Why is the cat not eating and vomiting?

In the case where white foam vomiting occurs once, with the cat preserved appetite, it is active, then most likely, there is no reason to worry and the problem will pass on its own. But in case of repeated episodes and in the presence of other alarming signs, it is necessary to help the animal.

What to do if the cat vomits and doesn't eat anything?

Cats with gastrointestinal problems are among the most frequent patients of veterinary clinics. This makes them a constant concern for cat guardians. Digestive diseases have very distinctive signs and symptoms, but they are not always easy to distinguish. This is because similar symptoms can be present in very different diseases, which means that veterinarians must be skilled in diagnosing them.

Although the causes of gastrointestinal disease in cats are varied, there are certain references that may give us a clue. Vomiting and diarrhea are the most obvious symptoms of an eating disorder, but we need to examine the accompanying symptoms to better understand the problem. If you see your cat not eating and vomiting, it gives us an idea of what the problem may be.

Why is the cat not eating and vomiting?

When a cat starts vomiting all the time, there is a high probability of loss of appetite. It is also possible that your cat may lose her appetite without vomiting. If the cat is not taking any medication at this time, it is likely that the refusal to eat will be part of the clinical picture. Lack of appetite (loss of appetite) is something that needs to be addressed in any animal. In cats, it is especially important because of their sensitivity and possible liver damage.

Many factors can cause gradual or sudden loss of appetite in a cat. However, if we see our cat vomiting at the same time as he loses his appetite, this is a sure sign of a problem. If the cat is vomiting and not eating for more than 24 hours, a veterinarian consultation will be required.

When the cat is taken to the vet, they will perform various diagnostic tests to determine the underlying cause. They will check to see if the cat is experiencing any discomfort or pain, perform a physical exam to see if they can find any inflammation, and ask the context of their condition, such as whether they have lost their appetite.

The most common causes of vomiting and lack of appetite in cats are:

1. Diet: Cat owners often come to the vet's office with an animal that vomits regularly. If the loss of appetite is also persistent, one of the most common causes is malnutrition. This may be because the cat has certain nutritional needs that are not being met by the food you buy.
2. Foreign bodies.: Sometimes a foreign body or object can block the digestive tract. This means that the food that goes down cannot be digested and goes back up. The reason for swallowing a foreign object could be because they accidentally ate something they shouldn't be eating, or because the dead hair they lick off their body comes together in a hairball.
3. Frequency of eating.: Not all animals have the same eating habits. The caregiver needs to know how much an individual cat will need in terms of quality and quantity of food. One of the problems that can make a cat vomit and not eat anything is to feed them too much in one sitting. Cats usually regulate their intake, but it is possible that they will eat too much and then not be able to eat or even vomit.
4. Gastritis: This is an inflammation of the stomach that can occur from either prolonged starvation or from eating poor quality food. In these cases, we will need to check their diet to make sure that it meets all of the cat's nutritional needs. Cats with gastritis are better off giving smaller meals more often. This is partly because when the cat is expecting food, it produces stomach acid, which can aggravate gastritis.
5. Pancreatitis: The pancreas produces enzymes necessary for digestion. When this function is impaired, feline quality of life is markedly reduced. One of the characteristic signs of pancreatitis is persistent vomiting and loss of appetite.
6. Parasitosis: Among the many symptoms, parasite infestation can cause vomiting and loss of appetite. Diarrhea is also a frequent symptom. Cats have many different types of internal parasites that act in different ways. They can also cause the gastritis described above.
7. Neoplasms: This is any type of abnormal growth caused by abnormal cell replication. This can take many forms, including tumors, both malignant and benign. The result is vomiting in cats and often loss of appetite due to blockage caused by the neoplasm.

Yellow vomiting.

Vomit excreted in a cat may have a variety of impurities. The appearance of yellow vomit indicates the presence of large amounts of bile acids in the stomach. The main reason for the appearance of vomit colored yellow are disorders of the hepatobiliary system. It occurs against the background of intoxication of the body or consumption of excessive fatty food by the cat. Self-prescribing treatment at home, is fraught with the development of complications. Therefore, in advance, when vomiting, colored yellow in the cat, you should go to the veterinary clinic.

The appearance of an eruption of gastric contents containing undigested food particles most often indicates that the cat absorbed food too quickly. This is observed after long periods of starvation. The pet tries to fill itself up, swallowing large chunks of food without even chewing.

In this case, the main task of the owner of the pet is to reduce the amount of food, slicing food into small pieces. Cats can also overeat when they live in whole groups in the house. Competition creates a specific struggle between pets. In such cases, it is necessary to feed separately from each other, so that the animals can eat in peace without fear that their portion will be taken from them.

