We’ve only lived in this new apartment for three days or so, and tonight the cat is puking. She’s acting completely normal and this has only gone on for a few hours or so. Naturally, if it persists, I’ll call/take her to the vet.
Could it be related to the move? I know that cats are very sensitive to things like that - could it have just upset her, and upset her stomach?
Hmmm, I can’t say I’ve ever seen a cat react to a move by getting sick. Usually they’ll hide, not eat, and/or howl their head off for a couple days, but not barf. I would definitely keep an eye on her. Also look for something she may have gotten into and eaten that would make her sick.
It is more usually something in the environment. New plants (even onces you might have bought) or other things they find, or even different cat food. Since it’s 3 days after the move, it can’t be related to driving or anything and since it’s only after 3 days it doesn’t seem to be stress related, especially if she acts normal otherwise. I’d check for external factors first (food, plants, etc.).
new carpet in the apartment?
I’ve got a related question. One of my cats (the fat one) occasionally gets sick after eating. It seems to me that he’s just eating too fast, since it looks like he’s barely chewing his fod. And aside from this occasional (every couple of days) mishap, he seems perfectly healthy and happy, and he’s certainly NOT losing any weight. Should I be concerned if he shows no other apparent signs of ill health?
I do know that once cats have upset stomachs, and it stays that way, you can help them settle it down by withholding food for at least 24 hours. But I’m sure there are some good websites out there that have the SD on this.
Wrenchslinger, I have a cat that does this, eats real fast & then throws up. Usually it’s because he has a furball in his throat and is trying to push it down & failing. Sometimes it comes up & sometimes not. Some Petromalt or other furball treatment usually helps. I also started feeding him some “sensitive stomach” cat food (I think it’s Purina) and it seems to be helping.
My male cats eats too fast and at least once a week pukes up a pile of undigested cat food. He used to do it after almost every meal until I started feeding him smaller amounts throughout the day. (He was a stray so he still eats like every meal is his last.)
Is your cat actually puking up stuff or dry-heaving? Is it constant or just after eating? (One of my other cats started puking after eating and was diagnosed with hyperthyroid issues. Never a dull moment in this house.)
All I can think of is that a stressed cats tends to lose more hair which may equal more furballs but if this continues, please call the vet!
Thanks all.
Gulo, trust me this cat is not stressed. If anything he’s the dictionary illustration of fat, dumb, and happy.
My other cat, the sometime nutjob who howls at nothing in particular for no apparent reason at any time of day or night could do with some kitty prozac, but we’ve learned to take his moments of temporary insanity in stride.
Wrenchslinger
Oops, sorry. My bad. That part was for the OP’s question. I just know how much cats love to move to a new home and thought that stress could be involved.
My older cats do this. I think that it may be just them loosing their kitty wits. Or they’ve learned by then that yowling in a secluded part of the house brings me running to their aid. One of those “Kitty Party Tricks” that they don’t tell us about.
Some of ours will gak food repeatedly several days prior to getting rid of an especially nasty hairball. Does he have hairball problems? Chewing grass sometime helps by coating the tummy/throat and aiding gaking. Laxatone is great for easing hairballs out the other end.
If your gut says something could be really wrong, head on in to the vet.
Thanks for the responses, everone. We’ve been without internet for a few days, so I’m just responding.
It looks like it was just an isolated incident - she’s been perfectly normal ever since that one day. Who knows?
Wrenchslinger, how consistent are you with feeding times for your cat? When I’m a bad cat servant and feed Monty later than usual, he has a tendency to eat too fast – which often results in a wet pile of regurgitated but barely chewed food.