Is it normal or should you worry?

by Certified Cat Behaviorist Rita Reimers

The other day I was sitting on the couch with a few cats, when this smell came over the room. I thought maybe someone had just used the litter box. Then it happened again! Out loud I said “OK, WHO FARTED!” I was kidding but then I started to wonder, do cats fart and is that normal?

We may snicker, but it turns out that yes indeed, cats do fart! But unlike dogs (or humans), feline flatulence tends to be subtle, silent, and not nearly as frequent (thankfully!).

So, those occasional little puffs of gas are a totally normal part of kitty digestion.

Why Do Cats Fart?

Pretty much the same reasons we fart is what makes your kitty pass gas, too. Cats, like all mammals, produce gas as their digestive system breaks down food. Sometimes when I put my ear to one of my cat’s tummies, I can hear the gas rolling around in there, just like with us humans and their K9 companions.

Funny Story: I grew up with a dog, a Lab/Golden Retrieve mix named Blazer. His fart could peel the paint off the walls. The funny part is, when his gas was particular noxious, Blazer would turn toward his rear end, take sniff, audibly groan, then get up and move! Thanks Blazer for leaving us to smell what you did!

Why Kitty May Fart

Most of the time, it passes unnoticed. But certain situations can turn up the volume (and the stinky aroma).

• Diet changes – New foods can cause tummy turbulence.

• Dairy – Many cats are lactose intolerant.

• Speed eating – Gulping food means swallowing air.

• Medical issues – Persistent, smelly gas can signal intestinal trouble.

The Most Common Reason for Cat Farts

Dietary changes are famous for causing upset feline tummies, and that is what was happening here. In my case, if you follow my Facebook posts you know that my 16-year-old Boo-Boo kitty has been battling a tooth abscess along with an oral infection (he is fine now). His food had to change to one that didn’t need chewing while we cleared up his infection.

This new food has a more pudding-like consistency to it, and at first his digestive tract was not used to this food. Boo-Boo now seems to prefer this food, so I still give it to him along with his regular diet since he also needs to put on some weight.

Should You Worry if Kitty has Flatulence?

An occasional toot is nothing to fret over, and it quite normal. However, if your cat’s gas is constant, foul-smelling, or accompanied by diarrhea, vomiting, or weight loss, it’s definitely time for a vet check to figure out the cause and treatment of your Cat’s Flatulence.

It’s not a good idea to treat is on your own if it’s chronic; your veterinarian can tell you if there is an illness causing the gas, like IBD, Pancreatitis, Parasitic Worms, or Nutrition Malabsorption, to name a few. There are times when over the counter remedies such as HomeoPet, or simply adding some Tiki Cat Pumpkin Tummy Topper to your kitty’s diet will help, but only after other medical issues have been ruled out.

Keeping Kitty Fart-Free

Feeding high-quality food, avoiding table scraps, and offering smaller, more frequent meals can help reduce gas. And your cat will thank you for fewer embarrassing moments and less painful gas.

If your kitty has more frequent gas and it’s very smelly, it might be worth a call or visit with your veterinarian.

💡 Takeaway: Do cats fart? Absolutely. But if your cat’s gas seems more than just an occasional puff, it’s worth a closer look.

Rita is always here to help! Book a Cat Behavior Session, and she’ll guide you through the process so you can go from cat chaos to PURRfect peace.