Cats Vomit: Possible Causes and What to Do

Understanding Feline Vomiting: A Comprehensive Guide

1. Eating Too Rapidly

Even the healthiest of cats can suffer from vomiting when they eat too quickly or consume excessive amounts. Pet owners must be vigilant about their cat's diet, ensuring they don't overfeed their feline friends. Establishing a regular feeding schedule is crucial to prevent hungerdriven overeating.

Some wellmeaning owners provide their cats with a plethora of treats, including raw meat, sausages, liver, nuts, fruits, and vegetables, believing these will make their pets healthier. However, these snacks can overwhelm a cat's digestive system, leading to vomiting.

If a cat vomits shortly after eating and the vomit contains little to no digested food, it's a strong indication that the vomiting is dietrelated.

2. Sudden Diet Changes

Many cat owners are unaware of the importance of a gradual transition when changing their cat's food. A sudden switch can easily trigger vomiting in cats. To avoid this, introduce new food gradually by mixing a small amount with the old food, increasing the proportion over a period of 710 days.

3. Stress Response

Cats are known for their sensitivity to stress. Mild stress can manifest as diarrhea, reduced appetite, or even complete refusal to eat, with kittens potentially vomiting as well. To help calm nervous cats, minimize exposure to new people and environments. Providing a familiar cardboard box, toys, bedding, and the scent of their owner's clothes can soothe them.

4. Ingesting Foreign Objects

Cats often inadvertently swallow small objects while playing, which can lead to acute vomiting. These objects can cause intermittent vomiting or loss of appetite, and if they reach the small intestine, they may cause blockages, resulting in persistent vomiting and even dehydration.

5. Chronic Diseases

Several chronic conditions can cause frequent vomiting in cats, such as pancreatitis, chronic kidney failure, diabetes, and fatty liver disease. Chronic vomiting may start infrequently (less than once every two months) and gradually increase in frequency, sometimes daily. Despite vomiting, cats may still have an appetite and appear otherwise healthy, often mistaken for hairball issues.

6. Food Poisoning

Cats can vomit due to spoiled food, toxins, or foreign objects. Ingesting undigestible or absorbable substances can also cause vomiting. If a cat consumes human medications, toxic cleaners, or pesticides, immediate veterinary attention is necessary.

7. Hairball Syndrome

Cats are prone to swallowing their own fur, which can stimulate the stomach and cause acute vomiting. Cats that overgroom or have long hair are more susceptible to hairballrelated vomiting. If a cat vomits a hairball and continues to eat normally, a hairball remedy can be tried. However, frequent vomiting or loss of appetite may require veterinary care.

8. Parasites

Parasites can cause both vomiting and diarrhea in cats, sometimes with blood in the stool. If parasites are detected in a cat's vomit or feces, immediate deworming is necessary. Severe cases may require veterinary intervention.

Vaccination and Prevention

Unvaccinated or improperly vaccinated kittens are at a high risk of contracting feline distemper. Vaccination is the most effective way to prevent this disease.

Conclusion

Cats may vomit for a variety of reasons, and prompt veterinary care is essential for proper diagnosis and treatment. For more information on treating cat vomiting, refer to the "Cat Vomiting SelfHelp Guide."