How to Treat an Upset Stomach in Cat

If your cat is experiencing an upset stomach, it is important to determine the cause and severity of the issue.

If your cat is vomiting, displaying signs of diarrhea or has not eaten in 24 hours, it’s time to seek help. An upset stomach can be serious and may lead to dehydration or fatty liver disease.

If your cat is vomiting, a short fast can help get their digestive system back in working order. Withhold food and water for 12-24 hours then offer small amounts of water.

Symptoms

Upset stomach is a common problem for cats and can be caused by many factors. For example, if you switch to a new food, it can take your cat’s digestive system some time to adjust.

Symptoms may include:

  • A cat who throws up multiple times in a day or doesn’t eat for 48 hours should be taken to the vet immediately.
  • If the cause of the vomiting is a parasite, your vet will recommend a stool sample so that you can test for these.
  • Intestinal parasites can lead to a range of symptoms in a cat including irritability, loss of appetite and a lack of energy.
  • An upset stomach can also lead to dehydration and fatty liver disease if your cat doesn’t eat for a long period of time.

Other signs to consider

A cat’s stomach can be upset for a number of reasons. It can be caused by eating something toxic, a change in diet, gastrointestinal disease or other medical conditions.

Vomiting is usually a sign of a more serious problem so it’s important to take your cat in as soon as possible. Your vet can help diagnose the underlying issue and treat it accordingly.

Abnormal stools are another indicator of a GI disturbance. If your cat is defecating in unusual places, that may be a sign of an intestinal obstruction.

Dry heaving or gagging is another common symptom. If your cat produces vomiting that is foamy and has bile in it, that’s a sign of a more serious underlying problem.

If your cat is vomiting, it’s best to remove their food and water for a day or two before slowly reintroducing it to them. Once they’re able to keep down their food and drink, your vet will recommend a bland diet.

Causes

If you are familiar with the most prevalent factors that contribute to an upset stomach in cats, you will be better able to diagnose and treat the problem in a timely manner. If you notice that your cat is exhibiting signs of having an upset stomach, you should take them to the veterinarian for an examination and treatment.

1. Dietary Changes

It’s possible that the reason your cat has been acting strangely recently is because you changed their diet. If you have just begun giving your cat a different type of food, you might want to reconsider giving them the food that they were accustomed to eating.

2. Eating Too Much

Cats frequently struggle with the issue of overeating, which can lead to gastrointestinal issues. Your cat’s daily food consumption should be divided into smaller quantities, and they should be fed more frequently, if you don’t want your cat to gain an unhealthy amount of weight.

3. Eating Too Fast

In addition, cats have a propensity to have a predisposition to eat too quickly, which can cause discomfort in the gastrointestinal tract. If you observe that your cat consumes its food too quickly, you may either give it food from a dish designed for slow eaters or cut its meal into several smaller portions.

4. Stress

Stress is another potential cause of gastrointestinal problems in cats, particularly unsettled stomachs. In the event that your cat is feeling anxious, you may assist them in unwinding by providing them with a serene and comfortable environment in which to hang out, in addition to lots of love and attention.

5. Parasites

A cat’s upset stomach may also be the result of a parasitic infection, such as worms. If you observe any signs, it is in your best interest to take your cat to a veterinarian so that he or she may be examined and perhaps treated for parasites.

6. Food Allergies

Cats that are allergic to their diet may have gastrointestinal problems. If you suspect that your cat has a food allergy, you should take it to the veterinarian to be examined. This will allow the allergen that is causing the problem to be located and treated. (Read more about cat allergy).

If you are familiar with the most prevalent factors that contribute to an upset stomach in cats, you will be better able to diagnose and treat the problem in a timely manner. If you notice that your cat is exhibiting signs of having an upset stomach, you should take them to the veterinarian for an examination and treatment.

Help

Thankfully, there are a number of helpful remedies available for cats with upset stomach. However, the effectiveness of any treatment depends on your cat’s overall health and cause of the stomach upset.

Firstly, try to avoid sudden changes to your cat’s diet as this can aggravate their tummy problems. It is also important to make sure they are getting plenty of water to help prevent dehydration.

If you do have to change your cat’s diet, make the transition gradually and only feed small amounts in a short space of time. This will help to control the amount of acid in their stomach and avoid gastritis.

There are a number of natural remedies you can use for your cat’s stomach upset, including chamomile infusions, slippery elm bark powder and aloe vera juice (that contains no latex). The combination of these three is known to aid gastrointestinal health.

See also: Best Cat Food for Sensitive Stomach

Treatment

Stomach upset is often a tricky health issue to diagnose and treat. It can have a very different presentation in cats than it does in humans, so the first step is to make sure you are correctly diagnosing the problem and treating it appropriately.

There are a number of ways to treat an upset stomach in your cat, including medications, dietary changes, and hydration. Your vet will be able to give you specific advice on the best course of treatment for your pet.

For example, a probiotic supplement may help if your cat is suffering from an upset stomach due to a die-off of good bacteria in their gut. They also can help prevent a recurrence in the future.

Vomiting is another common sign of an upset stomach. It can be a symptom of a variety of conditions, but it is a particularly serious sign when it occurs repeatedly over several days.

Learn about Pepcid AC for Cats

Reyus Mammadli/ author of the article

I have had pets since childhood: cats, guinea pigs, rabbits, geese, chickens, ducks, parrots, aquarium fish and dogs (in the yard). Of course, I constantly encountered diseases of pets and treated them. Glad to be able to share my skills and experience, as well as advice on caring for and adapting these critters and birds.

Like this post? Please share to your friends: