Everyone’s tried the old blaming-the-dog-for-a-fart trick, but can we pass the blame onto our cats if we have a feline household? Absolutely! Cats do pass gas. But if your kitty decides to do so while she is on top of you, you’ll probably feel less than thrilled. Why does your cat fart when she’s on or near you? Read on to learn why.
The 7 Reasons Why Your Cat Farts on You
1. It Was an Accident
The most likely reason your cat farted on you was simply bad timing. Cats love to put their bums in our faces, and it just may be that she happened to have her back end directly in line with your face when she passed gas. Though we may consider having our cat’s bums in our faces rude, cats do it for several reasons, none of which are because she’s impolite.
When your kitty presents you with her hindquarters, she’s simply saying “hello” and being well-mannered in the only way she knows how. She may also be showing you that she loves you and trusts you.
2. She Swallowed Too Much Air
Another potential reason your kitty is farting on you is that she swallowed too much air while eating. Cats pass gas for the same reasons we do, and if she’s eaten her food too fast, chances are she’s gulped down some air that needs to find a way to escape.
3. She Has a Food Intolerance
Like humans, cats can develop food intolerances, allergies, or sensitives that can cause flatulence. It’s important to note that cats must be repeatedly exposed to the offending allergen to develop an intolerance or allergy to it.
- Vomiting
- Diarrhea
- Loss of appetite
- Hair loss
- Reddened skin
- Itchy skin
4. She’s Adjusting to a New Diet
If you’ve recently changed your cat’s food, she may be farting on you simply because her gastrointestinal system is still adjusting to her new diet. Introducing foods too quickly can cause many side effects, so make sure you’re always transitioning your pets to new food slowly.
5. She’s Scared or Stressed
Some cats may pass gas if they’re feeling afraid or stressed out. These feelings can greatly impact many parts of the body, including the immune system, eating habits, and gut biome.
6. She Has Intestinal Parasites
Cats with intestinal parasites may develop excess gas in their gastrointestinal tracts. The gas can build up over time and eventually will need to exit the body through farts. However, your kitty will usually exhibit other signs that she has a worm infestation.
- Vomiting
- Diarrhea
- Tarry poop
- Weight loss
- Poor body condition
- Dull coat
- Distended tummy
7. She Has Gastrointestinal Issues
Sometimes your pet’s farting can indicate a more serious problem at all, including microbial imbalances, inflammatory bowel disease, or even malabsorption issues, where her body cannot efficiently absorb nutrients. If you believe the flatulence may be caused by something more severe, please get in touch with your veterinarian. They’ll perform a full physical exam, including feeling her belly for pain or bloating and order as-needed tests such as abdominal X-rays, ultrasounds, endoscopies, or fecal occult blood tests.
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Final Thoughts
While it’s not particularly pleasant to be on the receiving end of a cat’s fart, most of the time, it’s likely just due to poor timing. Your kitty was just presenting you with her bum as a polite greeting or sign of affection, and then a little toot slipped on out.
However, if other signs or changes in behaviors accompany your kitty’s farting, it may be worth a more in-depth investigation. It may be that you need to switch up her diet or treat any intestinal disorders that are causing her gas. A visit to the vet is to determine the cause.
Featured Image Credit: Christin Hume, Unsplash
I recently found a kitten whom I strongly believe is a feral kitten given their are ALOT of cats around my area,but hes sweet and friendly. when I first found him-he was skin and bones and had/has a huge appetite. he constantly farts and they're not just little toots they are disgusting smelling lingering farts. they smell so bad I feel like something has to be wrong any advice please…
Hi Alisa, thanks for reading us. The kitten likely has parasites, but that is only one of several possibilities. The kitten needs to be seen by a vet. Thanks for rescuing this kitten, feral cats can become domesticated if they are socialized from a young age so there is hope for this little guy or girl.