Basically, a cat's tail appears when the animal has British roots. However, some other breeds also have such a belly. A saggy pouch is nothing more than fat, meaning that the animal is quite plump. After sudden weight loss, a hanging belly also appears. The fold will disappear on its own over time as soon as the skin tightens and returns to its normal position. But sometimes a fat tail or a pouch on the stomach can indicate the development of a dangerous pathology. Then, in addition to the saggy pouch, the pet will be bothered by pathological symptoms, which are impossible not to notice.
When is a hanging belly considered normal?
If a cat has skin hanging on its belly between its hind legs, and the animal is well-fed and even overweight, this is a physiological norm, because the fat tail inside is filled with accumulated fat. Owners of a British cat, as well as a Scottish fold, also notice that their pets are awarded with a belly. This is a breed feature, the exact reasons for which have not been established. In addition to the British and Scots, the sphynx, pixie-bob, bengal cat, and straight-eared Scottish straight cat have drooping bellies. For example, Scottish cats, as well as British cats, have a tummy at a young age. Pixiebobs always have soft fat in the form of a fold on their belly.
There is a theory that such bellies in the form of a fat fold protect the internal organs of cats during a fight.
Functions of the fat tail
Many pets have a fat tail, or belly pouch. The bottom line is that it is less noticeable in fluffy cats, while it is much more noticeable in smooth-haired or hairless cats. A cat's fat tail extends down to its hind legs. It can be very different in thickness. This is not some kind of pathology if the plumb line is no more than 3-5 cm. However, exceeding these dimensions is beyond the norm and can be a symptom of a number of diseases.
What does a cat's fat tail look like?
It is difficult to say exactly what functions such a tummy has and what is the reason for its occurrence. Some experts believe that thicker skin, which gradually begins to droop, is necessary for the animal to protect itself from injury. This opinion is confirmed by the fact that in the wild, cats often make their way through various kinds of bushes and obstacles, and the additional layer can protect internal organs from damage. In addition, additional protection can protect against serious wounds in the event of a bite from a larger predator.
The second theory for the appearance of a pouch on a kitten’s stomach says that it is an accumulation of fatty tissue. During the period of fasting, the body uses accumulated fat reserves, including in this kind of deposits. For street and wild animals, these supplies ensure their survival. You can monitor the condition of the fat tail. If the animal eats a lot and nourishingly, the tummy increases and becomes denser. If portion sizes are reduced, the body will compensate for the missing calories from these reserves.
There is another theory why a cat has a pouch on its stomach - to facilitate the process of movement. Cats make a lot of fast and sharp jumps. In movement, their body is stretched into a string. This requires that the skin does not cause restrictions on the stretching of the joints.
Important! A cat's skin hangs in the lower abdomen after pregnancy and birth. Therefore, the manifestation of such a belly is completely normal.
Hanging belly in different breeds is not a disease
Reasons for changes
In other cat breeds, pouches on the tummy often indicate good nutrition. It is often possible to notice how such a belly sags in a castrated cat leading an inactive lifestyle. If such a fold bothers the animal, the owner should take care of changing the diet, thanks to which the pet will be able to lose excess weight. Almost always, a cat's belly hangs in the first few days after giving birth. But as soon as the cat recovers, the loose skin will return to its normal position and the tummy will become the same as before.
A drooping belly in a cat can be a symptom of a disease, one of which is ascites.
However, sometimes a cat’s belly hangs down as a symptom of dangerous internal disorders, among which the following are common:
- Cushing's syndrome;
- ascites;
- bladder rupture;
- benign or malignant tumor;
- bloating;
- helminthic infestation;
- intestinal obstruction or coprostasis.
Physiological and breed reasons for the appearance of a hanging belly in cats
The skin fold mainly appears in adult cats that lead an active lifestyle, or in cats after giving birth. To the touch, such a fat tail looks like a soft fold in the groin area, inside of which one can feel the deposition of a homogeneous fat mass. The skin in this area is warm and thin and does not cause any unpleasant sensation when stroked.
British and Scottish cats always have such folds on their belly. This is a genetically determined feature. All such cats have a hanging belly almost from birth, and this should not be scary
Even at exhibitions people pay attention to this fold. It is worth noting that even if the cat is thin, he will still have a fat fold
You should not try to reduce the belly, as the fat tail will become even more noticeable against the background of the pet’s thin body. The British always look well-fed, and in castrated cats the layer will be visible all the time. Breeding cats remain without a belly during feeding, but it soon grows back.
Dangerous symptoms
If a British, Scottish Sphynx or Pixie Bob has a loose underbelly, while the fat tail is stable in size, does not cause discomfort and looks like an integral part of the animal’s body, there is no need to worry about its appearance, since this is a physiological breed feature. However, when, in addition to the fact that the cat has a pouch hanging in the lower abdomen, there are pathological symptoms, the owner needs to take the pet to an appointment with the veterinarian as soon as possible. The following symptoms should alert you:
- rapid increase in abdominal size;
- edema formation;
- acute pain when pressed;
- change in skin color;
- decreased appetite;
- sudden weight loss;
- deterioration in general health.
