IBD & IBS in Cats: Signs, Causes & Remedies
What Is Feline Inflammatory Bowel Disease (IBD) or Irritable Bowel Syndrome (IBS)?
Feline inflammatory bowel disease (IBD) is a diagnosis used for a variety of intestinal disorders found in cats.
These disorders are characterized by an abnormal accumulation of inflammatory cells in the lining of the intestine. Your veterinarian may have diagnosed feline IBD after obtaining a biopsy. Other causes of inflammation, such as parasites, bacterial or viral infections, exposure to toxic substances and pancreatic causes of small bowel disorders, would have been ruled out.
Cats may also be diagnosed with irritable bowel syndrome (IBS). IBS in cats is often caused by the inability to effectively pass food through the gastrointestinal tract, food intolerances (possibly due to allergies) and stress. The intestinal lining may be thickened and inflamed. The inflammation can cause the cat to have a hard stomach, bloating, gas, growling stomach noises, vomiting, bloody diarrhea and weight loss. Your cat may be hunched over or have an arched back because of pain from abdominal cramping or diarrhea. Cats with IBD and/or IBS may develop intestinal lymphoma as a result of years of inflammation in the intestinal tract. Cats may not show signs until they are older, even though they may not have shown a great deal of GI distress in their younger years.
Common Signs of IBD and IBS in Cats
If your kitty has IBD or IBS, you may notice symptoms that vary in severity and frequency. The symptoms your cat has will depend on which part of the GI tract is affected. Other factors such as diet and stress can play a huge role in how and when symptoms appear. Common signs of feline IBD and IBS include:
- Chronic diarrhea (may contain mucous and blood)
- Weight loss
- Vomiting (may contain hairballs)
- Cat lethargic or not eating
- Gas
- Stomach gurgling noises
- Blood and/or mucous in the stool
What Causes IBD in Cats?
Chronic inflammation in a cat's intestinal tract can be caused by one or many things. The biggest contributors to IBD are diet, microbiome, environment and genetics.
Inflammtory Diet
Cats with IBD have very sensitive digestion and may have allergies or intolerances to common ingredients in commercial pet foods. One of the goals of cat IBD treatment is to use natural supplements along with diet changes to reduce inflammation throughout the GI tract. Grains and certain meat proteins can be allergens for cats.
Many cats with IBD are prescribed special veterinary diets, but most of these contain chemicals, fillers and grains and are high in carbohydrates, which can cause indigestion.
Cats are carnivores and they were designed to eat meat - not corn, wheat, gluten, or rice. There is not one "perfect" diet that works for every cat with IBD, but most respond well to a hypoallergenic, easily-digestible diet.
Unhealthy Microbiome
A healthy, balanced microbiome supports the immune system, fights pathogens, and maintains digestive health.
Clinical studies have shown the presence of dysbiosis in feline inflammatory bowel disease (IBD).* Dysbiosis occurs when the balance between the good and bad bacteria in the gut microbiome is out of alignment.
Cats with IBD often have a high population of bad bacteria (pathogens that can cause sickness and disease) in contrast to an insufficient amount of the healthy bacteria that aid in digestion. When your cat's microbiome is out of alignment, dysbiosis can cause all types of digestive upset, including vomiting, acid reflux, diarrhea and loose stool.
Probiotics are essential to rebalance the microbiome of cats that have been treated with antibiotics and/or steroid medications. These medications can cause an imbalance in intestinal flora (microbiome) by killing off the good "friendly bacteria" along with the bad bacteria.
*Reference: Anim Health Res Rev, 2012 Jun;13(1):64-77. Feline gastrointestinal microbiota. Minamoto Y, Hooda S, Swanson KS, Suchodolski JS.
Environmental Causes & Stress
Stress is a huge trigger for IBS & IBD in cats. Cats like peace and quiet.
Loud noises, such as a vacuum or children playing, can disrupt them and cause stress. Like people, cats can have physical reactions to stress that may include diarrhea and digestive upset. Long term stress and anxiety can lead to chronic inflammation in the intestinal tract or IBD.
Genetic Predisposition
The makeup of your kitty's immune system is also thought to play a role in feline IBD. The majority of your cat's immune system resides in its digestive tract.
