Why Is Your Cat Vomiting? Possible Causes
Just as humans do, cats will vomit on occasion. But if your cat vomits regularly, you may be worried that they could have a health problem. The truth is, cat vomiting has many different causes, so it can often be difficult to figure out what the true cause is. Luckily, this article should give you some ideas to help guide your thinking.
Food-Related Causes
The first thing you should check when trying to determine the cause of your cat's vomiting is the food your cat eats. Sometimes vomiting can be caused by something as simple as rapid eating. This is especially true in multi-cat households, where cats may feel they have to compete for a limited amount of food. If your cat is a fast eater, you may try to feed your cat in a separate room from any other cats you have. This may help slow down their eating. You may also try using a flat dish when feeding your cat, as that may slow it down as well.
Sometimes vomiting can also be caused by a food allergy or intolerance. Cats can even develop allergies to foods that they could previously eat with no problem. To find out if your cat is allergic to their food, you may want to watch them to see if they exhibit common allergy symptoms such as itchy skin. You may also want to experiment with a new cat food to see if that helps with their vomiting problem. Ask your vet for recommendations.
If you frequently feed your cat "human foods" such as milk or cheese, this could also be the cause of your cat's vomiting. Many cats become lactose intolerant once they are older, which means they may not be able to tolerate dairy products well. If you don't feed your cat human foods, you will still want to make sure that your cat doesn't eat any leftovers or dropped food when you're not looking.
Other Causes
If you've changed your cat's eating habits and they still vomit frequently, the problem may lie elsewhere. Cat vomiting can be a symptom of a variety of conditions from bacterial infections, diabetes, pancreatitis, and liver problems. If you notice any of the below symptoms, make sure to take your cat to a vet as soon as possible:
- Vomit that contains blood
- Diarrhea
- Behavioral changes (such as seeming less active than normal)
- Abdominal bloating
If you are ever in doubt as to whether your cat should be taken to the vet or not, it is better to be safe than sorry. Even if it turns out your cat doesn't have a medical issue, your veterinarian should still be able to give you advice as to how to prevent your cat from vomiting. They may also be able to recommend dietary changes that will help keep your cat happy and healthy.
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