Advantage for Cats & Vomiting

Vomiting can be a normal function or a sign of illness.

All cat owners have experienced the dreaded, "Ukh, Ukh, Ukh" followed by their cat's expulsion of various stomach contents. Some cats vomit more than others, but each and every one vomits at one point or another. Vomiting can be a sign of very serious problems or nothing at all; this is the eternal dilemma of the cat owner. The advantages are far from obvious to us, so what exactly does vomiting accomplish for these furry felines?

Common Causes

Vomiting can occur if your cat ingests foreign objects.

Vomiting can be caused by any number of things, the most common being a build-up of fur in the digestive system. Cats can also gorge themselves, rapidly wolfing their food until they vomit the excess. A change in type of food or diet can prompt vomiting, as can the introduction of medication.

Illnesses and Diseases

Cats can suffer from IBD, or inflammatory bowel syndrome.

Vomiting can also signal a more serious problem. Cats can suffer from food allergies and inflammatory bowel disease (IBD). If your cat has chronic vomiting, diarrhea and weight loss, she might have IBD. System-wide illnesses such as panleukopenia, or problems such as kidney failure, gall-bladder disease, pancreatitis, hyperthyroidism, urinary-tract blockage or diabetes can be the root causes of the IBD and the vomiting. If your cat is older, you are more likely to see an increase in vomiting.

Identification

Vomiting eliminates potentially harmful substances and fur build-up.

To determine whether or not your cat is seriously ill, your veterinarian will need detailed information about the symptoms. Note the frequency of her vomiting, whether or not the vomiting occurs immediately after eating and if your cat has a tendency to wolf her food. If the vomiting does not occur immediately after eating, note how much time passes between ingestion of her food and vomiting. Exam the vomit for signs of fur or foreign material. If you have house plants, confirm that they are nontoxic; if you discover that you do have a cat-toxic plant, call your veterinarian immediately.

Benefits

Vomiting is more common in older cats.

Vomiting can help your cat eliminate fur build-up, purge poisons and eradicate potential blockages in her digestive system. The fur build-up can cause blockages which can lead to more serious problems; eliminating the build-up keeps your cat healthy. Should she ingest lead, poisonous plants, or antifreeze, she'll vomit--most likely violently--to purge her system. Poisonous plants, toxic substances, and fluids can kill your cat even if she vomits them up. If you suspect poison, call your veterinarian immediately.

Prevention

A few precautions can keep your cat safe.

Over-the-counter hairball gel works well in eliminating fur build-up. Daily brushing will also cut down on the amount of fur your cat ingests. Gradually introducing a new diet will help your cat adjust, thus decreasing the likelihood of vomiting. Keeping all toxic substances in a kitty-proof area will avoid accidental poisoning. Double-check your household plants against a list of poisonous plants at the the Cat Fanciers' Association (CFA) website (see Resources).

References

• Cat Health: Vomiting in Cats
• Mar Vista Animal Medical Center: Inflammatory Bowel Disease

Resources

• Cat Fanciers' Association (CFA): Plants and Your Cat