The experience of a cat that throws up everything is nerve-wracking. I am sure you are trying your best to find out what the cat should feed on at this point. Here’s what you can feed a cat that throws up everything!
Ideal Food Choices for a Vomiting Cat
Here are the best food choices for a vomiting cat.
Easily Digestible Food
Your veterinarian may recommend a prescription diet of easily digestible cat food, such as Royal Canin Gastrointestinal, or commercially available sensitive stomach cat food.
Foods like that that prevent throwing up contain easy to digest proteins, adequate calories, and usually fiber and probiotics to promotes gut health and improves digestion.
Hypoallergenic Cat Diets
Hypoallergenic cat food can be pricey but worth it to stop vomiting. They are usually limited ingredient, with no grains or common allergens, and contain inflammatory ingredients.
Prescription versions may contain hydrolyzed protein, or protein that’s been treated to not affect the GI system during digestion.
Hairball Control Cat Food
If the causes of vomiting have to do with hairballs, then hairball control cat foods high in fiber may do the trick. Most commercial brands offer a hairball formula.
You can also try a raw diet like Small’s Fresh Cat Food. They make human-grade cat food with chicken, turkey, beef, and fish options.
Cats who eat raw are consuming more species specific nutrition and less carbs and fillers. This can lead to less GI distress and less vomiting overall.
Bland Human Food
Go for meat-flavored baby food that does not contain vegetables, fruits, onion, garlic, or salt. Sugars and dairy products can also cause a reaction.
Bland foods such as rice and boiled boneless chicken contain low fat and fiber. Keep your cat on a bland diet for about two days after the vomiting has stopped.
Causes of Vomiting in Cats
Many possible reasons could lead a cat to vomit more frequently than usual. They include:
Toxins: Cats are likely to consume toxins from general household items. They might come into contact with cleaning products or some plants.
Medication: Antibiotics or anti-inflammatory drugs could also cause a cat to vomit.
A Cat’s Diet: A cat could be allergic to certain food types or react to new diets by vomiting.
Disease: Most illnesses are likely to cause a cat to vomit.
Activity: Hyperactivity immediately after feeding may also cause them to vomit.
Eating Too Quickly: This can result in regurgitation, or the expelling of undigested food from the esophagus.
What Quality Cat Food Comprises
Your cat’s diet should be rich in protein, moderate fat, low carbs, and grain-free. By-products and fillers could also be toxic to your cat’s health. Artificial flavors and preservatives might be carcinogenic.
Because non-illness-related vomiting in cats arises from allergies or intolerant ingredients in foods over time, feeding high quality cat food is of paramount importance. Common allergens include proteins like chicken or fish because they’re so ubiquitous. Chicken free cat food exists for a reason!
Vomiting in Cats – When to Worry
Call your vet if your cat vomits more than three times a day. If the vomit contains blood or appears abnormal, consider it a medical emergency.
If your cat seems fine but keeps throwing up, it could be an allergic reaction. It could also be a bacterial infection. Try changing their diet and ensure it is well hydrated.
If the frequency of vomiting does not change, call your vet even if the cat seems fine.
Seeing Clear Liquid Vomit?
Your cat vomiting clear liquid could mean that it drunk too much water.
Any other issue such as constipation and bacterial infection can also cause clear liquid vomit. However, if it is frequent, it could be a sign of kidney disease or diabetes.
Prescription Medication for Cat Vomiting
If your cat’s vomiting persists, vet can prescribe medication. The standard prescriptions include:
Maropitant citrate (brand name Cerenia®)
This drug treats vomiting and motion sickness in cats. The drug is given orally or through an injection. The common side effects of this drug are hypersalivation and sometimes vomiting.
Famotidine (brand name Pepcid®)
This oral tablet or syrup treats vomiting caused by ulcers or gut issues. It reduces the acid in your cat’s stomach. If your cat vomits when you administer the drug with food, try it without food. Then feed the cat after an hour or two.
Metronidazole (brand name Flagyl®)
Flagyl is an injectable antibiotic. It treats vomiting and diarrhoea resulting from inflammatory issues. Do not administer this drug if your cat is pregnant. It alleviates vomiting in a few days.
I’m Gary Hu, a proud cat dad to a 15 lb Maine Coon. Have taken care of outdoor and indoor cats for over 10 years, and learned tons on behavior, habits, health, and products. I help new Maine Coon (or any other cat) parents with common questions and issues based on real, practical experience.
