Why Does Your Cat Keep Farting So Badly?

1 Why Cats Fart

A quick note: passing gas is normal. As food moves through the gut and is digested, a little gas forms and leaves as flatulence. But normally a cat farts rarely and without much smell. Constant smelly gas suggests abnormal fermentation, usually from one of these five causes:

2 Five Common Causes

1. Eating Too Fast

Some cats bolt their food without chewing, swallowing air and causing stomach upset, diarrhea, and smelly gas. Fixes: use a slow-feeder; feed smaller, more frequent meals; pour only a quarter of the kibble at a time, wait two minutes, repeat until done.

2. Fever

A fever raises body temperature and can ferment gut contents, making more gas. Watch for lethargy and lost appetite; a temperature over 39.5°C (103°F) means fever. See a vet to find the cause, or if you can’t go yet, dab diluted alcohol on the paw pads to cool down.

3. Gas-Producing Food

Too many beans or sweet potatoes, or low-quality food, causes frequent gas. Avoid fermentable foods and choose a trusted, meat-rich brand.

4. Poor Digestion

Weak stomachs lead to smelly gas along with soft stools, post-meal vomiting, and poor appetite. Give pet probiotics, feed little and often to ease the burden, and add daily exercise to aid gut movement.

5. Too Much Protein

Cats are carnivores, but excess protein causes smelly gas and may trigger pancreatic disease. Pick food with about 37 to 40 percent protein, don’t overload on chicken breast toppers, and add some fruit and vegetables for gut motility.

3 What to Do

Don’t panic at first. Try a little pet probiotic to settle the gut; if there’s no improvement, check the temperature, and see a vet if anything is off.