Cats often suffer from upset stomach and indigestion, and understanding the reasons behind these issues is key to helping them. As someone who has dealt with cats having a sensitive stomach, I’ve learned it often relates to their delicate constitution. The causes can range from dietary choices to underlying illness or injury. Noticing the symptoms is the first step towards addressing this concern.
When these symptoms last more than a day or two, it indicates severe problems. It becomes important to keep a close eye on your cat’s health. If the problem persists, seeking veterinary assistance is essential.
In my experience, managing a cat’s diet plays a pivotal role. Switching to easily digestible foods can make a significant difference. Moreover, appropriate medication, under a vet’s guidance, can alleviate their discomfort.
How Can I Tell My Cat Has a Sensitive Stomach?
If you’ve noticed your cat isn’t acting normal, specifically in terms of eating habits or digestion, it may signal a sensitive stomach. Drawing from my own experience with feline health, the first sign often is a change in their routine or disposition. They might show reluctance towards food they normally enjoy or exhibit discomfort after eating. Gathering this information is crucial to help them effectively.
- Loss of appetite
- Lethargic unusual behavior
- Vomiting
- Diarrhea
Symptoms of a sensitive stomach in cats can vary, but a common problem is a noticeable change in diet or eating patterns. If your cat is allowed to roam outdoors, they might pick up something during their adventures that doesn’t agree with their stomach. To pinpoint if a recent diet change or outdoor activity has developed this sensitivity, closely monitor their eating habits and behavior. This proactive approach can prevent future problems.
Also Read: Ways to Make Your Cat’s Vet Visit Less Stressful
Keep a Log of What They’ve Been Eating
For a cat with a sensitive stomach, managing their diet is important. A strategy I’ve found effective is logging everything they eat. This approach helps understand what works best for your feline companion. By keeping track of their meals, you can reduce the symptoms and identify which foods work and which don’t. This valuable information is key in tackling the problem and helping your cat overcome their dietary sensitivities.
Choose the Best Feeding Method for Your Cat
Deciding the right way to feed your cat involves considering various options that depend on what works best for both the owner and the feline. Every cat is different, and this reflects in their eating behavior. Knowing the most suited feeding method for your cat’s diet can significantly reduce instances of indigestion and an upset stomach. Whether it’s a set meal schedule or free feeding, the choice should align with your cat’s health needs and lifestyle.
What is Free Feeding?
Free feeding is a method where a cat’s food is left out all day, allowing them to eat as and when it pleases them. This approach gives cats the freedom to choose how much and when they want to eat. It’s often used with dry food, as it doesn’t spoil quickly compared to wet foods. This feeding style can be beneficial for cats with a sensitive stomach, as it allows them to regulate their own food intake without the pressure of scheduled meal times.
What is Meal Feeding?
Meal feeding involves setting specific times to feed your cat, a practice often seen as a healthier option for those with sensitive stomachs. This method allows owners to track portions and eating habits more closely, ensuring a well-controlled diet. By allocating fixed times for meals, it not only aids in regulating their digestive system but also helps in monitoring their overall health and nutritional intake.
Have You Changed their Food Recently?
If you’ve changed your cat’s diet too quickly or switched to a new food type or brand, it might be worth considering a change back to the original food. Often, we unintentionally end up picking up a different product at the supermarket, swayed by price or convenience. According to the PFMA 2018 Data Report, around 30% of 823 owners never read the packaging of their cat’s food. Swapping from old to new without a second thought can lead to effects like difficulty processing the new ingredients, contributing to digestive issues.
Gradually Change Your Cat’s Food
It’s important to introduce new foods gradually to avoid upsetting your cat’s diet. A sudden change can lead to an upset stomach. When transitioning, a period of around 10 days is advisable, increasing the percentage of the new while decreasing the old food. This allows your cat to cope with the transition more comfortably. It also helps you gauge whether the new diet is better suited for your cat, and makes the decision to stick with it or return to the original food more informed.
Don’t Feed Table Scraps or Leftovers
Unfortunately, many human foods are not suited for a cat’s digestive system, often causing upset. Many owners feel guilty about feeding their cats scraps from their food plates or leftovers, thinking it causes no harm. However, the PFMA Data Report 2018 reveals startling figures: of 215 owners surveyed, 41% admitted to doing this, with 31% doing it sometimes and 10% often. This is despite 59% claiming they do not feed their cats human food. It’s crucial to avoid this habit to maintain your cat’s digestive health.
Signs that You May Need to Seek a Veterinarian’s Recommendation
When your cat shows symptoms of a sensitive stomach that persist or worsen, it’s a clear sign that you need to seek a veterinarian’s recommendation. While some issues can be managed at home, professional advice becomes essential when these symptoms don’t subside. Don’t hesitate to see a veterinarian if your cat’s digestive problems continue despite dietary changes or other home remedies.
- Blood in the stool
- Persistent loose stools
- Changes in behavior, appetite or thirst
- Darker than usual stools (can be a sign of blood)
- Vomiting
- Defecating outside the box
- Straining or vocalizing in the litterbox
- Not producing urine or feces in the litterbox
Also Read: Why Your Cat is Sneezing?
