Brenda Khan
Cats throw up for many reasons, and it may be a sign of a serious illness. It is important to identify the cause of your cat's vomiting, which could be due to a food allergy or intolerance, or even hairballs. Dietary changes can help manage your cat's condition, and veterinarians can help diagnose underlying health issues and recommend dietary changes. For cats with chronic vomiting, a diet change can be therapeutic and diagnostic. A bland, easily digestible diet given in small quantities may help, and you should ensure your cat's food is free from potentially irritating ingredients.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Diet composition | Animal-sourced proteins and fats |
| Avoid animal by-products, artificial additives, legumes, corn, and wheat | |
| Include whole grains, fruits, and vegetables | |
| Fat content | Moderate (between 10% and 20%) |
| Carbohydrate content | Dry matter under 10% |
| Food type | Bland, easily digestible, and in small quantities |
| Low-carb, allergen-free, and all-natural | |
| High-quality, nutrient- and calorie-dense | |
| Food examples | Boiled chicken or turkey, white fish, canned pumpkin, steamed rice, cooked sweet potato, meat-flavoured baby food |
| Royal Canin Gastrointestinal High Energy cat food, Hill’s ID cat food, Hill’s Science Diet Adult Sensitive Stomach | |
| Other remedies | Anti-emetic (anti-vomiting) medication, stomach protectants (e.g., Pepcid or sucralfate) |
| Brush cat's fur regularly or give over-the-counter supplements to prevent hairballs | |
| Slow down eating and drinking, and give smaller meals |
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What You'll Learn
Bland, easily digestible food in small quantities
If your cat is throwing up, it is recommended to consult a veterinarian to identify the underlying cause and determine the best course of treatment. Dietary changes can be made in consultation with a veterinarian, who can advise on specific foods and feeding practices to alleviate vomiting.
One approach to managing cat vomiting is to offer bland, easily digestible food in small quantities. This may include boiled or cooked chicken, turkey, white fish, or lean meats. These options are gentle on the stomach and can help entice cats to eat again without causing further upset. It is important to ensure that the meats are thoroughly cooked and do not include any bones, salt, or extra seasonings. Canned pumpkin, steamed rice, and cooked sweet potato are other bland options that can be easily digested.
When transitioning to a new diet, it is crucial to do so gradually over a period of at least seven to ten days. This involves slowly mixing the new food into the cat's current diet and gradually increasing the proportion of new to old food. A sudden change in diet can trigger digestive problems and make vomiting worse.
It is important to note that chicken, baby food, and white fish are not complete diets for cats and should only be used for a few days or as a short-term solution. Cat foods formulated for sensitive stomachs, such as Purina ONE +Plus Sensitive Skin & Stomach Natural Dry Adult Cat Food, can be considered. These foods typically have limited ingredients and are easily digestible, helping to keep your cat's digestive system running smoothly.
In addition to dietary changes, it is important to address other factors that may contribute to vomiting. This includes monitoring portion sizes and feeding frequencies to prevent overeating or eating too quickly. Regular brushing of long-haired cats or cats that groom themselves often can help prevent hairballs, which are a common cause of vomiting. Keeping toxic plants, human medications, yarn, string, chocolate, and small objects out of your cat's reach is crucial to prevent accidental ingestion and potential digestive complications.
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Limited-ingredient prescription diet
If your cat is throwing up, it is important to consult your vet to understand the underlying issues. Your vet might recommend a limited-ingredient prescription diet to address the issue. A limited-ingredient diet can help identify whether your cat's vomiting is caused by a sensitivity or allergy to certain foods.
Some recommended limited-ingredient prescription diets for cats with sensitive stomachs include Blue Buffalo Sensitive Stomach Natural Dry Cat Food and Purina ONE Sensitive Systems Dry Cat Food. These diets are formulated with easily digestible, high-quality ingredients and are free from common allergens and artificial additives. They also include natural fibres to help regulate the digestive system and promote overall health.
In addition to a limited-ingredient prescription diet, you can also try feeding your cat plain, cooked chicken or white fish. These options are gentle on the stomach and can help entice your cat to eat again. However, it is important to note that chicken and baby foods are not complete diets for cats and should only be used for a few days.
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Animal-sourced proteins
Cats are obligate carnivores, meaning they require a diet rich in lean animal-sourced proteins. Cats need 22 amino acids, 10 of which are essential amino acids that must be sourced from their diet. Animal-based protein sources contain a unique amino acid-like compound called taurine, which is essential for cats.
When choosing a cat food, look for products that list an animal ingredient first and are composed mainly of animal-sourced proteins and fats. These will be the most digestible for your cat. Avoid products that contain more plant-based protein sources than animal-based sources, as well as those that contain artificial additives and hard-to-digest carbohydrates like legumes, corn, and wheat.
