9 year old cat vomiting daily...Hairballs?

Question

Vomiting started 7-10 days ago and usually only occurs at night. Sometimes I can see small hairballs in the vomit. Usually no food present in the vomit (very liquid-y, color of food). I just began brushing her daily, have switched to Science Diet Senior w/Hairball control and also purchased Laxa-Stat (petroleum based gel) that I put on her paws. We also have another cat who has been fine. I've started limiting their food consumption.

Should this do the trick? Any other advice? Her behavior is otherwise normal. Appetite seems normal.

I am now keeping her in a bathroom at night because she only likes to vomit on the carpet=).

When should I expect her to get better?

Answer 1

My cat is 12 years old and she gets like that once in a while. I usually give her about a 1/2 teaspoon of soft margarine or butter. To me it works better than any of those hair ball remedies that you can buy in pet stores. Has she been having normal looking stools? Do you ever give her any can food? That might be an idea too. Make sure too that she has access to fresh water all of the time as you don't want her to get dehydrated. If she continues to vomit tho, I would at least call your vet to find out more about this problem. I hope this helps!

Answer 2

Is there any chance that she could have eaten something unusual, say she played with and ate a piece of string, carpet, etc.? Although it is more common for dogs to eat weird objects, it is possible for a cat to do so. In that case, she may have a foreign body in her stomach or small intestine.
Are you absolutely certain that she is eating and drinking normally? Is she having normal bowel movements? I know it can be hard to tell, especially with another cat around (trust me, I know--I have four!) but it is important. Does she seem to be losing weight at all?
I find hairballs upchucked every couple of days (and yeah, only on the carpet!) but for a cat to vomit every night for over a week is unusual. Good for you though, for changing food and brushing her. That will definitely help cut down on hairballs and help her pass any that she has. I am a little concerned that something else might be going on, so please take her for a vet checkup if things don't improve in a few days.
Good luck!

Answer 3

I was going to suggest the Science Diet, but you've already done that. If your cat doesn't get better in 2 or 3 more days, I would suggest you take your cat to the vet. The vet may need to give your cat an injection, a steroid or an anti-emetic (to keep him from throwing up if it is not hairballs). It could be something else, but I can't respond without knowing if your cat has all of his shots, and they are up-to-date.

Answer 4

if she is 9 years old she may not get better with out a trip to the vet.
This may be a bug the vet can medicate for or something more serious like worms, but a 9 year old cat vomiting for over a week needs to see a professional.

Answer 5

The solutions will normally soften the hairball allowing the cat to dispose of it... She could have more than one.. and will keep vomiting until it / they come out.. it is Natures way.

good luck to your little old lady.. she is meant to live about twice as long as she has already so I believe she will be ok.

Answer 6

My cat is 14 yrs. old and she does this from time to time. I have her on the Hills Science Diet Senior as well. I use a hair ball treatment for a few days every month and this seems to work.

Answer 7

It took me forever to answer this because I had to run down to my moms house to get the answer.....yes, I did this for you, but her cat is a puker...and this is what cured her...it is called hairball remedy by hartz....it;s safe for kittens, cats and rabits....and it comes in flavors...their cat likes salmon flavor...anyway it really stopped the vomitting thing...this cat is very very long haired but even short haired cats lick the fur and it builds up...hope this helps...you just put about an inch of it on top of thier food and they eat it....they like it,,,,they said she used to vomit every day and since this stuff....going on like two years...no more throwing up...hope it helps.....!!!!

Answer 8

Your cat might be going through stress. Pay a little extra attention to the cat. Try giving her half as much food to see if her tummy will accept it. She should be fine with a little TLC.

Answer 9

I'm sorry m'dear but you shouldn't be asking for answers in regards to your animals health on here.

GET
YOUR
CAT
TO
A
VET!!!

With all of that throwing up your cat could have anything from worms to diabeties, and I KNOW by now it's probably getting dehydrated.

Don't ask ys to help with something that obviously needs medial attention hun, just go and take her to a vet! NOW!!

-,-

Answer 10

That is a good start. It MIGHT do the trick. But you may want to talk to a vet too and find out if something else is going on.

Good luck!