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If you have a cat at home, you have probably seen it vomit every now and then. Cats throwing up is something common but healthy cats should not be throwing up too often. If you notice that your cat is puking frequently, it could be because of several reasons. It is best to take your cat to the vet and schedule regular checkups to make sure that any underlying causes are treated in time.
That being said, you do not have to rush your cat to the doctor when and if it vomits. Occasional vomiting is not a cause of concern, steps for treatment should be taken only when your cat starts to vomit after every meal or every day. Keep reading to know more about why your cat’s throwing up and what you should do to look after it.
Just like us humans, cats can vomit because of various reasons. A cat can vomit if it is exposed to a toxic ingredient. For example, being exposed to a toxic plant that makes your cat vomit can be a reason for chronic vomiting. Cats have a habit of playing with strings and if they ingest any of these toxic bodies, they can stay in its system and cause chronic vomiting.
Vomiting is such a common occurrence in cats that it cannot point out a particular illness or infection. Almost all feline diseases result in vomiting and to find out the actual cause, you will have to take your cat to a vet. It can be for reasons ranging from intestinal issues, organ dysfunction, gastric issues, diet, infections, cancer, and more.
Here are a few reasons why your cat’s throwing up:
Cats love self-grooming and you will always find them licking themselves. This causes their rough tongue to pull out loose hair out of their coat and swallow it. When a large amount of coat hair accumulates in the stomach and is not easily digested, it leads to your cat throwing up a hairball. Cat hairball vomit is extremely normal and there is nothing to worry about. However, if you notice that your cat is throwing up hairballs too often, it could be a sign of gastrointestinal problems. Get it checked by your vet to be on the safer side.
Gastroenteritis is just a fancy term for an upset tummy. This can be caused due to medication side effects, dietary problems, toxins, and more. Most of the time, symptoms of gastroenteritis are mild and resolve on their own while others can be chronic and will need a professional’s attention.
Foreign bodies or obstructions: If your cat has a habit of eating or chewing on the toys it plays with, its GI tract can get blocked and can result in bouts of vomit. When vomiting is induced by a foreign material in your cat’s body, urgent help is required. It’s best to take your cat to the vet immediately and get it looked at.
Food allergies and Inflammatory Bowel Disease: Food cat allergies are not common, but some can cause your cat to vomit. If your cat eats a trigger food, it will immediately start throwing up because of the inflammation in their digestive tract. Sometimes, food allergies can also cause chronic diarrhoea.
Systemic Illnesses: Many chronic illnesses such as pancreatitis, hyperthyroidism, kidney diseases, and more can cause your cat to feel nauseous and throw up. If you notice that your cat is throwing up too much, it is best to get it looked at, so the diagnosis of the above-mentioned diseases is not delayed.
Parasites: Parasites usually cause vomiting in kittens, but it can happen to cats of all ages. Check your cat's vomit for live worms. The only good news about parasite-induced vomiting is that it is 100% curable.
Cancer: Digestive tract cancer is very common in cats. Cancer in other parts of the body can also lead to vomiting.
Cats vomit because of many reasons and the appearance of their vomit can help us get an idea about what’s bothering them. It is best to observe or take a look at your cat’s vomit so you can tell your vet about it. This will help them find out the underlying cause and treat your cat accordingly. Here are some common types of cat vomit:
Yellow vomit | If your cat is throwing up yellow vomit, it could be because of partially digested food or bile in its stomach. |
Clear vomit | Clear vomit can occur due to an empty stomach or due to the regurgitation of saliva from the oesophagus. |
White, foamy vomit | Hairball-induced vomit on an empty stomach can cause your cat’s vomit to appear white and foamy. |
Bloody vomit | Bloody vomit can be caused due to inflammation in the stomach, oesophagus, or in the upper intestines. |
Brown and smelly vomit | Brown and smelly vomit can be a sign of bleeding in your cat’s digestive tract. It could also indicate an issue with your cat’s kidney or liver. |
There are a lot of things that you can do to prevent your cat from vomiting. The best way to rule out any common causes of cats throwing up is to take care of their diet. If your feline suffers from cat allergies, ask your vet for a special diet. This can help your kitty keep chronic vomiting at bay.
