but there is really nothing out. what is wrong with my cat? should I take him to the vet?
2006-07-12 10:07:02 · 20 answers · asked by Kate D 1 in Pets ➔ Cats
It sounds like he's trying to cough up a hairball. Have you found any tangled up bits of hair? Try putting a dab of vaseline on his nose and see if it helps him get the hairball out. (Then he will lick it off) They also sell hairball remedies that do the same thing.
2006-07-12 10:10:30 · answer #1 · answered by Terisu 7 · 0⤊ 1⤋
Sometimes when cats are trying to vomit a hairball, it won't come out on the first, 2nd or even 3rd try, and the cat will continute to look like he's choking on something and nothing but foam will come out.
You can buy hairball remedies that come on gel/liquid form or you buy some cat grass (comes in a potted form) which the cat can ingest and will help him get that hairball out.
If it's not a stuck hairball, it could be something more complicated. My cat was recently diagnosed with CRF which is kidney failure, and one of the symptoms is frequent vomitting. But don't panic, I'm not saying your cat has CRF, I just mean that there could be an underlying disease. The problem with cats are they have an instinct to 'hide' any signs of illness as a means of self defense, so the best way is to get your cat checked out by a vet.
Below is a website that has a list of lots of cat symptoms and what it could mean:-
http://www.felinecrf.org/symptoms_treatments_ind
ex.htm
This is not a medical website but just a list for your reference, you are highly recommended to consult a professional for proper diagnosis.
Hope this helps!
2006-07-12 10:27:27 · answer #2 · answered by Crayon 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Some cats vomit frequently. Sometimes it's to expel hairballs, sometimes it's because they overate.
Most cats get hairballs from time to time; longhaired cats get them regularly.
If a cat hacks like it's going to vomit -- but nothing comes out -- it probably has a hairball. Pet stores, even some grocery stores with pet-care sections, sell hairball remedies.
The ones I've used come in a tube like toothpaste. Basically, they're a greasy gel with flavoring that cats like. Put it on the outside of the cat's nose (along the nose, not over the nostrils) and the cat will lick it off. The gel will lubricate the hairball and make it easier to vomit up.
2006-07-12 10:17:26 · answer #3 · answered by johntadams3 5 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Take him to the vet to be sure, but usually when a cat vomits it's because of hairballs--especially if he doesn't act sick otherwise. If nothing is coming up, it might be that there is just some hair in his throat making him gag, but he can't get it out.
2006-07-12 10:12:33 · answer #4 · answered by julz 7 · 0⤊ 0⤋
It's called a "Hairball".
If it ever comes out!
The first hairball is always the worst one.
Mine gagged and gagged and nothing came out
He got to where the food would not go down he started to throw that up too but the water was getting down. The morning before I took him to the vet the hairball came up and out, I was so relieved. Cats can have blockages from not being able to choke the thing up to not being able to swallow it and digest it. Best thing to do is to groom your cat to remove all that extra hair so he doesn't lick it down his throat into his stomach and either toss it back up or digest it!!!
2006-07-12 11:34:45 · answer #5 · answered by kittymeow 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Could be a hairball or my cat vomited up nothing , he had the dry heaves come to find out he was eating my Lilly plant , which is poisonous to cats . i had it for years do not know why he decided to eat it, got rid of it and in time he got better
2006-07-12 11:05:05 · answer #6 · answered by redwhitch1952 1 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Sounds like it may be a hairball... sometimes it can take a while to actually "come up," however, keep a close eye on your cat!! Take it to the vet if you feel at all uncomfortable... they may just give you a laxative (that's what we received for our cat), but don't hesitate!
2006-07-12 10:13:04 · answer #7 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
sounds like hairballs. try the special hairball cat food, if you still have problems take the cat to the vet
2006-07-12 11:22:29 · answer #8 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
It's called a "hairball". Cats clean (lick) their coats all the time, and the collection of hair that gets caught in their throat and they barf. They actually make a food for the Hairball factor.
2006-07-12 10:11:44 · answer #9 · answered by Dog Mama 4 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Sounds like a hairball. When my cat would get hairballs, it was almost like she was dry heaving. You can take him to the vet, but I don't think they would do much for him.
2006-07-12 10:11:59 · answer #10 · answered by Kasey 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