What Are the Treatments for a Vomiting Cat?

What do you do when Jinx keeps vomiting? Usually, there's nothing to worry about, but it can be disconcerting to put your bare foot on the floor and feel the regurgitated remains of Fluffy's dinner squishing up between your toes. Find out how to deal with your kitty's occasional bouts of bulimia.

Significance

All cats vomit. It's a fact of life. Usually, it's for one of three reasons: (1) Hairballs. Cats spend a good thirty percent of their lives grooming themselves. Unfortunately, the hair doesn't always make it through the digestive tract, and must be expelled in the other direction. Though this is more common with long-haired breeds, short-haired cats will also cough up the occasional hairball. (2) Eating too fast (or too much). Just like a toddler, the cat's going to bring it back up. (3) Backfiring curiosity. If the cat has eaten something it cannot digest (like grass), the item will make a reappearance one way or the other.

Treatment for Hairballs

Pet stores carry flavored hairball treatment creams you can feed your cat, and some specially-formulated cat foods are also available. If you're unable or unwilling to use any of these treatments, good old petroleum jelly works just as well, and most cats like the taste. Just put a dollop on the end of your finger about once a week, and let Tiger lick it off. If he doesn't care for the taste, rub it into his fur, and he will lick it off as part of his cleaning ritual.

Treatment for Bulimia

If your kitty is vomiting because she's eating too much or too fast, try keeping some dry food out for her all day long. Cats are grazers by nature, so it is against their natural habits to eat a full meal, all at once.

Kitty Grass

You may have noticed that your cat sometimes eats grass, or that some pet food stores offer "kitty grass" for your pet. Do not be alarmed when your cat eats grass and vomits afterward. Many believe that cats do this deliberately to help themselves get rid of hairballs and other indigestible things.

Other Causes and Treatments

If your cat is vomiting up what looks like dark coffee grounds, you should take him to the vet at once. This substance is blood, and he may be very ill. Likewise, if you notice any other signs of illness in your cat as well as the vomiting, such as diarrhea, constipation, or weight loss, you should see the vet as quickly as possible.

After the Veterinarian Visit

Following your vet's advice at all times is first and foremost. However, if he has released Whiskers completely into your care, you should watch her closely, only providing water at first. If she can keep the water down, you can move on to reintroducing her food.

Alternative Foods

If Angel cannot keep his regular food down, but is OK with water, try giving him some bland foods at first, such as lean, skinless chicken, low-fat cottage cheese, and/or boiled rice or mashed potatoes. You can try bringing back his regular food gradually over the next few days.