TL;DR: While stomach gurgling in cats is usually a normal sign of digestion, you should consult a veterinarian if it is accompanied by vomiting, abdominal pain, or a loss of appetite.
Why is my cat’s stomach making loud gurgling sounds?
The medical term for loud stomach gurgling is borborygmi. These sounds are produced by the movement of gas and liquid through the intestines. In most cases, it is simply a sign that the digestive system is working to process a meal. However, if the noises are exceptionally loud or persistent, it may indicate that gas is moving through the digestive tract faster or in larger quantities than usual.
Is my cat’s gurgling stomach a medical emergency?
- Urgency Level: Low. On its own, a gurgling stomach is rarely an emergency.
- If your cat is still eating, drinking, and using the litter box normally, you can typically monitor them at home.
- If the gurgling is accompanied by symptoms like repeated vomiting, a tense or painful abdomen, lethargy, or a complete loss of appetite, the situation becomes urgent and requires a veterinary visit.
How can a photo or video help a veterinarian triage my cat?
- Provide a video with clear audio of the gurgling to help a professional assess the sounds.
- Capture photos of your cat's posture, specifically if they are crouching in a "hunched" position.
- Share photos of recent bowel movements to help determine if the gurgling is benign or a sign of a blockage or inflammatory bowel issue.
Clinical Context (Merck Veterinary Manual)
Abdominal distention, which can cause loud gurgling noises, can result from accumulation of gas, fluid, or ingesta secondary to hypomotility (functional obstruction, adynamic paralytic ileus) or physical obstruction (e.g., foreign body or intussusception). Small amounts of soft feces may also indicate a partial intestinal obstruction. Auscultation and percussion of the abdomen may reveal a "ping" indicating a gas-filled viscus. Radiographs should be performed to look for radiopaque foreign objects or signs of intestinal distention.
Chapter: Gastroenterology, Infectious Disease
Source: The Merck Veterinary Manual, 11th Edition (Page 156)