Hanging belly in Scots and Britons: alarming symptoms
If a cat has hanging skin on its stomach and this is not considered a feature of its structure or the result of improper feeding, the reasons may be hormonal. In this case, sterilization may be necessary. Pathological processes, if any, can be identified by looking at your pet’s skin:
- the stomach grows in size;
- swelling may occur;
- painful when pressed;
- the appearance of neoplasms and color changes.
If the cat eats well, has a wet nose, and is active, then everything is fine. Some owners are worried about the fat tail, believing that it is a sign of obesity or a hernia. A trip to the veterinarian should not be delayed if the cat eats little, loses weight, but the stomach remains, nodules or fluid are heard inside the skin.
Cat owners also need to understand when the stomach is painful and when the cat simply does not like having its private parts touched. If a cat turns out its belly in front of its owner, but tries to bite a little when trying to pet it, this is considered normal.
Diagnostics
Diagnosis of manifestations involves a number of procedures, such as ultrasound of internal organs.
Even two or three pathological signs should be a reason to immediately take your four-legged friend to see a doctor. During the initial examination, the veterinarian will try to find out the main reasons why the cat’s belly hangs. To determine the diagnosis and prescribe adequate treatment, a referral is given to undergo a number of such diagnostic procedures:
- general clinical analysis of blood and urine;
- biochemistry;
- puncture and histological examination of the contents of the sac;
- Ultrasound of internal organs.
When should you contact a veterinarian to treat your cat?
If your pet exhibits symptoms such as vomiting, pain, and drooling along with a bloated belly, you should consult a veterinarian.
The doctor will prescribe the necessary tests and examinations (blood tests, ultrasound, x-rays, etc.), after which he will prescribe the appropriate treatment:
- A pathological condition such as pyometra requires immediate surgical intervention. During the operation, the doctor carefully removes the uterus along with the pus that has accumulated in it.
- If the abdomen has become enlarged due to infectious peritonitis, the doctor will prescribe supportive treatment: antibiotics and corticosteroids. Also, in the wet form, the liquid that accumulates in the abdomen is periodically pumped out.
- If a cat has an obstruction, the doctor will prescribe an immediate operation, during which the root cause of this condition (foreign body, tumor, etc.) will be eliminated.
Bloating does not always indicate a serious pathology.
In most cases, flatulence is the result of an incorrectly composed diet. The accumulation of gases in the intestines causes discomfort to the pet, so it is necessary to provide assistance to the animal as quickly as possible.
Outdated veterinary data indicate that predatory animals do not suffer from dysbacteriosis. The version could have the right to life if domesticated cats and dogs maintained a natural way of life and nutrition. Bloating in a cat due to excessive gas formation is an unpleasant, often painful ailment that can “pursue” the animal throughout its life. But you won’t be happy to know that “gas” is the most “harmless” cause of bloating; more details below.
Cats are not known for their love of new taste sensations, but they can still eat an unusual product with an attractive smell. Products containing easily broken down carbohydrates (dough, sugar, potatoes, corn) that react with stomach acid begin to “ferment.” During fermentation, bacteria release gas, which in turn fills the stomach and intestines.
At an early stage, swelling of the abdominal cavity is noticeable; upon palpation, the cat shows discomfort, but no more. Put your pet on a diet and eliminate the food that caused bloating as determined by elimination. The following remedies are suitable for home treatment:
- Hilak Forte or its equivalent – 5 drops 1 time per day per 4–5 kilograms of adult cat weight.
- Children's medications for bloating such as Espumisan - calculate according to human instructions, focusing on weight.
- Smecta, Enterosgel.
If there are no positive trends, contact your veterinarian! To rule out more serious diseases, it is necessary to undergo a course of deworming, take a blood and stool test, and conduct an x-ray and ultrasound of the abdominal cavity.
Note! Usually, minor bloating goes away without intervention, provided that the product that caused the fermentation is excluded from the diet.
What treatment is prescribed?
If a cat has loose skin on its abdomen as a result of severe internal diseases, a comprehensive drug therapy regimen is prescribed, aimed at eliminating the original source of the problem. It happens that the pet’s condition is serious, then the veterinarian decides to hospitalize the cat. Sometimes conservative methods are ineffective in combating the causes that caused a cat’s belly to sag and a fat tail to appear. Then surgical treatment is carried out followed by rehabilitation.
If Scottish Fold or British cats are obese, for example, after sterilization, and because of this their tummy becomes like a bag, the doctor will advise the owner to put his four-legged friend on a therapeutic diet, which will help him get rid of excess weight. When the fat tail sags for natural reasons, no measures should be taken. The main thing is that the cat is in good health, in a good mood and that nothing bothers him.