Make sure that you are feeding your cat a balanced and nutritious meal and not giving it too many table scraps. Keep an eye on your cat when it is playing and do not let it eat any of its toys. Rubber, strings, and more can cause your cat to vomit. Lastly, consider over-the-counter cat hairball vomit remedies. If your cat’s coat has long hair, ask your veterinarian to prescribe some products that can help reduce or prevent hairball vomiting.
Many cat parents try to find products that they can give their cats to prevent or stop vomiting. Since there are so many reasons that can cause your cat to throw up, picking a product based on a single issue is extremely difficult. If your cat is throwing up because of organ diseases or cancer, treating the disease should be a priority. If your cat has a mild case of vomiting, your vet may prescribe antiemetic medications or antacids. For gastrointestinal issues, your cat may need to switch to a more gut-friendly diet.
Your veterinarian will decide what tests and treatments are necessary for your cat based on these aspects:
Whether it has fever, is lethargic, or is depressed?
Whether it has a good appetite or lost any weight?
Is it throwing up blood?
Is your cat in pain or is experiencing abdominal discomfort?
Are your cat’s bowels affected?
Is it vomiting too many times in a day or just right after a meal?
Does the vomit stink or have a particular colour?
Did you recently change your cat’s diet or put it on supplements?
Is your cat chewing on any toys or is it eating any other foods?
Are other cats in your house also affected?
If your cat is vomiting too much and some serious symptoms of underlying diseases are suspected, your veterinarian may suggest more tests and suggest more aggressive treatments. If your cat has lost a lot of blood or electrolytes by vomiting frequently, you may need to get it hospitalised.
Before you go on to treating your furry friend, you must know the different cat vomiting reasons:
Ingestion of a toxin from the fur is the most common cause of cat vomiting.
Cats have a proclivity for chewing on attractive house plants, which can lead to plant poisoning.
If the cat is present when its parent cleans its living space with a high-fume chemical agent, the inhalation of toxic chemicals - such as cleaning agents - can cause poisoning in cats.
If your cat skips a meal or eats later than usual, it may regurgitate the undigested food.
Another reason why cats vomit frequently is their rapid change of food. It is recommended that you transition your cat to a new diet slowly over a one to two-week period, gradually reducing the amount of current cat food while gradually increasing the quantity of new cat food.
Dietary indiscretion, pollutants, or medication side effects might cause gastric problems such as an upset stomach.
Some cases are minor and can go away on their own, but others can be serious and require medical attention from a veterinarian.
Ingestion of a foreign object, such as a string or a small toy that becomes lodged in the stomach or intestines, is a common cause of intestinal blockages in cats.
An intestinal blockage is a highly serious ailment that requires immediate attention. It can be caused by underlying health concerns such as a tumour or difficulty with intestinal movements.
Some of the common signs include your cat puking frequently or its inability to keep down water or food.
Prolonged disorders such as pancreatitis, kidney disease, and hyperthyroidism can all cause nausea and chronic vomiting in cats for numerous reasons.
Identification of the underlying ailment is required to address many causes of cat vomiting with many of these conditions requiring lifelong therapy.
One of the most prevalent feline endocrine illnesses is hyperthyroidism (sometimes known as an overworked thyroid).
Thyroid overactivity is caused by a tumour (usually benign) in the thyroid gland that pumps too much thyroid hormone into the bloodstream.
This increase in your cat's metabolism can result in your cat throwing up.
Repeated cat vomiting should never be ignored because it can lead to dehydration. But because vomiting is common in cats, how do you know what’s normal? “A general guideline is that if the cat is vomiting one to three times a month, we consider this normal,” says Dr Folger.
He considers it serious if the vomiting occurs twice daily for two or three days. If your cat stops eating, seems to have stomach pain, or retches continuously, or if the vomit is mixed with blood, take it to a veterinarian. And as always, if you’re suspicious that a lingering problem could be harmful to your pet, call your veterinarian. A visit to the office can help relieve your cat’s discomfort and your worries as well.
If your cat is vomiting way too often, is throwing up blood, or is puking after every meal, it’s best to take it to a doctor.
