Understanding Why Your Cat is Throwing Up Undigested Food and How to Help

The Causes of Cat Vomiting and How to Spot Them

Cat vomiting can be a concern for pet owners, as it usually implies that something isn’t right with your cat. While occasional vomiting is normal in cats and isn’t necessarily cause for alarm, chronic vomiting could be a sign of an underlying health issue. In order to properly take care of their health, it’s important to be able to recognize the various causes of cat vomiting and how to spot them.

Common causes of cat vomiting include: dietary indiscretion, eating too quickly, motion sickness, parasites, virus, bacterial infection, organ dysfunction, cancer, pancreatitis, foreign bodies, poisoning, and allergies. Dietary indiscretion involves cats ingesting foods that are toxic or difficult to digest while eating too quickly can cause vomitting due to poor digestion. Motion sickness occurs when the inner ear and eyes malfunction or one’s balance becomes affected due to high-speed travel or an abrupt change in direction. Parasites such as roundworms and tapeworms are a common cause of upset stomachs and vomiting in cats. Viral and bacterial infections can also lead to nausea and vomiting. Organ dysfunctions such as kidney failure or liver disease can lead to vomiting as these organs are unable to properly process and eliminate toxins from the body. Solid tumors and cancers can also cause vomiting episodes. Pancreatitis is a condition which occurs when the pancreas become inflamed, a symptom of which is vomiting. Foreign bodies lodged in the GI tract can lead to obstruction and subsequent vomiting. Lastly, some cats may experience allergic reactions, leading to vomiting.

Signs that your cat is experiencing vomiting include dry heaving, retching, drooling of saliva, loss of appetite, lethargy, and abdominal discomfort. If you notice any of these signs in your cat, be sure to schedule an appointment with the veterinarian immediately and refrain from offering food or water until advised otherwise.

In conclusion, cat vomiting can be caused by anything from simple dietary indiscretion to more serious conditions such as infections and organ dysfunctions. By recognizing the different causes of cat vomiting, pet owners can work faster towards seeking proper medical treatment for their furry friends.

Diagnosing Conditions Responsible for Cat Vomiting

When cats vomit, it always causes concern. Vomiting is a common symptom of many different illnesses and can be an indication of something serious or relatively minor. Diagnosing the underlying cause of your cat’s vomiting helps ensure timely and appropriate treatment as well as a healthy prognosis for your pet.

To diagnose the potential cause of your cat’s vomiting, your veterinarian will typically review your cat’s medical history and perform a complete physical examination. The veterinarian may also suggest additional tests such as blood and urine tests to confirm a specific condition. Additionally, X-rays, ultrasounds, and endoscopies may be recommended if a more in-depth assessment is needed.

In some cases, environmental changes that could be causing your cat’s vomiting can be identified by considering aspects of your pet’s lifestyle such as diet, recent changes in routine, activities with other animals, etc. Additionally, the veterinarian may ask about any potential poisonous substances or medications that the cat could have been exposed to.

Steps for Helping Your Cat When Vomiting Undigested Food

If you notice that your cat has vomited undigested food, there are a few steps you can take to help your feline friend feel better.

First, stop feeding your cat for at least 12 hours to give her stomach a rest. Make sure she has access to plenty of fresh water. If your cat is vomiting multiple times in an hour or if vomiting persists more than one day, contact your veterinarian for assistance.

You can also try giving your cat a mild form of hydrogen peroxide (1 teaspoon per 5 pounds of body weight). This may help induce vomiting and get rid of whatever upset your cat’s stomach. However, do not attempt this without talking to your vet first.

An antacid like Pepcid AC can be used to reduce gastric acidity and settle the stomach. You might want to add a probiotic supplement to the diet to help restore the intestinal balance and combat any tummy upsets.

Finally, you can offer your cat small amounts of boiled chicken and rice or a plain canned pumpkin to soothe her digestive system. Avoid all rich and fatty foods. With these simple steps, your cat should start feeling better soon.

Dietary Changes to Prevent Your Cat from Throwing Up

In order to prevent your cat from throwing up, dietary changes are often necessary. Generally speaking, the best diet for cats consists of high-quality, highly digestible proteins, healthy fats, and limited carbohydrates.

If your cat is already suffering with vomiting due to its current diet, then it is important to transition them to a new diet gradually, while reducing the amount of their existing food at the same time. Look for food that contains the highest levels of animal proteins available and consider switching to wet or canned food in order to provide more moisture, which can help avoid dehydration. Avoid foods with too many fillers, as they don’t provide all the nutrition your cat needs and they can be difficult to digest. Make sure the food you feed your cat is made specifically for cats, as some human foods can be dangerous, such as onions and garlic.

Besides the food itself, eating frequently throughout the day can help keep your cat’s system working properly and reduce the number of times they vomit. Spreading out meals into smaller, more frequent servings can be beneficial, along with providing plenty of fresh water.

If your cat continues to vomit despite dietary changes, it may be necessary to have them examined by a veterinarian to rule out any underlying health conditions. With the right diet and lifestyle changes, however, you can significantly reduce the occurrence of vomiting in your pet.