Why Does My Cat Fart So Much? 7 Reasons My Cat Farts a Lot

Cats are graceful creatures, from their head to their barbed, expressive tail. Even their personalities reflect that sophistication and refinement. So, it can come as a bit of a surprise when your kitty ‘lets one rip’ bad enough to clear the room that will undoubtedly make you wonder, “Why does my cat fart so much?”. And do cats fart?

Although most cat parents will hardly ever witness their cat farting a lot, they can be quite the tooters. When a cat farts, it’s silent and undetectable in odor. But if you have noticed this peculiar cat behavior recently, that could indicate an irritable digestive system.

But don’t hit the panic button just yet. Most causes for your kitties’ flatulence are not life-threatening. So get ready for all the answers, and to make things even better, I’ll provide some solutions for your farting cat.

Why Is My Cat Farting So Much & Is It Normal?

Is it normal for cats to fart? Absolutely, but not excessively. If your cat is gassy far more than usual, it is understandable why you would be concerned.

But cats, much like humans and dogs, can fart as they swallow air when they eat. The air travels into their digestive system, where it stays until it can be released from the body by a fart or a burp.

The living bacteria in the digestive tract also release gas when helping to break down food. Once enough gas has built up. It needs to get out somehow. So, don’t blame your kitty if they let it out occasionally.

7 Reasons to the Question “Why Does My Cat Keep Farting?”

There are many reasons why your cat is gassy. Some main causes of flatulence include a poor digestive system, gastrointestinal diseases, allergies, diet changes, and infections.

Whether your cat is passing silent, noisy, odorless wind, or can clear a room with one whiff, there is a list of contributing factors for your cat’s discomfort.

1. Feeding Your Cat Low-Quality Food

Your furry friend has special dietary needs, mainly indoor kitties. If you’re giving human food or low-quality cat food to your pet, all those fillers and carbohydrates will, unfortunately, cause your fur baby to pass wind. It also leads to a build-up of stinky bacteria, which is the cause of those you think you’ll pass out.

A sudden change in diet and an abrupt transition from one type of food to something completely different will do the same to your four-legged friend. In other words, your farting cat may need time to adjust to the new diet.

Cats have quite a unique digestive system. They are obligate carnivores and adapted to process and extract nutrients from animal-based proteins and fats. Their gastrointestinal tract is shorter than omnivores (they digest meat-based meals quicker).

They have a limited ability to digest carbohydrates, so it’s crucial to provide them with a high-protein, low-carbohydrate diet.

Tip: Check out these guides for the best quality cat food that’s high in fiber or high in calories.

2. Allergies Can Result in Cats With Gas

There are many smells cats hate and allergies they develop to cigarette smoke, carpet cleaners, mold, chemicals, grass, weeds — the list goes on. So, food allergies will most definitely cause bad gas.

Additionally, cats can have trouble processing certain foods. And if their food contains an ingredient they’re allergic to, they’ll let you know. One toot at a time.

Cats can be allergic to many foods; the most common are beef, chicken, eggs, fish, and dairy products. However, these are all common ingredients, so they can be hard to avoid.

Unfortunately, cats can develop allergies throughout their lives. So, an allergy is not off the table, even if the food didn’t change. Additionally, proteins like gluten (e.g. in wheat and other grains) are a common source of allergies. Your cat may also have other allergy symptoms, such as itching and skin problems, when allergic to foods.

If you think a possible food allergy may be to blame, you’ll have to perform an elimination diet to isolate the problematic ingredient. This involves feeding your cat one food only and then slowly adding new ingredients while monitoring their reaction.

3. Swallowed Air Could Be the Reason for Your Cats Farting

If your pet happens to gulp down everything it eats without chewing it properly, there’s a good chance that they’re swallowing a great deal of air along with cat food. The released gas could have an overwhelming smell depending on the type of food it has swallowed along with the air.

To help with this, you could buy special cat dishes that force your cat to eat more slowly, which may be the best chance that you have of solving this particular problem. You can also try and feed your cat smaller portions of food. This should limit the amount of air that they ingest.

4. A Sudden Change in Diet Can Be Why Your Cat Has Gas

Humans might not like eating the same daily, but cats don’t mind it. They prefer eating the same food at every meal.

So, if you change your fluffballs diet suddenly, it may lead to increased gas. It can cause chaos with your kitty’s gut health, and they might struggle to adjust.

If you have to change your cat’s diet (for better-quality food, for example), you must make the change as slowly as possible. Introducing small amounts over several weeks will help your cat adapt to its new meal plan. Essentially, this mix of new and regular food will help to limit bad reactions and make your home stink bomb-free.

5. Gastrointestinal Diseases

Digestive issues such as inflammatory bowel disease, respiratory diseases, and exocrine pancreatic deficiency are among the most common problems that cats face. These are all serious conditions that a vet should check out as soon as possible.

