My Cat Just Vomitedshould I Be Concerned
This is one of the most common reasons kitty parents chat in to AskVet! In general, you SHOULD be concerned and consider veterinary care IF:
- You suspect your cat may have swallowed a non-food item or a toxic substance
- Your cat is not using the litterbox normally
- Your kitty is also acting like he feels sick: hiding from you, being less social , walking slowly, or is not as responsive as he normally is to favorite toys or cuddles
- Your cat is also having diarrhea
- There are multiple episodes of vomiting over a short period of time
- Your cat is not willing to eat for longer than 24 hours, or is drooling
- Your cat is a young kitten , since he can become dehydrated VERY easilycreating an emergency situation
If none of these scenarios apply to your vomiting cat, then phewyour kitty may be eligible for home care!
Cancer May Cause Gastrointestinal Issues
Lymphoma is very common in cats. It infiltrates large portions of the intestinal tract, and symptoms may appear very similar to food allergies or IBD. But digestive issues can also occur due to a tumor in the digestive tract, or even cancer somewhere else in the body.
Treatment may be targeted at the cancer directly, as well as supportive care to provide relief from symptoms.
Home Remedies To Help Your Cat’s Upset Stomach
If things don’t seem too serious, you can try some homemade remedies and see if they help in the short term. The good news is that, if symptoms do go away, you’ve saved yourself an unnecessary trip to the vets! However, if symptoms persist, or if there is excessive vomiting and/or diarrhoea, you should go see a veterinarian immediately!
Here are some things to try.
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Inflammatory Conditions Of The Digestive Tract
Some felines may develop food allergies and sensitivities, or even inflammatory bowel disease . Cats may also develop pancreatitis , which can lead to inefficient digestion in the long-term.
Not all the causes of inflammatory conditions are understood. Diagnosis may involve a feeding trial on a specific type of food with limited ingredients.
Once diagnosed, treatment usually involves strict adherence to a diet that works best for that individual cat, as well as certain supplements. Medications are often needed, too. Some cats might only need medications occasionally, for flare-ups, while some pets must take medications long-term to control their symptoms.
What To Feed A Cat With An Upset Stomach
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As cat caregivers, we know that digestive problems are a relatively common issue in felines. Causes of upset stomachs in cats vary. Treatment will always depend on the cause. If your cat is suffering from an upset stomach, diarrhea or vomiting, we recommend consulting a veterinarian as soon as possible.
If your cat does have an upset stomach, changing their diet is one of the first things you can do to help. Since your veterinarian will need to determine the cause of their gastrointestinal upset, you will have to amend their diet accordingly. Still, there are general guidelines on what to feed a cat with an upset stomach. Keep reading AnimalWised to find the best home remedies for a cat with an upset stomach.
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Helping An Outdoor Cat With Diarrhea
If you have an outdoor cat, monitoring their bathroom habits can be a challenge. If you suspect your cat has diarrhea, staining of fur on the back of their legs and rump, weight loss, signs of dehydration, etc, you will need to try and isolate them in an area with a large litter box or two. If your cat is used to pottying outside, you may have to use dirt instead of litter and be sure they have plenty of privacy.
All of this information helps you know what is normal and abnormal for your cat. It will alert you to problems sooner which may avoid a vet visit. These key pieces of information change in pooping habits, changes in poop color, firmness, amount, etc. are very valuable when providing information to your cats veterinarian. It may save you a lot of time and possibly eliminate a lot of extra testing.
A Food Sensitivity Or Allergy
It can also be something in the food that the cat is specifically sensitive to. âIf the diarrhea persists and if your catâs diarrhea seems to be linked to food, your cat may be intolerant to certain types of protein or other ingredients,â explains Dr. Bragdon. A veterinarian will work with you to determine which foods to try to resolve the diarrhea.
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Can I Prevent Stomach Upsets
Dogs are naturally curious and will always want to eat something they shouldnt eat. Also, some concerns that cause gastroenteritis, like organ failure and food allergies, are not always in your control. Even so, you can take precautions by vaccinating your canine against parvovirus, deworming it as your vet recommends, and clearing spots that encourage scavenging.
Be Prepared To Answer Your Veterinarian’s Questions
Being able to answer your vet’s questions about your cats diet, environment, habits, behavior and knowing the details about your cats diarrhea will aid in narrowing the list of possible causes.
Narrowing the list of possible causes also helps determine if and what specific tests are needed or if you will be able to treat the issue with some medications at home.
There are different characteristics for when diseases cause small intestinal diarrhea versus large intestinal diarrheas, and the diagnosis and treatment for both are generally different. Here are some details to pay attention to when you suspect your cat has diarrhea.
