Vomiting (every few days)

[vickih]

Hi,
I have a tabby who every 5-7 days vomits about 20 minutes after eating. She used to be on dry food (which she only used to vomit 1X every few months), I switched her to Wellness Chicken Formula canned food because I discovered that dry food was not good for her. She took to the wet food immediately, and she eats it no problem. I feed her 2X/day and don't feed her huge amounts in those times. I put a bit at a time because she is a gobbler and inhales her food. About 30 minutes after, I hear the heaving, and then she pukes and then just to top it all off, she will poop (and of course not in her litter box). I don't know what to do. I've brought her to the vet and everything came back normal. Nothing wrong with her physically.
After puking and then pooping she then goes back to her bowl to see if there is any food left, and if there is some she will eat that, no problem. She is fine right after vomiting, not lethargic, a normal kitty.

I don't know what to do anymore? It's never consistent and I don't give her treats or change her food (variety). Could she be intolerant to chicken?
anyone have this problem or have suggestions?

My other cat. No vomiting. nothing. But Lulu.. sigh. don't know what to do.

Help!

[catloverami]

It sounds to me that she is eating too fast and gulping down air and it's making her throw up, a fairly common thing with fast eaters. Try spreading her food thinly on the plate so that she has to lick it up. That should slow her down and keep her from gulping down air. If Lulu's still throwing up as much, give her a different flavor of Wellness and see if that makes a difference, or another no-grain brand. If she's longhaired and bringing up hair with her vomit, comb her every day to remove loose hairs.

[Auntie Crazy]

Your girl is probably eating too fast because she's so hungry (cats should be eating a minimum of three meals a day). And while eating too fast will often cause cats to vomit, the longer cats go without food, the more acidic their tummies can get. This acidity makes them nauseous which can also cause them to throw up.

With this combo, it's not surprising your girl is getting sick so often.

Increase your feedings to three times a day: shortly after you get up in the morning, immediately after you get home from work, and very last thing before you go to bed. She should be eating a total of about 5.5 to 6 ounces per day.

Good luck! This can't be comfortable for your girl at all.

AC

[vickih]

hi there. Thanks for your feedback!
I do feed her 3X a day. When I get up in the morning, I put a bit for her to eat. Then I put a bit more 20 minutes later. Then right before I leave for the day some more. I don't leave alot in her bowl because I don't like leaving canned food out in the open for long. When I get home, I do the same thing so she doesn't gulp her food.
Tonight I came home. There was poop on the floor and vomit.

I am going to try another grain free canned food, maybe with another flavour not chicken and I am going to buy her some digestive enzymes.
Other than that. I'm at my wits end. I have to figure out what the problem is. sigh.

and there is no hairballs in her vomit. She has short hair and I brush her 2X/day.

[Auntie Crazy]

I would start feeding her a rotation of different foods; this will keep her from becoming fixated on any one product (a problem if they change or stop producing it) and protect her from potential quality control issues by diluting their impact. Since cats can develop hypersensitivity when continually exposed to the same proteins or ingredients for extended periods, it will also help prevent food intolerance issues (and the associated diarrhea and vomiting).

Dr. Hofve has a great article with even more reasons for rotating foods: Switching Foods.

I would also start feeding her just before you go to bed in addition to your morning and home-from-work routines.

And, of course, stay in touch with your vet. Vomiting can be indicative of all kinds of nasties, so you really want to watch this. If she stops eating, becomes lethargic or otherwise begins acting ill, I'd take her in again right away.

Good luck!!!!

AC