Whether they’re the result of constipation, IBS, diarrhea or food poisoning, the nasty sensations associated with stomach discomfort can make it incredibly difficult for us to enjoy life to the fullest. And unfortunately for our favorite felines, cats are just as susceptible to stomach problems as humans. To exacerbate matters further, animals can’t express the pain or discomfort they’re feeling as clearly or directly as we can, making it tough for pet parents to assess the reason why their lovable kitty isn’t feeling well. Luckily, almost all cats exhibit a few telltale behaviors when their stomachs aren’t working as intended.
At Wapiti Labs, we provide pet owners with all of the resources and support they need to encourage optimal health and happiness for their four-legged companions. Our team develops a variety of natural pet supplements that pair EVA (Elk Velvet Antler) with powerful herbs to foster strength, longevity, mobility and vitality in cats and dogs. We’re also happy to offer advice and counsel to make the process of caring for your pet as simple and stress-free as possible. Today, we’ll be helping you to determine whether your cat has stomach problems and discussing a few potential solutions.
Symptoms and Causes of Stomach Problems in Cats
According to Vetstreet, vomiting and inappetence (an uncharacteristic loss of appetite) are two of the most common symptoms of stomach issues in cats. These signs might also be paired with weight loss and symptoms of dehydration (like dry, tacky gums). Stomach pain and discomfort can also cause cats to retch, become depressed or begin to hide around the house. If you notice any of these symptoms in your feline, we highly encourage you to take them to a veterinarian as soon as possible for a checkup. Your local animal doctor will have the skills, equipment and experience needed to pin down the exact cause of your cat’s stomach issues.
Considering the wide range of conditions that can cause the symptoms we’ve listed above, we don’t recommend trying to diagnose your cat’s health problem without help from a veterinary expert. After all, decreased appetite and vomiting can be caused by something as innocuous as a small hairball or as serious as intestinal parasites. Certain bacterial conditions, abdominal obstructions, constipation and sudden changes in diet or medication can also lead to stomach discomfort in cats. When meeting with your veterinarian, they will likely perform a physical examination to gain a better understanding of exactly which symptoms are affecting your cat. From there, they may recommend blood tests, radiographs or ultrasounds to identify the exact source of your pet’s discomfort.
Helping a Cat Suffering From Stomach Issues
The specific solution for your cat’s stomach issues depends largely on which condition is causing them. In most cases, a combination of anti-vomiting medications and shifts in diet will be all it takes to make your kitty feel better again. For more severe ailments and conditions, your pet may need to undergo surgery, but these instances are relevantly rare. We also recommend chatting with your veterinarian about utilizing natural pet supplements to help your cat’s stomach recover. These supplements can play a huge role in harmonizing your feline’s stomach and ensuring their GI tract stays in peak condition, especially when combined with any medication or diet changes your veterinarian suggests.
Wapiti’s GI Tract Supplement
If you’re interested in trying one of Wapiti’s natural pet supplements to help your cat, then be sure to check out our GI Tract formulation for felines. This blend of natural herbs (including Mentha herb, Agastache herb, Pueraria root and citrus peels) is designed to naturally reduce occasional stomach discomfort in cats, supporting digestion and bowel health in the process. Not only does our GI Tract supplement mitigate stomach discomfort, but it also soothes and protects the GI tract while helping to resolve food stagnation caused by undigested food. Many pet parents also use GI Tract to help their cat maintain contentment during travel because it harmonizes the stomach and helps to reduce the discomfort caused by traveling in a moving vehicle. Put simply, if your cat needs additional digestion support, eats grass or swallows indigestible foreign materials (like yarn or bits of cat toys), then GI is an excellent choice.
Note: Always consult with your veterinarian before starting your cat on any new supplement or medication regimen!
Preventing Future Stomach Problems in Your Cat
Once you and your veterinarian lock down an effective treatment plan for your cat, all you have to do is stick with it and work to prevent future stomach issues. For example, if your cat’s stomach problems were caused by an abrupt change in diet, try to gradually mix the new food in with their current meals next time you have to switch it. Preventing discomfort caused by hairballs or abdominal obstructions is pretty easy as well. Just be sure to groom your cat regularly (to cut down on fur buildup) and put away any small toys, strings or threads your cat can ingest whenever you aren’t around to supervise your kitty. Once again, if you need more guidance with prevention, just give your veterinarian a call. They value the happiness and well-being of your cat just as much as you do, so they won’t mind at all if you reach out to them for more advice or support.
Contact Wapiti Labs Today
Would you like to learn more about Wapiti Labs or our industry-leading pet supplements? Then be sure to call or message us! You can also shoot us a message if you have additional questions about the key symptoms of sick cats, cat constipation or any other subject pertaining to improving and maintaining your kitty’s health. As always, we’re here to help you and your pet in any way we can.