Feed your cat wet food when it is not feeling its best and throwing up. Since wet food is easy to digest, you can feed it to your cat in small amounts. orange in color, it indicates the accumulation of partially digested food and bile in the stomach. If it is red in color, it indicates the presence of blood. Sometimes, the color of the cat’s vomit may be caused by the color of the cat’s food or treats.
Vomit in general is a cause of concern if it is happening too often. However, if you notice that your cat is puking yellow, brown, or bloody vomit, take it to the vet at the earliest.
Feed your cat wet and light food in small portions when it is not feeling that great and vomiting too often.
fibre is a vital component in a cat's diet, categorised as soluble and insoluble. Soluble fibre, dissolving in water, regulates blood sugar and lowers cholesterol, while insoluble fibre adds bulk, aiding in digestive movement. Crucially, fibre remains undigested, with some types fermenting to produce short-chain fatty acids (SCFA). These SCFAs serve as a key energy source for the cells lining the intestinal tract, fostering a healthy gut environment. fibre for cats also promotes weight management by inducing a sense of fullness, preventing overeating.
Balancing fibre in cat food is crucial, as excess may lead to nutrient malabsorption. Monitoring fibre types and amounts is vital for optimal feline health, ensuring digestive regularity. Striking this balance supports longevity and vitality in cats, making fibre an indispensable element in their overall well-being.
Today, people are more aware of fibre and its role in their diet. Studies showing the beneficial effects of higher fibre levels in humans influence the way many people think about their own food and that of their pets. Some manufacturers now apply the recommendations of human nutritionists and make high-fibre diets for cats, but cats have a much shorter digestive tract than we do. And unlike humans, cats are carnivorous, so their nutritional needs are better satisfied with meat rather than plant matter. Therefore, cats have different dietary needs than humans. For more than 60 years, companion animal nutritionists at IAMS™ have been studying diets to meet the special nutritional needs of cats.
The feline microbiome constitutes a diverse community of microorganisms, residing predominantly in the gastrointestinal tract. This intricate system of bacteria, viruses, and fungi significantly impacts a cat's health. It plays a crucial role in digestion, influencing nutrient absorption, supporting immune function, and even affecting behavioural patterns. The delicate balance within the microbiome is essential for the overall well-being of the cat, making it a key focus in understanding and optimising feline health.
When it comes to feline nutrition and gut health, the impact of fibrous foods on a cat's microbiome is driven by processes essential for maintaining gastrointestinal balance. Listed below are some interactions and their impact on your cat:
When cats consume fibrous foods, their gut microbiome undergoes a dynamic response, adapting to the influx of indigestible fibres.
Certain fibres for cats function as prebiotics, fostering the growth and activity of beneficial bacteria, such as Bifidobacteria and Lactobacillus, which are essential for gut health.
fibre fermentation by gut bacteria results in the production of short-chain fatty acids (SCFAs), including acetate, propionate, and butyrate.
SCFAs play a pivotal role in nourishing the cells lining the intestinal tract, contributing to mucosal integrity, nutrient absorption, and overall gut function.
fibre-induced fermentation also produces gases and by-products, influencing the pH of the gut environment, creating an environment that discourages harmful pathogens.
IAMS Company research shows the optimal crude fibre level for healthy cat’s ranges from 1.4% to 3.5%. At these levels, nutrient breakdown is maximised. In unique situations, such as hairballs, higher fibre levels may be beneficial.
An important characteristic of fibre is its fermentability, or how well it can be broken down by bacteria in the intestine. This breakdown produces short-chain fatty acids, which provide energy to the intestines. fibre varies in fermentability. fibre sources used in pet foods include cellulose, which is poorly fermentable; beet pulp, which is moderately fermentable; and gums and pectin, which can be highly fermentable. Research has shown that moderate levels of moderately fermentable fibre, such as beet pulp, provide the benefits of energy for the intestinal lining and bulk, without the negative effects of excessive stool or gas and, therefore, are beneficial in cat diets.
Incorporating high-fibre cat food into your feline’s diet offers various health benefits, contributing to their overall well-being. Here is a breakdown of the advantages and how they positively impact feline health:
High-fibre cat food promotes optimal digestive regularity in cats by adding bulk to the stool. This helps prevent issues such as constipation and ensures smoother bowel movements, contributing to overall gastrointestinal health.
