My Tummy Hurts
October 30, 2025
Treating Gastritis in Cats
Nancy Kerr
When we have an upset stomach, we can simply take an antacid to relieve our discomfort. However, relief is not as simple for our furry friends. Since our cats can’t tell us when they’re feeling unwell (and they can be very good at hiding pain), it is important to be watchful for any signs that might indicate stomach inflammation.
What Is Gastritis?
“The cat’s stomach lining is protected by a layer of mucus, called the gastric mucosa, that shields it from the harsh gastric acids needed for digestion. When this protective barrier becomes compromised, the stomach lining can become irritated and inflamed, resulting in gastritis. This inflammation can lead to various uncomfortable symptoms and, if left untreated, may progress to more serious health issues.”1
There are two types of gastritis: acute and chronic. A short period of inflammation that comes on suddenly is referred to as acute while a longer period of inflammation is referred to as chronic.
What Are the Signs of Gastritis?
The most obvious symptom of gastritis is repeatedly vomiting within a short time period. It may “contain bile, foam, or even small amounts of blood in severe cases.”1 Frequent vomiting is not normal. Since it is often the result of an underlying health issue, there could be other symptoms arising from the primary problem.
“With acute gastritis, vomiting is sudden and may contain evidence of whatever the cat has eaten (such as grass). Bile, froth, fresh blood, or digested blood that looks like coffee grounds may also be seen. Diarrhea or other clinical signs may also be present, depending on the cause. Chronic vomiting is generally intermittent and may be associated with weakness, lethargy, weight loss, dehydration, and electrolyte (salt) imbalance. Lymphocytic-plasmacytic gastritis and eosinophilic gastritis are types of long-term gastritis that involve the movement of immune cells into the tissues of the stomach.”2
Other symptoms may include “decreased appetite or complete refusal to eat, increased thirst (potentially followed by vomiting water), depression, abdominal pain (may be apparent when you touch your cat’s belly), black, tarry stools (indicating digested blood), excessive drooling or lip-licking (signs of nausea).”1
What Causes Gastritis?
Gastritis can develop from numerous sources, so it is essential to determine the underlying cause for effective treatment. “Acute gastritis occurs more frequently in kittens, or in curious cats, who eat things they should not eat (dietary indiscretion).”3 Sometimes gastritis may be secondary to other medical conditions such as bloating which can sometimes be related to or complicated by gastritis. “Additionally, certain breeds may have a genetic predisposition to digestive issues, making them more susceptible to developing gastritis.”1
Several common causes include: food allergies or sensitivities from “sudden diet changes, consuming spoiled food.”1 The ingesting of non-food items can also cause cats to develop inflammation in their stomach lining. This includes the “ingestion of toxins or chemicals, medication side effects (especially non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs), hairballs or foreign objects, stress and anxiety and underlying health conditions like kidney disease or inflammatory bowel disease.”1 Bacterial, viral, or parasitic infections can also cause stomach inflammation. “Helicobacter pylori, a bacterium similar to the one that causes ulcers in humans, can also affect cats and trigger gastritis.”1
How Is Gastritis Diagnosed?
A veterinarian will typically begin with a thorough physical examination and detailed medical history. This will include questions about any changes in diet, scavenging behavior, and behavior at home. The diagnostics are often a tier approach, beginning with less invasive procedures and progressing to more specialized tests if required.
In acute cases, only minimal tests such as blood and urine are required. For chronic gastritis, more involved testing will be undertaken to determine the exact cause of the cat’s vomiting. This may include fecal tests, x-rays and/or an abdominal ultrasound. Additional specialized tests may be required for food allergy testing, infectious agents, or more advanced imaging. In really complex cases, biopsies of the stomach lining may be required. A common rule-out these days for vomiting in cats is IBD: Inflammatory Bowel Disease.
How Is Gastritis Treated?
Some forms of gastritis may have symptoms similar to other digestive disorders. This makes getting a professional diagnosis from a veterinarian particularly important. Self-diagnosis and treatment could delay required care for conditions that look similar but require different treatment approaches.
For mild, acute cases, the veterinarian may recommend symptomatic treatment without extensive diagnostics, especially if the history suggests a simple cause like dietary indiscretion. The vet may begin with small amounts of oral fluids and gradually increase these if the vomiting starts to ease up. Sometimes, intravenous or subcutaneous fluids may be administered. The cat may also get treatment to reduce pain. Most acute cases resolve without medical intervention; however, if the problem persists beyond 24 hours, then diagnostics may be required.