How to Find the Best Food for Your Cat’s Sensitive Stomach?
Having dealt with health issues related to cats’ sensitive stomachs, I recommend working with your vet to figure out the best food. They can guide you through your cat’s nutritional requirements and help you narrow down their food preferences to find the perfect match. Exploring various options and taking professional suggestions are key in finding a food that not only appeals to your cat but also supports their health needs effectively.
Start With a Diet Trial
A diet trial, after ensuring a clean bill of health from your veterinarian, is a logical next step to narrow down your cat’s food options and find a food that suits their sensitive stomach. There’s no one-size-fits-all solution, as every cat has an individual response to each diet. It’s a process to work out the most suitable option for your cat’s unique needs. Typically, it takes about three to four months to clear the old diet from their system and adequately evaluate the new diet’s effectiveness.
What to Look For in a Cat Food for Sensitive Stomachs?
When searching for the best foods for a cat with a sensitive stomach, focus on finding options that are highly digestible and free from irritating ingredients. Ideal diets should be moderate or low in fat, and balanced in terms of protein and carbohydrates. Look for additives that can improve intestinal health, like soluble fiber, omega-3 fatty acids, and increased levels of antioxidant vitamins. Additionally, ensure the food is free from gluten, lactose, food coloring, and preservatives to further reduce the risk of irritation to their sensitive systems.
Try a Hypoallergenic Diet
For Cats with food allergies leading to gastrointestinal upset, a Hypoallergenic diet can be a game-changer. This diet typically includes a novel protein source to which the cat hasn’t been previously exposed. For example, if a cat is allergic to common proteins like chicken, trying alternatives like rabbit may help. Often, the immune system becomes sensitized to proteins it’s frequently exposed to. Studies show that proteins like beef and fish are more likely to cause allergies. So, choosing the best cat food for helping with dealing with food sensitivities, especially those related to certain protein allergies, involves selecting ingredients your cat is unlikely to be allergic to.
Types of Hypoallergenic Diets for Cats
There are three main types of hypoallergenic diets:
- Limited ingredient
- Veterinary prescription food with a novel protein
- Hydrolyzed protein
In the realm of Hypoallergenic Diets for Cats, there are primarily two types: Limited ingredient diets and Hydrolyzed protein diets. Limited ingredient options usually contain one protein source and one carbohydrate source, such as the Natural Balance L.I.D. Chicken & Green Pea Formula, a grain-free canned cat food.
These can often be purchased without prescription but beware, as these diets are not regulated for cross-contamination, which might be an issue for highly allergic cats. On the other hand, veterinary prescription diets often include novel animal proteins or single-source protein, produced in a facility that prevents cross-contamination.
As for Hydrolyzed protein diets, only available through a veterinary prescription, they break down the protein to a size less likely to be recognized by the cat’s immune system, like the Royal Canin Veterinary Diet Hydrolyzed Protein HP dry cat food.
A Note about Grain vs. Grain-Free Diets
Grains often get a bad rap in the world of cat food, especially in kibble-style dry foods. It’s a misconception that all grains are high in carbohydrates or contain gluten. In reality, a high-protein, low-carb diet can still include healthy carbs like sweet potatoes, white potatoes, peas, quinoa, and brown rice. When feeding a grain-free diet, it’s important to keep carbs under control. Remember, “Grain-free” doesn’t always mean “low-carb”; always check the specific brand and its nutritional makeup to ensure it aligns with your cat’s dietary needs.
Low-Fat Foods
When helping cats with sensitive stomachs, low-fat foods are often recommended. While fats and omega-3 fatty acids are necessary for a cat’s health, high-fat food options can make digestive problems worse. It’s wise to avoid foods high in fat such as beef, pork, milk, lamb, and cheese, and instead focus on leaner protein sources.
Hydrating Foods
Hydration is incredibly important for cats to digest food effectively. A dehydrated cat may struggle with constipation and other sensitive stomach issues. Opting for Wet cat food over dry cat food, or adding water to their meals, can increase hydration, reducing urinary symptoms and aiding their digestive systems for overall wellness. Even dehydrated cat food can become a hydrating option when water is added before serving.
Probiotics and Prebiotics
Including Probiotics and Prebiotics in your cat’s diet can support gut health, acting like a tasty treat. Products like Instant Goat’s Milk can be mixed into their meals. Consult with a veterinarian to find the best fit for your cat’s specific health needs.
Also Read: Why is My Cat Crying?
Why Your Cat Has a Sensitive Stomach?
For cat owners dealing with a sensitive stomach, checking the ingredients list of your cat food and scrutinizing any human food they access is vital. Often, a sensitive stomach is related to food intolerances or, more seriously, a food allergy. It’s important to avoid these ingredients entirely to prevent discomfort.
While tossing out problematic cat’s food can help, understanding that true food allergies in cats are rarer than food intolerances is crucial. Allergies are often characterized by skin itchiness and bumps, particularly around the head and neck areas.
