By Arden Moore
Some cats vomit. Some cats regurgitate. Some do both. Both result in smelly messes.
Yuck to both!
Cats can be masters at hiding pain or ailments, so it is important to pay attention to these food-related actions. It is also important to know when to have your cat examined by your veterinarian.
Your first question to answer: did your cat actually vomit, or did he regurgitate?
Let’s distinguish the key differences between vomiting and regurgitation.
Key Features of Vomiting in Cats
- A cat may appear restless, drool or even engage in lip licking before vomiting.
- A cat will crouch, heave and then expel partially digested food from the stomach or intestines.
- A cat can feel nauseous.
- Vomit involves abdominal contractions
- You may see foam or bile.
- Vomiting can occur minutes to hours after eating in cats.
Key Features of Regurgitation in Cats
- Regurgitation occurs immediately after a cat eats.
- Undigested food is expelled quickly.
- There is no evidence of retching or crouching by the cat.
- A cat will expel undigested food that is often tubular in shape. It can be covered in mucus or saliva.
Causes of Vomiting and Regurgitation in Cats
Not surprising, there are many causes behind these digestive upset actions in cats. Vomiting in cats can be triggered by:
- Eating spoiled or rotten food
- Ingesting a toxin, such as human medications
- Diseases, including kidney and liver diseases as well as pancreatitis and gastroenteritis
Regurgitation can occur due to:
- Hiatal hernia
- Esophagitis
- Esophageal disease
- Swallowing a foreign body, like a piece of toy or string
At-Home Action Plans if Your Cat Vomits
- Examine the mess. Take a photo that you can show to your veterinarian.
- Write down the day and time when this occurred.
- Remove the food for six hours, but make sure your cat has access to clean water.
- Feed your cat a bland, easy-to-digest diet for 1 to 2 days that can include boiled chicken (no seasoning) and plain baby food that does not contain garlic or onion.
- Report to your veterinarian is your cat is vomiting often as this may point to a medical issue.
- Bring the expelled food in a sealed bag to be examined by your veterinarian.
At-Home Action Plans If Your Cat Regurgitates Often
- Feed your cat away from other pets so he does not feel compelled to quickly swallow his meal.
- Serve his meal in a slow feeder bowl.
- Feed your cat small, more frequent meals three to four times a day.
- Elevate the food bowl to reduce esophageal issues.
Call Your Veterinarian
As I instruct my students in my pet first aid classes, pay attention to actions at mealtimes. It is far better to seek veterinary help before vomiting or regurgitation issues become more serious.
Here are a few situations where you need to bring your cat to the veterinary clinic for immediate attention:
- Your cat vomits or regurgitates more than once a day
- You can see bile or blood in the mess expelled by your cat.
- You can see a foreign object, such as a piece of toy or string in the mess.
- Your cat is having trouble breathing or swallowing.
- Your cat is drooling.
- Your cat is losing weight.
- Your cat is acting lethargic.
- You suspect your cat ate a toxin, such as xylitol, chocolate or medication.
Rusty, my orange tabby, used to quickly eat his food and regurgitate it just a minute after eating. As a precaution, I had him thoroughly examined by my veterinarian whose examination also included blood and urine analysis. Rusty was deemed healthy, so I began feeding him away from the other pets and with mini meals throughout the day. He now rarely regurgitates his meal.
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Learn more
You can learn more on ways to keep your cats and dogs safe by visiting https://www.protrainings.com/courses/pets. Consider taking our veterinarian-approved online pet first aid/CPR course. Enter this code: CPR – ARDEN MOORE and receive a 10 percent discount! And, if you are interested in becoming a Pro Pet Hero instructor, please click on the BECOME AN INSTRUCTOR button on the home page for more details.