Feline inflammatory bowel disease causes chronic gastrointestinal discomfort and weight loss that significantly impairs quality of life in affected cats.
Feline IBD causes chronic abdominal discomfort, nausea, and the indignity of persistent vomiting and diarrhea. Weight loss from malabsorption compounds the welfare impact. Cats with severe IBD experience fatigue and reduced engagement with their environment. The condition is often managed rather than cured, requiring ongoing dietary management and medication. Regular monitoring to detect progression to lymphoma is important because the treatment approach changes significantly. With appropriate management, many cats with IBD maintain acceptable quality of life, but the condition requires sustained owner commitment and veterinary oversight.