An upset stomach is nothing unusual in cats. It manifests itself in vomiting and diarrhea, among other things. In most cases, the problems go away by themselves. If not, the cause should be clarified with the help of a vet.
When the stomach rebels
Some cats can eat whatever they want and hardly ever have stomach problems. Others, on the other hand, are much more susceptible and react very quickly with an upset stomach due to various triggers. This can be "acute" and be over just as quickly as it came.
If the symptoms are present for a longer period of time, it can also be an inflammation of the stomach lining (chronic gastritis). The affected cat's stomach continuously produces too much stomach acid. This irritates the stomach lining and can cause inflammation. If left untreated, this can result in a stomach ulcer. For this reason, permanent stomach problems should always be examined by a vet.
Symptoms of stomach problems in cats
Unfortunately, cats are real masters at not letting their illnesses show. This is a natural protection so that potential enemies cannot recognize that they are weakened. Therefore, do not overlook even seemingly insignificant symptoms, as the illness of the stomach could be quite advanced.
It is easy to assess indoor cats, as you can observe them all day long and notice possible consequences such as diarrhea immediately. It is more difficult to recognize stomach upsets in outdoor cats. With them, it is all the more important to pay close attention to symptoms that may indicate stomach problems.
Symptoms of stomach problems:
- Vomiting
- diarrhea
- unwillingness to eat
- drowsiness
- Abdominal tenderness
- Head tilted downwards (sign of abdominal pain)
- Gag reflexes
Causes of stomach problems
As the cat's stomach is a sensitive organ, a number of factors can trigger stomach problems:
- Hairballs
- Abrupt change of food
- Food that is too cold or spoiled
- Parasite infestation
- Feed allergy
- Kidney disease
- Infections with bacteria or viruses
- Hormonal problems
- Hyperthyroidism
- Ingestion of a toxic substance
- Ingested object
- Stress
- Tumors
Diagnosis of an upset stomach
First of all, you should try to find out the reason for your cat' s stomach problems yourself: Are you perhaps changing her food too often? Is your cat's wet food too cold, perhaps straight from the fridge? Have you not combed your long-haired cat much recently, so that your cat may have swallowed a lot of hair when grooming? Or is your cat under constant stress due to certain external circumstances? You can tackle these problems yourself and avoid them in future.
If none of the above points come into question and your cat's general condition is unremarkable, you can wait a day and observe how things progress. Often the cat eats little food and can thus relieve the stomach so that everything is fine again the next day. In this case, it was only a minor stomach upset. However, if the cat continues to show clear symptoms, a visit to the vet is necessary. The vet has various options for making a diagnosis: These include a blood and fecal examination, x-rays, ultrasound examinations and a gastroscopy.
Therapy for stomach problems
The treatment of an upset stomach depends on the cause. If the diagnosis shows that you have made a "mistake" yourself, you may be able to correct it relatively easily, which will make the symptoms disappear. If the cause is unclear and the cat's general condition is not a cause for concern, an adult cat should first be put on a "zero diet" for a day. This means that the cat is not allowed to eat anything for a day and can drink water in small portions throughout the day. Treats are also taboo during this time.
If the examination of the cat reveals that the illness is not due to any fault on your part, but that other causes are responsible for the stomach problems, the diagnosis will determine the treatment. If worms have been discovered in the feces, the vet will prescribe a worm remedy, in the case of gastritis caused by bacteria, the cat will be given antibiotics and if the cause is related to the diet, a light diet may need to be offered or the cat' s food changed. This special food is easy to digest and puts little strain on the gastrointestinal tract. This light diet should be offered in small portions throughout the day. This is also easy on the stomach and intestines. If you do not want to prepare this light diet yourself, you can use wet foods from specialist retailers, such as Integra Protect Intestinal. In most cases, stomach problems in cats can be brought under control relatively quickly with the appropriate products.