I have a 12 Y/O Cat that thows up at least 3 times a week.?

Question

Is this a sign that he is sick?
I buy good dry food, with anti-hair ball formulla, which is all he can keep down. I switched cat food brands two weeks ago because I was low on cash and had to switch back because he wasn't keeping any of it down.

Any advice is appreciated, thanks.

PS- I have heard that is is normal for older cats to throw up when they age.

That is why I haven't brought him to the vet yet.

Answer 1

Since your cat is old he may not be chewing his food properly because of bad teeth.
He may very well have a hairball or it might be the switch in food and now that he's back on the original food the problem may clear up.
He may be eating to fast.

I think a trip to the Vet is in order, it maybe something simple but having him checked would be the best thing to do for him and it would put your mind at ease.

Answer 2

It could be just hairballs. Even though you're feeding him the cat food, I would get some of the other hair ball medicine that comes in a tube. Cats love it! It may help. He may also have a sensitive stomach. One of my dogs does and I have to feed her a brand called Nutro which has a specific food for sensitive stomachs. You might check their cat food line and see if they offer something that you could try. You can purchase it at PetCo or Petsmart.
If he is still having the problems after you try these things, then you should consider seeing a vet.

Answer 3

I have a 14 year old cat that had the same problem and I always switch up the food. I did take her to my vet who did some blood tests which resulted in her having a thyroid condition. I now have to give her a small pill everyday. If you really want to know you will have to make the trip to the vet.

Answer 4

Try preswelling the food with some water, he could be eating too much to fast. I'd also see about taking him to the vet, I had a cat many years ago that had a problem keeping food down when he was older, he had cancer. Anytime a pet is getting sick, it's not a good idea to let it go.

Answer 5

Frequently cats eat their food too fast, then throw it up. One trick to overcome this habit is to feed the cat on a plate instead of in a bowl. This scatters the food out more and forces the cat to eat slower. Some people even add a large, clean rock (nothing the cat can get into his mouth) or other large obstruction to the plate. Now the cat is forced to eat even slower as he picks the food from around the obstructiion. I never had to go this far. Good Luck with you cat. Give him a hug for me. My ol' boy of 15 years died last week and I miss him very much.

Answer 6

I have a cat that does the same thing. There is nothing wrong with your cat save your money at the vet. I have taken my cat to the vet SEVERAL times for this and they say to do just what you are doing, find a "Senior" formula food that the cat can tolerate and keep the spot cleaner handy. Sorry I don't have better news for you. Good Luck>

Answer 7

Your cat is old and needs to eat softer food as he is most likely loosing his teeth by now, they sell dry cat biscuits for senior cats or better still get him kitten dry food which most likely softer and easier for him to eat.

Also if he is eating his food faster than usual this will make him vomit, and be sure to check that he has plenty of water available.


I have a 13 yr old cat have experienced the same problem, but with the different cat food she no longer vomits and she has lost one of her fangs and a couple other teeth.

If you are really worried about him take him to the vet to checked over.

Hope this helps.

Good Luck

Answer 8

I also have an older cat 16 I think, He throws up mostly hairballs. they look like a piece of poop shape like a cigar. It sounds like the cheaper cat food is doing it though. That happened also to my cat when I bought cheaper food. It wasn't hairballs then he was throwing up his food which was soon after he ate. Its always best for a Vet to check out your cat. I did and that's what the vet told me what was causing it.Told me to change his diet to better food with hairball control. He also is allergic to fleas so he is always licking himself which is how He gets so many hairballs. 1 flea can drive a cat nuts with a flea allergy. It is impossible to get rid of every flea, when you have 3 cats and 2 dogs in the house even though I use Advantage on him. .Hope this helps. Good Luck!

Answer 9

I had a 3 year old who was vomitting frequently just before she had to be put down. She had developed jaundice when I took her to the vet. After two weeks of constant treatment, tests, etc., the doctors could not figure out what was wrong with her. It nearly killed me when I had to put her down.

Take your cat to the vet. Rule out anything that may be seriously wrong before it is too late. You'll live to regret it if it is something that could have been treated.

Answer 10

I don't think this is normal. Yes cats get hairballs from time to time. I would take the cat into the vet and have it checked out.