Maine Coon Blog
Intussusception in Maine Coons: Signs, Risk and Treatment
- Maria
Intussusception is not a word most cat owners ever hear, until it happens to their cat. It is a serious bowel problem that usually needs surgery, and recent research suggests Maine Coons are more likely to develop it than many other cats.
That does not mean every Maine Coon will get it. Most never will. But knowing the warning signs can help you act fast if something does go wrong. In this guide we explain what intussusception is, what the latest studies say about Maine Coons, which symptoms to watch for, and how vets diagnose and treat it.
Please note: this article is general information, not veterinary advice. If you think your cat is unwell, call your veterinarian right away.
What Is Intussusception?
Intussusception happens when one part of the intestine slides inside the part next to it, the way a telescope collapses into itself. Veterinarians often describe it as the bowel “telescoping.”
When this happens, food and fluid can no longer pass through normally, so the bowel becomes blocked. The trapped section can also lose part of its blood supply and start to swell and become damaged. That is why intussusception is treated as an emergency and usually needs surgery.
Are Maine Coons Prone to Intussusception?
Research suggests they are. Two veterinary studies have found Maine Coons showing up far more often than expected:
- A 2026 study from Italy (Dainese, Petini and Zoia, Journal of Small Animal Practice) looked at 371 sick Maine Coons seen at one veterinary clinic between 2004 and 2023. Eighteen of them had intussusception, compared with none of a matched group of sick cats of other breeds. The authors concluded that Maine Coons show a higher prevalence of intussusception.
- A 2019 study from Austria (Haider and colleagues, Journal of Feline Medicine and Surgery) reviewed 21 cats that had surgery for intussusception over 15 years. Eleven of the 21 were Maine Coons.
There is also some reassuring news in the 2026 study. Compared with other cats that had intussusception, the Maine Coons:
- were younger when it happened
- more often had no underlying disease causing it (33%, compared with 0% of the other cats)
- were much more likely to survive their hospital stay (6% of the Maine Coons died in hospital, compared with 42% of the other cats)
Keep this in perspective. Both studies come from single clinics that see sick cats, so they cannot tell us how often intussusception happens in Maine Coons overall. Researchers do not yet know why the breed seems more prone to it. What the studies do tell us is that Maine Coon owners should know the signs.
What Causes Intussusception in Cats?
Anything that upsets the normal rhythm of the intestines can trigger it. Veterinary sources list these possible causes:
- Intestinal parasites (worms)
- Viral or bacterial infections of the gut
- Swallowed objects, especially string-like items
- Sudden changes in diet
- Inflammation of the intestines, such as inflammatory bowel disease (IBD)
- Recent surgery
- Intestinal tumors, such as lymphoma
Age makes a difference. Intussusception is seen most often in cats under one year old, but it also happens in cats over six years. In young cats, vets often find no clear cause (this is called “idiopathic”). In older cats, it is more likely to be linked to an underlying problem such as IBD or lymphoma.
Symptoms of Intussusception in Cats
The early signs can look like an ordinary upset stomach, which is what makes intussusception tricky. In the 2019 study of 21 cats, signs had been going on for a median of three days before surgery. These were the most common:
| Sign | How many cats had it |
|---|---|
| Vomiting | 18 of 21 |
| Not eating | 15 of 21 |
| Lethargy (tired, low energy) | 11 of 21 |
| Diarrhea | 4 of 21 |
| Weight loss | 2 of 21 |
Other signs veterinary sources mention include:
- Blood in the stool, or dark, tarry stool
- Straining to poop, or passing very little stool
- Belly pain: crying, hiding, refusing to lie down, or sitting hunched up
- Dehydration
- A swollen or tender belly
Sometimes a vet can feel the telescoped section of bowel when they press on the belly. It can feel like a firm, sausage-shaped lump.
When to Call Your Vet
A cat that throws up once and then eats normally is usually not an emergency. Call your veterinarian the same day if your cat:
- vomits more than once, or keeps vomiting
- stops eating for more than a day (sooner for a kitten)
- is unusually quiet, hides or seems weak
- has blood in the stool, or dark, tarry stool
- strains to poop or passes very little
- seems painful when you touch the belly
- may have swallowed string, thread, a hair tie or a toy part
Kittens can get dehydrated and weak very quickly, so do not wait to see if a kitten gets better on its own. Trust your instincts. You know your cat best.
