Do Cats Burp? What It Means and When to See a Vet
Short answer: Yes. But how often they burp is what matters most.
In This Article:
Do Cats Burp? Why Do Cats Burp? What to Do if Your Cat Burps a Lot Is There Cause for Concern if Your Cat Burps a Lot?
Cats can make many different noises, from chirps to hairball hacks. But if you hear your cat burp, it will probably catch you off guard. Yes, cats can burp, but it’s not common. If you hear at most one burp a week, it’s probably harmless. However, if your cat burps repeatedly or the burp is very loud, something could be going on in their digestive or respiratory system. This article will explain why cats burp, what can trigger this, when you should worry, and what you can do to keep those burps away.
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Do cats burp?
Cats are perfectly capable of burping, even though it's extremely rare. A burp is simply air being expelled from the stomach upward through the esophagus. The main reason why cats don’t burp as much as dogs is that they swallow less air while eating.
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If you’ve never heard a cat burp, you may wonder what it sounds like. It may sound like a soft “urp,” a brief noise from the throat, or an abrupt release of air after your cat eats or drinks.
Again, if you only hear one burp and it occurs very rarely, you have nothing to worry about. But if it’s frequent and unusual for your cat, this is worth paying attention to because it could suggest an underlying issue.
Why do cats burp?
There are some temporary, straightforward reasons cats burp, often related to gastrointestinal or respiratory problems.
Eating or drinking quickly
As with people, who expel excess air if they gulp down their food, cats can do the same. This occurs most commonly in:
Food-motivated cats
Cats with housemates who make them feel rushed
Cats who have been abruptly switched to a tastier diet
Kittens who are just learning to eat solid food
If too much air reaches the stomach, a burp may occur. They are usually harmless, but speed-eating is never a good idea because it can lead to other problems like vomiting or bloating.
Cat burps after eating
If your cat burps right after they eat, this often indicates:
Air swallowing during eating
Mild indigestion
Food sitting too high in the stomach
Eating fatty or rich foods
Cats with sensitive stomachs, inflammatory bowel disease (IBD), or acid reflux may burp more often than others because their stomachs aren’t emptying normally or are irritated.
If your cat begins to burp for the first time, ask yourself if you recently changed their food, feeding routine, or treat routine.
Change in diet
A sudden change in diet can trigger burping. If your cat’s gastrointestinal tract isn’t used to a specific protein, fat level, or fiber content, the response when any of those are introduced could be:
Gas
Burping
Loose stool or diarrhea
Increased stomach sounds
This can occur especially if you’re switching from dry to wet food or vice versa, or if you’re introducing richer foods like raw diets. It’s always important to change diets gradually over seven to 10 days, mixing increasing amounts of the new food with decreasing amounts of the old food. This will help them avoid burping and digestive upset.
Gut issues
Some gastrointestinal conditions will lead to frequent burping in cats. These can include:
Acid reflux (GERD)
Gastritis (stomach inflammation)
IBD
Food intolerances or allergies
Hiatal hernia, which leads to the stomach pushing upward
Excessive stomach gas, which can come from bacterial imbalances
If your cat is burping due to these conditions, the symptoms may include:
Vomiting
Lip licking
Regurgitation
Drooling
Decreased appetite
Weight loss
If your cat is burping and demonstrating any of these symptoms, take them to a vet.
Congestion
If your cat has upper respiratory problems — such as an upper respiratory infection, allergies, or chronic nasal congestion — they may swallow air if they’re breathing partially through their mouth. That air can accumulate in the stomach, resulting in occasional burps.
Other symptoms could include:
Sneezing
Coughing
Runny eyes
Snoring
Noisy breathing
If your cat starts to burp when they usually don’t, and seems stuffy, the two may be connected.
What should you do if your cat is burping a lot?
If your cat’s burping becomes frequent, there are some things you can try at home before seeing a vet.
Slow down your cat’s eating: Ways to do that include puzzle feeders, slow-feed bowls, and smaller, more frequent meals. Using these items to slow your cat’s eating are some of the most effective ways to reduce air swallowing.
Reevaluate any recent diet changes: The cause of burping could be switching foods too quickly. Return to their original diet and transition to the new food gradually.
Avoid feeding table scraps or rich treats: Greasy or unusual foods can cause temporary digestive upset.
Watch for other digestive symptoms: If vomiting, coughing, decreased appetite, or changes in your cat’s stool occur, these — along with burping — indicate a need to see a veterinarian.
Check for signs of nasal congestion: Does your cat sound stuffy or have nasal discharge? Look into the congestion and treat it if you can. This may also resolve the burping.
Monitor frequency: If your cat burps once a week, that’s quite different from burping after each meal. Keep a record, so you can detail this pattern to your vet.
Is there a cause for concern if your cat is burping a lot?
Yes, you should be concerned about excessive burping, especially if other symptoms accompany your cat’s burping. Frequent burping can indicate an underlying medical problem.
See your veterinarian if your cat’s burping is:
New and occurring regularly
Associated with weight loss or poor appetite
Accompanied by coughing, drooling, retching, or gulping
Accompanied by vomiting or regurgitation
Occurring after every meal
Accompanied by signs of pain or discomfort
Occurring after eating foreign objects or unusual foods
Some conditions are uncommon but serious, such as hiatal hernias or gastrointestinal disease. If the burping is persistent, your vet will want to rule out these issues and may perform diagnostics — such as X-rays, blood work, an abdominal ultrasound, or a dietary trial — to identify the cause. However, the good news is that many causes of burping are easily treatable, and due to eating too fast or mild indigestion.
Bottom line
Cats can burp. However, this is not something they do frequently. If it’s occasional, the burp is usually harmless and could be caused by eating too quickly or swallowing extra air. But if the burping is persistent, that’s not normal and could indicate digestive issues, respiratory congestion, or sensitivity to diet changes.
If your cat is burping frequently, look for other symptoms, and try some simple fixes, such as slow feeding or reevaluating any recent diet change. If symptoms worsen, see your veterinarian — because if this is something serious, early intervention will make it easier to diagnose and treat your cat, keeping them comfortable, healthy, and happy.
References
Kook, Peter Hendrik. “Esophagitis in Cats and Dogs.” Veterinary Clinics of North America: Small Animal Practice, vol. 51, no. 1, Jan. 2021, pp. 1–15. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.cvsm.2020.08.003opens in new tab.
Lang, Ivan M, et al. “Characterization and Mechanisms of the Supragastric Belch in the Cat.” American Journal of Physiology-Gastrointestinal and Liver Physiology, vol. 313, no. 3, 16 June 2017, pp. G220–G229. https://doi.org/10.1152/ajpgi.00142.2017opens in new tab.
Lang, Ivan M, et al. “Digestive and Respiratory Tract Motor Responses Associated with Eructation.” American Journal of Physiology-Gastrointestinal and Liver Physiology, vol. 304, no. 11, 1 June 2013, pp. G1044–G1053, www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC3680682opens in new tab, https://doi.org/10.1152/ajpgi.00043.2013opens in new tab.
