MY CAT VOMITS: IS THIS NORMAL (OR WORRYING)? WHAT TO DO IF THE CAT OR KITTEN VOMITS

One of the first symptoms of illness that can be observed in an animal, especially a cat, is vomiting. Admittedly, this is not an extremely pleasant or pleasant subject, but if you are the proud parent of a cat, there is a good chance that you will encounter this situation one day. So cat vomiting would be regular, but in this case, when should I worry when my cat vomits?
WHAT TO DO WITH A CAT THAT VOMITS (OR EVEN VOMITS OFTEN)? MY CAT VOMITS FROM TIME TO TIME
If your cat only vomits once and there is nothing unusual about her behavior or health, and she immediately returns to normal, then chances are your cat is okay. Watch him a little during the day, but it should be fine.
A cat should not vomit more than once a week. If so, you are in a situation that needs to be managed because it is not normal.
MY CAT VOMITS OFTEN (MY CAT VOMITS EVERY DAY OR SEVERAL TIMES A DAY)
The situation is different for a cat that often vomits (less than once a week). If the vomiting continues and you notice other worrying signs (which we will discuss in the next paragraph), you must keep him at home and carefully monitor his other changes. If in doubt, do not hesitate to consult a veterinarian.
Note: If a cat regurgitates hair, this is an everyday occurrence from its grooming and is necessary for its digestive system. But this is not vomiting.
POSSIBLE CAUSES OF IRREGULAR VOMITING IN CATS AND KITTENS
There can be different reasons why your cat is vomiting. Here are a few :
-Your cat ate herbs (you should find pieces in the vomit). Also, watch out for poisonous plants in your apartment;
-Your cat has swallowed too much hair during their toilet(s);
-He has eaten food that he cannot digest or tolerate: table scraps, for example, a new type of kibble, or sometimes a medicine;
-If your cat is free, indigestible remains of prey (bones, feathers, fur, etc.);
If it only happens once, you should not worry too much. On the other hand, monitoring it a little bit is necessary.
CAT WHO VOMITS LITTLE OR DOES NOT DIGEST FOOD
This means that the food never left the stomach. This can happen with food intolerances, allergies, obstructions, or anything that irritates the digestive tract. Therefore, it is crucial to know when the cat last ate.
For example, if the cat hasn't eaten in a day and is vomiting undigested food, this indicates an obstruction or motility disorder.
If the vomiting takes place within 2 hours of taking the food, this surely means that your cat ate too quickly. This is often the case in the case of a diet or because your animal is frustrated or eager to swallow his food. To avoid this phenomenon, we recommend three measures:
-give him a wetter diet, varying croquettes, and pates;
-prevent him from eating too quickly by using an anti-glutton bowl;
-allow him to hydrate more easily. For this, we strongly advise you to invest in a water fountain for cats which will aim to occupy it, but above all, to hydrate.
CAT THAT VOMITS HAIRBALLS
If your cat is regurgitating hair, it is a normal phenomenon resulting from its grooming, which is necessary for its digestive system. But this is not actual vomiting.
This phenomenon is amplified during the change of season, during molting, and affects long-haired cats more markedly… On the other hand, you will undoubtedly be less bothered with a hairless cat like a Sphynx.
To remedy this, you can buy him special treats to reduce hairballs or groom him more frequently with a cat grooming brush.
CAT VOMITING: THE SIGNS TO WATCH FOR?
Your cat has vomited, and his behavior is becoming suspicious. Therefore, observing him well, kept an eye on him, and took him to the vet if necessary.
What are the changes to watch and worry about when your cat vomits:
-Continuous vomiting (several times a day or for more than a day);
-Your cat does not eat regularly or has changed its appetite;
-Change in drinking habits (for example, not drinking more water);
-Change in the stool or its frequency of going to the litter box (e.g., diarrhea or increased frequency of urination);
-Presence of blood in the vomit;
-Weakness / Lethargy / any sign of poor health;
-Any change in grooming (e.g., more frequent grooming).
If you notice any of these symptoms in addition to the first vomiting, it is best to contact your veterinarian. It is better to be informed than to be worried.
If you need to take your cat to the vet, check the next paragraph's checklist.
CHECK-LIST OF INFORMATION TO GIVE TO YOUR VETERINARIAN (CHECKLIST) WHEN YOUR CAT VOMITS
However, if you have to take your cat to your veterinarian, giving him as much information as possible is essential.
Here is a short list of things to remember.
-What the vomit looked like (color, smell, unusual objects, hair): best to take a picture of the vomit;
-When did he start vomiting, how many times, and when was the most recent episode: write down each event in a diary to be exhaustive;
-Any medications your cat is taking;
-Any changes in your cat's environment (e.g., a new cat in the neighborhood, new plants in the house or garden);
-Any recent change in your cat's diet (change of food brand, special biscuit, etc.);
-Any other recent changes in behavior or health;
-If your cat has diarrhea, try bringing a sample to speed up the analysis (I know it's annoying, but it can speed things up);
-Any recent accident or fall;
-Any new toys or objects of interest they may have;
With this information, your veterinarian will be assisted in their diagnosis, which will significantly help your cat recover faster.