Feline inflammatory bowel disease is a common cause of chronic gastrointestinal distress in cats that significantly affects quality of life if not properly managed.
IBD causes chronic welfare harm through persistent gastrointestinal discomfort, nausea from vomiting, and progressive weight loss. Cats with IBD often show reduced interest in food, reluctance to eat, and post-meal discomfort that reduces their enjoyment of one of the most fundamental welfare experiences. The distinction between IBD and alimentary small cell lymphoma is critical: both conditions respond to similar treatment but lymphoma requires more intensive therapy and carries a different prognosis. Without histological diagnosis, cats may receive suboptimal treatment for months. Dietary trials using novel protein or hydrolysed diets are a safe first step and achieve full or partial remission in a meaningful proportion of cats.