Mouth and Esophagus

• Chewing and salivating begins the process of breaking down food. As the cat swallows, the food enters the esophagus, a small tube that connects the mouth to the stomach. Muscles line the esophagus. These muscles contract and force the food into the stomach. Surgeries and injuries to the esophagus are problematic since it is slow to heal, according to Doctors Foster and Smith Pet Education.com.
  
  

Stomach

• The feline stomach is a holding tank for recently ingested food. Hydrochloric acid and enzymes break down the food while its sits in the stomach. The stomach lining releases mucous that serves to protect the wall of the stomach from the acid. Stress reduces the secretion of mucous during meals, which may result in vomiting, according to Dr. Fogle. Food leaves the stomach and enters the small intestine within twelve hours of ingestion.
  
  

Toxins

• Receptors in the cat's stomach recognize the presence of toxins. These receptors send a signal to the brain, which responds by creating the feeling of nausea. This prevents further consumption of toxic substances and results in vomiting to remove the ingested toxins.
  
  

Liver

• The feline liver also prevents poisoning by removing toxins or reducing them into benign or less toxic substances. The liver converts dietary fat and old red blood cells into bile and cholesterol. The gall bladder's bile ducts and the pancreatic ducts distribute bile and enzymes to the cat's small intestine. Together, they digest protein, carbohydrates and fat.
  
  

Small Intestine

• A cat's small intestine is approximately 4 feet long and is shorter than most mammals, according to Dr. Fogle. However, it contains long villi to enhance absorption of nutrients. Villi are small projections in the intestinal tract that interact with and absorb food. There is no peristaltic activity in a cat's intestinal tract. The digested food enters the large intestine once the nutrients are absorbed.
  
  

Large Intestine

• The large intestine holds fecal matter and transports it to the anus for elimination. Additionally, the feline large intestine serves the purpose of extracting water from the feces and maintaining the hydration levels of the entire body.
  
  

Common Digestive Disorders

• Digestive problems of the feline stomach include hairballs and gastritis, an inflammatory condition of the stomach wall. Conventional pain medicine causes irritation to the stomach's lining and can be particularly severe in cats. Gastroenteritis, caused by inflammation, occurs in the stomach and intestines. Inflammation also causes colitis, which affects the colon and rectum. Constipation and flatulence may also occur, especially in older cats. Vomiting, diarrhea, loss of appetite and abdominal pain may be signs of severe illness in cats and a veterinarian should check this out.