Inflammatory Bowel Disease in Cats

Reviewed by Dr. Fiona Lee

Inflammatory bowel disease (IBD) in cats is a serious, progressive condition that shouldn't be ignored. The good news is that with treatment and care, many affected cats can live long, healthy and happy lives.¹ But first, you'll need to visit your veterinarian to determine the cause of the IBD and get a good treatment regimen started right away.

What is inflammatory bowel disease in cats?

Just like humans with IBD, cats with IBD develop chronic inflammation in their gastrointestinal (GI) tract.² This causes the GI walls to thicken and interfere with digestion.¹ It's basically your cat's immune system overreacting to a trigger, like certain foods or bacteria.³ The illness is more likely to affect middle-aged or older cats, but any cat can develop it.¹

It's important to catch IBD as soon as possible since symptoms can get progressively worse over time, eventually leading to issues absorbing nutrients from food. Severe cases can lead to "protein-losing enteropathy,"³ which means the GI tract isn't absorbing certain proteins well.⁴ This end-stage IBD can be life-threatening in cats.

While IBD has no cure, it can often be managed with a treatment regimen that's individualized for your cat. Some cats may need long-term medications that are periodically adjusted if symptoms flare up.¹

Feline IBD vs. lymphoma

Some veterinarians suspect that IBD and small cell lymphoma may be spectrums of the same disease process.⁵ In fact, small cell lymphoma has nearly identical symptoms to IBD in cats. It's a slow-moving cancer with a long survival time (and very different from the aggressive large cell lymphoma, which causes tumors).⁵

The only way to definitively distinguish small cell lymphoma from IBD is through a GI biopsy. An intestinal biopsy requires full anesthesia, entering the abdomen and removing a portion of the intestines. Your veterinarian will need to determine if this invasive and expensive procedure is warranted.

Ultimately, if a biopsy is not done, the treatments for IBD and small cell lymphoma are very similar and the goal is the same. Like IBD, small cell lymphoma can't be cured, but symptoms can be managed and alleviated.⁵

Causes of IBD in cats

Feline IBD has several potential causes that can trigger chronic inflammation, including:

• Food allergies¹ (often to proteins in the diet)⁶
• Sensitivity to bacteria¹
• Genetics¹
• Parasitic infection¹

Many factors in your cat's environment can play a role in triggering inflammation within your cat's stomach, intestines or colon. In fact, many cats with inflammatory bowel disease have other concurrent inflammatory diseases, such as asthma or stomatitis. Sometimes, the cause of IBD is never determined for certain.¹

Symptoms

IBD symptoms in cats vary depending on what part of the GI tract is inflamed:¹ the stomach, colon or intestines.⁷ Symptoms can come and go and may include:

• Chronic, intermittent vomiting, usually for more than four weeks³ (this can indicate the stomach is inflamed)⁷
• Weakness and lethargy¹
• Diarrhea¹ for more than three weeks (this can indicate the intestines are inflamed)⁷
• Reduced appetite¹ (more common as the disease progresses)⁷
• Weight loss¹ (more common as the disease progresses)⁷
• Blood in the stool¹
• Gas¹
• Rumbling tummy³
• Itchy or red skin (might point to a food intolerance as the cause)³
• Increased appetite (if they're not absorbing enough nutrients from their food)⁸

If you notice these symptoms in your cat, see a veterinarian right away. Catching IBD early can help you manage it better. And if you have pet insurance before your diagnosis, your plan can help cover the costs of treatment.

Diagnosing inflammatory bowel disease in cats

Diagnosing IBD in cats often begins by ruling out other causes.¹ Your veterinarian will want to make sure your cat doesn't have an infection, for example, because steroids (a common IBD treatment) can make some infections worse.⁵

The first round of noninvasive tests may include:

• Urinalysis¹
• Fecal test to rule out giardia and other parasites⁵
• Full blood work to rule out thyroid, kidney or liver issues¹
• X-rays¹
• Fungal testing⁵
• Abdominal ultrasound to rule out tumors or polyps⁵

A GI biopsy is the only way to definitively diagnose IBD in cats¹ (and rule out small cell lymphoma).⁵ A sample is taken with an endoscope or via exploratory surgery and anesthesia is needed.⁷ Because it's an invasive test, some veterinarians may try certain treatments—like food elimination—first.³

Treatment options for cats with IBD

Your veterinarian may try a variety of treatments to get IBD symptoms under control, such as:

• Food trials to identify allergens (discussed more in the section below)¹
• Corticosteroids¹
• More potent immunosuppressive drugs¹
• Antibiotics or antiparasitics⁹
• Prebiotics and probiotics¹
• Soluble fibers if the colon is inflamed¹
• Supplements or vitamins¹⁰
• Fecal microbiota transplant¹⁰

Each cat's IBD is a unique case requiring an individualized approach. Since this is a chronic condition, you'll need to stick to the treatment regimen and periodically alter it if your cat has a flare-up.¹

Managing IBD through diet

Sometimes, a cat becomes sensitive to certain foods, and eliminating that trigger might reduce IBD symptoms.³ Typically, the allergen is a protein like chicken, but it can also be something else, like gluten. However, gluten allergies in cats aren't nearly as common as allergies to chicken, fish, beef or soy. You'll need to put your cat on a hypoallergenic diet to identify the best ingredients to give your cat.