The inclusion of fibre in cat food provides a feeling of fullness without adding excessive calories. This can be beneficial for weight management, as it reduces the likelihood of overeating and helps control calorie intake, supporting healthy body weight.
Increased fibre intake aids in controlling and reducing hairballs in cats. The fibrous content helps bind hair together, facilitating its passage through the digestive tract and minimising the risk of hairball-related issues.
fibre-rich cat food diets play a crucial role in managing diabetes in cats. The slow digestion and absorption of carbohydrates associated with increased fibre can help regulate blood sugar levels, providing better glucose control for diabetic cats.
Soluble fibre for cats, found in high-fibre foods, has cholesterol-lowering properties. By binding to cholesterol molecules and promoting their excretion, soluble fibre contributes to maintaining healthy cholesterol levels, supporting cardiovascular well-being in cats.
High-fibre diets are often recommended for cats with specific medical conditions, such as obesity, diabetes, or certain gastrointestinal disorders. The advantages of fibre, including weight management and blood sugar regulation, make it a valuable component in the overall treatment and management of these conditions.
While low-fibre cat food is recommended in certain cases, it is essential for cat parents to be aware of potential drawbacks that can impact their feline companion's health and well-being.
A diet low in fibre may contribute to constipation issues in cats as it lacks the bulk necessary for proper bowel movement regulation. This can result in discomfort for the cat and potential complications if not addressed promptly.
Low-fibre foods might compromise the overall efficiency of the cat's digestive system, potentially leading to inadequate nutrient absorption. This could impact the cat's overall health and vitality, making it crucial to monitor its digestive well-being.
While low-fibre diets are often associated with weight loss, they may also pose a risk of obesity if not carefully monitored. Cats might consume more to compensate for the reduced caloric content, emphasising the need for vigilance in managing portion sizes.
Cats on a consistently low-fibre diet may face challenges in obtaining a balanced array of essential nutrients, potentially leading to nutritional imbalances and health issues.
Being aware of these potential downsides helps cat parents make informed decisions about their feline’s diet, promoting overall feline well-being.
When choosing a pet food, fibre is an important consideration, but remember that the needs of cats are not the same as those of humans. A moderate level of moderately fermentable fibre, such as beet pulp, provides proven nutritional benefits for cats. Cat diets containing high levels of poorly fermentable fibre dilute calories and deprive cats of the nutrients they need.
All IAMS products are made with levels of moderately fermentable fibre needed to promote intestinal health. And all IAMS foods, such as IAMS ProActive Health™ Adult Original with Chicken, contain the moderately fermentable fibre system, which is the exclusive property of IAMS Company and is protected by U.S. Patent No. 5,616,569 for Pet Food Products Containing Fermentable fibres and Process for Treating Gastrointestinal Disorders.
Ensuring your feline companion meets their daily fibre requirements is crucial for their overall well-being. IAMS cat food offers a balanced and convenient solution to help achieve this goal. Here's a guide on maintaining your cat's daily fibre quota using IAMS:
IAMS cat food provides detailed nutritional information on the label. Check for the fibre content to understand how it contributes to your cat's daily requirements.
IAMS offers a range of cat food varieties, including formulas designed for specific needs such as weight control, hairball management, and digestive health. Select a variety that aligns with your cat's individual needs.
If you're introducing a new IAMS formula to your cat, make the transition gradual to allow their digestive system to adjust. This helps prevent any sudden changes in fibre intake.
Every cat has unique dietary needs. Consult with your veterinarian to determine the optimal daily fibre quota for your cat based on factors such as age, weight, and health conditions.
IAMS provides feeding guidelines on the packaging. Monitor and adjust portion sizes based on your cat's activity level and weight management goals to ensure they receive an appropriate amount of fibre.
IAMS offers both wet and dry cat food options. Combining both varieties can offer a well-rounded diet, ensuring your cat receives a mix of moisture and essential nutrients.
Regular veterinary check-ups help monitor your cat's overall health, including their digestive well-being. Discuss any concerns about fibre intake or dietary preferences with your veterinarian during these visits.
By incorporating IAMS cat food into your cat's diet and following these guidelines, you can provide nutritionally balanced and fibre-rich cat food that supports their digestive health and overall vitality.
