Signs a cat may be bloated
A bloated or swollen belly is one that looks rounded or distended beyond your cat’s normal shape. Things you may notice include:
- A belly that looks bigger or rounder than usual, especially if it changed quickly
- A belly that feels tight or firm rather than soft
- Discomfort when the belly is touched, such as hissing, flinching, or moving away (more in signs a cat is in pain)
- Reduced appetite, vomiting, or lethargy
- Hiding, or reluctance to jump or move
- Changes in the litter box, such as constipation or straining
- Fast or labored breathing (see how fast a cat should breathe)
A cat can look bloated and still act normal, but cats are good at hiding discomfort, so a persistently round or firm belly is worth having checked.
Bloated or just overweight?
It can be hard to tell. Some simple checks can help, though they do not replace a vet exam:
- Look from above. An overweight cat tends to be broad all over. A cat with abdominal swelling may have a belly that bulges out of proportion with the rest of the body.
- Feel the ribs and hips. If you can feel them easily but the belly is large, fat may not be the explanation.
- Look at the whole cat. Weight loss in the shoulders and back with a growing belly is a warning sign.
- Feel the belly gently. Fat is usually soft and pliable. A tight or firm belly, or one that hurts, deserves attention.
Primordial pouch: a normal loose belly flap
Many cats have a loose flap of skin and fat hanging from the lower belly, called a primordial pouch. It is normal anatomy and tends to swing when the cat walks. It is not bloating. If you are unsure whether what you see is a pouch or swelling, ask your vet to check.
Possible causes of a swollen belly
Causes range from harmless to serious, and only a vet can sort them out:
- Gas, overeating, or diet changes
- Constipation, see how to tell if a cat is constipated
- Intestinal parasites, see how to tell when a cat has worms
- Fluid in the abdomen (ascites), which can be linked to heart, liver, or kidney disease, or to conditions such as feline infectious peritonitis (FIP)
- Enlarged organs or masses
- Obesity
- Pregnancy in unspayed females
Kittens with round bellies
Kittens often have rounder bellies than adults, particularly after a meal. A pot-bellied look is also a common sign of intestinal worms in kittens. However, a large belly in a kitten can have other causes, so if it persists, seems tight, or comes with poor growth, diarrhea, or lethargy, have the kitten examined. A kitten may have a big belly without worms, and a vet can check with a stool test.
When it is an emergency
Get urgent veterinary care if your cat has a swollen belly together with:
- Sudden or fast-worsening swelling
- Difficulty breathing or rapid breathing
- Pale gums
- Collapse, weakness, or severe pain
- Repeated vomiting or inability to pass stool
- Straining to urinate with little or no urine
What to do before the vet visit
- Keep your cat calm and quiet.
- Avoid pressing hard on the belly.
- Do not give food, medications, or home remedies unless your vet says so.
- Write down when you first noticed the swelling and any other changes, and take photos if you can.
What the vet may do
A vet will examine the abdomen and may recommend blood and urine tests, X-rays, or ultrasound. If fluid is present, a sample may be taken for testing. Treatment depends entirely on the cause.
Prevention
- Feed measured, balanced meals and watch your cat’s weight.
- Keep up with parasite prevention as your vet recommends.
- Schedule regular check-ups, which let your vet spot changes early.