They act all dignified and superior, but yes—cats absolutely fart. They're just way more discreet about it than dogs.
While dog farts can be room-clearing events, cat farts often go unnoticed. But they happen, and sometimes they become noticeable. Here's what you should know.
Yes, Cats Definitely Fart
Cats have digestive systems that produce gas, just like all mammals. Bacteria in their intestines break down food, creating gases like nitrogen, hydrogen, and sometimes smelly sulfur compounds.
Cat flatulence facts:
- All cats produce intestinal gas
- Most cat farts are silent
- Healthy cat farts are usually odorless or mildly smelly
- Cats fart less frequently than dogs (different diet and digestion)
- Very smelly or frequent cat farts may indicate a problem
Cats are obligate carnivores, meaning their digestive systems are optimized for meat. This typically results in less gas than omnivores like dogs, whose guts deal with a wider variety of foods.
Why Cat Farts Are So Sneaky
Cats aren't more dignified—they're just better at concealment. They absolutely fart; they just don't make a scene about it like some dogs we know.
What Causes Cat Gas
Normal causes of cat flatulence:
- Swallowed air — From eating too fast or breathing through mouth
- Food breakdown — Normal bacterial fermentation of food
- Hairballs — Swallowed hair can contribute to gas
- Certain foods — Some ingredients cause more gas
Foods that may increase cat gas:
Despite the stereotype, most adult cats are lactose intolerant. Giving your cat milk can cause digestive upset and gas. Skip the saucer of milk.
When Cat Farts Are a Warning Sign
Unlike occasional, mild cat farts, these patterns warrant attention:
- Frequent, very smelly gas (unusual for them)
- Gas accompanied by bloated belly
- Gas with diarrhea or vomiting
- Loss of appetite alongside gas
- Weight loss
- Lethargy or behavioral changes
- Straining to defecate
Possible underlying issues:
- Food allergies/intolerance — Common cause of chronic gas
- Intestinal parasites — Worms can cause gas and digestive upset
- IBD — Inflammatory bowel disease affects many cats
- Dietary indiscretion — Eating something they shouldn't have
- Intestinal infection — Bacterial or viral