Understanding Gastritis in Cats: Symptoms, Causes, and Care
Gastritis in cats refers to the inflammation of the stomach lining. This condition can appear suddenly (acute) or persist over time (chronic), and it affects felines of all ages. While some cases resolve quickly with supportive care, others signal deeper health concerns that need ongoing management.
Recognizing the Symptoms
Cats are notorious for hiding illness, but gastritis often brings noticeable changes. Common signs include:
- Vomiting — sometimes containing food, bile, or even blood
- Decreased or absent appetite
- Abdominal pain
- Lethargy and withdrawal
- Dehydration (look for tacky gums or sunken eyes)
- Weight loss over time
- Melena — black, tarry stool indicating digested blood
- Diarrhea and increased thirst
- Excessive drooling or lip licking due to nausea
- Behavioral changes such as hiding more than usual
- Fever in some cases
Younger cats may develop acute gastritis after eating something they shouldn't (like spoiled food or foreign objects). Chronic cases tend to show more persistent vomiting and weight loss.
Main Causes of Gastritis in Cats
The reasons behind gastritis are varied. Some of the most common triggers include:
- Dietary indiscretion: Eating spoiled food, novel treats, overeating, or ingesting non-food items.
- Toxins and medications: Exposure to antibiotics, NSAIDs, corticosteroids, certain plants, cleaning agents, chemicals (like antifreeze).
- Infections: Parasitic, bacterial, or viral causes can inflame the stomach lining.
- Food allergies/sensitivities: Some cats react poorly to certain proteins or additives.
- Hairballs/foreign bodies: Especially common in long-haired breeds.
- Disease elsewhere: Kidney disease, liver disease, diabetes, pancreatitis, IBD (inflammatory bowel disease), or tumors may all lead to gastritis.
- Stress/anxiety: Environmental changes can upset a sensitive stomach.
- Unknown causes: Sometimes no clear reason is found (idiopathic).
The Diagnostic Process
Your veterinarian will start with a thorough physical exam and medical history. Expect questions about recent diet changes, exposure to toxins or medications, vomiting patterns, and any other illnesses. To pinpoint the cause and assess severity, vets often recommend:
- Boodwork: CBC (complete blood count), serum biochemistry panels, electrolytes.
- Urinalysis to check kidney function and hydration status.
- Fecal analysis for parasites or infection.
- X-rays or ultrasound to look for foreign bodies or organ changes.
- An endoscopy with gastric biopsies for chronic cases.
- Allergy testing if food sensitivities are suspected.
Treatment Options for Gastritis in Cats
The approach depends on what's causing the problem and how sick your cat is. For many mild cases of acute gastritis:
- The vet may recommend withholding food for about eight to twenty-four hours after vomiting stops (but always provide fresh water).
- Bland diets—plain cooked chicken with rice or prescription gastrointestinal diets—are offered in small frequent meals once vomiting ceases.
- The regular diet is gradually reintroduced over several days as your cat recovers.
- Probiotics, anti-nausea medications (antiemetics), stomach protectants like sucralfate, acid reducers such as famotidine/omeprazole may be prescribed as needed.
If symptoms are severe or persistent—or if dehydration sets in—your vet might use intravenous fluids. Additional steps include searching for underlying diseases with further tests; surgery or endoscopy may be required if a foreign object is present. Chronic cases related to IBD might need immunosuppressive drugs; confirmed bacterial infections call for antimicrobials; food allergies require diet modification with hypoallergenic formulas.
Caring for Your Cat at Home—and When to Seek Help
If your cat vomits repeatedly within twenty-four hours; shows blood in vomit; becomes lethargic; refuses food/water; is very young/old; has other health problems; or seems distressed by abdominal pain—seek veterinary attention right away. Don't delay if you notice these red flags!
Avoiding Gastritis: Prevention Tips
- Feed a consistent high-quality diet—avoid sudden changes.
- Keeps toxins/chemicals out of reach at all times.
- Treat hairballs proactively—especially in long-haired breeds—with grooming and specialty diets if needed.
- Pursue regular parasite prevention as recommended by your vet.
The Prognosis: What Should You Expect?
The outlook for most cats with acute gastritis is good—they usually recover within one to three days when treated promptly. Chronic/recurrent cases depend on finding and managing any underlying issues. Regular checkups help spot trouble early. Small frequent meals using slow-feeding bowls can help prevent recurrence in fast eaters. If your cat has another disease like kidney/liver problems or cancer alongside gastritis, treatment will focus on both conditions together—and special diets/medications may be needed long-term.
If you follow your veterinarian's advice closely—including dietary guidelines—the majority of cats return to their normal selves quickly after an episode of gastritis.
