Cats are commonly believed to be one of nature’s proudest creatures. From the way they walk to the way they stare off into the distance with the refined composure of a writer or poet, to the way they sit in the middle of the room during a party and lick their butts in full view of everyone. Yes, it’s an unquestionable fact. Proudest creatures. So proud. So majestic. Which leads us to our obvious question for today; do cats… fart?
Does It Fart?
First of all, what is a fart? What does it mean to toot one’s booty horn? These are the questions that keep you up at night, no doubt. To be succinct, a fart is simply a buildup of gases in the intestines. Sometimes you can feel them bubbling in your guts for hours, and sometimes they slip out from betwixt your haunches unexpectedly during a job interview. Cool. So, which animals fart, and which ones don’t? I mean, is there really such a thing as a creature who doesn’t cut the queso? Now, this whole discussion may sound fatuous (or should I say, “flatulence,” hehe), but discovering which animals do and do not fart has actually been a subject that many scientists have investigated. For Science.
“Just because it’s flatulence doesn’t mean it’s inherently silly,” states researcher Adriana Lowe of biological anthropology at the University of Kent. “The diets and digestive systems of animals are an important and fascinating field of study, and gas is just a part of that.” The hashtag #DoesItFart began trending on Twitter last year, and since then, we’ve amounted an impressive database of farting and non-farting animals. For instance, did you know that birds most likely don’t tootie from their patooties? Fascinating. I bet a bird would have nailed that interview. Alas.
However, why would we need such a thing as an animal fart database? Well, for starters, this type of research has lead us to discover that the atmospheric methane from cow farts has been a major factor in climate change. Cow farts. Think about that. I’m sure I know a few humans who have been adding to that atmospheric methane as well, but that’s a different story.
Cat Flatulence
So, when it comes to cats, what’s the verdict? Well, you may be unsurprised to learn that cats have indeed claimed their place in the “definitely farts” category. Science can back that up, but I could also tell you about the room-clearing whoppers that my girl Marzipan used to let out on the daily when she was just a wee babe. (There’s a reason I used to call her “The Fart Machine”.) She has since grown out of her fart factory phase, however, if your cat is passing gas at a rate that might seem worrisome, it’s probably a good idea to consult with a vet on the matter.
What could be the cause of your cat’s excessive flatulence? The first place to check is, of course, her diet. Is she eating too much, too fast? Are you feeding her a top quality brand of cat food? Remember, cats are obligate carnivores, which means they need to have meat as a part of their diet. Their bodies don’t tolerate things like corn, wheat, starch, or anything with a high amount of fiber.
If your cat is honking out some especially wicked tushie wind at an alarming rate, try switching up her meals to see if that helps. If she has those “silent but deadly” butt bombs accompanied by diarrhea, you may want to get her tested for parasites, as these poopy poots could be signifying an underlying problem – one that may need some medical intervention. If so, it’s important to take your baby bean to the vet as soon as possible in order to ensure that her farts are benign. Well, except for the smell, that is.
However, if you find yourself having a totally chill hang-out session with your feline BFF and all of a sudden the smell of rotten tuna hits you like a brick wall, there is probably no cause for alarm. Your furry friend-o is just expressing how comfortable and happy he is around you. You know. With his farts! The greatest compliment of all, right?
