Why does my cat suddenly have a big belly?
Potential causes for a cat or kitten swollen belly include organ enlargement, fluid or a mass in their belly, intestinal parasites and weight gain. In some cases, your veterinarian might be able to identify the cause of your pet’s swollen belly through a physical exam alone.
Why does my skinny cat have a big belly?
Primordial pouch, also called the cat belly pooch, is excess skin and fat that hangs low on the rear part of a cat’s abdomen. This flap develops during adulthood and is more evident in certain breeds. This isn’t really a condition, rather just a normal part of their body.
Signs that commonly occur with abdominal distension include:
- Sudden or gradual visibly larger abdomen.
- Vomiting.
- Diarrhea.
- Flatulence.
- Change in frequency of urination.
- Weakness.
- Lethargy.
- Collapse.
Is it normal for cats to show their belly?
Affection. Most people have seen a “belly pose” while petting their cats. Usually, the cat will purr loudly and roll around before you’ll see his or her tummy. A belly pose is a display of affection, and it’s best admired from a distance.
What causes a cat to look bloated?
Causes of Bloating in Cats
Intestinal parasites (roundworm, hookworm, protozoal parasites) Retaining too much fluid (develops from liver or kidney failure) Overeating (If this is chronic, an underlying disease may be the cause) Constipation.
Is My cat bloated or pregnant?
When looking from above, you’ll see that a pregnant cat’s tummy is distended slightly more than halfway from the neck to the tail. From the side, pregnant cats will look a little swayback with a slightly round and bulging tummy. If a cat is just fat, then she’ll be fat all over including her neck and her legs.
Look for these five identifying signs to tell if your cat is pregnant.
- Darkened nipples. At around three weeks, a pregnant cat’s nipples will become darker in color and enlarged.
- Morning sickness.
- Swollen belly.
- Nesting.
- Positive ultrasound.
Should I be worried if my cat is bloated?
Bloating can develop very quickly and, unfortunately, can be fatal, in its most severe forms, in as little as 30 minutes. If your pet’s stomach seems distended (stretched), or they seem nauseous, are vomiting or attempting to vomit, you should contact your vet immediately.
What does a distended abdomen look like in cats?
While the most obvious sign for abdominal distension is a visibly swollen belly area, noting all other signs may help to diagnose the underlying cause of the enlargement. Signs that commonly occur with abdominal distension include: Sudden or gradual visibly larger abdomen. Vomiting.
Why does my cat look puffy sometimes?
There are many causes of facial swelling in cats ranging from mild to severe. The most common cause is allergies, but swelling and inflammation may also indicate something more sinister, like a painful abscess or cancer. Taking your cat to the vet for examination and treatment is key to ensuring their health.
How can I tell if my cat is bloated?
The obvious sign a cat is suffering from bloating is a change to their physical appearance. How does this look? Well, you may notice their stomach becomes more swollen, bulging beyond the normal outline of their body. It may also be harder to touch.
How can I reduce my cats bloating?
“If your kitten is simply bloated from gas with no other problems, then the bloating should subside with time,” Matejka says. “Feed your kitten small meals of high-quality kitten food until the belly returns to normal.” Also, avoid feeding your kitten table scraps or giving your kitten mil.
What to do when my cat is bloated?
If you suspect your cat is suffering from bloat, you should keep them calm and contact the vet immediately. Assuming you have some specialist pet insurance for senior cats in place, an appointment with the vet should not be a financial worry.
How long can cats be bloated for?
Bloat happens very rapidly and can be fatal in as little as 30 minutes, when it is severe. If your pet’s abdomen is distended and/or you notice nausea, vomiting, attempts to vomit, sudden weakness, or collapse, contact your veterinarian immediately! Bloat is a life-threatening condition.
How do you help a bloated cat?
Treatment of Bloating in Cats
Treatment of a bloated stomach should begin just as soon as the veterinarian has a solid diagnosis. Although quite rare, if the cat has gastric dilation and volvulus (GDV), the only cure for this condition is emergency surgery. The surgeon physically straightens the stomach out.
Why is my cat’s stomach bloated?
Obesity: Weight gain usually occurs when a cat eats too much or doesn’t exercise enough, or both. Obesity leads to accumulation of fat in the abdomen and may result in abdominal enlargement.
What can I give my cat for bloating and gas?
Probiotic and prebiotic supplementation with products like Forti-Flora®, Proviable®, and Prostora® can also help by restoring healthy microbes in the GI tract. Medications, like simethicone, that reduce the surface tension of gas bubbles to help them break down may be recommended for short-term relief of flatulence.
How Can I Cure My Cat’s Flatulence?
- Gradually change diet to a low-fiber, easily digestible food.
- Offer smaller, more frequent meals.
- Feed cats in multi-cat households separately to avoid food competition.
- Keep your cat away from spoiled food, i.e. the garbage.
- Make sure your cat gets regular exercise.
CLINICAL SIGNS
- Distension or bloating of the abdomen.
- Abdominal pain – usually severe.
- Tense abdomen.
- Hypersalivation.
- Nausea (lip smacking, retching)
- Vomiting or attempting to vomit (may not be able to bring anything up)
- Vocalisation.