My Cat’s Stomach is Bloated and Hard: 9 Potential Causes

It is always concerning when there is a sudden change in our cat. I know my brain always jumps to the worst conclusions, and it can be a very stressful time for any cat mom.

I recently noticed that my cat’s stomach is bloated and hard. When things like this happen, it can be tempting to contact your vet before looking into the issue yourself, no matter how small the problem. I am just as guilty of this as any other pet parent. But is this always the best course of action? Is it possible the issue will resolve on its own?

This time I managed to push these thoughts aside and do some much-needed research before asking for a professional opinion, and lucky for you, I’m here to share everything I learned. So many conditions can cause your felines swollen stomach, but luckily not all of them are super serious and require a vet’s help.

Read on to learn about some of the most common causes of bloated bellies in cats and to find out whether or not they require a trip to the vet.

Why Is My Cat’s Stomach Bloated and Hard?

A swollen stomach in cats is a common symptom of many disorders. Unfortunately, this can make it hard to determine whether there is something seriously wrong with your pot-bellied feline or whether they have just engaged in a bit of overindulgence, something I am sure we can all relate to.

With such a wide variety of potential causes, it can be hard to identify what is wrong. Perhaps on top of the bloating, you’ve recently thought, “My cat’s poop smell so bad.” Or maybe your feline has started displaying some weird behaviors (or weirder than normal anyway!).

This is where I come in! Read on for a handy guide on the most common causes of bloating in cats and other symptoms you should look for.

1. Overeating or Obesity

Before turning to more severe conditions, it is worth checking that your cat’s stomach isn’t swollen due to overeating or obesity. We have all indulged ourselves a little too much and later seen the weight pile on, and our feline friends are no different. A common sign of over-eating to try is your cat throwing up undigested food, a sure sign they’re shoveling too much food in too quickly!

The good news is that if overeating is the cause of your cat’s bloating, it should go down within a few hours as their food digests. Your kitty’s belly will also become softer in texture, although it can be hard directly after eating. It’s worth noting that kittens often have a swollen stomach after eating due to the large quantities of milk they consume.

Other signs of overeating or obesity in your kitty include:

• Weight gain and a large appetite
• Reduced activity levels
• No visible waistline
• Inability to feel their ribs when stroking them
• Bad grooming (especially at their rear)

2. Intestinal Parasites

Is your cat not eating or drinking for three days? Has there been blood in cat stool but acting normal otherwise? It may be your kitty has an intestinal parasite, perhaps better known as worms. There are so many different intestinal parasites in cats that cause similar symptoms, but the most common are hookworm and roundworm.

Although any cat can have a parasitic infection, the symptoms and risks associated with them are more extreme in kittens as they are likely to have a more significant number of worms. This means the younger your kitty, the more likely worms are responsible for your cat’s belly feeling firm.

Other easy-to-spot symptoms of intestinal parasites include:

• Dry nose and mouth
• Weight loss and/or a lack of appetite
• Bloody or watery feces
• Diarrhea and/or vomiting
• Fever
• Fatigue and lethargy

3. Fluid Retention

Fluid retention is where large amounts of fluid build up in the abdomen, thereby causing a swollen stomach in cats. In medical terms, this is known as ascites. It can be caused by many conditions, such as cancer, internal organ failure, and feline infectious peritonitis (see below for more details), so it can mean serious business.

But fear not! If the symptoms are picked up on and the proper treatment is given to your kitty, there’s no reason why they shouldn’t be feeling better in no time. To do this, make sure to look out for the following symptoms in addition to bloating:

• Loss of appetite
• Weakness and fatigue
• Diarrhea and/or vomiting
• Coughing
• Breathing problems
• Fever

4. Severe Constipation

On top of bloating, is your cat not pooping but acting normal in all other ways? It turns out they may be severely constipated. This is where your cat’s fecal matter is trapped in the large intestine or colon, resulting in a lack of defecation. I am sure we have all experienced this ourselves at some point, and it is just as uncomfortable for our furry friends.

The most common cause of constipation in cats is a lack of moisture in their food, leading to dehydration. Other causes include too much or too little fiber and scavenging (hair and bones can be challenging for felines to digest!). Perhaps look into the grains in cat foods and invest in wet cat food for sensitive stomachs if this is a consistent problem for your kitty.

In addition to bloating, severe constipation can also lead to:

• Vomiting
• Straining and vocalizing when defecating
• Excessive use of the litter box (with little to nothing to show for it)
• Hard and dry feces
• Loss of appetite
• Hiding behavior

5. Feline Infectious Peritonitis

Unfortunately, consistent bloating can also result from a very serious disease called feline infectious peritonitis, related to the feline coronavirus. This is where a virus causes the lining of the abdomen (the peritoneum) to become inflamed, resulting in abdominal swelling.

The virus is most common in cats between the ages of six months and two years, and it can go on to affect other organs such as the liver and kidneys as well as the stomach. Because of this, symptoms of feline infectious peritonitis vary depending on the organs involved.

