Kittens and cats alike may suffer from the common condition known as arthritis. It happens when the stomach lining becomes inflamed, causing pain and other symptoms that may affect their general health.
Signs of gastritis in cats can include reduced appetite, energy levels dropping, or vomiting. The onset or progression of these symptoms is contingent upon the underlying cause of the inflammation.
Helping your cat recover and maintain good health depends on your knowledge of what causes gastritis and how to treat it. The appropriate treatment and early detection can significantly impact their overall comfort.
| Symptoms | Treatment |
| Vomiting, especially after eating | Switch to a bland diet, like boiled chicken and rice |
| Lethargy and lack of energy | Ensure hydration and rest |
| Loss of appetite | Offer small, frequent meals |
| Diarrhea or constipation | Consult a vet for medications |
| Weight loss | Consider a vet-recommended diet |
- Causes
- Nutrition
- Incorrect feed feed
- Spearry
- A sharp change in diet
- Other reasons
- Symptoms
- The appetite changes
- The rest of the symptoms
- Treatment
- Therapeutic diet for gastritis in a cat
- Video on the topic
- HOW TO IDENTIFY GASTRITIS? HOW TO TREAT? SIGNS OF GASTRITIS IN PETS
- Gastritis in cats: symptoms and treatment at home
- Gastritis in dogs and cats: diagnosis, treatment
Causes
What are the reasons behind feline gastritis? They are split up into multiple clusters based on certain conditions.
Nutrition
A poor diet is the primary cause of gastritis in cats.
In one instance, the animal’s owner feeds it only natural food—as far as he can tell—right off his plate. What do we season our food with, then? Yes, season with salt and spices. Furthermore, animals shouldn’t be fed these additives. Spices do not suit their stomachs. The mucous membrane irritates itself continuously. An ulcer then forms in a dog or cat that has gastritis as a result.
The owners’ second section is dedicated to prepared foods. Problems with which only occur in two situations: when food is given improperly (in which case the owner is at fault) or when it is spoiled or of poor quality (which is the manufacturer’s fault).
Mountains of food cannot be poured. Pay attention to the dosage. Additionally, be cautious about what you put in your pet’s bowl. You shouldn’t be shocked if the animal later develops digestive issues (or other general health issues) if there is a true rainbow in the bowl.
The feed shouldn’t contain any dyes!
In the third section, porridge and dry food are even combined in one bowl. Or, it could be this way: industrial food in the morning and "natural" food from its table in the evening (or natural day, day – industrial food). Serious pathologies, including metabolic disorders, are caused by this uncertainty. In dogs and cats, the outcome will be urolithiasis, diabetes, or obesity.
Incorrect feed feed
A common mistake is serving food at the wrong temperature. For instance, overheated or too cold (a bowl that had been taken straight out of the refrigerator). The food should be at room temperature. For the stomach, it is the most ideal.
Spearry
Oh, these "loving" owners who sincerely hope to provide food for their four-legged companion! Then, to their surprise, they discover that the cat has kidney stones and sand on its sides, that it has folds of fat on its sides, and that it is unable to run due to dyspnea. The mucous membrane "doesn’t have time," the walls must constantly expand, and the gastric juice is unable to fully break down the food that overflows the stomach. Again, there is disruption in metabolism.
A sharp change in diet
Another common cause of gastritis in cats is a sudden change in diet. After feeding dry food to the pet for a few years, the owner here had an epiphany and decided to switch to natural food, which he generously pours into the pet’s bowl straight from his saucepan rather than cooking it separately.
Alternatively, they fed the cat organic food for a short while before abruptly switching to commercial food. This kind of food is unfamiliar to the stomach, so it takes some time for it to "understand" how to break it down. The production of additional enzymes takes time. And the pet will have gastritis until this occurs.
Other reasons
- Stress. Where would we be without it. Everyone knows that almost all illnesses are due to nerves. It is the same with domestic pets.
- Medicines. You can"t give medications "on the spur of the moment" just because you think your pet is sick. Any medication or vitamin can only be given after consulting a veterinarian. He will tell you about the dosage and frequency, explain what the consequences may be. It is important to read the annotation for each drug you give your animal.
- Helminths. What problems parasites don"t cause. Even domestic cats that don"t leave the house can get infected. Therefore, if you don"t forget about deworming, many health problems for your pets can be avoided.
- Toxins. They can be very diverse: household chemicals, heavy metals, poisonous plants, spoiled food.
- Infections. Many pathogens (bacteria, viruses, fungi) lead to inflammatory processes in the digestive tract. Gastritis in a cat is the least that can occur due to a developing infection.
