Cats are frequently asked if they burp. Burping is a natural technique for humans to release trapped air in their upper digestive tract. Although it is understandable to question if cats burp, this is a rare occurrence.
Although many people believe they have heard their cats burp, it is an uncommon occurrence that has a negative influence on their health. If you find your cat performing something that looks like burping, it’s crucial to figure out what it could be.
Humans burp after drinking carbonated beverages, which is a disgusting yet typical phenomenon. What about cats, though? Is it possible for your cat to let out a belch before settling up for a nap? Despite the fact that many cat owners agree, some veterinarians disagree.
Is It Normal for a Cat to Burp?
In a nutshell, the answer is no. Normally, cats would not let out a loud belch while lying on the couch after eating their dinner. Burping in cats is unusual and only happens once in a while.
Because cats breathe largely through their nose, extra air entering their gastrointestinal tract is uncommon in comparison to other species.
Why Do Cats Burp?
Any gastrointestinal disturbance, which many cats are prone to, could result in unusual sounds. Sensitive stomachs, hairballs, acid reflux, and indigestion are among conditions that can cause your rambunctious feline to burp.
Burping can also indicate esophagitis, or inflammation of the esophagus caused by gastrointestinal disturbance in your cat. Oral drugs can cause esophagitis because the rough substance can practically scratch your cat’s esophagus as the medication moves down to their stomach.
Although uncommon, cats can swallow too much air when receiving treats or medication, resulting in a burp.
If your cat is displaying persistent digestive issues, they may be suffering from feline inflammatory bowel disease (IBD). IBD refers to a set of disorders that affect the digestive tract of cats. It’s marked by inflammation throughout the gastrointestinal tract. The type of disease is determined by the location of the inflammation. Other signs of IBD in cats include weight loss, vomiting, diarrhea, lethargy, blood in their stool, and a loss of interest in food.
Burping can also be caused by anesthetic procedures that temporarily disrupt the muscles involved in digestion. This is a highly unusual reason, but it could occur after a surgical or anesthetic procedure. As the anesthesia wears off, the burping should subside.
When Should You Be Concerned About Cat Burping?
If your cat burps every now and then, even if they haven’t burped in years, it’s probably nothing to be concerned about. Your cat’s burping isn’t always caused by an underlying condition. Burping can happen when your cat swallows too much air. A burping sound heard once in a while is usually not something to be concerned about at home.
If their habits or everyday activities result in them consuming too much air, certain cats may be more prone to burping. However, if you believe your cat is attempting to burp the ABCs or is making a similar sound incessantly, you should seek veterinarian help as soon as possible.
Any symptom other than frequent burping, such as nasal congestion, hacking, or persistent gagging, is a sign that your cat has an underlying problem that needs to be addressed.
What Should You Do If Your Cat Is Burping?
If your cat is burping regularly, having problems breathing, or displaying gastrointestinal symptoms like vomiting or diarrhea, contact your veterinarian right away so they can evaluate your cat and rule out anything dangerous.
To show your veterinarian, try shooting a video of your cat burping or making any other strange sounds. Pets, as we all know, are unlikely to develop symptoms when they arrive at the veterinarian’s office!
Check with your veterinarian if your cat’s burp frequency changes around the time of the procedure or when medicine was begun if your cat recently had a medical procedure or was recently diagnosed and treated for any cause.
If your cat’s burping is caused by esophagitis as a result of taking oral drugs, they may require further medication to help the lining of their esophagus recover.
Cats with IBD benefit from a high-quality, nutrient-dense, and readily digestible food. A healthy diet promotes normal bowel movement frequency and consistency while avoiding typical sources of gastric irritation and stomach discomfort. Your veterinarian can assist you in selecting a great diet that is tailored to your pet’s needs.
It is critical to provide water with meals and when administering drugs to avoid swallowing too much air. Additionally, if your cat gulps down food at each meal, you can try feeding numerous smaller meals throughout the day to avoid swallowing too much air. Consider using a puzzle bowl to extend the time you spend eating at each meal.
Why Burping Happens
Burping is your body’s way of getting rid of too much air in your upper digestive tract. Swallowing too much air and having it collect in your esophagus is a common cause.