Common symptoms include:

• Unexplained weight loss
• Fatigue and lethargy
• Fever
• Ascites (fluid retention)
• Increased thirst and urination
• Respiratory problems
• Jaundice (yellowing of the skin, eyes, gums, and feet)

6. Intestinal Blockage

On top of their belly feeling firm, is your cat sleeping all day and not eating? Or perhaps your cat has diarrhea but seems fine apart from that (maybe try pumpkin for cats with diarrhea to help clear this up but call your vet if things don’t clear up within a few days).

An intestinal blockage may just be the cause. This occurs when a foreign body or tumor obstructs the intestines, leading to a buildup of food. This usually happens because your kitty eats something they were not meant to, and the object is too big to travel through the intestines.

If a completely blocked intestine is left untreated, it can be life-threatening to your cat, so keep a close eye out for any of the following:

• Vomiting and/or diarrhea
• Increased aggression
• Considerable reduction in feces
• Straining when defecating
• Loss of appetite
• Fatigue and/or a reduction in energy

7. Uterus Enlargement: Pregnancy

Do you often see your cat throwing up after eating? Has your female cat been spayed? It may be that your feline friend’s swollen stomach is a sign of pregnancy. Soon you could have a litter of kittens to cuddle and indulge. Congratulations!

While the kittens are growing, your cat’s stomach will surround them with fluid. No wonder their belly is enlarged! If you think your kitty may be carrying a litter, make sure to get them checked out by a professional, even if they show no other symptoms.

Additional signs that could clue you into your cat’s pregnancy include:

• Unexplained weight gain
• Nesting behaviors (such as searching for a secluded spot to give birth)
• Vomiting (morning sickness)
• Increased appetite
• Fatigue and lethargy
• Changes in nipple appearance

8. Uterus Enlargement: Pyometra

Unfortunately, bloating caused by an enlargement of the uterus doesn’t always mean pregnancy. Pyometra, a potentially life-threatening uterus infection, could also be the cause. The condition causes pus to fill the uterus, and although sometimes drainage can occur through the cervix, at other times, all drainage is blocked. It is in this case that bloating is most likely to occur.

Although it can occur in any unspayed female, those over the age of five will be at a higher risk. So, if you’re sitting on the fence about getting your cat spayed, this would be a good reason to do so. But keep in mind spay surgery can also cause temporary swelling.

Further signs your feline has pyometra are:

• Fatigue and/or weakness
• Depression
• Vomiting and/or diarrhea
• Fever
• Loss of appetite
• Increased thirst
• Pus leakage from the vulva (look for leakage around the tail or on bedding)

9. Urinary Blockage

Have you noticed that your cat keeps going to the litter box, but nothing happens? This, combined with a hard, bloated stomach, may signify a urinary blockage. Most commonly, this results from minerals in the urinary tract forming crystals (such as calcium or magnesium deposits), but scar tissue and tumors can also cause an obstruction.

If left untreated, this can become potentially life-threatening to your furry friend, so make sure to look out for the following symptoms as well:

• Loss of appetite
• Vomiting
• Blood in your kitty’s urine
• Straining when urinating (or trying to)
• Frequent attempts at urination with little to show for it
• Urination in inappropriate locations (on the bed, for example)

10. Gastrointestinal Obstruction

The gastrointestinal tract is the part of the digestive system containing the esophagus, stomach, and intestines. Sometimes, this tract can become blocked by food, fluid, gas, or foreign material, resulting in a swollen belly. This can cause an intestinal blockage (which I’ve already mentioned), but obstructions can also form elsewhere along the GI tract.

The most likely source of a blockage in your feline is a foreign material they’ve eaten that they shouldn’t have. This can include thin objects like string and thread as they can partially block large areas of the gastrointestinal tract at once (known as linear foreign body obstruction).

As these blockages interfere with the movement of food, damage to your kitty’s digestive tissues can occur, which can be life-threatening. Make sure to keep an eye out for:

• Vomiting and/or diarrhea
• Fever
• Dehydration
• Loss of Appetite
• Fatigue
• Pawing at their face (occurs if the thread becomes wrapped around the tongue)

Do I Need to Call My Vet?

Deciding whether to call your vet when you notice a worrying difference in your cat is never as simple as it seems. Of course, you don’t want to waste the vet’s time, but what if your furry friend is seriously ill? We’ve all been there, and it can be a terrifying place to be.

If you are ever unsure, it is best to contact your vet as it’s better safe than sorry. This is especially true if you’ve noticed your cat’s stomach is bloated and hard for a prolonged period of time, as it could be a sign of a severe medical condition. However, your feline is probably fine if the bloating goes down after eating. They most likely just overindulged on dinner!

If you do end up taking a trip to the vet, the treatment your kitty receives will vary depending on the underlying cause of the bloating. In some cases, such as with intestinal parasites, a medication will be prescribed that you can administer to your feline at home. In other cases, the treatment will be more invasive. For example, spaying surgery is the go-to solution for pyometra.

No matter the treatment, your vet will ensure your furry friend receives the help they need to feel like their loving, playful self once more.

MY FINAL THOUGHTS

So, there we have it, my top nine causes of a bloated and hard stomach in your cat. I hope the information provided helps you to identify the potential issue causing your feline friend’s discomfort. No matter the cause, make sure to contact your vet if you have any lingering concerns so that your cat is ensured to receive the help they need before the problem becomes worse.