Cat Digestion Issues

An occasional upset stomach is not uncommon among felines. It is one of the most frequently treated conditions by veterinarians. And most cat owners understand what it’s like to awaken in the middle of the night to the sound of a hairball.

When does vomiting, diarrhoea, or other digestive problems become a problem? How many hairballs are too much, anyway?

Here are some key points to keep in mind while dealing with digestive issues in cats.

Digestive problems (also known as gastrointestinal or GI problems) may appear out of nowhere. Alternatively, they may be inconspicuous and grow over time.

The following are some of the most frequent clinical signs:

• Vomiting
• Diarrhoea
• Constipation
• Decreased appetite or anorexia
• Weight loss
• Fever
• Dehydration
• Abdominal pain

Cats seldom exhibit all of these symptoms at the same time. As a result, even one or two of these indicators may be the reason for worry.

There are dozens (if not hundreds) of reasons why cats’ stomachs and intestines get disturbed. We’ll go through a few of the most frequent reasons here.

Hairballs

Hairballs are vomit that includes a large quantity of hair and is typically shaped into a tube or cylinder-like form. Along with the hairball, food and digestive secretions are often vomited up.

You’ll probably know the noises of a cat throwing up a hairball as well. Although it may seem that you are coughing or wheezing, the phrase “coughing up a hairball” is legally inaccurate. Because hairballs are vomited rather than coughed up, you may hear retching or heaving.

Hairballs are familiar to some degree. Except for long-haired varieties, Cats have evolved to swallow some hair during grooming and subsequently pass it harmlessly via their faeces.

As a result, an excess of hairballs may be a sign of underlying health or digestive issue.

Dietary Indiscretion

A dietary indiscretion occurs when a cat consumes something it shouldn’t, such as trash, table leftovers, or expired food discovered on the floor.

Fortunately, cats are less prone to this than dogs, although it does happen. Symptoms may vary from minor stomach discomfort to a severe disease that requires medical attention.

Food Changes

During any dietary change, digestive issues may arise. Even when moving to a healthier diet, it takes time for the body to adapt.

As a result, any dietary modifications should be made gradually over 1-2 weeks. This gradual transition will make a cat more likely to accept a new kind of food, in addition to reducing stomach discomfort.

Stress

In cats, stress may lead to digestive problems such as reduced appetite, vomiting, or diarrhoea. Because cats are creatures of habit, any significant change in their environment or routine may cause them discomfort.

Even if stress is to blame, it’s critical to get veterinarian help as soon as possible. Regardless of what triggered a cat’s digestive problems in the first place, complications such as dehydration may develop.

Infectious Causes of Cat Digestive Issues

Viruses, germs, and intestinal parasites (such as roundworms) are the most frequent infections in young kittens. In addition, since their immune systems haven’t wholly matured, kittens may get ill more rapidly and severely (certain illnesses can be deadly) than adult cats.

[H2]Inflammatory Conditions of the Digestive Tract

Food allergies and sensitivities, as well as inflammatory bowel disease, may affect cats (IBD). Cats may potentially develop pancreatitis (pancreatic inflammation), which can lead to poor digestion over time.

Inflammatory diseases have a variety of causes, which are not all well understood. A feeding experiment on a particular kind of meal with restricted components may be used to diagnose the condition.

Once a cat has been identified, therapy generally entails rigorous adherence to a diet tailored to that cat’s needs and the use of specific supplements. Medications are often required. Some cats may need medicines for flare-ups, while others may require long-term treatment to manage their symptoms.

Toxins and Medications

If a cat consumes certain foods (such as sugar-free gum, fatty meals, or sweets) or other things (such as home chemicals, poisons, medicines, or even some plants and flowers), it may induce stomach distress.

Many toxins may also have additional adverse effects on the body (such as renal failure or seizures) and can be deadly.

Stomach discomfort is a frequent adverse effect of even pet-safe medicines, such as antibiotics recommended by your veterinarian.

Intestinal Blockages in Cats

Anything that obstructs food and fluids through the digestive system, or inhibits normal gut movement, is considered an intestinal blockage. Surgery is nearly usually required for treatment, and it may be deadly. Many cats, fortunately, respond well to early veterinarian care.

Ingestion of a “foreign item,” such as a tiny toy or a thread that becomes trapped in the stomach or intestines, causes the illness in cats. Blockages may also be caused by underlying health issues such as a tumour or difficulty with intestinal motility. A hairball may cause it in rare cases.

Constipation

Constipation, or the inability to have regular bowel movements, may affect any cat. Still, it is more prevalent in overweight cats, sedentary cats, or cats with underlying digestive or health issues (such as kidney disease that causes dehydration).

Struggling to go to the toilet without generating faeces, a reduction in the quantity of stools discovered in the litter box, dry stools, stomach discomfort, decreased appetite, or vomiting are all common signs.

If your cat has regular constipation, your veterinarian may suggest a specific diet, supplements, greater water consumption (a water fountain or canned food may assist), weight reduction and more activity.

Treatment is directed at the underlying cause.

A cat with constipation, for example, may need an enema, while a cat with an intestinal blockage would almost certainly require surgery. To put it another way, therapy varies depending on the cause of stomach distress.

Additionally, supportive care is needed.

Anything aimed at alleviating symptoms and making a pet more comfortable is considered supportive care.

It’s also critical to avoid consequences like dehydration and fatty liver disease. The latter is a potentially deadly liver issue that may develop in as little as two days if a cat does not eat, regardless of what initially caused its upset stomach.

The following are some examples of common supportive care treatments:

• Antacids and stomach/intestinal protectants.
• Anti-nausea medications.
• Medicines to relieve diarrhoea.
• Appetite stimulants.
• Probiotics formulated for pets.
• Fluid therapy (for dehydration and electrolyte replacement).

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