Lactating cats can burp bits of food, giving pre-digested food to their growing kittens. The digestive system of small kittens is slowly getting used to adult food, which consists mostly of large amounts of protein. Lack of protein in the diet also negatively affects the overall condition of the animal. Vomiting may occur. Normally fermented food is better digested by the intestines.

The occurrence of vomiting may be provoked by the consumption of cow's milk by the cat. Adult cats, contrary to conventional wisdom, cannot fully digest milk. The lack of an enzyme that breaks down lactose leads to indigestion. In addition to eruptions of gastric contents, the pet may have other digestive disorders.

Vomiting with blood

The appearance of vomit in a cat with blood admixture is always a red flag. Bloody vomit is a sign of serious changes in the pet's body. The presence of dark blood or coagulated blood in the vomit mass indicates the development of pathological processes in the stomach area.

The presence of scarlet blood in the vomit indicates that the disease is localized in the esophagus or mouth of the cat. The most innocuous causes of blood in cat vomit are oral trauma or gum disease.

Serious pathologies such as gastric ulcers, inflammatory processes and malignant tumors can also provoke the appearance of blood. It is necessary to know the exact causes of the specific syndrome. This can only be done in the inpatient setting of the veterinary clinic after a thorough diagnostic examination. Only after that can the doctor develop an individual therapy regimen.

What vomiting after a meal can be

Vomiting after a meal is not always a disease, it can be a sign of a one-time purge for physiological reasons. By its appearance and consistency, you can determine the cause that caused the stomach to reject food. If a cat vomits after eating undigested food, the vomit should be examined and, if suspicious, contact the veterinarian.

Undigested food

If a cat vomits after eating undigested food, it means that the cat was overfed or ate too quickly. Large pieces of food that are greedily swallowed cannot be digested by the stomach, hence the problem.

Owners should keep in mind that a single case of vomiting does not pose a threat to the health of the pet, but if it occurs repeatedly, a doctor's appointment should be made. One of the causes of constant vomiting of undigested food may be a pancreatic disorder or problems with the stomach itself.

With hairballs.

Cat breeds with long, thick hair may well suffer from vomiting with hairballs (trichobezoars). During licking, the pet swallows the hair, it accumulates in the stomach and causes discomfort. Large clumps of hair irritate the mucous walls of the stomach, the so-called tickling. Trichobezoars interfere with normal digestion of food and, as a result, cause a vomiting reaction.

If the fur is constantly swallowed by the animal, it clogs the stomach or intestines themselves – this requires urgent treatment, as it can be fatal. Special pastes or herbs can help prevent the trouble – by eating them, the cat feels nauseous. Vomiting removes the hair from the body, and he continues to function normally.

Diagnosis of pathologies

The help of a specialist is required on a mandatory basis if the nausea is observed in the pet for more than a day or every day.

The veterinarian will diagnose the state of health, as well as monitor the condition. First of all, he will perform palpation – palpation of the abdomen. This will detect lumps, congestion or swellings. At the same time, the doctor will ask the owner about the cat's behavior in recent days, its diet and pastime.

In case of suspected illness, urine and blood tests will be prescribed, in more complicated cases ultrasound or X-rays will be required. After the results are ready, the veterinarian will tell you what to do if the cat vomits after eating, how and how to treat it. In rare cases (blockage of the intestines, tumors) surgery may be required.

Self-diagnosis is possible only if the cat vomited once and feels well. In all other cases you need to take the pet to the hospital or call the doctor at home.

Vomiting or regurgitation?

A discharge of the contents of the digestive tract through the mouth is not always vomiting. In cats, vomiting can be confused with regurgitation.

Vomiting is an active process accompanied by noticeable muscle tension. Vomit contains gastric juice, which gives it an acidic smell. Vomiting is usually preceded by nausea, which can be guessed from the animal's restlessness, copious salivation, and gagging.

Vomiting, unlike vomiting, occurs without visible effort on the part of the animal and is often devoid of preceding symptoms. The masses regurgitated by the cat are usually odorless and contain undigested food. Vomiting can occur in diseases of the esophagus: pathological dilation (megaesophagus), constriction (stenosis), inflammation (esophagitis) or if the esophagus is blocked by a foreign body.

Is vomiting dangerous for a cat?

Vomiting is the body's defensive reaction aimed at freeing the gastrointestinal tract from foreign bodies, excess food, and poisonous substances.

The reasons for its occurrence can be relatively harmless or serious, indicating a life-threatening condition for the animal.

Also relevant to the health of the pet are the possible consequences of vomiting itself: the loss of body fluid and electrolytes with the vomit, the risk of aspiration pneumonia and inflammation of the esophagus.

Symptoms

Vomiting in a cat yellow, even single vomiting is a reason to contact a veterinary specialist, as it is a serious symptom indicating a disorder in the body.