Your veterinarian may recommend the following:

• Switch your cat to a protein they've never had before, like rabbit, venison or duck.¹ (Gradually change your cat's food by slowly mixing in more and more of the new food, or you may trigger stomach upset.)
• Or, you might try a hydrolyzed protein diet.⁶ Here, the protein is broken down into such small parts that your cat's body won't recognize and react to it like an allergen.¹¹
• Keep in mind that it can take at least a few weeks for symptoms to improve after changing your cat's diet.³
• If this doesn't help, you may need to try a low-fat, high-fiber diet.¹

Even if the diet doesn't completely alleviate the IBD symptoms, it may work well in combination with medication.⁹

Prognosis and outlook for cats with IBD

IBD can be managed, but not necessarily cured. Most cats require long-term medication, dietary changes or both. Your veterinarian might try weaning your cat off medication after a few months, and bringing it back if symptoms return.⁷

Early diagnosis and treatment can give your cat a much better prognosis.³ For some cats whose IBD is caught early, dietary intervention alone is all that's needed.

Life expectancy with IBD

Even though there's no cure for IBD, cats who respond well to dietary changes or medication often have a normal life expectancy.² Proper, continued management can help them live long lives, especially if the disease is caught early.¹² If your cat doesn't respond to diet and medicine, your veterinarian will try other approaches or tests to ensure there isn't another underlying illness at play.⁷

Preventing IBD in cats

Because so many different factors can contribute to IBD—including genetics—there's no surefire way to prevent your cat from developing inflammatory bowel disease.¹² And there's no "bad" cat food that triggers IBD.³ Some cats just develop sensitivities over time.

However, your cat's prognosis is much better if IBD is caught early, so it's important to see your veterinarian regularly. Some veterinarians might also recommend daily probiotics to help keep your cat's GI system healthy, or specific foods depending on your cat's sensitivities.¹²

Pets Best can help keep your cat healthy

If you suspect your furry friend might have IBD, consult your veterinarian right away. An IBD diagnosis isn't a reason to despair. With dietary changes and medications, many cats can still have happy, healthy lives.

Investing in pet insurance is a great way to help protect your cat, including from unexpected chronic conditions like IBD. At Pets Best, our cat insurance plans can be customized for your pet's unique needs. In addition, Pets Best policyholders can speak to a veterinary expert anytime through a 24/7 Pet Helpline.

Sources/Citations

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2. "Inflammatory bowel disease," (12/2020), Colorado State University One Health Institute, https://onehealth.colostate.edu/2020/12/14/inflammatory-bowel-disease/, accessed December 6, 2023.

3. "Inflammatory bowel disease fact sheet," (5/2020), Davies Veterinary Specialists, https://vetspecialists.co.uk/fact-sheets-post/inflammatory-bowel-disease-fact-sheet/, accessed December 6, 2023.

4. "Understanding protein losing enteropathy (PLE)," C. Surgenor (4/2022), The Veterinary Nurse, https://www.theveterinarynurse.com/review/article/understanding-protein-losing-enteropathy-ple, accessed December 6, 2023.

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7. "Inflammatory bowel disease in cats," (5/2021), The Drake Center for Veterinary Care, https://www.thedrakecenter.com/resources/materials/cats/inflammatory-bowel-disease-cats, accessed December 6, 2023.

8. "Why is my cat always hungry?" K. Cavanagh (5/2020), VetHelpDirect, https://vethelpdirect.com/vetblog/2020/05/27/why-is-my-cat-always-hungry/, accessed December 6, 2023.

9. "Disorders of the stomach and intestines in cats," A. Defarges et al. (10/2022), Merck Veterinary Manual, https://www.merckvetmanual.com/cat-owners/digestive-disorders-of-cats/disorders-of-the-stomach-and-intestines-in-cats, accessed December 6, 2023.

10. "What is the life expectancy for cats with IBD?" (1/2021), Sharon Lakes Animal Hospital, https://www.sharonlakes.com/site/blog-south-charlotte-vet/2021/01/15/life-expectancy-ibd-cats, accessed December 6, 2023.

11. "Help! My cat has diarrhea," S. Howell (9/2022), The Dodo, https://www.thedodo.com/dodowell/cat-diarrhea, accessed December 6, 2023.

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