Excess air is consumed when you drink or eat too quickly, chat while chewing, drink carbonated beverages, or smoke. Chronic burping can also be caused by medical diseases such as acid reflux, stomach lining irritation, or gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD).
Swallowing air, upset tummies, or hairballs can all induce cat burps.
Some veterinarians, however, believe that burping is impossible for cats.
Cats Can’t Burp
After noticing their cat hiccupping or burping frequently, a cat parent may have made an appointment with their veterinarian. When the cat arrives at the veterinarian’s office, the doctor checks him and concludes that the symptoms the owner reported are more likely digestive or heart problems, as cats cannot burp.
However, after getting a second opinion, the next vet suggests that the weird sounds coming from the cat could be due to hairballs or regurgitation. The owner should gradually alter their pet’s food.
Reasons Behind Cat Burping
If your veterinarian suspects that your cat has a burping problem, it could be due to one of the following factors:
Swallowing Excess Air: When cats eat, they inhale little amounts of air as well. If your cat eats her food too quickly, she may be consuming too much air. Your pet will belch to expel the excess air. She may also pass it via her intestines in the form of farts up to 30 minutes after eating. Feed your cat in an isolated spot away from all other pets to lessen her demand to eat quickly.
Digestive Issues: Excess gas in your cat’s digestive tract is another cause of feline burping. Food poisoning, food allergies, hairballs, parasites, intestinal blockage, inflammatory bowel disease, or gastrointestinal cancer can all cause this. Bring your pet to the vet straight away if she starts vomiting or has diarrhea in addition to burping.
Feline Burping Veterinary Care
Your cat’s stomach will be examined by the veterinarian. They may also collect blood and take X-rays to figure out what’s causing her to burp. If no medical issues are discovered, your veterinarian may suggest switching your cat to hypoallergenic cat chow to rule out any potential food allergies. If your cat ate anything harmful, activated charcoal may be used to help her feel better. Burping in your pet should stop once all gastrointestinal disorders have been addressed, whether through surgery or medicine.
The Bottom Line on Cat Burping
While some veterinarians believe cats are unable to burp, many other veterinarians and pet owners disagree. If your cat burps frequently, it could indicate an underlying medical problem. Make an appointment with your veterinarian to establish the reason and treat the symptoms efficiently.
Pixabay user Dimitris Vetsikas provided the featured image.
Overview of the Contents
Why Do People Burp?
Burping is impossible for cats.
Burping Cats: Why Do They Do It?
The Final Word on Cat Burping
Christian is an American expat who has lived in Metro Manila, Philippines for over a decade and is the proud papa of two rescue cats, Trixie and Chloe. Both females used to be among the millions of stray cats and dogs that roam the streets of towns and rural areas. Trixie, a three-year-old kitten, was rescued from a litter found beneath a neighbor’s porch, while Chloe, a two-year-old kitten, was found screaming in the parking lot by Christian’s little son, Henry. Christian is ecstatic to be a part of the pro-feline movement as Editor in Chief of ExcitedCats.com.
Why Does My Cat Keep Burping?
Because burping is so uncommon, it’s easy to confuse it with the noises and symptoms of a variety of illnesses. Burping isn’t a common occurrence in cats, and most veterinary journals don’t cover it or how to handle the complications that come with it. Burping is impossible for cats, according to some veterinarians. The jury is still out on this one, but there are several plausible reasons for cats to burp. These are some of the reasons:
Swallowing Air
Cats are constantly swallowing air. When they eat, play, sleep, purr, or sip water, they do this. When this happens, the stomach releases gas, which occasionally goes upwards rather than down and emerges as a burp from the esophagus.
While swallowing, some cats gasp. Dysphagia, a medical term for trouble swallowing, is the name given to this disorder. Oral dysphagia, pharyngeal dysphagia, and cricopharyngeal dysphagia are all possible symptoms. It can be caused by a variety of factors, some of which are treatable and others which are not. Among the signs and symptoms are:
Infection of the teeth
unable to open one’s mouth
The tongue or jaw may be paralyzed.
The muscles responsible for chewing swell or deteriorate.
When cats swallow too much air while trying to eat, it needs to go somewhere, and if it doesn’t escape through the rectum, it escapes through the esophagus.