Immediately it is necessary to go to the clinic if the pet has repeated vomiting with bile and blood clots, concentrated with admixtures of mucus. Such symptoms indicate bowel obstruction, perforation of the stomach by an ulcer or decay of a malignant tumor in the area of the intestinal loops.

In the case of fountain vomiting (when it is not possible to leave the house with the animal), a doctor should be called to the house. The younger the animal, the greater the risk of dehydration from prolonged vomiting.

In addition to vomiting bile, there may be other characteristic symptoms:

It is problematic to independently identify the cause of what is happening, and prescribing an independent treatment is also life-threatening for the animal. Any delay in providing the cat with skilled care can cost its life.

When contacting a veterinarian, the veterinarian performs a general clinical examination and collects a detailed medical history. The anamnesis must necessarily indicate what the animal was eating the day before the vomiting, whether there are any chronic diseases.

In some cases the doctor may be satisfied with just the clinical examination and the anamnesis. But in the vast majority of cases a serious examination is necessary to make an accurate diagnosis. Accurate diagnosis includes:

• ultrasound examination;
• X-rays of liver structures, gallbladder and bowel loops;
• Computed tomography if tumor processes are suspected;
• endoscopy to rule out inflammation in the stomach and duodenum;
• general analysis of blood and urine;
• examination of vomit samples.

Treatment

Yellow vomiting in a cat is a dangerous and alarming sign that requires immediate treatment. The most common cause of yellow vomit is caused by problems with liver structures. The most common are – cirrhosis, hepatitis, hepatosis, biliary stone disease, cholecystitis, liver failure.

Depending on the main cause diagnosed, therapy will be aimed specifically at eliminating it.

With hepatitis of a toxic nature (resulting from poisoning by poisonous plants, intoxication by zoocoumarins, medications or poor quality food) treatment includes taking the following drugs:

Hepatitis of an infectious nature, provoked by viral infections, parasitic infestations are treated with a special diet and immunostimulants. Treatment also includes the administration of vitamin preparations, antispasmodics, and in some cases antibiotics.

Hepatoses (fat deposits on the organ itself) are treated with a special diet and medications. Limiting fats of animal origin in the cat's diet, as well as a diet based on an increased content of protein components, usually stabilizes the condition of the pet. If the pet's hepatosis has developed against the background of diabetes mellitus, treatment is prescribed taking into account the underlying disease.

The development of cholelithiasis is also accompanied by vomiting yellow fluid. Treatment is based on the use of heat procedures to relieve spasms, drugs that have a choleretic effect. In the case of a large formation of concrements clogging the bile passages, surgical treatment is used, which involves crushing the stones with ultrasound waves.

Liver failure is a dangerous condition that requires immediate hospitalization of the furry pet. Therapy consists of some basic points:

• Controlling the underlying causes of the disease with antimicrobials or hormones;
• removal of poisonous substances from the body;
• regulation of mineral metabolic processes;
• control of the work of the heart muscle;
• special dietary nutrition.

What is foamy vomiting by consistency

The appearance of white foamy vomit during a long hunger strike or severe stress is considered normal. In this case, the vomit will not smell unpleasant, any impurities (except a small amount of liquid) are absent.

If the hairball has been accumulating for a long time and has stagnated, the vomit may get an unpleasant smell. In this case it is advisable to look at what the cat burped up and make sure there are no bloody or greenish streaks. If there is no blood or green streaks, everything is fine, the body has coped by itself.

But if you see impurities or a change in color, smell a pungent foul odor, find blood or incomprehensible clots, it is better to call the vet immediately. A strong relentless gag reflex will cause dehydration and exhaustion, so your pet will definitely need your help.

Treatment at home and at the vet

If you notice unusual vomiting in your pet, you should try to help before you even get to the vet. At home, it is important to create a comfortable environment. Never scold your pet for displaying uncontrollable physiological reactions! Monitor the cat carefully, and note in a notebook any unusual phenomena or associated symptoms – the veterinarian will be sure to ask about them.

A bowl should have clean, filtered water at room temperature, but food should be put away for the time being – especially if you suspect illness. Protect your pet from molestation by children and other animals. Prepare a comfortable carrier and a warm blanket for transport to the clinic (if it's cold outside).

First Aid at Home

The very first action is to restrict the pet from eating, unless we are talking about hunger nausea. For twenty-four hours you should not give food – this will reduce the strain on the body. Be sure to look closely at the vomit, so you can describe everything accurately to the doctor. Ideally, take a picture of them. See if there are any contributing factors: is the cat restless, is he drooling, is there any complaining noises, etc.

If the cat is vomiting because he is hungry offer him just a little bit of boiled diet food – chicken or beef broth, a little wet food. Start with one tablespoon of food, then gradually, over two days, increase the portion to a regular portion. At this time, the interval between feedings should be minimal – up to 3 hours.

