Why must my cats throw up on our carpet?

Question

My cats are 3 years old, strictly indoor cats (they have never been outside), eat good quality cat food (not the cheap crap & never table scraps), drink only water (never milk). My house is 95% hardwood with a few area rugs. Yards of hardwood, yet they go for the rugs everytime (which is harder). Why?

Answer 1

My suggestion would be to train your cat. (OK stop laughing now!!) I have a 10 year old Himalayan and I trained him to puke in the bathroom - it makes it easier clean up for me! When you see your cat in backup hurl mode pick it up and put it in the place where you wouldn't mind cleaning it up for example - the bathroom. When the cat finally spits it out, praise your cat to the hilt, then clean up the mess. If you do this every time... 9 times out of 10 your cat will get the hint and automaticly go to the spot you took it to to hurl, saving you from spot cleaning your carpets again and again...

Answer 2

I don't have vomitty kitties, but my mom sure does. So I have some questions... Does the cat throw up just after eating? do you leave the toilet lids up? has the vet checked her digestive tract for deformities? One of her cats eats too fast and then throws up. To fix that you have to slow down the eating by placing an obstacle in the food bowl they have to work around, such as a tennis ball. That has helped that particular kitty, but hasn't cured him. The other reason he throws up is that his digestive tract is not formed correctly. I don't remember the details on this, but the vet found that. She has also been feeding him Blue Buffalo food for sensitive stomaches and it has helped a lot. I ask about the toilets because another of her cats throws up when she drinks from the toilet. Mom doesn't add chemicals, so we aren't sure why that happens. If you leave your seats up or bathroom doors open you might want to stop doing that for a couple weeks and see if it helps. You could also try purified water for her during that time just in case she is sensitive to something in your water. My vet actually recommended purified water for my cat since she has started having UTIs. As far as the tranquilizer question... yes they do. Not sure you really need to do that, but I don't know your kitty. The vet can prescribe something, or you can try supplements. I have heard that Rescue Rememdy is great, but haven't tried it. There are also things available in the pet stores.

Answer 3

Heehee...you are definately not alone. One of mine (now nicknamed the bulimic cat) does the same thing usually in our bed room or on the expensive area rug in the family room. Tons of tile everywhere but the carpet is the place to be.

She is 9 years old and has a habit of scarfing down her food then well throwing it back up. Been to the vet, changed foods over the year, tried small feedings (which works ok), and tried keeping food available constantly and still the same thing.

They must love watching us work cleaning it up.

Answer 4

If it's a Hairball, a wad of undigested wet hair,
then it is good your kitty is bringing it up.

If the hairball is not regurgitated, it may create a blockage in the stomach or small intestine. If not treated, intestinal blockages create serious and even life-threatening problems for the cat. In severe cases, surgery may be necessary to remove the blockage. If you suspect your cat is having trouble passing a hairball, you need to consult your local veterinarian, especially if retching continues for more than a day, if your cat is constipated, or starts refusing its food.

* There are some things that you can do to minimize the rate of regurgitation:

* Groom your cat. The more hair you can get off your cat by brushing, the less he will swallow. Brush your cat regularly with a brush, and then wipe your kitty down with a damp cloth to remove hairs missed by the brush.

* Use Hairball products. If the problem still exists, you can also use petroleum-based products (such as Laxatone) that act as a laxative and lubricant to facilitate the passage of hair matted hair through the intestine. These products, which are pleasant tasting to cats, can be fed in paste form or applied to your cat’s paws to allow your pet to lick it off.

* Use Hairball remedy treats or food. You can also give your cat treats containing mineral oil, such as Pounce hairball treatment, to break up the hairballs.

* Some pet food companies now manufacture food for cats with recurrent hair or fur ball problems. Ask your veterinarian what she or he recommends.

* Could also just be, that the food doesn't agree with them at this moment. Experiment with Brands and Flavors.

Answer 5

I hear ya! I've tried to train my cats to throw up in the kitchen which is the only place we don't have carpet. he will stand in the door way of the kitchen and throw up on the carpet next to the kitchen, it I hear is usual meow for I'm going to throw up I try and pick him up and put him in the kitchen

Answer 6

I think it's because cats naturally try to cover their messes (ie with the litter, or when outside, scratching the grass & dirt to cover up). The carpet has texture, unlike the hardwood, and is probably as close as they can come (indoors) to something that will cover it.

Answer 7

your cat throws up on your carpet because it can. my cat throws up on the carpet all the time. it's like a fun suprise!!! until you have to clean it up:)

Answer 8

Yup, ours do it too. Despite daily brushings and IAMS "hairball" recipe, we have a few events each week.

So we got a few cheap rugs that get a trip outside and a date with the hose each month.

I think it's more comfortable to spew on carpet. It may echo less as they bark it up, too.

Answer 9

If you brush your cats you likely won't have them throwing up period. They usually throw up their own hair from taking baths. If this doesn't solve the problem, your cats may be sick. I'd go to the vet with them.

Answer 10

Man, I feel your pain. My cat can be getting ready to hork, and will move from the kitchen linoleum to the living room carpet! SO frustrating, though I have no real answer.