Tummy Upset
Tummy problems are common in cats, especially if they hunt and devour their prey. Even something as basic as them eating too quickly can trigger stomach pains. Your cat may belch as a result of this, especially if there is a lot of gas in the house. This will bring relief to the cat. The following are the most common causes of stomach upset:
Parasites
Objects from the inside
Ulcers in the stomach
substances that are toxic
Allergies and food sensitivities
Overgrowth of bacteria
To keep your cat from getting an upset stomach from its diet, do the following:
Keep track of your cat’s meals.
If you’re going to switch your cat’s food, take it carefully.
Feed your cat a simple, easy-to-digest diet of cooked chicken and rice.
Don’t eat your leftovers or table crumbs.
Your cat should stop belching as soon as the gastric difficulties improve.
Vomiting
When cats vomit, they emit sounds that are akin to burping. Eating too rapidly, which causes excess gas to build up, is one of the most prevalent reasons of vomiting.
Hairballs are also commonly expelled by cats. When cats cough up hairballs, they emit a succession of burp-like noises, similar to when they vomit. Although most owners can distinguish between burping and vomiting, the causes of both are closely linked.
Inappropriate Foods
Cats are obligate carnivores, which means they must eat meat to thrive. Cats require a particular diet that includes all of the amino acids, vitamins, and minerals they require to keep strong and healthy.
Cats can only benefit from dietary protein if they can absorb and digest it effectively. Owners who share their food or give their cats too many carbohydrates or greasy meals may find that their systems struggle to digest them, causing them to become gassy. Burping may occur as a result of this. Look for items like these in your cat’s food:
98 percent cooked egg whites
92 percent of muscle meat (chicken, rabbit, and turkey)
Organ meats (kidney, liver, and heart) account for 90% of the total.
Animal proteins are more easily digested than plant proteins. To encourage healthy gut health and prevent burping, balance the macronutrients in your cat’s diet.
Food intolerances and allergies, which might disturb your cat’s gastrointestinal tract, should be suspected if you notice your cat burping after eating.
Esophagitis
The underlying cause of burping in your cat is frequently esophagitis, which is characterized by repetitive swallowing, retching, and lip-licking. The esophagus becomes irritated at this point. The disease is caused by three key factors:
Gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD) is sometimes known as heartburn.
The muscle that maintains the esophagus closed relaxes too much as a result of anesthesia, causing stomach acid to build up.
Medication that can become lodged in your cat’s throat and cause irritation to the esophagus.
Esophagitis causes gastrointestinal discomfort in cats, leading them to burp more frequently. It can develop to aspiration pneumonia, a dangerous illness that happens when food enters the lungs if left untreated. Symptoms of esophagitis, according to the MSD Veterinary Manual, include:
Regurgitation
Gagging
Drooling
Swallowing problems
Swallowing actions that are repeated
Appetite decreases
Loss of weight
While swallowing, you may experience pain or vocalizations.
If your cat burps while exhibiting any of these symptoms, consult your veterinarian. It’s possible that your cat will require surgery to correct the problem.
Acid Reflux
Frequent belching is a symptom of acid reflux, also known as gastroesophageal reflux. The sphincter valve in the stomach closes to prevent digestive fluids from refluxing upwards in healthy upper digestive systems. The fluids leak through the sphincter when the acids in the gut become too strong.
The esophagus gets inflamed and uncomfortable over time, resulting in the condition we’ve already discussed, esophagitis. Acid reflux is a common problem in cats, particularly in kittens whose esophageal sphincter hasn’t fully matured. A bad diet and stress are also to blame. Acid reflux in cats manifests itself in the following ways:
Pain
Howling
a lot of meowing
Appetite loss.
Loss of weight
Vomiting or spitting up food is a common occurrence.
Burping on a regular basis
A veterinarian can prescribe medications to cure acid reflux and relieve your cat’s belching. You’ll also need to adjust your cat’s diet and cut back on the amount of food you give it at once.
Conclusion
Despite differing viewpoints, if you believe you have heard your cat burp, you most likely have. It is, however, nothing to be concerned about. You should take your cat to the vet if he or she is retching or vomiting uncontrollably. A small burp isn’t a big deal, but if your cat is agitated or acting strangely, you should take him to the doctor. If your cat is making burp-like noises on a regular basis, it’s probably something else, and you should take him to the vet.
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