If your cat is vomiting, it is important to identify the cause, which could be due to various reasons, including underlying health issues, dietary intolerance, or allergies. A diet change can be therapeutic as well as diagnostic for cats with chronic vomiting. For example, a low-carb, higher-protein canned food diet might help. If your cat is experiencing stomach sensitivity on dry food, you can try switching to a wet food diet.
If your cat is throwing up, you can try offering them plain, cooked chicken or turkey, which is gentle on the stomach and enticing enough to get them interested in eating again. White fish is another option that is easy on the stomach and appetizing for cats. Ensure that the meat is cooked thoroughly and does not include any salt, bones, or extra seasonings. These options should only be used short-term, as they are not balanced diets.
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Food allergies or sensitivities
If your cat is throwing up, it could be due to a food allergy or sensitivity. Food allergies or sensitivities are common causes of vomiting in cats, and they may be allergic or sensitive to certain ingredients in their food, most often a protein source. Cats with food allergies or sensitivities may also experience other symptoms such as diarrhoea, itching, and skin infections.
If you suspect that your cat has a food allergy or sensitivity, it is important to consult your veterinarian. They may recommend testing your cat for allergies and other conditions to determine the underlying cause. This could involve a diet trial, keeping your cat on a new diet for several weeks to see if the vomiting stops. Your veterinarian may also recommend a diet change to a cat food with limited ingredients or hydrolyzed protein. A hydrolyzed diet is a type of food where the protein is broken down into amino acid components, which prevents your cat's immune system from identifying the food as an allergen.
It is important to transition your cat slowly onto any new diet. Sudden dietary changes can trigger digestive problems in cats and may make vomiting worse. Start by mixing a small amount of the new food into your cat’s current diet, gradually increasing the proportion of new to old food over the course of at least 7 to 10 days.
Some specific foods that may be recommended for cats with food allergies or sensitivities include:
- Royal Canin Gastrointestinal High Energy cat food
- Hill’s ID cat food
- Bland human foods such as meat-flavoured baby food (without onion or garlic powder) or boiled chicken
- Plain, cooked chicken or white fish: These are gentle on the stomach and enticing enough to get your cat interested in eating again. Ensure that the meat is cooked thoroughly and does not include any bones, salt, or extra seasonings.
- Canned pumpkin, steamed rice, or cooked sweet potato
- Hill’s Science Diet Adult Sensitive Stomach: This is a grain-free recipe, which may be a good choice if your cat has a grain allergy.
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Hairball formula
Cat vomiting can be separated into two categories: chronic and acute. Chronic vomiting means the cat is throwing up with some regularity, at least monthly, but it can be daily. Acute vomiting refers to when a cat who usually doesn't vomit starts vomiting. If your cat is throwing up, it's important to identify the cause and consult a veterinarian to rule out any underlying health issues.
If your cat is vomiting due to hairballs, you can try switching to a hairball formula food. Hairball formulas typically include increased fiber, oil, minerals, and vitamins that help the swallowed hair pass through the digestive system naturally. However, be cautious about adding too much fiber to your cat's diet, as it may interfere with nutrient absorption. If you're already using a hairball formula, additional fiber may not be necessary.
Several commercial cat food brands offer hairball formula products, such as Whiskas (now rebranded as "Furball") and Untamed. Untamed's recipes are formulated by vets, hypoallergenic, and free from common allergens. They also contain high levels of animal-based protein, taurine, and other amino acids.
In addition to a hairball formula diet, you can try using a mild laxative to help your cat pass hair clumps. A tiny amount of olive oil added to your cat's meal can also lubricate their digestive tract and make it easier for hairballs to pass through. Regular grooming and brushing can help minimize hairballs by reducing the amount of fur your cat ingests during self-grooming.
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Frequently asked questions
If your cat is vomiting due to hairballs, switch their food to one with a hairball formula. You can also buy over-the-counter dietary supplements and hairball remedies. If your cat is vomiting because they are overeating, try giving them smaller portions more frequently throughout the day. You can also buy a bowl that makes your cat eat slower.
If your cat has a sensitive stomach, you can try Purina ONE +Plus Sensitive Skin & Stomach Natural Dry Adult Cat Food, which includes a limited-ingredient and easily digestible formula. You can also try Hill’s Science Diet Adult Sensitive Stomach, which is a grain-free recipe.
Your cat might need to be on a bland diet for a few days. You can give them plain, cooked chicken or white fish, but make sure that the meat is cooked thoroughly and does not include any salt, bones, or extra seasonings. You can also try meat-flavoured baby food, but make sure it does not contain any onion or garlic powder.
If your cat is vomiting several times a day or for multiple days in a row, take them to the vet. Your vet will run tests to identify the underlying condition and may prescribe medication to treat it.