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Eating Too Much Too Quickly
If your cat eats too much, too quickly vomiting will likely result soon after they eat. A number of fun cat bowls are available to help slow your cat’s eating, if your cat eats too quickly. That said, throwing up right after eating can be an indication of a more serious problem such as hairballs, dehydration, esophageal issues, or a digestive tract obstruction. If your cat frequently vomits right after eating, a trip to the vet is required.
How Do You Neutralize Onions In Your Stomach
If youre suffering from heartburn after eating onions, you may want to know how to relieve your discomfort. To start, avoid onions completely. This may not be possible for some people, but it is possible to make the discomfort go away. To alleviate your symptoms, try drinking a cup of peppermint tea or ginger ale, which are known to soothe the digestive system. Ginger ale is a beverage originated in China. If none of these remedies work, you can try taking medication.
If your symptoms last longer than a few hours, consult a doctor. An allergy may be the cause of the problem. Onion sensitivity occurs when the digestive system is not able to properly break down certain foods. This may cause painful abdominal discomfort, vomiting, and difficulty breathing. Despite the unpleasant symptoms, onions are commonly used in food and are members of the allium family, which also includes garlic, scallions, and chives. If you are allergic to onions, its important to consult a doctor for diagnosis and treatment.
In addition to heartburn, many people with IBS experience stomach cramps after eating onions. This occurs because onions contain soluble fibers called fructans. These fructans pass from the small intestine and make their way to the colon where they undergo rapid fermentation. This rapid fermentation can lead to extra gas and bloating, which can make bowel movements unpleasant.
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Tips For Treating Your Cats Mild Stomach Ache & Nausea
Limit food intake: Unlike humans, cats dont consciously decide to fast however, in nature, felines will stop eating until theyre feeling better. On the other hand, domesticated adult cats need some assistance from their pet-parents, as the smell of food may be too tempting and they eat despite their condition, which may repeat the cycle and lead to vomiting again.
With that said, there are times where the best thing you can do for a cat with a sick tummy is to give it a rest: remove food for a day, or limit it to a small amount . Be sure that your cat stays well-hydrated during the fast and has a warm and comfortable place to rest and recover.
Cats should never go longer than a day without eating, so reintroduce foods to them as soon as safely possible. For kittens, fasting for a few hours may alleviate the symptoms of a common case of nausea/vomiting. If youre concerned about limiting your cats food, consult with your vet for more information.
Keep your cat hydrated: As is the case in any mammal, vomiting and diarrhea can lead to a loss in electrolytes and essential fluids. An easy way to check your cats hydration level: gently lift the skin over the shoulder and see how quickly it springs back into position. If hes well-hydrated, it will bounce back right away however, if hes dehydrated, it will be delayed.
Worried About Your Pet
âA cat with diarrhea should be taken to a veterinarian for treatment immediately, if the cat is depressed or otherwise seems disoriented or not acting normally ,â says Dr. Bragdon.
If the cat is vomiting, not eating and not drinking in addition to having loose stool, warned Dr. Bragdon, the cat needs to see a veterinarian. âA cat experiencing vomiting and diarrhea loses water that much more quickly,â notes Dr. Bragdon.
Even if eating and drinking normally, the cat will not be able to drink enough to replace water lost. âThe combination of diarrhea, vomiting and lack of appetite should cause immediate concern and the cat should be taken to a veterinarian,â cautions Dr. Bragdon.
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Symptoms Of Cat Stomach Upset
Symptoms of an upset stomach in a cat include licking the lips, which is a sign of nausea, vomiting and refusing to eat, says Dr. Elizabeth Arguelles, medical director and founder of Just Cats Clinic in Reston, Virginia. Possibly the cat ate something it shouldnt have, like a bug or a leaf of a plant. Diarrhea may also develop if the problem affects the lower part of the gastrointestinal tract.
Dr. Mark Rondeau, DVM, BS, of PennVet in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, says that while vomiting is the most visible sign of cat stomach upset, a change in behavior, such as being less active or not interacting or hiding in unusual placesa lot of those behaviors are common in cats that may have upset stomachs.
And no, those hairballs that suddenly appear on the new living room carpet are not the same thing as when your cat throws up. This is an extremely common myth, Dr. Arguelles says. Theres a distinction between a hairballwhich looks like a piece of poop made out of hairand vomit, which may have hair in it along with partially digested food or bile.
Dr. Rondeau adds that if a cat occasionally hurls a hairballejecting hair that isnt processed out through the other endits not something to worry about, but that the reasons for feline vomiting can include a long list of things.