Causes of Sensitive Stomachs
Tracking the cause is crucial in helping your cat feel better if they have a sensitive stomach. Common causes include disease, health conditions, stress, and true food allergies. It’s a good idea to consult a veterinarian about your cat’s digestive health. Understanding these issues and their underlying reasons is important, as sensitive stomachs can be a symptom of a variety of factors, listed above.
-
Stress
Stress is a significant culprit behind both health and behavior issues in pets, with cats being no exception. Unlike dogs, cats are both predator and prey in nature, making them always on guard for danger. They are particularly sensitive to changes in their environment, whether these changes are sudden or lead to chronic stress. This can result in an upset stomach or even more serious conditions like inflammatory bowel disease (IBD).
Here are some common causes of stress in cats:
- Moving to a new home
- Rearranging furniture or adding or removing items
- Introducing a new pet or family member to the home
- Changing their routine, like moving the litter box or changing their feeding schedule
- Changing their diet, like switching from kitten food to an adult cat food
- Being around other pets or animals
- Lacking space or environmental stimulation
Safety and comfort are crucial for cats, particularly when dealing with stress, which can significantly impact their digestive health. Reflect on any recent changes in their environment or routine that might be causing stress.
To help your cat relieve stress, engage them in exercise and playtime. Regularly using their favorite toys or creating games like hiding food-filled treats around the house can be effective stress relievers.
-
Parasites and Bacterial Infections
Parasites and bacterial infections are common causes of sensitive stomach and other health issues in cats, especially if left untreated. Outdoor cats are at a higher risk of contracting parasites. They can pick up parasites and bacteria from various sources, such as infected animals, soil, or feces while outdoors. Even something as commonplace as a litter box or exposure to fleas can be a source of infection, not to mention contaminated food.
- Roundworms
- Hookworms
- Tapeworms
- Flukes
- Toxoplasma
- Giardia
- Coccidia
Cats can get bacterial infections in their digestive system from harmful bacteria.
- Salmonella
- Campy bacter
- Helicobacter
Infections require immediate medical attention; consult a veterinarian to treat and rule out parasites or bacterial causes, and start treatment promptly.
-
Foreign Materials and Objects
Cats, like many pets, sometimes eat things that aren’t food, often accidental during playing. For instance, a toy might break, leading to ingesting a small piece. This condition, known as feline pica, is a medical condition where cats eat non-food items. The causes range from stress and nutritional deficiencies to other medical conditions, leading to digestive issues or even intestinal obstruction. Signs to watch for include biting or eating unusual objects, whether indoors or outdoors, like attempting to scratch or eat fabric furniture, or threads and strings that fall off clothing. If there’s evidence of such behavior, it’s crucial to contact your vet immediately.
-
Food Intolerances
Food intolerance in pets, especially cats, involves the digestive system struggling with breaking down a certain food or ingredient, leading to symptoms like vomiting, abdominal cramps, diarrhea, or bloating. Unlike a food allergy, which is a reaction of the immune system, food intolerances are more directly related to gastrointestinal (GI) problems. Feeding your cat the same type of food for a long time can sometimes lead to intolerance, so changing their diet and introducing new foods gradually is essential to prevent the development of a stronger reaction.
Your cat’s food is high in fats: If your cat’s food is high in fats, like fatty foods from beef, pork, lamb, or dairy, it can cause a sensitive stomach. Opt for lean animal proteins like fish or poultry if you suspect fat to be problematic for your cat.
Your cat’s food has a fiber imbalance: Cats also need fiber, but a fiber imbalance, either too much or too little, can cause digestive upset. In the wild, cats consume a whole prey animal, including fur and bones. Commercial cat foods try to replicate this by adding grains, vegetables, or legumes as sources of fiber. Strike a balance with a high-quality cat food that contains enough fiber suitable for your cat’s life stage.
Also Read: Why Does My Cat Sleep Between My Legs?
-
Food Allergy
A food allergy in a cat occurs when the cat’s immune system mistakes an ingredient in the cat’s food as a dangerous foreign substance and launches a response. While sensitive stomach is a common issue, food allergies can also manifest as fluid-filled bumps on the head and neck, along with scratching, rubbing, or licking of the skin due to discomfort.
Although a severe reaction is rare, as stated in The Merck Manual of Veterinary Medicine, less than 1% of cats suffer from true food allergies, necessitating immediate veterinary care.
Foods that commonly cause allergies in cats include:
- Beef
- Chicken
- Eggs
- Fish
- Pork
- Lamb
- Dairy (Cheese, milk, ice cream)
Conclusion
Understanding and managing a cat’s sensitive stomach requires a multifaceted approach. As we’ve explored, the key lies in vigilance and adaptability, from closely monitoring dietary habits and environmental changes to consulting with veterinarians for expert advice. Addressing food intolerances, allergies, and other potential causes like stress, infections, or foreign objects is crucial. It’s important to remember that each cat is unique, demanding personalized care and attention. By combining informed dietary choices, environmental management, and professional guidance, cat owners can significantly improve the quality of life for their feline companions, ensuring they lead happier, healthier lives.
