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My kitten has a hard belly, vomiting, and scooting. Is it worms?

Updated on September 23rd, 2025

My kittens symptoms are bulgy rock hard abdomen, she vomited 3 times in one day, a lot of gas that is really stinky, and she's been scooting her butt on the floor. I just changed her diet to indoor cat food 2 weeks ago. Symptoms online say could be worms?

2 Answers

Most Helpful Answer

Answered By Destini R. Holloway, DVM

Veterinarian

Published on March 31st, 2017

I would be more inclined to think that your kitty is obstipated (inability to defecate). As the pet gets backed up there is no where for the ingested food to go, so the cat vomits it back up. Also the stomach will be firm and distended with feces that collect in the colon. Cats that cannot poop for several days will also get full anal glands, this causes irritation of the bum and scooting. Your poor kitty needs to be take to the vet to likely have an enema placed to relieve the impacted feces right away. I would recommend taking kitty in to your local vet by tomorrow at the latest. I would caution against using over the counter enema's because most contain phosphate, and this component is toxic in cats.
I would agree that intestinal parasites are still a possibility here, but obstipation would be my first concern. Your vet can easily distinguish which one is the cause of your cats current state by just feeling her belly and doing a rectal exam. I hope your kitty gets better soon!

1Pet Parents found this answer helpful

Related Answers from Veterinarians

Answered By Jessica Keay, DVM
Veterinarian
Published on July 26th, 2018
I am sorry to hear about your kitty! I would recommend bringing her into the vet along with a stool sample for an exam. I would be concerned about intestinal parasites such as worms or protozoal organisms like coccidia or giardia (we don't usually see worms in the stool and need to look at the sample under a microscope to identify them), or colitis. The vet can examine her and her stool and prescribe medication to help feel better. If she does have parasites her kittens may need to be treated as well, as some can be passed from mom to kitten.
1Pet Parents found this answer helpful

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