Does anybody know why a otherwise healthy cat would vomit?

Question

My cat who is under a year old is vomiting (not right now). He is a mostly inside cat, but he likes to go outside. He yells to go out and we didn't mind it so much because he stays close to the porch. The first time he vomited was about a week ago. We just thought he had gotten to hot outside (cause he had just come in... we made him come in). He did it once or twice after that, but not real often and only after eating, so we thought he was just eating too fast. Today he has been throwing up all day it seems like. He started this with his breakfast, then he got ahold of my daughters noodles, and three times since then (over a period of 12 hours). He hasn't got worms, and he acts like he is feeling fine. He crying loudly before he vomits. We live in a small town and vets here don't work on weekends. Also we are letting him out until we find out what is wrong, and he isn't happy about it.

We did not feed him noodles he got into them himself. We don't feed him anything but cat food. He has been wormed and is up to date on his shots. We do not put him in harms way by letting him go outside for a little bit every now and then. He isn't going out now though, only because of this problem.

Answer 1

Hi there...this is difficult to determine as there many variables which could contribute the causes of vomiting as it is not self limiting. My primary concern medically for him would be dehydration as left untreated could be fatal. (Subcutaneous (SubQ) fluids aid to hydrate--veterinarian administered). Moist cat food or some Gerber 2nd Chicken food (NOT 3rd as it contains onion and garlic which is very toxic to cats) mixed with water this will help get with a little added hydration.

Eating too quickly can contribute to vomiting, as well as stress, ingestion of some outdoor item, heat exhaustion/stroke (although he would be lethargic as well) ...many factors. Cats under a year usually don't shed much so it's unlikely it's hairball too (even if it's a long hair breed). Although, you have mentioned he doesn't have worms there are many types of other parasites which must be considered too, which again a vet would need to examine further.

Please see the couple weblinks I've listed below to read a little more about vomiting with cats.

I realize you would have to wait until Monday to see a vet, which truly only would be the best solution. Please continue to contain him indoors until then. The Yahoo Answers group may be well-intentioned however we could cause more harm than help when it comes to an injured or sick animal. Therefore I wouldn't do anything until you speak with a vet.

Answer 2

Don't feed your kitty too many treats. If the cat food is different from what was fed before, this could be one reason for vomiting. Change in food can sometimes do this. All cats may vomit from time to time. When they clean themselves some of that fur gets ingested and has to come out one way or the other. They will usually vomit out of there systems. Long hair and short hair cats may have the same effect. Some cat clean themselves more than others. My long hair cat was a constant groomer.

Answer 3

First off, bring yhour cat inside. Being outside for cats is very dangerous - I watched 2 of my barn cats die from anti-freeze poisioning - not a pretty sight. He could be vomiting for a number of reasons -you didn't say how long you have had him, or if he is around children. Cats can throw up for various reasons: if they are long haired and get fur balls, if their owners feed them too much, if they eat creatures/bugs they shouldn't, if they're not getting enoough water intake - these things can affect them all the way to stomach ulcers and digestive tract problems and unfortunately to posioning from things such as antifreeze.... since I don't know a lot about your cat's symptons, I would suggest cutting back on its food for a couple of days - he may be gorging himself - make sure he has fresh water all day. And above all, DO NOT LET HIM OUT! Keep him inside so you can keep an eye on him - if it gets really bad before you can take him to the vet, call your local 911 for the closest emergency pet hospital and take him there immediately ... from what you have written, he has a severe problem that needs to be looked at ASAP.

Answer 4

if hes crying loudly before vomiting he must have something wrong with his stomach. maybe he does eat too fast or maybe hes not eating the right things, but I think he needs to be examined by a Vet for sure. My cat Willis vomits too, but hes 12 yrs old in good health and has a very sensitive stomach. Hairballs are a way cats vomit also. Good Luck

Answer 5

Possible culprits for vomitting.

--Hairballs (but usually noticeable once they vomit)
--Eating certain plants. Be careful, many plants that we find pretty and are harmless to us are toxic to cats.
--Eating too much too fast (my cat has this problem, if he's been hungry, he'll sometimes gorge himself when he gets fed and then vomits.)
--Nervousness, anxiety, nausea
--Cancer
--Certain chemical pesticides or herbicides
--Disease
--Heatstroke

Now from what you seem to be saying... he didn't start vomitting till he went outside. My guess is that he's coming into contact with something outside. Try to think of anything outside that he may have come into contact with. Do not take anything for granted, remember that cats are not like people and are much smaller, even small amounts of something can make a cat sick or cause death.

Answer 6

I might also suggest that your cat may have developed an allergy to the food you are feeding her. So many grocery store brand foods tempt cats the way we are tempted to buy junk food; there are studies done by the makers of cat food to see what attracts cat palates, and how to keep them craving more. Your better lines, like the ones sold in the vets office, though pricier, may be of help. Also, try to find one made with lamb. Most cats tolerate lamb better than anything else. I know my Muffy-kitty had an issue with throwing up for a while, and upon taking her to the Dr., we figured out that it was her food, her favorite (Kit and kaboodle) that was making her sick. We switched to Science Diet Lamb and rice....she is MUCH better now. No vomit, better coat, and no cat-dandruff. Yeah!

Answer 7

There are different vomitting. If it is solid...mixed with food, then he may just throw up hairballs. You can also see hairballs mixed in it. (It looks darker) It is normal to all cats. If he is vomitting liquid, no solid stuff in it, then you need to take him to the vet! Something's wrong in his stomach. Besides, if he vomits almost all day, definitely take him to the vet.

Answer 8

HAIRBALLS!!! Its disgusting my cat does it all the time. Its a bigger problem in long haired cats because they are constantly cleaning themselves. I live in the country so my cat is an inside/outside cat as well. If he feels sick he eats grass to clean his stomach just like dogs. I wouldn't worry.

Answer 9

slynxx has given a pretty thorough answer here.

I would put the cat inside on a linoleum floor so I could observe him until the vet opens up.

If you are still wanting advice about inducing your labor, go see comment I am posting on your most recent query.

Answer 10

does your kitty have all of his shots??? if so he could have hairballs....when he throws up is it usually like a long tube w hair in it??? OR it couldbe an allergic reaction to his food...this is VERY common & a lot of times its the corn meal in their food or the artifical colors....my cat has this problem & I found that once I switche dher to Purina One she no longer vomits after she eats.....by the way usually whne its an alergic reaction to their food they will vomit pretty much right after or very soon after they eat & it usually comes back up pretty much looking like it did when they ate it, in otherwords you can still tell its cat food