Feline inflammatory bowel disease (IBD) is a chronic condition causing persistent gastrointestinal inflammation that substantially affects quality of life and requires lifelong dietary and medical management to control symptoms.
Feline IBD causes persistent nausea, abdominal discomfort and the chronic welfare compromise of repeated vomiting and diarrhoea. Affected cats often develop food aversion due to nausea, compounding weight loss. The unpredictable nature of the condition means cats experience cycles of relative wellness and acute flares. Chronic steroid therapy, while effective, has its own welfare costs including increased susceptibility to infection and development of diabetes mellitus in some individuals. Weight loss below a critical threshold impairs immune function and muscle mass, creating a cycle that is difficult to reverse. Early diagnosis and comprehensive management significantly improve both welfare and longevity.