Have you ever felt bloated and let a little gas loose because of some digestion issues? Well, your kitty can experience the same things. If it happens from time to time, it may not be a reason to worry, but if you notice that your feline friend has been having digestive problems then maybe it is time to change its food with the best cat food for gassy kitten.
You have been monitoring your kitty for a few days and you noticed that it has been particularly gassy and it has been having one or more symptoms like diarrhea, constipation, vomiting, or bloating. And you wonder why has your kitten been so gassy? What should you do to help your bloated feline friend? You will find the answers to these questions in the content below.
Why Is My Kitten so Gassy?
Letting loose some gas from time to time is completely normal. But, if you notice that your cat’s gassy situation has been going on for a while, it is smelly and it is accompanied by other symptoms then it is time to take an action.
Firstly, let’s go through some of the reasons that may be causing flatulence in your kitty.
Allergies
If your furry ball of love is showing symptoms of digestive issues after eating a particular food, then maybe it is an allergic reaction to an ingredient in the cat food. If the cause of flatulence is a food allergy, the problems with the digestive tract may be accompanied by other symptoms like itchiness and hair loss. Dairy is the most common trigger of allergic reactions in cats.
Improper Nutrition
The best cat food for gassy kitten will not contain a lot of soy, corn, or wheat, because these ingredients can be the cause of your cat’s flatulence. These types of grains are difficult for the digestive system to absorb and can lead to excessive gassiness and bloating.
Whether you feed your kitty wet or dry food, pay attention to the ingredients and ensure that the brand you are using meets your cat’s nutrition needs without having ingredients that are causing digestive issues. Wet cat food can go bad if it is left open for too long, which also can be making your kitty gassy.
If you are feeding your feline friend homemade food, then make sure that it is not spoiled, but raw food could be causing flatulence in cats as well.
Poor Meal Timings and Portions
If you feed your cat at different times throughout the day and give it a lot of food to eat in one go, your kitten can eat quite fast and ingest air that accumulates in the digestive system and causes gassiness. Controlled portions of cat food dispensed through a feeder at the same time are one way to prevent this from happening.
Lack of Physical Activity
Peristaltic movementsare wavelike, spontaneous movements of the muscles of the stomach that are responsible for moving food through the stomach and out into the duodenum. This process happens naturally, but if your kitty doesn’t move and exercise this movement may be affected and it can cause flatulence. The more active your kitten is, the more efficient the peristaltic movements are, and gassiness can be avoided.
Ingesting Non-Edible Items or food for Humans
I’m so vigilant of what I leave around my apartment because I know that my cat will sniff and taste basically anything that is on the floor. Ingesting non-edible items can result in blockages of the digestive system, flatulence, and other hazardous digestive issues.
Furthermore, certain foods that we eat may not be so good for your feline friend, and they may upset its stomach. Garlic, dairy, onions, citrus, and raisins, all can create digestive issues and cause gassiness.
Infections and Intestinal Parasites
Your furry friend’s digestive system can be attacked by various parasites that can create a lot of health issues as well as bloating and gas.
If your kitty has an infection it would display other symptoms as well, including a very distinct smell. An immediate visit to the vet is crucial if you notice or suspect that your cat has an infection.
What Can I Give My Kitten for Gas?
The cause of gas will determine the treatment you will give to help your kitten.
Get a Slow Feeder and Playtime Toys
If the cause of gassiness is irregular eating habits and lack of physical activity, then the solution is quite simple. Get a slow feeder that will dispense small amounts of food throughout the day, or you personally can give smaller portions so that overeating would be avoided.
Moreover, if your kitty needs more physical activity, spend some time playing with it after each meal, or get some toys that your feline friend finds interesting and get it to move and run around.
Take Your Kitten to the Vet
As we mentioned above, bacterial infections or intestinal parasites can be another cause of gassiness. If you suspect that this is the case with your cat’s situation, take it to the vet to prescribe proper medication and perform a checkup.
Change Your Cat’s Diet and Get the Best Cat Food for Gassy Kitten
Your cat’s gassiness may be caused by certain ingredients in the food you are giving to it. Check for allergens and notice if the situation gets worse after eating a certain food. Furthermore, make appropriate changes and consider an elimination diet if the gassiness is due to an allergic reaction.
Is There Any Wet Kitten Food That Is Easier for Felines to Digest?
If the digestive issues and gassiness are a result of an ingredient in the food, it won’t matter if the cat eats wet or dry food. Every kitten is different, so some may have more gassiness with wet food while others with dry food.
How Should a Kitten’s Tummy Feel?
