Inflammatory Bowel Disease (IBD) in cats causes chronic gastrointestinal discomfort and is a common cause of unrecognized suffering that significantly impairs quality of life.
Feline IBD represents a significant welfare problem partly because chronic gastrointestinal discomfort is difficult to detect in cats. A cat vomiting once or twice weekly, frequently presented as normal, is likely experiencing ongoing nausea and abdominal discomfort. Weight loss happens gradually and may not alarm owners until significant muscle wasting is present. Modern management — combining appropriate diet with immunosuppressive medication tailored to disease severity — can achieve remission or significant improvement in most cats, dramatically improving quality of life. Regular weight monitoring is the most reliable early detection tool available to owners.