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cat sick after eating

Cat Sick After Eating - Reasons Why Your Cat May Vomit After Eating

Written by Ryan Gliozzo

Index:

Discover the common reasons why your cat may vomit after eating. From dietary issues to medical conditions, learn what could be causing your feline friend's sickness and how to address it effectively.
A white and ginger cat laying down on a rug.

Introduction

It's always disheartening to see your cat vomiting after a meal. This situation is not just about the mess; it's also a concern for their health.

Cats may throw up because they eat too quickly or due to hairballs. Understanding the reasons why your cat throws up can help prevent your cat from experiencing this issue and keep your feline friend healthy.

Key takeaways

  • Various factors contribute to a cat being sick after eating, including hairballs, diet, and speed of eating.

  • Vomiting in cats can range from mild to severe, indicating different underlying issues.

  • Dietary changes or allergies can cause a cat to vomit right after eating.

  • Ingesting toxic substances or grooming habits may cause cats to throw up.

  • Awareness of these factors is crucial for preventing and addressing the problem effectively.

A hand picking up vomit whilst the poorly cat watches.

Understanding cat vomiting: common causes and symptoms

Knowing the difference between vomiting and regurgitation is key for cat health. Each issue signals various health problems, needing unique treatments.

If your cat is vomiting white foam, it could indicate an empty stomach or other health issues.

Distinguishing between vomiting and regurgitation

Vomiting is the forceful release of stomach contents. Regurgitation is the passive release of undigested food, usually caused by issues in the throat.

If your cat vomits often, it might signal a severe health problem. You should observe your cat's habits closely and consult a vet if this becomes a frequent occurrence.

The role of diet and speed of eating

Your cat's diet and eating speed greatly affect their stomach. Eating too fast can lead to vomiting.

Also, food allergies or intolerances cause vomiting. It's essential to pick the right food for your cat.

Overeating is a common issue too so watch the portions to avoid stomach problems.

Hairballs and grooming practices

Grooming habits can cause cats to vomit, especially if they get hairballs.

Regular grooming can cut down on these issues. You can use special products such as hairball pastes and treats to help keep your cat's stomach healthy and prevent vomiting.

Hair loss in cats, or alopecia, is another symptom that can accompany frequent vomiting.

Identifying signs of serious health issues

Not all vomiting is a big concern. But, some signs need urgent vet care. Blood in vomit, weight loss, or big behaviour changes are serious.

If your cat vomits a lot, seems tired or doesn't eat, see a vet. They may have a serious health issue that needs checking.

Watch your cat's diet, how fast they eat, and how they groom. Also, look for any unusual symptoms. It's important for good pet care. Dealing with these points will help reduce vomiting or regurgitation.

Cause

Symptoms

Preventative measures

Food allergies

Vomiting, diarrhoea

Choose the right diet, vet consultation

Eating too quickly

Vomiting right after eating

Portion control, use slow feeder bowls

Hairballs

Frequent vomiting, coughing

Regular grooming, hairball remedies

Serious health issues

Weight loss, lethargy, blood in vomit

Vet consultation, medical examination

A tricolour cat eating from a slow feeder bowl.

Preventative measures: how to help your cat

Helping your cat live healthily and avoiding vomiting is key. There are several measures you should take which are crucial for all pet owners.

Proper grooming techniques for hairball management

Grooming your cat regularly is vital for handling hairballs. Use tools like a Furminator or SleekEZ to lessen the loose hair your cat swallows.

Also, a diet made for fighting hairballs can be useful.
By grooming often, your cat's coat will shine and they may vomit less due to the lack of hairballs.

Choosing the right food: ingredients and allergens

Picking the right food for your cat matters a lot. Choose foods that are good for sensitive stomachs or have few allergens.

Slowly introduce new food to avoid tummy troubles. Pick foods with healthy ingredients and be careful with possible allergens that might lead to vomiting.

Choosing the
best dry cat food can help manage food allergies and sensitivities. For cats with severe allergies, considering hypoallergenic cat food can be an effective measure.

Safe environment: keeping toxic substances out of reach

Ensure your cat's space is free of toxic substances like specific plants and some harmful foods.

It's important to learn about items in your home that could be dangerous in order to help stop your cat from throwing up after eating or drinking.

Feeding practices: portion control and meal timing

Good feeding practices are a must. Controlling portions and having set meal times can help stop cats from eating too fast. They also prevent digestive system overload.

Both these things can stop vomiting hours after meals.

Preventative measure

Tools/methods

Benefits

Proper grooming

Furminator, SleekEZ

Reduces hairballs

Choosing the right food

Sensitive formulas, slow transitions

Minimises digestive distress

Safe environment

Remove toxic plants, secure chemicals

Prevents ingestion of harmful items

Feeding practices

Portion control, scheduled meals

Reduces overeating and hasty consumption


A ginger cat being petted on the neck by his owner.

Cat sick after eating: when to visit a veterinarian

It's key to know when your cat needs a vet after throwing up. Persistent vomiting might point to big problems like blockages, bowel disease, or kidney issues. It's best to get them checked out quickly.

If your cat seems very tired all the time, is dehydrated, or you spot blood in their vomit, don't wait. Big changes in how they act or eat could also mean trouble. Just head to the vet straight away.

At the vet, they'll run tests to find out what's wrong. This could include blood exams, x-rays, or ultrasounds.

Catching the issue early means a better chance of helping your cat get well.

Seeing your cat vomit a lot means you should act fast. A vet can do a full check to rule out any serious dangers.

If you're a Waggel member, you can secure a virtual vet consultation at any time of day
with Joii. It's completely free and included in your policy.

A ginger cat eating from a pink bowl outdoors.

Conclusion

Vomiting in cats after eating signals various health problems. It's crucial to find out the cause. Often, cats throw up because they eat too fast, have hairballs, or because their food has been changed.

Sometimes, a cat regurgitates undigested or partially digested food, which is normal for a cat that ingests too much food too fast.

Occasionally, vomiting is due to an underlying cause, such as the amount of hair your cat swallows or a food intolerance.

Other reasons cats vomit include the ingestion of new cat food, grass, or even drinking water too quickly.

These issues are usually easy to fix with good care however some cases may require vet intervention.

Home care involves things like regular grooming and watching what your cat eats. Having the best wet food or appropriate dry food may help to stop your cat from vomiting after eating.

Waggel Pet Insurance

Need more help? You're in luck if you're a Waggel Pet Insurance member. Along with our excellent coverage, we offer access to a 24/7 online vet to answer all your sticky questions, especially if you need grooming assistance.

Not a member? Why not get a quote now and cover your furry friend for a range of illnesses, all while enjoying our amazing perks and rewards.

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