There are some reasons why a furry feline vomits after eating. It is essential to understand whether it is true regurgitation or vomiting.
A pet owner must understand what cat vomiting (貓咪嘔吐) is and its causes. It is the only way to address the right treatment.
Eat too quickly
Cats eat too quickly. This is the reason they vomit. The behavior causes them to swallow more air with their food. This leads to regurgitation. Speed eating is the reason a cat throws up undigested food shortly after eating. Eating quickly is seen in multiple cat households. It is where competition for food leads to gulping.
The behavior is instinctual. It starts with wild ancestors who eat too quickly to avoid losing their meal to another predator. Anxiety and stress around feeding time exacerbate this behavior. It makes it essential to create a calm feeding environment.
Hairballs
Cats groom themselves. They swallow fur in the process. The fur accumulates in their stomach and it forms hairballs. A cat vomits their hairballs to expel them.
Hairballs can affect any cat. A regular grooming minimizes the amount of fur a cat ingests. Special diets that reduce hairball formation are beneficial. They promote the passage of hair through the digestive system rather than accumulating.
Food sensitivity
Cats can have:
- food sensitivity
- allergies
A cat reacts to a specific ingredient if throwing up after eating food.
The offending ingredient is challenging. The symptoms never appear directly after a meal. You can point out the problem by:
- keeping a food diary
- noting any patterns
Diet changes
A sudden switch in a cat’s diet can upset the stomach. This can lead to vomiting. Switching cat food is a reason your cat is puking after eating.
A sSudden dietary change is jarring to a cat’s digestive system. Food must be transitioned to new foods gradually. This allows the system to adjust. You can mix a small amount of new food with the current food they eat. Increase the new food’s proportion slowly. A week or two minimizes digestive upset.
Colors of cat vomit
Partially digested food results in vomit colors of:
- yellow
- orange
- brown
Blood in the upper GI tract. It is a red or pink vomit from ingesting a foreign object. It can be from food or treats they eat.
Serious issue in the GI tract. You will see a black vomit, which is usually blood. You must contact an emergency vet if the cat vomits dark or looks like coffee grounds.
Causes of vomiting after eating
There are reasons why a cat is vomiting after eating.
- Introduction of a new food. A sudden change in diet causes vomiting in some cats.
- Hairballs. Hairballs are not normal. It is a sign of underlying digestive problems.
- Gastritis. An upset stomach is due to foods that are new to them.
- Food allergies. Cats vomit if they are allergic to food. You see some signs of food allergies on their skin after eating for a few days.
- Parasites. Some cats throw up after eating when infected with parasites.
- Underlying disease. Some cats vomit because they have medical problems that were unnoticed, such as:
- kidney
- liver problems
FAQ
Should a pet owner worry when a cat is throwing up after eating?
A pet owner must not worry if the cat throws up after eating. It might be the cat is full. However, the color of the vomit indicates a health issue.
Is vomiting hairballs in cats a serious problem?
It is not a serious problem at all, since they need to dispose of the fur they have swallowed when grooming.
When a cat is in serious condition after vomiting?
A weak vomiting cat is not eating and is in a serious condition.