“Non-medical treatment guidelines for acute gastritis include: withhold food for 8-12 hours, offer small amounts of water frequently during the first 24 hours. Note: If fluids cannot be given orally without inducing vomiting, seek immediate veterinary treatment. If there is no vomiting, feed a small amount of highly digestible, low-fat, low-fiber food. Resume feeding with small, frequent meals (usually about half of the normal daily amount of food, divided into four to six meals), Gradually increase the amount of food over the next two to three days; if vomiting returns, contact your veterinarian.”3
“Medical treatment for cats with gastritis may include: anti-emetic (anti-vomiting) medications, such as maropitant (Cerenia®) or metoclopramide (Reglan®), fluid therapy if the cat is dehydrated, gastrointestinal protectants used to prevent stomach ulcers, such as famotidine (Pepcid®) or ranitidine (Zantac®).”3 “The vet can also prescribe medications such as sucralfate to protect the stomach lining, or omeprazole to reduce acid production. This is with the aim of providing more conducive conditions to allow the stomach wall to heal. Once the symptoms resolve, the medication may be slowly withdrawn with the owner carefully monitoring for signs of recurrence.”4
“In cases of food allergy, changing diet to a hypoallergenic alternative that avoids the triggering allergens can bring about a full resolution of symptoms. Should a foreign object be identified, then surgery to remove the offending item should lead to a resolution of signs. Where a causative organism is identified such as ascarid worms or helicobacter, then specific deworming or antibiosis helps to resolve the problem. In many cases, managing the underlying condition, such as kidney or liver disease, helps the gastritis to be brought under control.”4
Gastritis in cats can be expensive to treat, so check with your pet insurance to see if it is covered before you need it.
Complications
Contact your veterinarian if the cat seems to be getting worse instead of better and you see any of the of the following symptoms: “your cat has been vomiting for more than 24 hours, your cat has been vomiting non-stop, your cat is very young, elderly, or already not very healthy or you see blood or what looks like black-colored coffee grounds in vomit.”5 Other signs also include “severe lethargy or weakness, signs of pain when the abdomen is touched, refusal to eat or drink for more than 24 hours, suspected ingestion of toxic substances or foreign objects, vomiting accompanied by other concerning symptoms like diarrhea, fever, or yellowish gums.”1
For kittens, senior cats, or those with pre-existing health conditions, the timeframe for seeking veterinary care should be even sooner. They can quickly deteriorate when faced with digestive issues. Dehydration is a particular concern for young or elderly cats.
Preventing Gastritis in Cats
If is better to prevent than treat feline gastritis. While in some causes this may be unavoidable, there are many proactive measures that can significantly reduce a cat’s risk. Regular brushing of the cat’s coat helps to prevent recurrence caused by hairballs.
A high-quality diet is the foundation of gastritis prevention. Since cats have a sensitive digestive system, it is not advisable to change their food frequently. To transition to a new food when required, do so gradually over 7-10 days by mixing increasing amounts of the new food with decreasing amounts of the current diet.
For cats with a history of gastritis, more specific preventive measures may be necessary, tailored to a cat’s particular triggers. These might include regular probiotic supplementation, or stress management techniques. Monitoring of eating, litter box, and overall behavior can help to detect the early signs of digestive issues before they escalate into full-blown gastritis. The sooner problems are identified, the more quickly and effectively they can be addressed.
What Is the Prognosis for Gastritis?
For cats with acute gastritis the prognosis is good. For chronic gastritis, the prognosis is reliant on the underlying cause and how successfully it can be treated. Triggers such as food allergy may need lifelong management in the form of a special diet, while kidney disease will also need long-term medical treatment. However, simply brushing the cat daily can bring about a complete and permanent resolution to the problem of gastritis caused by hairballs.
Unfortunately, once a cat has had gastritis, it may be prone to the condition in the future. It is important to monitor the cat and seek appropriate treatment early in order to stop the problem from becoming well-established, which will minimize the recovery time.
Understanding the causes, recognizing the symptoms, and knowing when to seek veterinary assistance will enable owners to help their cats find relief from this uncomfortable digestive disorder.
Sources
- Gastritis in Cats: 7 Proven Remedies for Feline Stomach Relief, 04/04/2025. Accessed 08/09/2025, https://thepetvet.com/gastritis-in-cats/
- Disorders of the Stomach and Intestines in Cats, Sept 2024. Accessed 08/09/2025, https://www.msdvetmanual.com/cat-owners/digestive-disorders-of-cats/disorders-of-the-stomach-and-intestines-in-cats#Feline-Enteric-Coronavirus_v3243926
- Malcolm Weir, DVM, MSc, MPH; Tammy Hunter, DVM; Ernest Ward, DVM, Gastritis in Cats, 2022. Accessed 08/09/2025, https://vcahospitals.com/know-your-pet/gastritis-in-cats
- Hannah Hollinger, Gastritis in Cats, 10/15/2021. Accessed 08/09/2025, https://wagwalking.com/cat/condition/gastritis
- Irene Lopez|Medically Reviewed by Vanesa Farmer, DVM on March 08, 2024, What to Know About Gastritis in Cats. Accessed 08/09/2025, https://www.webmd.com/pets/cats/what-to-know-about-gastritis-in-cats