Do cats burp?

November 11, 2012 8:55 AM

Do cats burp?

Asking for a three-year-old.

posted by nickmark to Pets & Animals (22 answers total)

I've never seen one burp (of course, I've never had a cat, either!). However, a burp is caused when air that's been swallowed works its way out of the stomach and back up. So I would say that, yes, cats (and other animals) can and do burp.
posted by lharmon at 8:57 AM on November 11, 2012

Yes.

They smell like cat food.
posted by bonehead at 8:58 AM on November 11, 2012 [3 favorites]

Yes, and they fart, too.
posted by Forktine at 9:00 AM on November 11, 2012 [4 favorites]

Yep. Mine likes to make sure he is standing next to me when he does it.
posted by magnetsphere at 9:09 AM on November 11, 2012 [4 favorites]

My cat burps every night after her evening meal. She makes sure to look at me when she does it.
posted by Pineapplicious at 9:13 AM on November 11, 2012 [1 favorite]

Belch and fart. And how.
posted by Pudhoho at 9:18 AM on November 11, 2012 [1 favorite]

mine does, too -- though i'm always afraid it's just the prelude to a hairball.
posted by oh really at 9:27 AM on November 11, 2012

Best answer: It's Sunday, I'm on deadline, so of course I had to check YouTube for evidence that would convince a three year old.

Bengal-tabby burp

Tuxedo burp
posted by maudlin at 9:28 AM on November 11, 2012 [3 favorites]

Mrs A maintains that he doesn't burp or fart. But then, she also thinks he can do no wrong. Me, on the other hand...

I think he burps and farts, but that's because we're guys together.
posted by arcticseal at 9:28 AM on November 11, 2012 [1 favorite]

Mine burp after drinking water dripping from the bathtub tap. Loudly.
posted by PussKillian at 9:43 AM on November 11, 2012

My cat burps.

She also farts, pukes, sneezes, snorts, hacks, yawns loudly, snores, chews her claws and toes, licks her own butt, and scratches her belly while watching TV.

She is the best.
posted by jammy at 9:49 AM on November 11, 2012 [13 favorites]

Related do cats fart question.
posted by Namlit at 9:57 AM on November 11, 2012

They also hiccup. It's true!

And: for fun with kids and cats, I give to you: Cat Behavior Bingo! Each card contains the same behaviors in a different arrangement. It was created for one particular cat (Sarah Sarahsen), so your cat may not have the same behaviors -- but maybe it will be fun anyway.
posted by amtho at 10:06 AM on November 11, 2012 [1 favorite]

As has already been covered, yes they most certainly do and it does smell like cat food.

This is a good question though, not all of what we would consider normal reflexes translate across species. For example, mice (and I think other rodents) don't have a gag reflex and are therefore unable to vomit.

Also the scientific word for burp is eructate, which is a lot of fun to say.
posted by shelleycat at 10:16 AM on November 11, 2012

They most certainly do.
posted by Cygnet at 10:16 AM on November 11, 2012

One of my cats likes to eat a lot and then come curl up on my lap and look up at me with squinty loving eyes and then burp in my face.

Somehow, coming from him, it's charming.
posted by hippybear at 12:03 PM on November 11, 2012 [3 favorites]

As I read your question, it was with my elderly tiny kitty sitting on my arm and her stomach is growling like my grandma's used to do. I was already more than mildly amused and then read your question. I love all the responses!!
posted by susandennis at 12:52 PM on November 11, 2012

Yes, they do. And my ladylike sweet Stella does this tiny feminine "urp", while Tim, manly cat that he is, will stand, stretch and open his mouth...BBBRRRUUPPPP", usually right in my face. Ick.
posted by LaBellaStella at 1:57 PM on November 11, 2012

You can tell your three year old that cats do burp the most disgusting fishy burps evar!

Shelleycat, interesting about rodents! I can share that horses can't burp or vomit also. A horse's stomach will rupture due to the esophagal valve only operating one way. You know there's some serious (and expensive) stuff going on when the vet puts a tube down a horse and there is gastric reflux.

I've also heard that bunnies can't vomit or burp. I cannot swear to the veracity of this remark.

So, everybody poops, but not everybody burps.
posted by BlueHorse at 4:21 PM on November 11, 2012

And, of course, bunnies eat their own poop (the first time through anyway) and will eventually die of malnutrition if they can't ...
posted by shelleycat at 12:46 AM on November 12, 2012

Shines a new light on Bugs Bunny.
posted by Packed Lunch at 2:34 AM on November 12, 2012 [1 favorite]

Don't forget dejected, resigned sighs of disappointment.
posted by Nameless at 5:33 PM on November 12, 2012