- Wool. "Wool?" – you ask. Yes, it is she. When the cat constantly licks her, lumps form inside it. Normally, the cat should burp it, but if this does not happen, then the coat accumulates, irritates the mucous membrane. This occurs gastritis in a cat.
Cats that have gastritis frequently experience symptoms like vomiting, lethargy, and loss of appetite due to inflammation of the stomach lining. Numerous things, such as stress, poor diet, and infections, can contribute to it. For your cat to recover more quickly and avoid more serious health problems, early diagnosis and appropriate treatment are crucial.
Symptoms
Cats with gastritis can have a wide range of symptoms, making it difficult to "blink" them. You will eventually discover that your favorite is unhealthy if you pay attention to your four-legged friend’s health.
The appetite changes
Perhaps because the pet eats little and reluctantly. Eating becomes painful due to inflammation of the gastric mucosa, which explains this. Who wants to do things that hurt and cause discomfort? The animal also bleeds when they touch his stomach. The cat on the handles is therefore unlikely to continue.
The rest of the symptoms
The remaining signs and symptoms of feline gastritis
| Lethargy | Where without her? If a cat has gastritis, it will spend more time lying down. |
| Bad breath | However, not always. The smell can also be a symptom of oral diseases (caries, for example). |
| Plaque on the tongue | If you look closely, you will see a coating on the root of the tongue (sometimes the entire tongue). But it is worth understanding that sometimes the coating also appears due to tonsillitis. In any case, if you notice a coated tongue, it is better to go to the vet. |
| Growling | This is a serious symptom that sometimes indicates an infectious disease! Sometimes helminths lead to such a rebellion. But remember that rumbling is not normal. |
| Either constipation or diarrhea | But in the feces, remnants of undigested food are visible. If your pet cannot normally go to the toilet in the tray, this already indicates problems with digestion. Diagnostics are necessary. |
| Vomition | Especially if it is yellow and there is foam. There may be pieces of digested food. But this is not a clear sign that it is gastritis in a cat. Vomiting can be a symptom of another disease. |
| The animal is losing a lot of weight | This can be easily explained by the fact that there is no appetite, and even if something is eaten, most of the food comes out. |
| The fur becomes dull and falls out | Long-haired animals may develop tangles. |
| The mucous membranes acquire a yellowish tint | But in addition to the symptom of gastritis, this may be a sign of more serious liver problems. In any case, consult a veterinarian to rule out infectious and parasitic diseases. |
If multiple of the above signs of gastritis in cats are present at the same time, you should start treating them right away!
Treatment
Now that we’ve reached the core of our article, how can we treat a cat with gastritis? It is important to note right away that it is strictly forbidden to let it go (they say it will heal on its own)! If not, the acute form will progress to a chronic one, which can lead to the development of an ulcer, pancreatitis, enteritis, and other digestive system diseases (in cats, pancreatitis can sometimes result in gastritis).
Avoid self-medication. Never write a prescription for a drug yourself. No medications for humans. A veterinarian is the only one who can choose a symptomatic (sedatives, painkillers, anti-inflammatory drugs) therapy that is both safe and effective. It will also need to be removed as soon as the primary cause is identified. If not, a cat’s gastritis will return.
Therapeutic diet for gastritis in a cat
How should a cat with gastritis be fed? There will undoubtedly be a prescription for a special diet that will aid in the animal’s fullness and spare its stomach. These are typically gluten-containing porridges (oatmeal, rice).
- On the first day, it is generally recommended to drink only water. On the next day, a little light food is already allowed. Make a portion 3 times smaller than usual. And more clean water. Do not forget that the stomach is not yet ready to digest a large amount of food. Otherwise, vomiting and diarrhea will begin again. Everything will only get worse.
- Gradually increase the amount of food, but be sure to monitor the pet"s well-being. And do not overfeed under any circumstances. Also remember about the temperature of the food, so that the cat"s gastritis does not return.
- No food from your table! Cook separately. Without spices and salt, oil. Nothing fatty, smoked, salty. Only light food. Chicken or turkey meat, veal is also good. No pork or lamb – too much fat.
Although it can be a severe condition, cats with arthritis can manage it with the right care and attention. Early detection of symptoms like lethargy, vomiting, and loss of appetite is essential to averting more serious health issues.
If you think your cat may have gastritis, always get in touch with your veterinarian. To aid in your cat’s recuperation, they can suggest the best course of action and assist with diet modifications.
You can support your cat’s continued health and prevent the agony of gastritis in the future by remaining knowledgeable and aware of their needs.
