Inflammatory bowel disease causes chronic digestive discomfort in cats. Dietary management, often combined with medication, significantly improves welfare for affected cats.
IBD welfare is dominated by the chronic nature of the condition and the management complexity it imposes. Cats with IBD experience ongoing nausea, abdominal discomfort, and the stress of frequent veterinary visits and treatment. The diagnostic challenge — distinguishing IBD from small cell lymphoma, which carries a different prognosis — adds uncertainty to an already difficult situation. Cobalamin deficiency is frequently missed but its correction can produce dramatic welfare improvement. Dietary management requires persistence in a species that frequently rejects novel foods — patience and gradual transition are essential.