🐾 7 major causes of gastrointestinal problems in cats・Detailed introduction

Fellow cats, have you ever noticed your cat suddenly experiencing vomiting, diarrhea, constipation, or even a loss of appetite? 😿 Cats' stomachs are incredibly delicate, easily susceptible to issues caused by food, environment, or illness. Often, we dismiss these as "just a temporary discomfort," but frequent or severe episodes could actually indicate a serious underlying problem. Today, we'll help you identify seven major causes of gastrointestinal problems in your cat , breaking them down in detail. We'll also share our personal experiences so you can better identify and address them early.

🌟 Reason 1: Improper diet

"Eating indiscriminately will lead to trouble"

• One of the most common causes of gastrointestinal discomfort in cats.
• Eating foods that are not suitable for humans (such as onions, chocolate, and milk) or spoiled food may irritate the stomach and intestines.
• A sudden change in diet without a transition period can also cause intestinal discomfort.

Editor’s experience: I once gave my cat a little cheese, but it “exploded” that night 💩, which scared me so much that I never dared to feed it to anyone again.

👉 Recommendation: When changing food, slowly mix the old and new food over 7-10 days to avoid sudden changes.

🐱 Reason 2: Food sensitivity or intolerance

"There are some things that really don't suit his stomach."

• Some cats are allergic to certain proteins (such as beef, chicken) or grains.
• Common symptoms include diarrhea, vomiting, and itchy skin.
• Lactose intolerance is also quite common, and diarrhea is likely to occur after drinking milk.

Editor’s observation: I tried feeding my cat cheese, and he immediately had diarrhea, proving that he can’t tolerate milk at all🥛.

👉 Recommendation: If you suspect food allergies, you can consider hypoallergenic formula and gradually observe the reaction.

😿 Reason 3: Hairball problem

The Price Behind Beauty

• Cats ingest hair during their daily grooming routine.
• If hair accumulates in the stomach and intestines and cannot be excreted, it will form hairballs.
• It can cause retching, constipation, and loss of appetite.

Editor's experience: When the molting season comes, I often hear "cough cough cough" sounds, which scare me and make me think that the cat is choking, but it is actually the hairball causing trouble.

👉 Recommendation: Comb the hair regularly and feed hairball paste or hairball formula to help remove hair.

💩 Reason 4: Parasitic infection

"Gastrointestinal Thief"

• Common ones include roundworms, tapeworms, whipworms, and coccidia.
• It can cause chronic diarrhea, vomiting, and weight loss.
• Some parasites are even visible to the naked eye and appear in feces.

I heard that a friend adopted a stray cat, and it turned out to have serious parasites, and needed to take medicine and injections to cure it first🐛.

👉 Recommendation: Deworm your cat regularly, especially if it goes outdoors or comes into contact with other animals.

🛋️ Reason 5: Stress and environmental changes

Emotions can affect your stomach

• Cats are very sensitive to changes in their environment, such as moving house, changing litter boxes, or their owners being away from home for a long time.
• Stress can cause abnormal gastrointestinal motility, leading to diarrhea or constipation.
• Some people may even lose their appetite due to anxiety.

Editor's experience: When moving, the pet ate little for a week and occasionally had diarrhea, but later got better after slowly adapting to the new environment.

👉 Suggestion: Provide a safe hiding space, spend more time with your child, and help relieve stress.

🐾 Reason 6: Bacterial or viral infection

Gastroenteritis is no small matter

• Common bacteria: Salmonella, Escherichia coli.
• Common viruses: feline panleukopenia, coronavirus.
• It can cause severe vomiting, diarrhea, fever, dehydration, and some can even be fatal.

Editor’s thoughts: I once heard about a kitten whose condition took a turn for the worse in a short period of time due to viral gastroenteritis. It was really shocking.

👉 Recommendations: Maintain a clean environment, get vaccinated on time, and avoid contact with food and animals of unknown origin.

🧪 Reason 7: Chronic Disease

"Stomach discomfort may be the cause of a serious illness"

• Inflammatory bowel disease (IBD), kidney disease, liver disease, and hyperthyroidism may all present with gastrointestinal problems.
• Long-term vomiting, diarrhea, and weight loss should not be simply regarded as "ordinary gastroenteritis."
• A veterinarian will need to perform blood tests, ultrasound, etc. to confirm the diagnosis.

Editor's reminder: If your pet has gastrointestinal problems for more than a week, be sure to take it to see a doctor and don't take it lightly.

🎉 Editor’s Summary

Cats have a variety of causes for gastrointestinal issues, including diet, hairballs, parasites, stress, infection, and even chronic illness . It's your responsibility to observe your cat's condition early and not dismiss it as a single or two instances of vomiting, as this can sometimes be a more serious problem.

👉Minion Missions :

• Pay attention to your pet's diet and bowel movements📋
• Transfer the food slowly, don't give it to others randomly🍖
• Regularly comb and deworm 🪮
• If you have severe or persistent problems, seek medical attention immediately🚑