It can be an unpleasant surprise for both the cat and cat owner if you notice a smell every time you pick up your feline friend. There can be several reasons for this, a few of which have easy fixes — such as feeding them smaller meals or changing their food to a different brand.
Cats can become gassy due to a variety of digestive issues — such as improper diet or a food allergy. An excessively flatulent cat may also be a sign of an intestinal parasite. Putting too much pressure on a cat’s stomach when holding him may lead to a release of built-up gas.
Common Causes of Cat Flatulence
Oftentimes, a cat regularly passing gas can be linked back to dietary issues. An upset stomach can be caused by grain in their current food and it may be recommended by a vet to switch to a grain-free diet for your feline.
The wheat inside many dry foods can be difficult for cats to digest and may lead to a gassy cat. If you’re noticing that your cat is farting every time you pick him up, it may be caused by putting pressure on their already sensitive stomach.
Another common reason that your cat may be having tummy troubles is if they’re eating their food too quickly. Similar to humans, eating too fast can cause an excess of air to be swallowed and built up in the stomach — which then naturally leads to gas.
Feeding your cat in smaller amounts throughout the day can solve this issue. There are also specialized feeders on the market that encourage your cat to slow down while they’re eating.
Cats May Fart When They’re Scared
When a cat becomes alarmed or anxious, flatulence can be its body’s natural response to the situation. If your cat is unsure about being picked up and it’s something that makes them visibly nervous and upset — their gas could be an indication that they don’t want to be held.
It’s not uncommon for cats to prefer to not be picked up and held. If you find that handling them in this way is causing enough stress to produce a flatulent response, perhaps let them come to you for attention on their own terms.
For some cats, farting may be used as a defense mechanism — similar to biting, clawing, and wriggling out of a person’s grip. After all, who wants to continue holding a smelly cat?
Is It Normal For Cats to Fart a Lot?
Much in the same way that humans can build up excess gas in their gastrointestinal tract, cats can as well. There comes a point when this gas must be released in the form of a fart.
However, if you find that your cat is gassier than most — it becomes more of a concern than just an occasional stinky annoyance. At a certain point, excessive farting becomes a clear sign of a digestive issue and it shouldn’t be ignored.
Your vet may want to take a fecal sample from your cat to ensure that the gas problem isn’t related to a parasite that may need to be treated via a dewormer or other medication. If your cat is suffering from Dysbiosis (an imbalance of bacteria in the stomach), then a probiotic may be recommended to rectify the situation.
If the flatulence is followed by diarrhea, vomiting, or weight loss — these are all serious signs and should be brought to your vet’s attention as soon as possible.
How to Get Rid of Your Cat’s Gas
As a pet owner, you may not want to experience your cat farting every time you want to cuddle with them. While it’s natural for a cat to fart every once in a while, you can try the below methods for reducing the frequency.
Taking the time to examine your cat’s eating habits can give you important insight into what the issue may be. Eating too quickly and eating too much at once can both be easily solved by spreading meals out and dividing them into smaller portions at any one mealtime.
If you have a multi-cat household, it’s not uncommon for one cat to finish their food first and then try and sneak extra from another cat’s bowl. To avoid food competition, you may try feeding them separately.
While it may be tempting to offer your cat some human food when they look at you with sad, pleading eyes, it’s not healthy for them. Their stomachs aren’t able to digest most of the food that their human eats and too many table scraps can lead to irritable bowels.
What to Feed a Cat Who Has Excess Gas
When it comes to what type of diet you should be feeding a cat who suffers from excess gas — you should look for a limited ingredient list. High amounts of grain in their food can cause a cat to become bloated and gassy as they have trouble digesting it.
A diet high in an easily digestible protein — such as chicken or turkey and low in fiber can help your cat get their gassiness under control. Though you may see a stereotype image of cats drinking milk, dairy can be a culprit for a cat with an upset stomach, so it’s best to steer clear.
Conclusion
While your cat’s flatulence may not be a big deal in moderation, if you continuously notice an unpleasant odor when holding your pet — it may be time to get a second opinion. A quick round of probiotics or medication may be in order.
Switching your cat to a high protein and grain-free diet is a common solution for a gassy kitty. After all, you want your cat to be as healthy as possible and not struggle with an excess of built-up gas in their system.
Some cats simply don’t want to be held and releasing a fart when being picked up may be their way of telling you, “Put me down.” The added pressure on a cat’s stomach may push the gas right out of them, leaving both you and your cat regretting the decision.
Reviewed by Kathleen Claussen, DVM on February 09, 2021
Everyone knows the old joke about blaming the dog for a bad-smelling fart. But what if you have a cat instead? Do cats pass gas, too?
The answer is yes. Cats do get gas. Like many other animals, a cat has gases inside its digestive tract, and this gas leaves the body via the rectum.
Cats usually pass gas quietly and there isn't much odor to it. However, sometimes cats can have excessive bloating, discomfort, and bad-smelling gas. In that case, your cat needs to see the vet to get to the bottom of the issue.
What causes cats' gas and how can you treat it?
Sometimes the symptoms of gas are very straightforward. You can hear or smell it when your cat passes gas.
Other signs of gas are more subtle. For example, you might notice that your cat's belly feels bloated when you pet them. Your cat might not even want to be touched at all. They might be less playful than usual due to this discomfort.
Gas is sometimes masked by other symptoms of stomach upset in cats. They might be having diarrhea or vomiting, keeping you from noticing that there is gas as well.
In some cases, when you check the litterbox, you might find that there is blood in your cat's stool. A cat with significant stomach pain might refuse to eat or drink.
If that happens, you need to call your vet to set up an appointment as soon as possible.
There are several reasons that a kitty might have some extra gas once in a while. Some reasons for cats' gas are easy to explain and you can solve these problems with home care.
Eating food that disagrees with the cat. Cats need to eat appropriate food or they can get an upset stomach and gas. Some foods that trigger gas in cats are food with high fiber content or too much red meat. Eating spoiled food or garbage is also a trigger for gas. Many cats can't digest dairy products and those cause gas for them.
Eating too much or too fast. Cats that consume a lot of food very quickly might take in a lot of air while they eat. This causes an upset stomach and flatulence for some cats. Cats can have food allergies. Cats can develop food allergies at any time in their life. They can even become allergic to the foods that they've eaten for years. Most cats have skin symptoms with food allergies, but many also have stomach problems like diarrhea and possibly gas. Your vet can help you diagnose food allergies. If your cat has occasional gas or if the gas is triggered by something that they ate, there isn't a need to worry. The gas will pass on its own.
However, sometimes gas in cats is a symptom of something more serious.
You should call your vet if your cat has on-going symptoms such as vomiting, bloating, bloody stool, bad smelling gas, or if they are refusing to eat or drink.
Some significant gastrointestinal problems in cats include:
Your vet will examine your cat and ask about their diet and health history. They may ask for a stool sample or order blood tests or X-rays to find out what is causing your cat's gas and other symptoms.
The treatments for gas vary depending on the cause of your cat's upset stomach.
A change of food might be the solution. Food allergies or a sensitive stomach might mean that you need to change your pet's diet. Ask your vet how to choose the right food for your cat.
Feed your cat smaller meals. A cat that eats too much or too quickly will likely benefit from consuming several smaller meals during the day.
Hide the trash. If getting into human food or other garbage is the cause, you can secure your kitchen trash can to keep your curious cat from getting into it.
Treat an illness. If your cat has a major medical condition, you and your vet can decide on the best treatment. Some conditions may require surgery or medication. Talk to your vet about the best way to bring your pet back to perfect health.