I regularly check my cat’s belly because it is known for eating things that are not supposed to be ingested no matter how often I clean and remove items from the floor. So, I usually run my hands over my kitty and see if I can feel its ribs and its belly should have only a slight layer of fat.
Why Is My Feline Friend’s Belly so Big and Hard?
If you notice that your cat’s tummy is swollen, big, and hard, take it to be checked by a veterinarian immediately, because this can be a symptom of a serious illness. Liver tumors, infections, or obesity, are just a few of the causes of a big and hard cat belly.
Regular veterinarian visits will decrease the risk of any illness becoming life-threatening.
The Best Cat Food for Gassy Kitten – Our Top Five Recommendations
Selected Protein Dry Food for Adult Cats With Food Sensitives by Royal Canin Veterinary Diet
Royal Canin offers dry cat food that is very palatable, easily digestible and provides complete and balanced nutrition. If your cat is sensitive to common proteins, this formula is created with rabbit meat which alleviates skin issues as well.
Furthermore, the food doesn’t contain any wheat or corn and supports your cat’s digestive system with limited ingredients that are seldom connected to food sensitivities.
Pros:
- A veterinary formula created with hydrolyzed soy protein, rabbit, and peas specifically for kitties with food sensitivities
- It provides complete and balanced nutrition while supporting skin and coat health
- It doesn’t contain wheat or corn
Cons:
- Some felines may not enjoy this food
Grain-Free, Limited Ingredient, Freeze-Dried Raw Food for Cats with Real Rabbit by Instinct
If you are looking for a portion of cat food that offers simple but essential nutrition, then this is the choice for you. This kibble by Instinct will help with your cat’s food sensitivities, which is why it is made with only a few ingredients and used only one animal protein, rabbit.
It doesn’t contain any grains, potatoes, eggs, beef, chicken, fish, dairy, or artificial colors and preservatives.
Pros
- Its formula offers simple and essential nutrition for felines with food sensitivities
- Its recipe is made with one animal protein that is easily digestible
- Its premium ingredients are rich with natural omegas and antioxidants for overall wellbeing
Cons
- Some cats may not enjoy this kibble
Chicken Dinner, Freeze-Dried Raw Food for Cats by Stella and Chewy’s
These morsels are made with the idea of natural nutrition that kitties would have in the wild. This recipe is created with raw, freeze-dried protein from cage-free poultry and organic-certified fruits and veggies.
Furthermore, it uses a simple formula that supports digestion, skin and coat health, alleviates allergies, and boosts the immune system.
Pros:
- Its formula is completely free of grains and uses sustainably-sourced ingredients
- The protein source comes from cage-free poultry
- It doesn’t contain artificial colorings, preservatives, or fillers
- It can be served as it is or rehydrate with warm water
Cons:
- Some kitties may not accept this food
Natural, Grain-Free, Canned Food for Cats with Chicken by Wellness
If your kitty is a fan of canned cat food chunks in gravy, then this may be the solution for its gassiness. This canned food for felines by Wellness is grain-free and offers complete, balanced nutrition for your kitty. The ingredients are all-natural, wholesome, and free of preservatives and artificial flavors and colors.
Pros:
- Its formula is free of grains, preservatives, artificial colors, and flavors
- It is made with natural and wholesome ingredients for a complete and balanced nutrition
- It is made of chunks of real chicken dipped in gravy for sufficient hydration
Cons:
- Some kitties may not like it
Limited Ingredient, Grain-Free, Canned Food for Cats with Real Chicken by Merrick
This is another great choice of canned cat food for felines with flatulence. Merrick offers a recipe that is free of grains, artificial flavors, preservatives, and colors, and rich in vitamins, minerals, and antioxidants which are essential for a cat’s overall health. Furthermore, the formula is crafted with one animal source and that is real chicken.
Pros:
- Its formula offers wholesome, grain-free nutrition for cats with food sensitivities and allergies
- Its simple recipe is rich in antioxidants, vitamins, minerals, and omega-3 fatty acids that support your cat’s immune system, coat, and skin health
- Its animal protein comes from one source, real chicken
Cons:
- Some cats may not be interested and reject it
To Summarize
We all suffer from an occasional gassy situation, and your cat won’t be an exception. And, although this may not be a comfortable condition either for your cat or for you, there is a solution.
Firstly, discover what the cause of your kitty’s flatulence is. Then choose the best cat food for gassy kitten, and help your feline friend live a comfortable life without gassiness or bloating. Consult with your veterinarian for the best option for your cat, because every kitty is different and what may be accepted by one cat, may not be accepted by another.