Why does my cat's belly sag?
A fairly common problem with which cat owners turn to veterinarians is sagging skin on the abdomen. There is nothing to worry about here, but your pet's diet should be reconsidered.
What do you need to know about this phenomenon?
If a cat has loose skin on its belly, there is no reason to panic or worry. Pets, just like people, have different constitutions. Often cats, even at a young age, recover quickly.
Under the influence of stress, changes in weather or other factors, the family pet may lose appetite and lose some excess weight, which will lead to stretching of the skin.
This is how a saggy belly appears, also called a fat tail.
In this case, nothing needs to be done, but veterinarians advise reviewing your pet’s diet, because sagging skin indicates that the cat is overeating.
Causes
Loss of abdominal elasticity is always associated with impaired skin tone. This is due to:
- obesity;
- physical inactivity;
- recent birth;
- age;
- change of diet;
- feature of the breed.
When you feel the sagging skin, you can find several lumps shaped like balls. If the animal remains alert, does not feel pain or experience any discomfort, such lumps are not dangerous, since they are ordinary wen.
If the cat has loose skin on its belly, you should weigh the pet. Weight over 5 kilograms may indicate obesity, but the number on the scale is not an accurate guide. Particularly large individuals can reach greater weight, while remaining dry and lean.
To rule out obesity in your pet, it is enough to carefully feel its sides - in a cat with normal weight, the ribs should be felt upon palpation. If it is difficult to detect the ribs, the animal should be put on a diet.
In addition, there is an opinion that the fat tail is necessary for cats to protect the abdominal organs from hypothermia and damage when jumping.
What are the dangers of overeating and obesity?
Loving owners often make the mistake of overfeeding their cat. This negatively affects her health and can lead to serious problems in the future.
Poor nutrition causes:
- Diabetes mellitus.
- Problems with joints.
- Digestive disorders.
- Obesity.
- Increased load on the liver.
If a cat has sagging skin on its belly, and is quite well-fed and has a good appetite, it is recommended to promptly review your pet’s diet in order to avoid the development of health problems.
Feeding rules
A cat’s body is designed in such a way that a monotonous diet is more beneficial than a daily change of menu. Breeders and veterinarians recommend feeding pets the same food throughout their lives. This will ensure that there are no problems with the liver and stomach in old age, since these organs will get used to monotonous food and will not experience heavy stress.
The main rule of feeding an animal is that natural food should never be combined with dry food. Conventionally, all cat food is divided into two types - “dry” and “wet”.
If dry food (food) is selected, it should not be combined with meat, vegetables and other foods, including canned cat food and pates. The same brand of food should be given consistently. Veterinarians do not even recommend changing the taste of food if the pet is satisfied with everything and the appetite does not deteriorate.
You can replace proven dry food with products from another manufacturer only if the cat refuses to eat or an allergy is detected.
If the cat eats natural food (fish, meat, dairy products), dry food is prohibited. Combining different types of foods puts stress on the liver, which can lead to serious health problems. It is not recommended to give dairy products to adult animals, since not all cats tolerate them well. An alternative is fermented milk products.
Feeding on a schedule will help you avoid obesity. Feed should be given twice a day at the same time, regardless of whether the cat wants to eat or not.
A cat's belly can sag at any age, including young cats under one year old. This is absolutely normal, but only if the cat does not have problems with excess weight.
Causes of abdominal pain
The main causes of the problem are:
- Helminthiasis. Infection with worms and protozoa leads to dysfunction of the gastrointestinal tract.
- Food allergies. Accompanied by skin rash, flatulence, indigestion.
- Constipation.
- Damage to the stomach wall with a sharp object.
- Poisoning with food or a toxic substance.
- Peptic ulcer of the stomach and intestines.
- Panleukopenia (feline distemper). A viral disease that affects the digestive tract and respiratory organs.
- Ascites. A pathology in which a large volume of fluid accumulates in the abdominal cavity.
- Cholelithiasis.
- Intestinal cramps and accumulation of gases. May be a consequence of poor nutrition.
- Inflammatory diseases of the digestive system (enteritis, pancreatitis, gastritis, colitis, peritonitis).
- Gynecological diseases. Sharp pain in a cat can occur when an ovary ruptures, and aching pain can occur due to endometritis or pyometra. These diseases can develop as a result of hypothermia, birth injuries, or taking hormonal medications.
- Pathologies of the urinary organs. Pain in the lower abdomen of a cat can occur from blocking the ureter or urethra with a stone.
- Neoplasms in the abdominal cavity.
Pain in the stomach can be caused by an unbalanced diet, abuse of fatty foods, and overeating. In this case, the cat has a stomach ache after eating. In kittens, the likelihood of this problem increases when switching from breastfeeding to another diet.
