Cat Facts

September 30, 2025

compiled by Nancy Kerr

I is for …

Inflammatory Bowel Disease, also known as “IBD,” is a condition in which a cat’s gastrointestinal (GI) tract becomes chronically irritated and inflamed. Inflammatory cells infiltrate the walls of the GI tract, thickening them and disrupting the ability of the GI tract to properly digest and absorb food. Cats of any age can be affected, however this occurs most often in middle-aged and older cats. Common signs include vomiting, weight loss, diarrhea, bloody stools, lethargy, and decreased appetite.

Incontinence is the involuntary or accidental leakage of urine or feces. This can be due to a congenital birth defect or acquired later in life. This commonly occurs in middle-aged or old-aged cats, especially spayed females. Causes can involve an impaired bladder, urinary tract obstruction, or weakness of the urethral muscle.

Indolent (rodent) ulcers are severe-looking lesions that arise on a cat’s lips, most often the upper lip. They are not caused by rodent bites but are often due to allergic reactions or ectoparasites, like fleas. While they might look severe, they are not typically painful or considered a medical emergency but do require veterinary care to help them heal. Preventive measures include managing allergies and using flea and tick medication regularly to reduce recurrence.

Intestines in a cat consist of four parts: esophagus, which moves ingested material from the mouth to the stomach; stomach, which assists in early digestion and prepares food for further processing in the small intestine; small intestine, where absorption of almost all nutrients into the blood occurs; large intestine (colon), which reabsorbs water, forming feces.

Incubation period of an infectious disease is the interval of time between the responsible organism becoming established in the body (infection occurring) and signs of disease appearing.