Digestive or gastrointestinal problems are one of the most common reasons our beloved kittens visit the veterinarian.
Depending on the breed of the cat, digestive problems may be more or less frequent.
For example, Siamese cats are more prone to suffering from these types of conditions. The most common symptoms of digestive disorders include vomiting, diarrhea, constipation, bad breath, malabsorption, or colitis.
Causes of digestive problems in cats
The causes of gastrointestinal disorders in cats range from poorly tolerated diet changes to infections, inflammation of a gastrointestinal organ, or a lack of digestive enzymes.
Vomiting
First, it should be noted that prolonged vomiting is alarming since cats, having a fast metabolism, become dehydrated more quickly than dogs and humans. The causes of nausea and vomiting vary: accumulated and stuck hairballs, spoiled food, or lack of vaccination or deworming, among others.
Diarrhea
A wide variety of factors can cause diarrhea, with the most common being inappropriate feeding (low-quality food, homemade food, overfeeding, ingestion of prey), internal parasites, and bacterial or viral diseases.
Constipation
Constipation may be due to a hairball or object obstruction, insufficient water intake, lack of exercise, or a high-fiber diet that the cat cannot digest properly. More serious causes include tumors, fractures or trauma, and spinal diseases.
Small Intestine Malabsorption
Malabsorption is the term used to describe a disorder affecting cats when they are unable to fully absorb one or more types of nutrients from the food they eat.
It mostly occurs in the small intestine, as this is where most absorption takes place, but it can also affect the large intestine.
The main symptoms of this condition are constant diarrhea, loss of appetite, and weight loss.
The causes can vary widely, including intestinal neoplasia, intestinal inflammation, hyperactive thyroid, short bowel syndrome, exocrine pancreatic insufficiency, or lymphangiectasia.
Colitis
Colitis particularly affects cats under 5 years old and causes inflammation of the large intestine, making it difficult for stool to pass and causing pain. If your cat has colitis, the stool may contain blood and mucus. Colitis can be caused by polyps or tumors, diet changes, allergies, swallowing objects, and other diseases.
Bad Breath
If your cat’s bad breath is unpleasant and persistent, it is most likely suffering from a specific disease.
However, it should be noted that in this case, the causes may also be unrelated to the digestive system, such as periodontal disease (teeth), inflammatory mouth problems, skin issues, or diabetes.
If halitosis is caused by a digestive disorder, the reasons may include diet, ulcers, or tumors in the mouth or esophagus.
If you notice any of the symptoms described in this article, do not hesitate—visit the veterinarian as soon as possible, especially if the problems persist. The vet will be able to make an accurate diagnosis and recommend appropriate treatment if necessary.
Fortunately, in many cases, it will be enough to change the diet or follow a series of dietary guidelines.
Remember the saying: “An ounce of prevention is worth a pound of cure.” In this sense, an up-to-date vaccination schedule, regular deworming (every 3 months), and a complete and balanced diet are practices that prevent many of the digestive disorders mentioned.
If you have questions about your pet’s well-being, please email: www.petsvet.com DrBorrego@petsvet.com
Dr. Enrique Borrego is the medical director of Animal General Hospital, located at
501 SW Port Saint Lucie Boulevard, Port St Lucie, FL 34953. Phone: 772-344-8835
Serving our Treasure Coast community since 1990
