Skip to main content

Pet Insurance policies are underwritten by Independence American Insurance Company.

Figo Pet Insurance Logo
  • Pet Insurance
    • Dog Insurance
    • Cat Insurance
    • Coverage
    • Compare
    • FAQs
  • Pet Cloud
  • Blog
  • About
  • Contact
Get a Quote
Figo logo

  • Login
  • Dog Insurance
  • Careers
  • Found a lost Figo pet?
  • About Us
  • Cat Insurance
  • Blog
  • FAQs
  • Employers
  • Veterinarians
  • Compare
  • Maine Residents
  • California Privacy

Subscribe to our newsletter

  • Instagram logo
  • facebook
  • tiktok
  • Twitter

No one is permitted to sell, solicit or negotiate an insurance policy without a producer license in the state in which the plan is sold, and all prospects should be directed to Figo Pet Insurance. The information contained in this website is for illustrative purposes only and coverage under any pet insurance policy is expressly subject to the conditions, restrictions, limitations, exclusions (including pre-existing conditions), and terms of the policy documentation issued by the insurer. Availability of this program is subject to each state’s approval and coverage may vary by state. Coverage underwritten by Independence American Insurance Company (IAIC), a Delaware Insurance Company, 11333 North Scottsdale Road Suite 160 Scottsdale, AZ 85254. Live Vet and the Figo Pet Cloud are separate non-insurance services unaffiliated with IAIC. Figo Pet Insurance's California license number is 0K02763.

  • Privacy Policy
  • Accessibility
  • Terms of Use & Licensing
  • Insurance Fraud Warnings
  • Underwriting

Copyright © 2015-2023 Figo Pet Insurance LLC. All rights reserved

Inflammatory bowel disease in cats

February 7, 2017

The most common cause of chronic vomiting and/or diarrhea in cats is IBD. Dr. Lee Pickett explains what causes IBD, the symptoms and how it’s treated.

Inflammatory bowel disease in cats

Q:My veterinarian thinks my cat has IBD. Is that the same as the IBS I suffer when I’m stressed? My cat has a great life and doesn’t seem stressed.

A:Inflammatory bowel disease (IBD) and irritable bowel syndrome (IBS) are very different disorders. While your IBS is a functional, stress-related condition, your cat’s IBD is a structural disease. In IBD, white blood cells, referred to as inflammatory cells, invade the walls of the stomach and/or intestines (bowel), thickening them.

Although the precise cause is unknown, veterinary scientists believe certain food ingredients, intestinal parasites or intestinal bacteria may trigger the immune system to deposit inflammatory cells in the gastrointestinal tract, causing enough damage to interfere with movement of food and absorption of nutrients.

When the inflammatory cells invade the stomach or upper intestine, cats experience recurrent vomiting. Inflammation of the lower small intestine or the large intestine produces diarrhea. Many cats suffer from both vomiting and diarrhea. 

In fact, the most common cause of chronic vomiting and/or diarrhea in cats is IBD. IBD is usually diagnosed by biopsy, though a presumptive diagnosis can be made when the cat responds to standard IBD treatment. The most effective treatments are dietary modification, probiotics and medication.


Lee Pickett, V.M.D. practices companion animal medicine in Pennsylvania. Contact her at askdrlee@insurefigo.com.