Bloating in Cats: Our Vet Explains Causes, Signs & Care Tips

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Are you looking at your cat and noticing their belly looks swollen or slightly larger than normal? You might be wondering what is causing this change in appearance. There are several things that could be going on inside your cat’s belly. Our article will take you through these possibilities, give you signs of illness to watch out for, and let you know what to expect at the vet. We will also give you some pointers on keeping your cat healthy, although not every cause of bloating is preventable.

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What Is Bloating?

Bloating is the expansion of your cat’s abdomen to a larger-than-normal size. It is a vague sign and not an illness in itself. Bloating can occur in any cat of any age. A variety of conditions can lead to the appearance of a swollen belly.

Another term used to describe bloating is “distended abdomen,” which you might hear your vet say. Some cases of bloating are serious, which is why it’s important to monitor your cat closely if they are bloated.

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What Are the Signs of Bloating?

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While the only consistent sign of bloating is a distended abdomen, other signs can accompany bloating depending on the underlying cause. If your cat is bloated, you should evaluate their behavior so you can give your vet an accurate description of what’s going on at home.

Signs to watch for include:

  • Changes in appetite and thirst
  • Diarrhea
  • Vomiting
  • Lethargy
  • Coughing or labored breathing
  • Changes in urination
  • Pale gums
  • Pain
  • Weight changes

What Causes Bloating?

A distended abdominal appearance can be caused by something out of the ordinary going on in the abdomen. Blood or fluid can accumulate outside the organs, known as ascites. Fat or pregnancy can cause the abdomen to enlarge. Organs can also become enlarged for various reasons, causing the abdomen to look bigger than normal.

Some of the underlying causes of bloating include:

  • Pregnancy: If you own a female cat that hasn’t been spayed, she may be pregnant. Pregnancy can cause the abdomen to enlarge over the roughly two-month gestation period. Your cat’s nipples may get bigger as she gets close to giving birth.
  • Obesity: Excessive calorie consumption will lead to fatty deposits around your cat’s body. The main places your cat will store this fat are in the abdomen and primordial pouch, which is the flap of skin under the belly. They will also have fat covering the ribs.
  • Overeating: If your cat has gorged themselves on food that has been left out, their enlarged stomach can cause a bloated appearance. It is especially noticeable in slim cats and kittens. If this is the case, you want to ensure they haven’t eaten anything toxic and monitor for signs of gastrointestinal upset.
  • Gassiness: Some digestive problems can lead to excessive gas that bloats the abdomen. If your cat has gastrointestinal signs alongside a mildly bloated abdomen, this could be the cause.
  • Parasites: Intestinal worms can lead to abdominal bloating, which can easily be cured with a broad-spectrum deworming treatment. However, especially in kittens, worms can sometimes lead to problems like anemia or diarrhea, which may need further treatment.
  • Infection: Infections in the abdomen can lead to a build-up of pus. The pus may be contained in a pocket, which is called an abscess. Alternatively, infections of the entire abdominal cavity can occur secondary to intestinal rupture.
  • Feline infectious peritonitis: Feline infectious peritonitis (FIP) is a viral cause of fluid accumulation within the abdomen. It is more common in younger cats. There is now medication available that is highly effective in treating FIP.
  • Gastrointestinal blockage: Gastrointestinal blockages usually occur when your cat has eaten something non-digestible, and it gets stuck in their system. This can cause severe vomiting, and they may not defecate or only pass small/soft stools.
  • Urinary blockage: If your cat can’t urinate, the bladder enlarges, which can cause a mildly bloated look. Urinary blockages are fairly common in male cats but rare in females. It can quickly be fatal and is an emergency.
  • Congestive heart failure: When the heart stops pumping blood efficiently, fluid can accumulate in the lungs or abdomen. Congestive heart failure can be treated with medication; however, it can be life-threatening.
  • Cancer: Cancer in the abdomen can cause an abdominal mass, which shifts organs to the side and takes up space, causing the abdomen to enlarge. Cancers can also leak fluid, which can cause ascites.
  • Uterine infection: A uterine infection, or pyometra, to use the medical term, is rare in cats. However, if it happens, it can lead to an enlarged uterus, which can give the abdomen an enlarged appearance.
  • Cushing’s disease: This is also rare in cats, but Cushing’s disease can cause hair loss and a distended abdomen. The abdomen is usually large due to an enlarged liver and increased abdominal fat.

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Diagnosing Bloating in Your Cat

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To diagnose the cause of bloat in your cat, you must book a veterinary appointment. Some cases of bloat require emergency veterinary attention. We recommend immediately visiting the after-hours clinic if your cat has collapsed, can’t urinate, or has trouble breathing.

