Mary Allen
Regular diarrhea is the main symptom in cats with IBS. This is usually caused by stress or food intolerance. But since there are a lot of other reasons that can lead to digestive problems, it’s important to take your velvet paw to the vet.
Irritable bowel syndrome in cats is called Irritable Bowel Syndrome (IBS) and is often confused with a chronic intestinal inflammation called Irritable Bowel Disease (IBD) due to similar symptoms. Irritable bowel syndrome is unpleasant, but if you observe your pet carefully, you can usually get the problem under control with the help of your veterinarian.
Symptoms of Irritable Bowel Syndrome in Cats: Diarrhea & Digestive Problems
The most important symptom of IBS is diarrhea: If you frequently find large amounts of liquid feces in the litter box or your darling keeps letting small amounts of diarrhea dribble out outside the litter box, there is usually a digestive problem. The treacherous thing: diarrhea can be a symptom of many diseases and is not in itself proof of irritable bowel syndrome (IBS).
In addition to diarrhea, velvet paws often suffer from some of the following symptoms:
● Bloating
● Cramps
● Pain when touching your stomach
● Nausea
● Vomiting
● Weight loss due to the diarrhea
● Very sudden urge to defecate
● Difficulty passing stools
Causes of IBS: Stress & Food Intolerance
In most cases, it is stress that leads to irritable bowel problems. Since cats are very sensitive creatures, even small things can be very stressful for them, such as:
● new environment
● change in their daily routine
● too little activity, boredom
● strangers and other animals
● trauma and anxiety disorders
A second trigger can be the food, for example through:
● new, unfamiliar food
● food that is difficult to digest
● low-fiber diet
● intolerances
Difference Between IBS & CII
With IBS (irritable bowel syndrome), the digestive tract is completely organic and a tissue sample would not show any noticeable changes – but your cat still has digestive problems because the intestinal tract is sometimes very sensitive. In contrast, in CII (Chronic Intestinal Inflammation) the gut is seriously inflamed – so there is a definite physical cause that can be detected by testing.
Diagnosis: Only the Vet Can Be Sure
Diarrhea and digestive problems are very vague symptoms that can also indicate a host of other problems. These, in turn, can be completely harmless or life-threatening. The task of the veterinarian is therefore first to rule out all other typical causes. Only the veterinarian can use tests to say for sure whether your cat’s symptoms are IBS, i.e. irritable bowel syndrome, or whether it is a dangerous intestinal inflammation, IBD. In order to be able to make the diagnosis, the following examinations are conceivable:
● Blood test
● Stool and urine samples
● X-rays
● Ultrasound
● Taking a tissue sample from the intestine
● Questions about your cat’s habits (anamnesis)
If the vet concludes that your cat has irritable bowel syndrome, they will discuss with you what is the best thing to do about it. For example, he gives you tips on which food might be suitable and how you can relieve your darling of the stress that is often the cause of indigestion.
Therapy for IBS: Minimize Stress & Optimize Feed
Of course, how you can reduce your socialite’s stress level will depend entirely on what triggers it – keeping them occupied is usually easier than undoing a move. Pheromone sprays and similar tranquilizers can be useful in some cases but are best discussed with the vet beforehand.
In the pet trade, there is now a large selection of types of food, especially for cats with very sensitive diets. You may need to slowly and patiently try different strains and carefully monitor how your cat responds to them. In general, easily digestible, fiber-rich feed is recommended. Get veterinary advice for this, too, so that your darling gets all the important nutrients.