Kittens’ bellies are typically small and round, but a beer belly shape may suggest a bloated belly. Kittens’ stomachs can become bloated for many reasons. In this article, we’ll look at the possible causes for a bloated kitten and home remedies for treating it. Continue reading to find out more.
Home Remedy for a Bloated Kitten
To treat a bloated kitten at home, feed them smaller meals more frequently. If parasites are causing your kitten to be bloated, give them a dewormer.
Your cat might also be bloated due to the type of food you give them. Some cats get bloated from dry cat food, so you should try switching them to wet cat food.
Your cat might also have food allergies that cause them to get bloated. For example, a cat with a grain allergy might get very bloated when they eat food with grain. If you suspect this is the case, you should check out some grain-free food options for you cat.
Best remedies for a bloated cat
The two best remedies for a bloated cat are TummyWorks probiotic and Homeopet Digestive Supplements. Both can cure a cat’s bloat in a matter of minutes.
What causes a kitten to get bloated?
There are many possible causes for a kitten to be bloated. Bloating in kittens can be caused by organ enlargement, a fluid or mass in their stomach, intestinal parasites, and flatulence or excessive gas.
Organ enlargement
Many organs in kittens can swell, causing bloating. Organ enlargement can occur in the liver, spleen, or kidneys, as well as in the bladder or gastrointestinal tract.
Cancer (both benign and malignant), fungal infections, inflammatory cell buildup, or a reaction to disease elsewhere in the body can all cause enlargement of the liver, spleen, or kidneys. An enlarged bladder can cause failure to urinate, which can be very painful for you kitten. It is more prevalent in male cats but can also affect female cats. It can also cause your cat to go to litter box every few minutes.
Finally, bloating can occur when the enlarged gastrointestinal tract becomes clogged with gas, fluid, foreign material, or even food.
Fluid in the belly
A kitten’s bloated belly can be caused by moderate to large quantities of fluid in the abdomen. When the vet touches the affected area, they should be able to see a fluid wave.
A variety of diseases can cause fluid in the abdomen, such as bleeding, cancer, heart failure, low protein, inflammation, viral infections, or a rupture of a hollow organ.
Mass in the belly
A mass in one of the many abdominal organs can cause bloating in kittens; however, adult cats are more prone to this. You should take your kitten to the vet immediately if your kitten has a mass in their stomach. Treatment may include surgery to remove the mass, chemotherapy, or monitoring and supportive care with medications, depending on the location and type of mass.
Intestinal Parasites
The presence of intestinal parasites can cause kittens to appear bloated. Intestinal parasites are actually the most common cause of a swollen belly in kittens because kittens are more likely to have bigger worm loads. A veterinarian can test intestinal parasites’ presence by analyzing your cat’s feces. Treatment usually comprises an oral medicine and cat dewormer.
Flatulence or Excessive Gas
There are numerous reasons why a kitten may experience flatulence or excessive gas from time to time. Some of the reasons could be that they ate food that upset their stomach, ate too much or too fast, or were allergic to what they ate. Kittens may experience bloating because of these.
What to do if your kitten is bloated?
A kitten with a bloated belly can be in a lot of pain, which could be severe. If your kitten is chronically bloated, it will require an evaluation and diagnostic testing to determine the cause of the swelling. More specific infectious disease or organ testing may be required at times.
Your veterinarian’s recommendations for testing will be tailored to your kitten’s case. In some cases, a physical exam by your veterinarian may be enough to determine the cause of bloating in your kitten. However, in some cases, your kitten will require additional testing. A bloated stomach may feel hard and protrude, like a pregnant belly. Other signs that your kitten isn’t feeling well include constipation, vomiting, lethargy, or diarrhea.
Treatments for bloated kittens
Treatments for kittens with bloated bellies are dependent on the underlying cause. As previously stated, intestinal parasites are frequently to blame. The most common are roundworms, which affect 25 to 75% of cats. It is critical to see your veterinarian regularly during kittenhood, not only for worms but also to monitor weight gain and discuss your growing kitten’s nutritional requirements.
Feeding your kitten a high-quality, complete, and balanced diet ensures that your kitten is getting essential nutrients rather than empty calories that can lead to obesity.
If the reason of the bloating in your kitten is more internal, such as enlarged organs, fluid or mass in the belly, or internal parasites, there is nothing you can do but consult a vet. If your kitten is bloated due to internal issues, treatments may include removing fluid from the abdomen, medication, and/or surgery.
How to prevent your kitten from getting bloated
Here are some things you can do to prevent bloating in kittens:
- Do not feed your kitten table scraps. Table scraps can lead to digestive issues. They may cause mild gastrointestinal issues, vomiting, and diarrhea, which can lead to bloating, depending on how delicate your cat’s digestive system is.
- Do not give your kitten milk. Cats and milk, contrary to popular belief, do not always mix well. Felines are lactose intolerant, which means they lack the enzymes required to digest the sugar found in milk. If consumed, it can cause stomach issues, including bloating and gas.
- Use canned food to help your kitten consume fewer carbohydrates. If feeding canned food is not an option, choose a high-protein, low-carbohydrate cat food to improve fecal consistency and reduce bloating.
- Consult your veterinarian about adding probiotics to your kitten’s diet. Probiotics are beneficial bacteria that aid in kittens’ digestion and overall health. These living microorganisms are thought to aid in treating or preventing a wide range of illnesses and diseases, particularly those affecting the gastrointestinal system.
Conclusion
There is not a perfect home remedy for bloating in kittens, but there are some things you can do to prevent or reduce bloating. Hopefully, this article helped you with your problem. Good luck with your kitten’s bloating, and let’s hope it will resolve itself and is not a more serious issue.
