockages
An intestinal blockage occurs when something obstructs the passage of fluids and food through the digestive tract. This condition often requires surgery and can be fatal if not treated promptly. Common causes include ingesting foreign objects like small toys or strings, tumors, or intestinal motion problems.
Symptoms of an intestinal blockage include:
- Frequent vomiting.
- Dry heaving.
- Inability to keep down food or water.
- General signs of not feeling well.
Preventing blockages involves keeping small objects and strings out of your cat's reach.
Diagnosis Of Digestive Issues In Cats
Identifying and diagnosing a cat's health issue requires thorough investigation to ensure the best treatment.
A vet visit typically begins with a veterinary team member asking about your cat's symptoms and potential exposures (like household plants the cat might have nibbled on).
Next, the veterinarian conducts a physical exam. This includes palpating the abdomen for abnormalities and checking the cat's temperature, pulse, heart, lungs, hydration, and glands/lymph nodes. This comprehensive exam provides essential information about the cat's overall health and helps determine the diagnostic testing plan.
Diagnostic tests provide deeper insights into the cat's condition. Common tests for stomach issues include:
- Fecal/stool check for parasites
- Bloodwork (to assess blood cell counts, organ function, blood sugar, and electrolytes)
- Urinalysis
- X-rays
- Ultrasound
- Hormonal testing
- Infectious disease testing
- Food trials to rule out food allergies
- Additional procedures like surgery, endoscopy, or biopsies, if needed
Only some of these tests are performed at once. The veterinarian will create a customized plan based on the most likely conditions, starting with basic tests and progressing to more advanced or invasive tests if there is no improvement. In emergencies, immediate testing and treatment are necessary.
Treatment Of Digestive Issues In Cats
Treatment aims to address the underlying cause of the issue.
For instance, a cat with constipation might need an enema, while an intestinal blockage usually requires surgery. Therefore, treatments vary based on the cause of the digestive problem.
Additionally, supportive care is essential to alleviate symptoms and make the pet more comfortable.
It's also important to prevent complications such as dehydration or fatty liver disease, which can develop rapidly if a cat stops eating for just a couple of days.
Common supportive care treatments include:
- Anti-nausea medications
- Antacids and stomach/intestinal protectants
- Medications to relieve diarrhea
- Probiotics designed for pets
- Appetite stimulants
- Fluid therapy for dehydration and electrolyte replacement
When To Take Your Cat To The Vet For Digestive Issues
With cats, it's wise to be cautious and seek veterinary care early when you notice symptoms. Cats often hide signs of illness until it has advanced.
This means you can take your time with the vet, especially if your cat eats and behaves normally. However, an urgent vet visit is necessary in the following situations:
- Your cat is a young kitten, an older senior, or has a chronic health condition, as these cats can get sick faster than healthy adults.
- Vomiting or diarrhea is severe, frequent, or contains significant blood.
- Your cat hasn't eaten for two days or more.
- Digestive issues may be accompanied by symptoms like lethargy, dehydration, pain, breathing difficulties, or fever.
Treatment Of Digestive Issues In Cats At Home
Trying simple home treatments for a few days is usually fine for otherwise healthy adult cats with mild digestive symptoms but behaving normally and keeping down food and water. However, schedule a vet visit if symptoms worsen or don't improve.
Here are some home remedies to try:
- Encourage your cat to drink more water.
- Hand-feed your cat if it has a decreased appetite, or tempt it with tasty food like plain cooked chicken or tuna.
- If you recently changed cat foods, switch back to the old food. Make future changes gradually over 1-2 weeks.
- Avoid giving any medications without consulting your vet, as many are toxic to cats, including some oral medications and enemas.
Best Foods For A Cat With Digestive Issues
There's no one-size-fits-all answer to this question, as the best diet for a cat with digestive issues varies from cat to cat. Different diets work better for different individuals.
Here are some common options that work well for many cats:
- Hairball control diet
- Sensitive stomach diet
- Limited ingredient or prescription diet for cats with allergies or food sensitivities
Finding the best food for your cat involves some trial and error. Typically, it would help to feed a specific diet exclusively for several weeks to see its effects. Your veterinarian can help guide you through this process.
Prevention Of Digestive Issues In Cats
Some conditions are unavoidable, but many common causes of digestive problems in cats can be prevented.
Here are some tips to help:
- Keep your cat up to date with veterinary checkups, vaccinations, and parasite prevention. Routine care ensures your cat stays as healthy as possible.
- Feed your cat a balanced, high-quality diet.
- Prevent access to garbage, household toxins, plants, flowers, and small objects like toys or strings that could be accidentally swallowed.
- Don't allow your cat to roam freely outside.
Digestive issues are common in cats, and most will eventually experience stomach upset. However, by taking these precautions and seeking veterinary care early when needed, you can help keep your feline friend as healthy as possible.