You may also need urgent veterinary care if your cat is at risk of becoming dehydrated, such as when they are not eating and drinking or losing a lot of fluid in vomit or diarrhea. Similarly, if your cat is lethargic, has a fever, or has pale gums, you should get them help sooner rather than later.

What to Expect at the Vet

Your vet will examine your cat, taking their temperature and palpating their abdomen. They will also ask questions about your cat to gain an understanding of their illness, lifestyle, and general history. These factors can help your vet determine which causes of bloating are more likely in your cat.

If your cat’s case is relatively straightforward, your vet might come up with a treatment plan or preliminary diagnosis based on their examination. However, they may also need further diagnostic tests to determine what is causing your cat’s illness.

These tests could include:

  • Blood tests
  • Fecal tests
  • Urine analysis
  • Imaging like ultrasound or X-rays
  • Abdominal fluid sampling and cytology
  • Biopsy

Your vet will then make a treatment plan based on your cat’s diagnosis. For example, if your cat is pregnant, your vet will give instructions to help her through the birth and raising of kittens.

Your cat may need a change in diet or weight loss. They could need medications or even a hospital stay if they are unwell. Some cats may also require surgery to make a recovery. Those with cancer could go on to receive radiation or chemotherapy.

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How Do I Care for a Cat With Bloating?

As you now know, many causes of bloating are serious, while others are easily treatable. That is why you should first take your cat to the vet if you are worried about a bloated abdomen. The treatment for your cat will depend on the underlying cause, and it can range from weight loss to deworming medication or even surgery.

There are a few ways to prevent some causes of bloat in your cat. This mainly involves taking excellent care of your pet.

Diet

A good quality and nutritionally balanced diet is necessary to keep your cat in top shape. Kittens need a special diet with more protein and calories to support their growth. Senior cats can also benefit from specialized diets, as can cats with certain health conditions.

For an otherwise healthy adult cat, you can choose wet or dry food or a combination of both. We recommend using brands that have meat as the first ingredient, and ideally, you should choose something with all-natural, quality ingredients. For cats with digestive or other health problems, your veterinarian can advise you about the best diet options.

Portion Control

Maintaining a healthy body condition score is essential for a cat’s health since overweight cats are more prone to joint problems, diabetes, urinary issues, and cancer1. While exercise and play have a role in weight loss, especially in more sedentary indoor cats, feeding the appropriate number of calories is even more important.

Commercial cat foods generally come with a feeding guide, but keep in mind that this is only a guide as it doesn’t consider your cat’s metabolism, health, activity levels, weight, and other factors. That is why you may have to adjust their portions according to their weight or your vet’s recommendations.

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Health Checks

Keeping your cat up to date with regular checkups can help detect problems early. During these checkups, your cat will be examined and given vaccinations as needed. Your veterinarian can also discuss health or behavioral concerns during these routine examinations.

Parasite Prevention

Parasite prevention can be obtained over the counter, but many need a veterinary prescription to purchase. Adult cats should be dewormed every 3 months, and young kittens are dewormed every 2­–4 weeks, depending on their age. In addition to intestinal worms, heartworms, fleas, ticks, and mites can be prevented using routine preventatives. They will keep your cat in good condition.

Spaying and Neutering

Spaying and neutering your cats will eliminate the possibility of an unwanted pregnancy. With so many cats and kittens waiting for homes, allowing your cat to breed is unethical unless you are a registered and responsible breeder. Spaying and neutering also prevent certain diseases, like uterine infection, ovarian cancer, and testicular cancer.

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Frequently Asked Questions

What Does a Distended Abdomen Look Like in Cats?

A distended abdomen looks like a big swollen belly, much larger than its usual appearance. If the belly is filled with fluid, it can feel like a water balloon. Sometimes, the distended abdomen is firm or doughy. A vet can sometimes feel masses or kittens in a distended abdomen.

What Does a FIP Belly Feel Like?

Feline infectious peritonitis (FIP) typically causes fluid in the abdomen. An FIP belly is filled with fluid and feels like a water balloon. If you gently tap the belly, you can sometimes feel a fluid wave on the other side.

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Why is My Cat’s Belly So Big?

Your cat’s belly could be big due to any cause of bloat. Your cat’s age, breed, history, and signs at home will help the vet gauge the likely causes of your cat’s swollen belly. If your cat shows any signs of illness, you should take them to the vet.

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Conclusion

If your cat has a bloated abdomen, they are showing signs that could be related to pregnancy, weight gain, overeating, or illness. You should closely monitor your cat for any other signs and have them seen by a vet to see if they are unwell or the bloating persists. Most cases of extreme bloating require urgent veterinary attention.

Featured Image Credit: Zhuravlev Andrey, Shutterstock





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