Home Remedies For Upsets Stomach In Cats
Among our cat upset stomach treatment with home remedies we include:
- Cats like heat, so being able to rest in our arms or near our body can relieve them of discomfort.
- Some cats appreciate a soft massage in the abdominal area, but remember that it is a particularly sensitive area for them, so not all cats will accept manipulation in this part of their body. In those cases, just putting your hands around them to warm them up or wrapping them in a blanket is sufficient.
- It is essential you keep your cat in a quiet environment where it can relax and you can observe any changes to its behavior.
- Make sure to keep your cats litterbox clean, especially if your cat has been vomiting or has cat diarrhea.
As you can see, most home remedies for stomach problems in cats include a soft diet, warmth and a calm environment. We need to emphasize that these remedies are only effective in mild clinical conditions, produced by mild gastroenteritis, mild gastritis in cats, etc.
In severe cases, such as panleukopenia, veterinarian treatment must be established. Only symptom management might sometimes be complemented with these home remedies. If the cause is due to an infestation of parasites, it is crucial to administer adequate antiparasitic medication. If the cause is stress, you need to find the trigger and remove it.
For more about these causes and cat upset stomach symptoms, we recommend reading our following articles:
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Growling When You Touch The Belly
If your pup tightens its belly or starts to growl when you touch its tummy, it could be that it has a severe stomach upset. Some dogs will even guard their tummy and show signs of aggression if you insist on touching them.
If your furry friend is also restless, it is imperative to seek emergency healthcare services. Other behavioral changes allied with an upset stomach include acting overly clingy to seek attention or acting distant and not wanting any interactions.
Why You Should Use Extreme Caution With Imodium
Imodium is a synthetic opioid. All opioids are known to cause constipation. They work by slowing down gut motility which allows for more fluid and salts to be drawn back into the body system.
It should only be given under the guidance of a veterinarian. The use in cats is extremely controversial and should only be used with extreme caution.
Imodium, when administered at safe levels, is not helpful for pain and, therefore, will not relieve any abdominal discomfort your cat may have.
In some cases, it can cause extreme excitement in some cats. Additionally, it can cause respiratory suppression in some cats.
You should never give Imodium to your cat if:
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When Is A Veterinary Visit Needed For A Cats Digestive System Problems
With cats, its best to err on the side of caution and seek care sooner rather than later whenever you notice symptoms. Felines are notorious for hiding symptoms of illness until a disease has progressed.
That doesnt necessarily mean you need to rush your cat to the vet in the middle of the night, especially if your kitty is eating and otherwise acting normally.
However, an urgent veterinary visit is warranted for the following situations:
- Your kitty is a young kitten, an older senior, or has a chronic health condition. These cats can get sick much faster than a healthy adult cat.
- Vomiting or diarrhea is severe, frequent, or very bloody.
- A cat hasnt eaten for 2 days or more.
- Digestive issues are accompanied by symptoms such as listlessness, dehydration, pain, breathing difficulties, or fever.
Acute Stomach Sensitivity Remedies
If your cat suffers from an acute sensitive stomach , you can take some steps at home to help get through the bout of vomiting and diarrhea. Remember if this lasts longer than 24 hours, please call your vet as it may be something serious like pancreatitis or a foreign body ingestion.
- Keep Your Cat Hydrated: Make sure your pet is fully hydrated by giving him fresh, clean water. Dogs with diarrhea and vomiting can become dehydrated very quickly.
- Withhold Food: Most veterinarians will recommend fasting a kitty who has stomach issues for 24 hours, so that the culprit can work its way out.
- A Bland Diet: If withholding isnt working, vets also advise giving cats plain, boiled chicken and rice, or pumpkin. Cat-World suggests the following:
- Poached or steamed chicken breast alone.
- Poached or steamed chicken or turkey mince with or without white rice.
- Low fat cottage cheese and cooked white rice.
- Poached or steamed chicken breast with cooked white rice.
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Can The Right Food Help Soothe My Cats Stomach
Appropriate nutrition is incredibly important to soothing a cats upset stomach. A sick or injured GI system is often weakened and unable to digest food normally. Feeding your cat the right food can help speed recovery and minimize pain, nausea and discomfort.
In mild cases, you may be able to improve your cats symptoms with a change in food alone, like switching to Hills® Science Diet® Adult Sensitive Stomach & Skin formula.
It can be wise to feed a cat a combination of canned and dry food to provide additional moisture to meals. For more serious conditions, your vet may prescribe a highly digestible therapeutic food, such as Hills® Prescription Diet® cat food to help soothe and heal the gut.
When in doubt, ask your vet for a dietary recommendation. If you do switch foods, make the change slowly by mixing your cats old and new foods together for several days.