5 Reasons Why Your Cat is Vomiting in Pewaukee, WI

Sometimes, cats vomit for many reasons that do not indicate that they are severely sick or need medical attention. Cats, like many other pet animals, require strict diets with nutrients and plenty of water for hydration.

Listed below are exactly five reasons why your cat is vomiting and how to help them feel better once they are done.

Change in Diet

One of the most common reasons your cat may be vomiting is because of a change in diet. Any small or subtle change takes time for your cat’s body to process. This is why vets recommend slowly introducing new foods to your cat before completely switching to a new diet.

If your cat is throwing up because you are feeding them new dry cat food or treat, it may be because they are either not used to it or are allergic to one of the ingredients. If you notice that your cat is not feeling well after eating the item, simply write down the ingredients and consult your cat’s vet if necessary.

Allergic Reactions

A change in diet and allergic reactions are connected. Most pet owners don’t know if their pet is allergic to anything until they have an unpleasant reaction. There are tests that can tell you, though, what your cat may be allergic to. It is important to know, however, that the tests are not entirely accurate.

Instead, the only way to know if your cat has an allergic reaction is to jot down all the ingredients in the food you provide them and start with a process of elimination. When you know what your cat is allergic to, simply feed them something else and be wary of new threats.

Eating Too Fast

Cats are lovable pets, but sometimes they eat too fast, causing their stomachs to bloat and feel sick. This could be out of excitement or hunger. For instance, if you forget to refill your cat’s food bowl, they may start eating quickly as soon as you fill it again.

When your cat eats too fast, they don’t chew their food correctly. This leads to large pieces of dry or wet cat food falling into your cat’s digestive system. These large pieces force your cat’s digestive system to work hard. Sometimes, it puts too much strain on your cat’s digestive system, causing your cat’s esophagus to open and become loose. When the esophagus opening is loose, it creates a situation perfect for throwing up as nothing stops it.

If you notice that your cat is eating quickly, you will need to make some lifestyle changes. Instead of providing your cat with large amounts of food throughout the day, start with small portions they can quickly eat. Sometimes, the food pebbles are too large! It may help to switch to a portion of cat food with smaller pebbles.

Eaten a Foreign Object

Your cat may have also been too curious and eaten something they were not supposed to! This is very dangerous, and you should watch them carefully throughout the day. Be careful leaving any hard objects outside that your cat can swallow. If the pieces are small enough, they can cause worse problems than vomiting.

However, if this is the case, wait for your cat to cough up the item. Your cat’s body automatically will try to repel the foreign object by forcing your cat to throw up the item. The most common foreign objects that cats try to eat are small beads, rubber, threads, and cat toys.

Stress and Anxiety

Stress is connected directly to the digestive system. If your cat is feeling any type of stress, it may result in excessive vomiting. Cats, like other animals, including humans, feel a butterfly sensation and, if they cannot calm down, will throw up as a result of the intense feelings.

What Can You Do When Your Cat is Throwing Up?

Truthfully, there is not a lot you can do for your cat at the moment. Let your pet throw up what they need to. Vomiting is your cat’s body’s way of getting rid of toxins that should not be in your cat’s stomach. Instead, when it is passing, you can provide your cat with water and monitor its condition. It is normal for a pet to throw up when they are feeling unwell; however, if it is frequent, it could be a sign of an underlying condition causing your cat to throw up.

Our Animal Hospital in Pewaukee, WI, Can Help with Your Cat’s Vomiting

Overall, throwing up is not a pleasant feeling. If you notice that your cat is throwing up, it could be a sign that they are not feeling well. However, you should remain calm. It is normal to throw up once in a while and is rarely a sign that something worse is happening. Cats are calm creatures that prefer to be on their own, but you can still give them relief and comfort when they throw up.

If you have any issues with cat vomiting, our Pewaukee, WI, animal hospital offers urgent care services. Please give us a call immediately at (262) 347-0787.