Understanding Gastritis in Cats: Causes, Symptoms, and Treatment
Gastritis in cats is the inflammation of the stomach lining, which can be acute (sudden onset) or chronic (long-lasting or recurring). This condition is relatively common and presents through symptoms ranging from mild digestive upset to severe illness. Knowing the causes, identifying the symptoms, and understanding treatment and prevention can help pet owners ensure their feline’s health and comfort.
What Causes Gastritis in Cats?
There are a variety of potential causes for gastritis in cats. These include:
- Dietary Indiscretion: Eating spoiled or inappropriate food, such as garbage, non-food items, or excessive treats.
- Ingesting Drugs or Toxins: Including antibiotics, NSAIDs, corticosteroids, antifreeze, chemicals, or toxic plants.
- Infections: Parasitic, bacterial, or viral infections can irritate the stomach lining.
- Food Sensitivities: Allergies to certain proteins or ingredients can lead to chronic gastric irritation.
- Hairballs or Foreign Bodies: Especially in long-haired cats or cats prone to grooming excessively.
- Underlying Illness: Such as kidney disease, liver disease, diabetes, pancreatitis, IBD, or cancers like lymphoma.
- Stress and Anxiety: Exposure to stressful environments can potentially contribute to chronic gastritis.
- Side Effects of Medications: Some cats react negatively to prescribed drugs, resulting in stomach upset.
- Idiopathic Causes: In some cases, the cause remains unknown.
Common Symptoms of Gastritis in Cats
The symptoms of gastritis can vary in severity depending on whether it’s acute or chronic. Some common signs include:
- Vomiting (possibly containing food, bile, or blood)
- Reduced or absent appetite
- Abdominal pain and bloating
- Lethargy and weakness
- Dehydration and weight loss
- Melena (black, tarry feces)
- Diarrhea
- Excessive drooling or lip-smacking
- Increased thirst
- Behavioral changes, like hiding or irritability
- Fever, in some cases
Which Cats are at Higher Risk?
Younger cats are particularly susceptible to acute gastritis due to curiosity that leads them to eat inappropriate substances. Older cats or those with chronic conditions may experience persistent or recurring gastritis linked to systemic disease.
Diagnosing Gastritis in Cats
A veterinarian will base the diagnosis on a thorough physical exam, medical history, and diagnostic tests. Essential evaluation steps include:
- Complete blood count (CBC) and serum biochemistry panel
- Electrolyte panel
- Urinalysis
- Fecal examination for parasites or infection
- Imaging such as abdominal X-rays or ultrasound
- Endoscopy and gastric biopsies in chronic or serious cases
- Allergy testing in cases suspected to be related to food sensitivities
Treatment Options
Treatment depends on the cause and severity of the gastritis. Mild cases of acute gastritis often resolve with supportive care, while severe or chronic cases may require more intensive veterinary interventions.
Supportive Care:
- Withhold food for 8–24 hours post-vomiting, provide water to prevent dehydration
- Reintroduce bland foods like plain cooked chicken and rice, or veterinary GI diets
- Gradual return to normal diet over several days
- Use probiotic supplementation
- Administer anti-nausea medications if needed
- Use protectants like sucralfate or acid reducers like famotidine or omeprazole
- Pain management if the cat shows abdominal discomfort
Advanced Care:
- IV or subcutaneous fluids to manage dehydration
- Surgical or endoscopic removal of foreign bodies
- Antibiotic, anti-parasitic, or antiviral medications if an infection is diagnosed
- Anti-inflammatory or immunosuppressive drugs for IBD or immune-related gastritis
- Specialized or hypoallergenic diets for food sensitivities or allergic gastrointestinal reactions
Preventing Gastritis in Cats
Proactive measures help reduce the risk of gastritis development in cats:
- Feed a consistent, high-quality diet without sudden changes
- Keep garbage, toxins, and non-food items inaccessible
- Regular grooming to reduce hairball formation
- Ongoing parasite prevention
- Use slow feeder bowls to prevent overeating in fast eaters
- Minimize household stressors
- Maintain regular wellness exams with your veterinarian
When to See the Vet Immediately
Seek urgent veterinary care if your cat:
- Vomits repeatedly over a day
- Shows blood in vomit (red or coffee ground appearance)
- Refuses food and water for more than a day
- Exhibits signs of pain, distress, or bowel obstruction
- Is particularly young, elderly, or immunocompromised
Prognosis and Ongoing Management
The prognosis for acute gastritis is generally excellent, with most cats recovering in 1 to 3 days following supportive treatment. Chronic gastritis often depends on identifying and managing the underlying cause. In cases linked to systemic diseases like kidney failure or cancer, long-term management is critical. Many cats thrive when dietary adjustments and medications are used consistently alongside veterinary monitoring.
In conclusion, recognizing the signs of gastritis early and seeking veterinary guidance can prevent more serious complications. With proper care, most cats recover fully and return to their normal, playful selves.