How Vets Diagnose Intussusception
Your vet will start with a physical exam and gently feel your cat’s belly. From there, they may use:
- Abdominal ultrasound. This is one of the best tools for finding intussusception, because it can show the telescoped bowel.
- X-rays, sometimes with a contrast dye, to look for a blockage or a swallowed object.
- Blood tests, to check hydration, electrolytes and overall health.
- A stool test, to look for parasites.
How Intussusception Is Treated
First, the vet team will usually stabilize your cat with IV fluids and correct any electrolyte problems. Then, in most cases, surgery is needed.
During surgery, the surgeon may be able to gently slide the bowel back into place. Often, though, the damaged section has to be removed and the healthy ends sewn back together. In the 2019 study, this was done in 19 of 21 cats (90%).
Some surgeons also tack loops of intestine together to try to stop it from happening again (this is called enteroplication). Whether this helps in cats is still debated: in the 2019 study it was linked to more complications, and its benefit was unclear. Your surgeon will recommend the best option for your cat.
After surgery, most cats stay in the hospital for a few days. At home, your vet may suggest small, easy-to-digest meals and limited activity while your cat heals.
Recovery, Recurrence and Outlook
Many cats recover well, especially when they are treated early.
- In the 2019 study, 20 of 21 cats survived surgery, and 16 of 21 (76%) went home from the hospital.
- In the 2026 study, only 6% of Maine Coons with intussusception died in hospital.
- Intussusception can come back. Veterinary sources report recurrence in up to 20% of cats after surgery, often within the first few weeks.
Follow your vet’s instructions closely after surgery, and call right away if any of the old symptoms return.
Can You Prevent Intussusception?
There is no guaranteed way to prevent it, especially since many cases in young Maine Coons have no known cause. But you can lower the risk from some of the known triggers:
- Keep up with deworming and parasite prevention as your vet recommends.
- Put away string, thread, yarn, ribbon, hair ties and small toy parts. Our guide to things that are dangerous to cats and kittens covers this in detail.
- Change food slowly, over about a week, instead of switching all at once.
- Keep up with regular vet checkups, and get vomiting or diarrhea checked early instead of waiting.
Frequently Asked Questions
Are Maine Coons more likely to get intussusception?
Research suggests yes. A 2026 study found 18 cases among 371 sick Maine Coons and none in a matched group of sick cats of other breeds. A 2019 surgical study found 11 of 21 affected cats were Maine Coons. Most Maine Coons will never have it.
Is intussusception genetic in Maine Coons?
No genetic cause has been found. There is no known gene and no DNA test for intussusception. Studies do show that Maine Coons are more prone to it than many other cats, but researchers do not yet know why.
Is intussusception an emergency?
Yes. It blocks the bowel and can damage its blood supply, so it needs prompt veterinary care, usually surgery.
Can a cat survive intussusception?
Yes, many do, especially with early treatment. In the 2026 study, 94% of Maine Coons with intussusception survived their hospital stay.
Can it happen again?
It can. Veterinary sources report recurrence in up to 20% of cats after surgery.
Our Take
Intussusception is uncommon, but it is worth knowing about if you share your home with a Maine Coon. The key is not to brush off repeated vomiting, a cat that stops eating, or a kitten that seems “off.” Fast veterinary care makes a real difference.
If your kitten came from Majestic Maine Coon Cats and you notice any of these signs, call your veterinarian first, then let us know so we can support you. For more on keeping your Maine Coon healthy, read our guide to Maine Coon health and preventive care, or visit our Kitten Care Guide.
Sources: Dainese M, Petini M, Zoia A. “Maine Coons and intestinal intussusception: breed predisposition and clinicopathological features.” Journal of Small Animal Practice, 2026. Haider G, Leschnik K, Katic N, Dupré G. “Enteroplication in cats with intussusception: a retrospective study (2001–2016).” Journal of Feline Medicine and Surgery, 2019. BluePearl Pet Hospital: Intestinal Intussusception. PetMD: Folding of the Intestines in Cats.
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