The Truth about Cats and Farting: A Feline Digestive Quirk

If you’ve ever owned a cat, you might have been startled by a sudden, unexpected sound—or perhaps a strange smell—that seemed to come out of nowhere. Yes, it’s true: cats can fart. In fact, cats have digestive systems just like us, and farting is a natural biological process. However, many cat owners may be unaware of this fact, often leading to confusion when their feline companions pass gas.

In this article, we’ll explore the science behind cat digestion, why cats pass gas, and what to do if your cat’s farting becomes concerning.

Are There Any Health Signs of Cat Farting?

Cat farting is a normal physiological phenomenon, but if it occurs too frequently or is accompanied by other symptoms, it may be a sign of a health problem. Here are some possible health signals .

(1) Dietary problems 

• Indigestible food

If your cat consumes foods that are difficult to digest, such as dairy products (milk), legumes (soybeans, peas, etc.), and high-fiber foods (vegetable scraps, fruit scraps, etc.), it may lead to the production of excessive gas in the intestines, causing farting.

• Food allergy or intolerance

Cats may be allergic or intolerant to certain food ingredients, such as grains and dairy products in cat food, which may also cause farting.

• Eating too fast

Cats that eat too fast can swallow a lot of air, leading to bloating and farting.

(2) Digestive problems 

• Imbalance of intestinal flora

With the change of season and food, the cat's gastrointestinal environment may be unstable, and the imbalance of intestinal flora will lead to flatulence and farting, which may also be accompanied by diarrhea and soft stools.

• Diseases and parasites

Digestive disorders, such as inflammatory bowel disease, intestinal obstruction, ulcers and even cancer, can cause cats to persistently fart a lot and smell bad. Parasitic infections, such as worms or other parasites, can also cause digestive upsets and lead to smelly farts.

Related: Unmasking the Hidden Intruders: Symptoms of Worms in Cats

(3) Other health problems 

• Accumulation of hairballs

Cats swallow hair when grooming, and if too many hairballs accumulate in the intestines and cannot be expelled, this can lead to indigestion and increased farting.

How To Tell If Cat Farting Is Normal Or Unhealthy?

Cat farting is a normal physiological phenomenon, but if any of the following occur, it may indicate a health problem.

⒈ normal farting characteristics

Frequency: Occasional farting, usually after eating or drinking.

Odor: Usually odorless or only slightly smelly.

Accompanying Symptoms: No other discomfort such as vomiting, diarrhea, loss of appetite or depression.

⒉ Characteristics of farting that may indicate a health problem

• Increased frequency

If the frequency of farting is significantly higher than normal, it may indicate a digestive problem.

• Foul odor

An unusually strong, foul-smelling fart may be due to food intolerance, allergies or digestive disorders.

• Accompanying Symptoms

If farting is accompanied by vomiting, diarrhea, constipation, loss of appetite or poor mental health, medical intervention may be required.

3 Distinguishing Methods

• Observe the diet

Check if there is any change in the cat's diet and whether it is consuming foods that may cause farting, such as dairy products, legumes or high-fiber foods.

• Observe behavior

Note whether the cat shows any uncomfortable behaviors, such as abdominal discomfort and unwillingness to be touched on the abdomen.

• Check food and water

Ensure the freshness and quality of food and water, and avoid feeding spoiled or unsuitable food.

• Medical examination

If symptoms persist or worsen, it is recommended to take your cat to the veterinarian for a checkup to rule out digestive disorders or other health problems.

Also Read: How to Get Rid of Cat Odor in My Home​

What to Do About Cat Fart Stink?

Smelly cat farts can be caused by a variety of reasons, here are some solutions.

①Adjust the diet

• Choose easy-to-digest food

Cats are carnivorous animals with limited ability to absorb starch. Choose cat food with low carbohydrates and high animal protein, and avoid feeding cat food containing a lot of grains, such as some III products cat food. You can choose cat food containing probiotics or raw bone meat (if conditions allow), such as the small green shark's intestinal bacteria cat food, its shark raw bone meat freeze-dried and chicken puffed food double, no grains and legumes added, hypoallergenic and easy to digest, the added probiotics can improve intestinal discomfort and indigestion.

• Avoid feeding indigestible food

Such as legumes, certain vegetables, lactose-containing dairy products, etc. These may lead to increased burden on the cat's intestines and produce excessive gas.

• Low-carbohydrate, high animal protein cat food

Cats are carnivorous animals with limited ability to absorb starch. Choose cat food that is low in carbohydrates and high in animal protein, and avoid feeding cat food containing a large amount of grains, such as Little Green Shark's Intestinal Bacteria Cat Food, which is a twin-pack of Shark's Raw Bone Meat Freeze Dried and Chicken Puffed Food, with no grains or legumes added, is hypoallergenic and easy to digest, with added probiotics to improve intestinal discomfort and digestive disorders.

• Control the amount and speed of eating

Adopt a small amount of food and feed at regular intervals to avoid the cat eating too fast or over-eating. Remove the food when the cat is seven or eight minutes full and do not feed snacks at will. If your cat eats too quickly, it will swallow a lot of air, increasing the chance of farting.

②Improve the digestive system

• Use probiotics

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If your cat's intestinal flora is out of balance, you can feed your pet probiotics to regulate intestinal flora and promote digestion. For example, when the gastrointestinal peristalsis of cats is slowed down due to colds and the flora is imbalanced, probiotics can improve the gastrointestinal environment.

• Hairballs

If the cat has hairball disease and the hairballs are blocking the intestinal tract and affecting normal peristalsis, the cat can be fed hairball cream to help expel the hairballs, and at the same time, probiotics can be fed to regulate the intestines and stomach and alleviate the uncomfortable symptoms brought by hairball disease.

③ Other Measures

• Increase the amount of exercise

Appropriately increase the amount of exercise for cats to help digestion, such as playing with the cat or walking the cat (if the cat is willing to go out).

• Maintain a stable living environment

Reduce changes in the living environment, maintain a regular routine and avoid unnecessary social conflicts to help relieve the cat's stress.

• Regular deworming

If you suspect that your cat has a parasitic infection, take your cat to the veterinary hospital for examination and deworming in a timely manner. Parasitic infections can cause digestive disorders and lead to smelly farts.

• Check anal glands

If the cat frequently appears to rub its buttocks on the ground, the anal glands may be abnormally blocked, and you need to take the cat to the hospital for examination and treatment of the anal glands.

Related: Do Cats Fart

FAQs

Conclusion

Cats can indeed fart, just like other animals. While occasional farting is perfectly normal, if it becomes excessive or is accompanied by other concerning symptoms, it might be time to check in with your vet. By understanding your cat’s digestive health and making the right dietary and lifestyle changes, you can help keep your feline friend comfortable and healthy.