Typical side effects of gastrointestinal diseases are diarrhea and vomiting. However, these two side effects don’t always come hand in hand with bad gas. But if there’s something wrong inside your cat, flatulence is one of the ways that their body will let you know.

Changes in the color, odor, and consistency of stool might also indicate gastrointestinal diseases.

6. Anal Infections Can Result in a Gassy Cat

Your cat’s behind can be the source of all kinds of diseases, from abscesses to anal gland disease. These issues are usually caused by your cat being unable to poop completely. This causes their anal glands to become clogged. The bacteria build-up within the anal glands causes constipation, infection, and farting.

If the infection gets out of control, it can be excruciating for your kitty. To avoid anal problems for your furball, ensure your cat gets plenty of fiber in its diet. This will help empty their anal sac, keeping everything clean and odorless.

7. Parasites Can Be the Reason Why Your Cat Keeps Farting

Certain intestinal parasites can cause your cat to have excessive gas. Hookworms, roundworms, and Coccidia are all known to make cats break wind.

Parasites can enter a cat’s system through various means, such as ingesting contaminated food, water, or feces or contact with infected animals. Some parasites can also be transmitted to kittens from their mother during pregnancy or nursing. Even flies and other insects might carry parasites (significant to consider for indoor cats).

To eliminate these factors, you’ll need an accurate diagnosis. It’s best to visit your vet to do a series of tests.

If caught early enough, these parasites can clear up with the right treatment. But, if you let the problem persist, it could be extremely unhealthy for your cat.

Why Does My Cat Keep Farting? When to Be Concerned

As mentioned earlier, occasional gas is nothing to worry about, but excessive gas clearly indicates that something may be off. Most of the stated causes are benign and can be solved quickly. For example, if your female cat is gassy, she could be pregnant or on heat.

However, the ones that you should be most worried about are anal infections and gastrointestinal diseases. Flatulence will not be the only symptom you notice in both cases.

If your cat is suffering from anal sac problems, you’ll notice a few odd behaviors, such as:

• Your cat may scoot its butt along the ground in an attempt to find relief
• Chasing its tail, especially if this isn’t their usual behavior
• Licking or biting its tail frequently
• In extreme cases, your cat may avoid urinating or appear to experience pain when urinating

You may also notice swelling alongside the anus with possible hard masses. This is a tell-tale sign of an anal infection. And often, your cat may stink due to glandular issues, and you’ll notice it smells far worse than its usual fart.

Sometimes your cat might have a drastic behavioral change, such as being antsy. Additionally, they may try to attack you if you touch their tail.

With gastrointestinal diseases, pinpointing what is to blame can be harder. Here are the accompanying symptoms that you should generally watch out for:

• Loss of appetite
• Vomiting
• Diarrhea
• Lethargy
• Constipation
• Abdominal swelling
• Problems chewing or swallowing
• Bloody stool

If you notice any of these issues, in addition to the increased flatulence, you should take your cat to the vet immediately.

Why Does My Kitten Fart So Much? How You Can Help

I mentioned a few earlier, but there are several ways to deal with bad gasses in cats, especially if the reason behind them isn’t an actual disease. Here are the most common and efficient preventative methods.

1. Change Your Kitty’s Food

Always use only high-quality cat food and serve well-balanced meals to your kitty daily. Make any transitions slowly by mixing the old food with some new food.

Try to avoid giving your cat dairy products, as well as most human foods. And if you have a kitty in its later years, consider some of these foods for older cats.

2. Exercise

Staying active is a key factor if you want your cat to be healthy. Purchase scratching posts and make them more appealing with catnip spray. You can also get them interactive cat toys.

3. Medication

Probiotics for cats are the most common medication for bad gas. But don’t buy gas relaxants or other medications before consulting with your vet first.

4. Seeking Professional Help

If the flatulence worsens and your cat shows signs of pain, loss of appetite, depression, or discomfort, it’s time to visit your vet. Review all possible reasons for the gas, including mild ones like foods and allergies.

The sooner you schedule a check-up with your vet, the better. You’ll then know if you need further action or to undergo any procedures and necessary treatments to alleviate your cats’ issues.

Final Thoughts on Why Do Cats Fart Alot

While a gassy cat is usually nothing to lose rest over, it would be unfair to your purrfect ball of fur to ignore its frequent flatulence instead of searching for the root of the problem. Too much ‘letting go’ could be a sign of something wrong. So, keep an eye out for other symptoms as well.

Addressing excessive gas and identifying the root cause is essential not only for your cat’s comfort but also to prevent any potential health risks and complications that may arise from untreated conditions

Remember, as long as the farts are few and far between, you shouldn’t worry. Just smile, scratch your kitty behind the ears, and wait a few seconds for the vapors to clear before lighting some incense.

Next Read: Did you find this “Why does my cat fart a lot” post interesting? For more interesting titbits on your cute kitty, read up on why cats sleep by your feet.

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