Cat vomiting undigested food

JoolzS

Apologies if this ends up a bit long. I'm trying to give as much info as possible.

I have two cats, both moggies, about three years old, both rescued from being pretty much dumped outside for a month or two at the end of last year. They are both happily settled in their new home although the one I am worried about is a little bit jumpy. They are both fed on Gourmet Perle sachets (not because I think it's particularly good for any reason, but because they both like it) plus they have free access to dried food (pretty much any make because they aren't fussy about the dried stuff), and they always have a supply of fresh water.

One of them is regularly vomiting up undigested wet food - not every day, just maybe a couple of times a week. It doesn't seem to distress her in any way, other than I get the feeling she feels she is going to get yelled out (which never happens). She doesn't appear to be losing weight - when I pick her up she sometimes feels a little light but other times she feels just right. I don't think it's furballs as there are no obvious furballs in the vomit (although I will admit to not looking too closely because I have a very senstive vomit reflex). If I'm in the kitchen when she's eating I do notice that she will occasionally "scarf" the food down and I think that may be what is causing this problem.

I suppose I should ask a question at some point! Should I be worried about this? I have no real problem getting her to the vet other than it would mean my hubby taking her at the weekend or my mum taking her during the week because, for various reasons, I find it difficult to get out, but having had cats for many years this doesn't feel like a "must go to the vet" kind of thing. I also really hate putting them into a basket to take them to the vet because we are their third owners in less than two years and it seems to really, really distress them to be put into a basket to be taken anywhere.

Oh, and she is an indoor/outdoor cat, as is her sister, so I have no way of checking her stools. I have tried keeping them both in for a couple of days, but they both end up not using the litter tray and I'm sure that can't be healthy.

I should also add (and as I think about typing this I realise this could be the problem) they aren't fed to any regular timetable, although the dried food is always available and the cat with the problem does eat that as well as the wet food.

Any help or suggestions will be welcome. I've never had a cat with this problem before. I'm only asking right now because she's just done it again and I know that she didn't "scarf" the food down because I was in the kitchen while she was eating. In case it wasn't obvious I will also make it clear that the two cats are sisters and the other one doesn't have this problem at all.

Julie

Milford_Cubicle

Don't worry about it. Cats are terrible for vomiting a nice big pile of undigested food, usually on the carpet, in a big long line right where you'd usually step with bare feet
They have a terrible habit of eating when they're not actually hungry, just because they feel they have to and that's when food escape occurs.

If it was bile, or partially digested food more than once in a day then yes, I'd be a bit worried, especially if that was paired with not pooing, peeing or drinking. Puss sounds perfectly normal in all other ways. I know you say you can't check her poo, but she's obviously not 'expanding' (i.e. a blockage) and she's not vomiting faecal matter so you'll have to just chalk it up as one of those things

Kimberley

I agree, cats will sick anywhere, my Oscar does and he doesn't seem to understand to sick on the laminate rather then my rug

Don't worry about it

JoolzS

Thank you MC and Kimberley. I had a feeling that I was over-worrying. I had actually googled the vomiting thing and every website I clicked on seemed to suggest it was some sort of very expensive problem that involved surgery. The expense isn't that big a deal, but I hate the idea of putting my new(ish) little miss through any sort of unnecessary surgery. As long as she's not losing weight, I'll just have to cope with cleaning up the undigested food.

I'm now trying to work out if I'm more squicked by undigested food or half a mouse - one of my newest sweeties gives me undigested food but my lovely, now dead, sweetie used to give me half a mouse!

Julie

lowis

please do ask your vet for his opinion if this carries on or increases to more than twice a week. most vomiting can be harmless - as others have mentioned above, but sometimes it can also be the first signs of something serious. just keep a close eye on your cat, make sure she is not losing weight and that she remains her bright, perky self x

Waterfalls

if she is only vmiting the wet food. could you have a trial and only feed her the dry and see if the problem persists

retrocircles

she may have developed an intolerability to the food you're putting down. switch it & see how it goes. i went through a horrendously long list of wet foods to find one that oneof my cats wouldn't throw up.

some cats have sensitive stomachs, especially when stressed. stress is lethal to cats, and can cause an array of problems. maybe try a feliway diffuser? they're excellent. one of my cats had stress related cystitis which was helped to be cured by feliway.

UKTigerlily

Just wondering if she's wolfing the wet down worrying her sister might get it? I know with my rats they do that sometimes cause as soon as they turn round another is behind them waiting! Tho rats can't be sick but still lol

rita-rabbit

Cats do seem to naturally vomit more than other mammals I feel.

Have you checked for constipation or hairballs? Regular brushing/combing can help.

Also I would fed them to a timetable. Lastly don't rule out GREED: the greedier one of mine also is more fluffy & does seem to vomit more than the other one - they are both much more enthusiastic about wet food than dry (as they v rarely get wet), however wet food does contain additives.....

I would also ask the Vet - googling conditions is only an indication which cannot replace expert opionion/examination.

sandy2_2

Cats vomit undigested food in a long sausage shape, because they eat it too
quickly, try feeding small amounts more frequently and on her own

Kimberley

JoolzS wrote: »

I had actually googled the vomiting thing and every website I clicked on seemed to suggest it was some sort of very expensive problem that involved surgery.

Please do not believe everything you read on the internet, most of it is crap. You cannot be 100% sure unless you see a REAL vet.