If your cat's gurgling stomach is keeping you up at night, you may be wondering how healthy your cat's digestive system is. In most cases, when a cat's stomach is making noises, it's the result of simple digestive movement. Although typically unrelated to more serious health disturbances, it's always worth investigating these sounds to determine whether they're a sign of something more. Is your cat's stomach making noises? Read on to learn what may be causing it and when to reach out to your veterinarian.
The grumbling, gurgling sound that a feline stomach makes is called borborygmus, which is the term for the bubbly sound gasses make as they're pushing their way through the stomach and the intestines.
Picture what's happening as pockets of gas getting "popped" as they're continually squeezed by the almost rhythmic forward propulsion of ingested food. Gases are always present in the gastrointestinal (GI) tract, either because they're ingested at mealtime (along with food) or because they're created by the teeming of bacteria as they work to help digest nutrients delivered by the food. Either way, gas is a normal participant in the digestive process.
However, some cats have louder digestive sounds than others — sounds that typically occur within an hour or two after a meal. Meanwhile, others will only produce these sounds when they're obviously experiencing discomfort or displaying clinical signs of a potential condition.
You may find yourself wondering, "My cat's stomach gurgles often — what other signs could signal there is a problem?" The first thing you should do is take note of how your cat is feeling aside from the stomach gurgling. If your cat is showing no other signs of disease or discomfort, and the gurgling is part of their normal after-meal routine, it's unlikely to be a cause for alarm. Nevertheless, it's always helpful to ask your vet about these sounds during your cat's next check-up.
However, if a cat with borborygmus starts showing signs of disease or discomfort, an urgent veterinary visit is definitely in order. Specific signs to look out for include:
These crucial signs may be subtle and tough to identify, especially in multi-cat households. Extra vigilance is always recommended in these cases. If your cat isn't eating at all, this is considered an emergency that requires a prompt consultation with your veterinarian.
The persistent gurgling of gases can be the result of a disease within the GI tract itself or of some other organ system (or systemic disease). Causes from within the GI tract may include the following:
In fact, anything that causes a change in a cat's normal intestinal bacteria can cause excessive gas production, increased gastrointestinal activity and, therefore, borborygmus.
A wide variety of illnesses can also lead to an upset digestive tract and abnormal gas activity. Here are a few of the more common reasons:
Even simple stress can lead to an upset stomach in cats.
Let's say your cat's sounds are mild, occasional and unaffiliated with any of the more concerning signs of disease — and you've seen your vet. In most cases, no treatment is required. However, it's always worthwhile to try one or more simple remedies for an upset stomach.
As always, ask your vet before embarking on any new course of treatment.
Many cat parents may say to themselves, "My cat's stomach gurgles — is there anything I can do to prevent this?" If the gurgling seems persistent and possibly uncomfortable, and your vet has found no major cause for concern, consider the use of probiotics and prebiotics to help support the feline GI tract. Many are available as over-the-counter dietary supplements.
Therapeutic gastrointestinal foods for "sensitive stomachs" are also a consideration as these can often help prevent GI disturbances through a number of means. These foods are available from your vet, so go ahead and ask if one is appropriate for your furry friend.
Dr. Patty Khuly is an award-winning veterinarian known for her independent thinking, her spirited pet advocacy, her passion for the veterinary profession, and her famously irreverent pet health writing.
Dr. K is an honors graduate of both Wellesley College and the University of Pennsylvania School of Veterinary Medicine. She received her MBA at The Wharton School of Business as part of the prestigious VMD/MBA dual-degree program. She now owns Sunset Animal Clinic, a veterinary practice in Miami, Florida.
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