Why has my cat been throwing up a lot lately?

Question

For at least the last month, he's throwing up almost every day. At first we thought it just had to do with hairball season, but that time has come and gone. Sometimes he's not even really throwing anything up -- it's kind of just saliva that comes out. Often he throws up his kibble, and we've switched it at least once without any positive results. He also gets sort food every day, he doesn't seem to throw that up. The reason why I just asked is because I gave him very small bit of chicken and within 30 minutes he's thrown it up.

He's 10 years old, and this behaviour has never happened before... he seems healthy otherwise, not losing weight or anything - he's large cat. I don't want to take him to the vet over nothing, he's absolutely terrified of leaving the apratment, he'd be so scared that pee all over, he's got A LOT of strange issues, he was a feral cat for the first 6 months of life. This puking around the house is really starting to get infuriating though... any suggestions?

Thank you for the suggestions everyone, to clarify: he'd the only pet in this home, and only one dog has every come around, and that is very rarely.

He's not large as in massive, but he's got... big bones? Heh.

And, I didn't mean infuriating -- at least not at him, just over the constant carpet cleaning, and running after him with paper. I love my cat.

I'd really like to state that beside the puking, he is fine. Like I said, not losing weight, he doesn't puke up his soft food, and he gets a tin of that a night. He's the same cat as ever, as soon as he's done puking, he's sitting in the chair beside me again. If he was acting any differently apart from puking, believe me, we would've taken far more action by now.

Answer 1

He might have worms. Ask the vet for some worming medicine and give it to him at home. Try to weigh him first, so you can get the right dose for his size.

Answer 2

I know! It's the dry cat food. If you leave a single kibble of dry food in water and compare it to the dry one after a couple of hours you'll see what I mean. They swell like sponge! This in the long run makes the stomach weak.

When my cat starts eating dry food he eats as much as he need to feel full, but after a while the kibble starts swelling in his tummy and he throws up. There simply is not enough space in the tiny cat's belly for the volume the kibble reaches after a while in there!

Since finding out I've limited the amount of kibble I give him at each meal. He complains a bit because its not enough right after eating, but in half an hour it will be three times the amount.

Or else, mix some canned or wet food with a few kibbles. He'll never throw up again!

It makes me angry that food manufacturers make kibbles so spongy, it makes cats ill. I see no reason why they shouldn't make dry food to stay the same volume.
You can soak it in water half an hour before serving it to kitty, at least the volume is all out already. My cat hates it that way though! Soggy goo.

Anyway, try and see if this might be the reason. I thought of it because you say he's allright when he eats wet food.

Answer 3

This cat can throw up for a number of reasons.

1. It has worms of some kind.

2.There was another cat, dog or human introduced into the house.

3.The cat food was changed or needs to be changed.

4. Any of the above combined with old age.

We have a cat that is puking up also. After over $300 in vet bills, changing her food, we have decided that she is a one kitty kind of cat. Since we have two dogs and another cat, majority wins.

I hope this helps.

Answer 4

Poor sweetie. Well, maybe you could call the vet and ask what they think. I know you don't want to distress the cat, but if he's ill he may die, I'm sure that would distress him more.

I see you may be angry at having to clean up after him, but if you don't have him checked by a vet you are the cause, so you have yourself to blame for his puking.

Call the vet, get professional advice, on this forum you get many opinions, but it sounds like your cat is ill, so you really need a professional's advice. If you had been puking for a month you'd have seen a doctor already.

Here are a few cat advice links:

Answer 5

I'm sure that is frustrating, but I hope not infuriating. After all, he can't help that he's vomiting. Is he prone to eating things that shouldn't be eaten? If so, he may have a foreign body that is disrupting his digestion. Or as he has aged, he may have developed a digestive or other health issue. You say he is large; how large is he? Overweight cats can develop diabetes or unrinary/digestive issues. The only way to really fix the problem, in my opinion, is to have it diagnosed by a veterinarian. He may not like it, but it might be the best thing for him.

Answer 6

If your cat has been vomiting on a regular basis for at least a month, I would strongly recommend your seek veterinary care for him. Good Luck.

Answer 7

answers here...http://www.cats.com