Feline
Vomiting
Cats often vomit for many
different reasons. Feline vomiting can be a sign of other serious
problems but it depends on several factors. I've had cats that
woul throw up at the drop of a hat. Mostly harmless reasons like
eating to fast, temperature of food, eating bugs, the basic
hairball from too much self grooming, and etc. None of these
reasons are anything other than the cat doing what a cat does, and
often
occur with any cat.
Another common vomiting cause is
when a cat's stomach is upset or out of balance they often eat
grass or other greenery. This is pretty common and most times is
nothing to worry about. The only thing to be careful with is to
make sure you don't have any poisonous green plants indoors or let
your cat eat a plant that will just make things worse for their
stomachs..
That being said, there are a few
things to watch for in the vomit that do indicate a more serious
issue. Here's a brief list of know reasons that may require some
medical attention:
1. If the vomit consists of clear or frothy foam.
The clear or frothy foam like
vomit indicates that the cat's stomach is empty (not a good thing)
and that it's upset or out of balance. High acid content is
usually the culprit due to the cat not eating and drinking enough.
And when a cat stops eating and/or drinking water it is definitely a warning sign of
something wrong.
2. Something is moving in the
vomit (like worms).
If you can see live worms (some
types are visible, some aren't) then it is important to take immediate
action. If the worms are easily identifiable then there are over
the counter medicines that will "de-worm" your cat. It
still might be a good idea to see a Vet just in case.
3. Objects, plastic, or other
items that should not be in stomach.
If you see something that looks
manmade (like parts of a toy or other items not intended for
digestion) you should immediately seek a Vet's help. The Vet will
need to do x-rays to see if there are any other objects still in
the stomach or other places. This is not something to put off, and
can be a real threat to your cat.
4. Blood or dark red color to
indicate possible blood.
Blood in the vomit also has
serious implications of serious medical problems. Loss of blood
means that there could be internal bleeding (often due to injury).
Cat fights, being hit by car, bike, or whatever. If you throughly
inspect your cat and can't fine any obvious injuries it's time to
go to the Vet immediately (and if you find something, even more
so).
Cats have a tendency to
immediately reject anything in their stomachs. I don't know of any
pet that will throw up as much as a cat (although a dog can come
close). Normally it's a self defense mechanism and may not be
cause for concern. But always keep a close eye on your cat when
they vomit to see if there are other issues involved.
Hairballs, especially on long
haired cats, are common and are difficult to prevent. Although
there are some foods designed to help fight hairballs and frequent
brushing helps eliminate loose hair which is good. But even too
many hairball vomiting seasons can dehydrate your cat.
It's always a good idea to keep a
close watch on any Feline Vomiting to determine if it's serious or
not. All cats will vomit from time to time but it never hurts to
keep an eye on your cat to see if there are any other indications
of problems. Do a quick physical check, watch to make sure they
are eating and drinking normally, or if they have a change of
personality or act differently. Any or all could be indications of
more serious problems.
Related Articles:
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The
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veterinarian, and any and all health care for your pet
should be
made under the guidance of your own veterinarian.
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