It’s a topic that might be a little squeamish to some. But if you’re reading this article, we’re pretty sure we can assume you’re comfortable with the subject: farting. And more specifically, cat farting. If you’re anything like us, you may have wondered if, like dogs and pesky older brothers, cats are prone to bouts of flatulence. Do cats fart, you ask?
Well, let’s not fart about. Let’s set the record straight.
Do cats fart?
Yep! A cat’s digestive tract is pretty similar to both ours and that of a dog. Wind can get trapped inside their digestive tract, which exits their body via their butt (or, if we want to get technical, their rectum). Cats don’t really burp, so farting is basically the only way for gas to escape.
If cats can indeed fart, you may be wondering why you’ve perhaps never noticed your own feline passing gas. Cat farts are usually pretty quiet with almost no smell. This means your furbaby is able to get away with letting one rip without attracting attention. Oh, how envious are we…
In some cases, though, a smelly fart along with other signs of tummy upset can signal an issue. We’ll get to this a little later on.
Why do cats fart?
The occasional cat fart is rarely anything to worry about – particularly if you can barely hear or smell it. But why do cats fart, even sporadically? Here are some of the more benign causes of feline flatulence.
Swallowing air
This is the most common reason why cats fart. Cats can swallow excess air for a few reasons, but usually it’s down to eating too much or too quickly. Either of these can cause them to ingest air at the same time they gobble up their food.
Eating the wrong food
Just like when we get gassy after eating something dodgy, the same can happen to cats. A number of foods and ingredients can cause cat flatulence and an upset tummy.
Excessive fibre and red meat are known to generate gas in a cat’s digestive tract. Eating foods meant for human consumption can also cause farting, as cats’ systems aren’t really designed to digest them. This can even happen with human foods deemed safe for cats, especially if they’re high in fibre. Likewise, food that’s gone bad or even garbage scraps can cause flatulence in cats.
Food or other types of allergies
Various types of allergies do occur in cats, whether to a certain food or something in the environment. Much of the time, allergies present as skin problems. But sometimes, symptoms include tummy troubles like bloating, discomfort, and gas.
Allergens that can cause cat flatulence include food (most commonly, beef, chicken, fish, and dairy), dust, pollen, fleas, and ticks.
When is cat flatulence a problem?
While cat farts aren’t often cause for concern – especially if you can pinpoint the cause – in rare cases they can indicate a more serious problem. Some of the ailments associated with flatulence include:
- Parasites or worms, like roundworms, hookworms, or coccidia
- Tritrichomonas foetus, a severe illness caused by an intestinal parasite
- Stomach ulcer
- Inflammatory bowel disease
- A blockage in the digestive tract
- Cancer
If you notice any of the following signs, take your cat to the vet for a check-up. They’ll usually request a stool sample, blood test, X-ray, ultrasound, or other type of examination to look for an underlying health problem.
- Excessive gas
- Foul-smelling gas
- Diarrhea
- Vomiting
- Bloating
- Discomfort or pain in their abdominal area
- Blood in their stools
- No interest in eating or drinking
How can I help my cat if they’re farting too much?
If the cause of your cat’s farting is relatively harmless, the fix is usually pretty straightforward. Keep these tips and tricks up your sleeve, and even pass them on to your trusted Cat Sitter so they can assist with beating the bottom burps while you’re away!
Try a special diet
Recently switched up your cat’s food and noticed they’re farting a lot more, or it’s got a bit of a bad smell? It could be that that type of food just doesn’t work for them, or they’re allergic to a specific ingredient. If that’s the case, you might want to try another food or one that works for sensitive tummies. Luckily, there are plenty of high-quality cat foods that fit the bill.
You can also ask your vet for advice, particularly if you suspect that allergy is the culprit. They’ll be able to perform a comprehensive allergy test and figure out exactly what’s causing your cat to fart.
And if you’re keen to improve your cat’s overall gut health, we’ve got a bunch of tips and tricks for doing just that!
Use a slow feeder
If your cat is prone to eating their food too quickly, a slow feeder might just do the trick. A slow feeder works by transforming mealtime into a kind of challenge for your cat. In turn, it makes it a little harder for your cat to retrieve their food. Not only does this give them some all-important mental stimulation, but it also forces them to eat more slowly.
Stick to smaller meals
And if they’re prone to eating too much, smaller meals could be the solution. You can break up your cat’s regular meals into tinier portions and make them more frequent throughout the day. This way, they’re still getting the same amount of food, but not as much at one time.
Keep them away from scraps
Table scraps, rotten food, and bits and bobs from the bin are best kept well away from your cat. And if you notice an increase in fart frequency or smell after they’ve eaten a particular human food, well, they’re best avoiding that, too.
Consult your vet
We know we’re starting to sound like a broken record, but this definitely bears repeating: if you notice other unpleasant signs of digestive upset, a visit to the vet is in order to diagnose or rule out anything serious.
Even if your vet does detect a health problem, they can work with you on things like your cat’s diet, medication, and other measures to hopefully get your cat back into tip-top, gas-free shape.
