Is it normal for my cat to barf almost daily?

Question

He vomits usually just water with a very small amount of hair mixed in or usually it is undigested food. I feed him Iams adult indoor hairball formula. He brought up a hairball the size of a dread-lock once. Since then its just clear and watery. His belly isn't distended and he doesn't act sick. Is this normal? Sometimes I think he over-drinks water, then runs all over the house like a crazy cat then he barfs. Both my cats drink water like they're starved for it. So I keep several bowls of fresh water around the house. Whats up with that?

Answer 1

its just a hairball, not barf

Answer 2

"Vet says considering the fact that he's long haired vomiting is notably much unavoidable." WOW - what a daft concern for a vet to declare!! I also have a Persian and in the year and a nil.5 i've got had him he has by no ability vomited and has by no ability had a hairball. that's no longer "unavoidable". How often do you groom this cat? Do you comb its coat out a minimum of each and every 2 or 3 days - on a daily basis for the duration of laying off season? Use a metallic-toothed comb - no longer a broom. the brush will eliminate the lifeless hairs of the undercoat that's what your cat is swallowing whilst it grooms itself. And do you provide it a hairball preventative? i'm having a guess the respond to the two a variety of is "no" that's why your adverse cat is having such difficulty with hairballs. What are you feeding your cat? adverse high quality meals ability an undesirable coat which could mean greater laying off. Royal Canin for Persians is a great nutrition to furnish longhaired cats because of fact it includes a hairball preventative besides as nutrition a cat desires. including salmon oil on your cat's weight loss plan additionally will help its coat. nevertheless bowled over at your vet's remark!

Answer 3

He could have a sensitive stomach. I'd contact your vet and ask what a good food would be. The best I've used is Pet Promise brand www.petpromiseinc.org They are amazing. They are a little pricey, but well worth it- my chihuahua had some digestive problems, and after we put him on this food, he was fine. They also make cat food-both of my cats are on it.
But definately make sure you make an appointment with your vet, because while hairballs are normal, you want to make sure he isn't allergic to something, or that he doesn't need any special food to deal with any allergies or sensitivities he may have. Good luck!

Answer 4

Frequent vomiting can be caused by IBD, pancreatitis, or a variety of other health issues. If he is throwing up almost daily, then there is something wrong.

Cats do not have a strong thirst drive, so if they are drinking a lot, it could also be an indicator of health problems (for example: diabetic cats drink a lot more than healthy cats).

If you are feeding him dry food, that could be part of the problem. Grains are difficult for cats to digest.

I hope that you will find the attached links on feline nutrition to be helpful.

Answer 5

Cats clean themselves all the time so all the hair that falls gets swallowed up. That hair gets rounded up in a hair ball that has to be eliminated from her digestive system.
They usually barf it out. It's very normal to be just hair and water. The water helps dilute the gastric juices so they don't get burned up in the mouth and esophagus.
It's healthy to barf every day or once in two days. As long as it's just hair and some fluids. If there is food or blood see a vet.

This is a non professional answer and should be treated as is. For a better understanding i suggest visiting a veterinary doctor.

Answer 6

yeah...ok here we go.

My cat does the same thing. He spits up this foamy stuff, just a tiny little puddle. sometimes there's a little hair in it. sometimes he does it 3 times a day, sometimes he doesnt do it for a whole week. He's old, so i keep him inside, but he's always dying to go outside. Sometimes i let him out, and he eat a load of grass, comes inside and barfs it up. Ive trained him to run to the br when he barfs, so its on the tile floor instead of my carpet, so im fine with it. He sleeps most of the day (normal of cats), gets up only to use the litterbox, groom, greet people and eat/beg for moist food (i leave out a bowl of dry food 24/7, and water).

as far as barfing the food, my cat does that occaisionly. I think it's because he eats really fast, and because he's old and his teeth are weak. sometimes he eats and then barfs up a mound of friskies, and they arent chewed at all. it's probably not healthy, but he seems fine afterwards. i guess cats overeat and get sick too.

I think it's pretty normal. Most of the time, if he vomits only liquid, it means he has a hairball that he's trying to get out, but it won't come out. I know you feed him hairball control food, but maybe you should try some treats? brush him daily, with a nice comb that sheds all lose fur. He won't ingest as much fur, and he'll look great!

as far as having super thirsty cats, just leave out plenty of water. If they start to urinate excessively (u have a litterbox?), lose appetite or become lethargic, then there is a chance of feline diabetes.

if your still worried, go to your vet just to be safe. they could even recommend a hairball med.

hope this helps,

Heather :]

Answer 7

I have two cats, a two year old female and a six month old male. The female coughs up a hairball as you described, maybe once every couple months or so, but the male is constantly acting as if he needs to cough one up and doesn't. I told the vet we were feeding them "hairball" control formula cat food and he said they really shouldn't cough up hairballs much. He even gave the young one something to calm his stomach, but it didn't make much difference.
It's good you keep plenty of fresh water around because cats are really fussy about it being clean and fresh. They'll drink out of the toilet rather than a dish of water they don't think is fresh enough.
I don't really have a satisfactory answer for you except that I cough up phloem once in awhile, but I don't spit it up on the carpet. I'm sure if I licked myself clean and was covered in fur, I'd cough up a hairball too, once in awhile.

Answer 8

I had two cats like this. The vet said some cats are just that way and that it has to do with the motility of the stomach - especially if they were active just before eating or drinking.

I used to feed the same cat food you are using, but I switched to Science Diet hairball care and you know, they stopped puking on a daily basis. They still threw up once in a while, the hair has to come out, but not nearly as much.

Answer 9

Cats develop hairballs when they clean themselves by licking. Cat’s tongues have rough surfaces and fur gets stuck to their tongues. As a result, loose fur becomes swallowed and eventually leads to gagging, retching, and vomiting of hairballs.
Try Grooming your cat everyday to remove lose hair. There are also other products you can purchase to reduce the cats shedding of hair :) just call your vet, they should be able to give u an idea on the right product, but grooming a cat like yours everyday is essential.

Answer 10

Poor kitty. My cat has a weak stomach, and he throws up like this sometimes, but every day is too much! Go take him to a vet. You may have to buy some different cat food too.

Answer 11

It's definitely not normal...I've had cats for 30 years (all types) and it's normal for them to have the occassional hairball but not to barf daily. Your cat might have a food allergy or a blockage...I would consult a veterinarian immediately...if you can't afford one contact your local ASPCA they will help you.