Identifying the Causes of Your Cat’s Vomiting and How to Treat It

Common Causes of Cat Vomiting

Cat vomiting is a common complaint among pet owners. The causes of cat vomiting can range from minor stomach issues, to more serious medical conditions. Knowing what the potential causes are can help you determine if your cat’s vomiting requires prompt medical attention.

One common cause of vomiting in cats is dietary. Out of date food, changes in diet, new food or treats, as well as sudden dietary restrictions can all lead to vomiting. Additionally, cats that consume too much of certain substances such as milk or table scraps can also experience vomiting. If your cat has a sensitive stomach and you’re making changes to their diet, it’s important to do so gradually.

Hairballs are another frequent cause of vomiting in cats. These can be caused by licking the coat excessively during grooming, over consumption of fur during self-grooming, or poor digestion due to poor quality diet. If hairballs are a recurring issue for your cat, it may help to add fiber sources to their diet such as canned pumpkin, psyllium products, or specialized hairball diets.

Vomiting can also be indicative of more serious illnesses including infections, obstructions, and gastrointestinal emergencies. In serious cases, cats may present with additional symptoms such as lethargy, dehydration, fever, and abdominal pain. If your cat is having repeated episodes of vomiting or appears ill in addition to vomiting, it’s best to contact your veterinarian right away.

Diagnosing the Cause of Your Cat’s Vomiting

Diagnosing the cause of your cat’s vomiting can be a difficult task. Vomiting can result from several different medical conditions and it is important to determine the underlying cause of the vomiting in order to provide the best care for your pet. A thorough physical examination by a veterinarian is needed to rule out any medical issues. For example, parasites or hairballs can lead to vomiting in cats. Tests such as fecal tests can be performed to look for any evidence of parasites. Radiographs and ultrasounds can help diagnose foreign bodies in the intestinal tract or an enlarged liver, while bloodwork and urine tests can check for kidney and liver diseases or pancreatitis. If your cat has been vomiting frequently, it is important to seek veterinary attention right away so that treatment can be given if necessary.

Preventative Care to Avoid Cat Vomiting

Preventative care is an important part of owning a cat and will help to significantly reduce the amount of vomiting your cat experiences. For cats, preventative care typically consists of regular vet visits, appropriate diet, regular exercise and grooming, periodic vaccinations, and parasite prevention.

Vet visits are extremely important for cats since many health issues won’t be visible to owners. Regular check-ups provide an opportunity for vets to identify any potential problems such as infections, parasites, or allergies before they become severe.

A balanced and appropriate diet is also essential for cats’ overall health. It can be helpful to rotate the types of food your cat is eating to avoid them possibly becoming sick of it. Additionally, make sure that your cat is drinking enough water throughout the day to ensure that their digestion is functioning well.

Cats should also be getting appropriate exercise and plenty of playtime each day in order to maintain a healthy lifestyle. This also gives them an outlet to release pent up energy, which may contribute to excessive vomiting if they don’t have an outlet.

Finally, cats need to be getting regular vaccinations and parasite preventative treatments in order to stay healthy. Vaccines help protect cats from communicable diseases, while parasite prevention can help keep your cat free from worms and fleas, both of which can make your cat more likely to vomit.

Overall, with proper preventative care and attention, you can significantly reduce the chances of your cat experiencing vomiting. Make sure to take your cat to regular vet visits, feed it a balanced diet, encourage exercise and play, and keep its vaccines and parasite preventative treatments up to date. Following these steps will go a long way towards keeping your cat healthy and free from vomiting.

Treatment Options for Cat Vomiting

Cat vomiting is a common issue that pet owners must address. In most cases, vomiting can be prevented or managed through diet and lifestyle changes, but in certain instances, it may require medical intervention. The treatment options for cat vomiting depend on the underlying cause. When cat vomiting is related to hairballs, your veterinarian may suggest giving wet food more frequently, prompting the cat to swallow more water and pass the hairball more easily. Your vet may also recommend using a hairball remedy, such as Vaseline or commercial products such as Petromalt or Laxatone.

In cases of food allergies, switching to a hypoallergenic diet may reduce or eliminate the cat’s vomiting. If parasites are causing the vomiting, a deworming medication will be prescribed. Medications such as metoclopramide may be used to increase stomach motility and reduce vomiting if it is caused by gastrointestinal issues. And if bacteria or viruses are causing the cat’s vomiting, antibiotics or antiviral drugs may be necessary.

For cats with chronic vomiting or those who don’t respond to traditional treatments, endoscopic examination may be recommended. During endoscopy, a tube is inserted into the cat’s mouth to examine the esophagus, stomach, and small intestine. The procedure helps diagnose gastrointestinal diseases that cannot be seen on traditional x-rays.

Above all else, it is important to remember that cat vomit is never normal and should always be evaluated by a vet. If left untreated, disorders like pancreatitis or kidney failure might develop, which can be life threatening. An early diagnosis of the cause of vomiting is essential to ensure successful treatment and a good quality of life for your cat.