The immune system has a natural mucosal barrier throughout the GI tract to prevent harmful bacteria from causing inflammation. If the barrier becomes weak, pathogens can cross into the tissue and cause inflammation and infection. Siamese and other oriental breeds are more predisposed to developing IBD.*
*Reference: J Am Vet Med Assoc, 1992;200(11):1712-1718. Lymphocytic/plasmacytic gastroenteritis in cats: 14 cases (1985-1990). Dennis JS, Kruger JM, Mullaney TP.
Is IBD/IBS the Same as Colitis?
Colitis is a type of inflammatory bowel disease in cats. With cat colitis, the GI inflammation is located in the colon or large intestine. It can be an acute or chronic condition. Chronic colitis can cause weight loss and other uncomfortable symptoms associated with IBD.
The acute form of colitis is usually caused by stress. Stress colitis in cats can cause diarrhea and bloody stools that may appear pink, red or tarry, depending on the degree of ulceration inside the colon. How to treat colitis in cats naturally will include learning how to keep your cat calm and
managing stress and anxiety, as these can help to decrease colitis flare-ups.
Colitis in kittens is fairly common. Kittens do not have a fully developed digestive or immune system and are much more sensitive to stress, parasites (hookworms, roundworms, giardia), food allergens and infections. If your kitty has colitis or bloody stools, it is important to see a veterinarian to make sure they do not have any parasites.
Supplements that Help with Cat IBD/IBS
How to Help with IBD/IBS in Cats
Natural compounds and supplements can help relieve symptoms of IBD, IBS, vomiting and diarrhea. Combined with a healthy diet, most cats start to feel better quickly.
Supplements like digestive enzymes, probiotics and organic hemp extract can reduce inflammation, firm up stool, relieve symptoms and improve your cat's overall wellbeing.
Recommended Supplements to Help Alleviate IBS and IBD in Cats
Our supplements can be used in conjunction with treatments prescribed by your veterinarian. Using the appropriate hypoallergenic, anti-inflammatory diet along with our natural treatment for cat IBD and IBS can be life-changing for your cat and for you!
IBD Kit - The Cat IBD Treatment Kit includes three natural remedies for cat digestion specially designed to calm and soothe the digestive tract, firm up stool, relieve tummy rumbling and reduce gas, mucus and bloody stool.
Power Probiotic - It is important to use a multi-strain, powerful probiotic that has been used extensively with cats that have IBD. Our Power Probiotic is easy to administer, very effective and well tolerated by cats. The product has been third-party tested and guaranteed to contain the amounts of friendly bacteria indicated on the label.
Soothing Digestive Relief - This leading herbal enzyme supplement breaks down nutrients, calms the stomach, firms up stool and helps increase absorption. This digestive enzymes supplement for cats with IBD helps to relieve the diarrhea, vomiting, gas, gurgling noises and discomfort associated with IBD and IBS.
NOT Drops - BThis is a natural homeopathic remedy that fights infection and supports your cat's immune system. It controls harmful bacteria and restores gut flora balance, improving digestive symptoms and immune function. It’s gentle, easy to administer (tasteless, alcohol-free) and safe for long-term use as well as safe for small cats and kittens.
Happy Paws Organic Hemp Extract - Has a calming, soothing effect. Stress is a trigger for diarrhea and digestive problems. Many pets that have IBD and digestive issues also have anxiety. Happy Paws Drops help to calm nervous pets and relieve pain and intestinal cramping.
Gastro ULC - This home remedy helps cats with acid reflux, vomiting, stomach gurgling and pain. It coats the stomach and relieves the burning and pain associated with acid reflux and acid stomach. Use this supplement along with the IBD Kit, as acid stomach begins with poor digestion.
Recommended Diet to Help Cats With IBS and IBD
In addition to natural remedies for cat digestion, proper diet changes can help alleviate IBS and IBD symptoms. Food for cats with IBD should not include grains, which are often found in prescription diets. Dry kibble is high in starchy carbs, which can cause indigestion. Cats may also have food allergies or intolerances, which further the inflammation.
Our diet tips are based on Pet Nutritionist Susan Blake Davis' experience treating cats with IBS and IBD. Please include your cat's diet, health issues, age, symptoms and all treats on the order form at checkout.
Our pet nutritionist will review the information and include diet tips for your cat on the packing slip that comes with the product directions.
Need help for your cat? Please contact [email protected] and we will be glad to assist you.
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