Water must be freely available during the starvation diet. Only bottled or filtered liquid should be used – tap water will only do more harm. If the condition stabilizes, you can give some boiled rice.

If nausea persists, provide first aid to prevent dehydration. Most likely, the vet on the phone will recommend the following:

How to feed a cat when vomiting

At the clinic, the specialist will definitely recommend putting the cat on a sparing diet or keeping it on starvation for 1-2 days. Starvation allows the mucous membrane to recover from vomiting. The presence of an inflammatory process in the gastrointestinal tract prevents the full breakdown and digestion of food, so any food will not only be useless, but will also lead to new attacks.

When vomiting is a one-time event, not related to digestive tract diseases, it is allowed to feed the animal after some time. As a rule, the cat itself lets you know about it. In such cases, the first meals are a dietary menu that excludes fatty, protein products. The diet can include: rice broth, vegetable puree (for example, intended for children), lean broth. If the pet is used to industrial food, you should choose special offerings from the category of therapeutic foods.

Is vomiting dangerous for the pet?

One-time vomiting in cats, in the absence of a triggering disease, is not dangerous. Frequent and profuse reflexes can have serious consequences: the immune system becomes weaker, the body's energy reserves are depleted and the cat becomes vulnerable to infections.

But the main danger is dehydration, especially if vomiting is accompanied by diarrhea. To check if there is a significant loss of water, you can do the following: grasp an area of skin on the animal's body and pull the fold back a little. If there is enough fluid in the tissues it will spread out quickly, otherwise the fold will remain or take some time to return to its original position. The latter option means that the cat should be taken urgently to the clinic for immediate action.

How to prevent vomiting

Preventive measures to prevent vomiting in a cat:

• Provide quality food, balanced in composition, without harmful additives that negatively affect the liver;
• If changing to a different food, introduce it gradually;
• Keep to one type of feeding (for example, don't unnecessarily "jump" from dry food to natural food)
• Treat your pet for dehelminthization in a timely manner;
• Vaccinate the cat against cat infectious diseases, consult your veterinarian and adhere to his vaccination plan;
• periodically comb out the cat's hair;
• Make the cat safe by restricting access to household chemicals, rodent poison, and medications;
• Keep bowls clean;
• Do not allow long periods of hunger or excessive food consumption by the animal.

We must remember that vomiting is not only a symptom of the cat's body, but also a potentially life-threatening condition. An attentive owner will be able to surmise the cause of vomiting and take the pet to the clinic or provide treatment at home. Following preventive measures will help avoid unpleasant situations later on.

Why a cat won't eat or drink for several days

A pet can refuse food and water due to a number of factors. The most common reason is poor health. This is possible with stress, which is associated with a sudden change of environment, repairs, noisy parties, etc. Cats are very sensitive to any changes, so the body may react in this way.

In some cases, unpalatable food is the provocateur of the problem. If there is a sudden change of diet, the pet may not react in the best way. Especially if the food is cheap and of poor quality. In this case, the problem can be solved very simply – you need to return to the usual diet.

A stressed cat may not eat or drink for several days

Kittens may refuse food and water due to gastrointestinal disorders. The fact that the little cat has a weak immune system, and any error in diet may provoke disorders of digestive function, which is accompanied by poor appetite and liquid stools. Additional factors: hypodermic mites, fleas and other parasitic infections.

Attention! If the pet does not want to eat and drink, the first thing to look at is the coat and skin, which should be normally clean. Then you should pay attention to the cat's nose. If it is moist, the temperature is in the normal range.

A sick animal may refuse food and water during an exacerbation of the inflammatory process, as the body fights the pathology. Such abstinence from food often does not exceed a few days. Additionally, the pet may have an elevated body temperature. After the fever disappears, the appetite is quickly restored. In this case, it is important to find out what disease has provoked the onset of symptoms.

What diseases may cause

The following diseases can provoke the loss of appetite and refusal of water in cats

• malignant tumors – for a long time can be asymptomatic, most often affect older animals, which at the same time begin to lose weight rapidly and prefer a sedentary lifestyle;
• Renal failure – can occur in a cat at any age, and the cat rarely goes to the toilet, the urine is excreted in small amounts;
• Worm infestations – are a common cause of loss of appetite in the animal at any age, in addition there are often symptoms such as stool disorders, weight loss, hair loss, vomiting, etc;
• Fungal diseases – accompanied by poor appetite, refusal of water, hair loss, rashes on the skin, itching and a general unsatisfactory condition in which the cat refrains from mobile games;
• Intestinal obstruction – can be a consequence of lumps of hair, worm infestation, with the pet does not go to the toilet, trying to hide.

Fungal diseases in cats may cause poor appetite

Cats may refuse food and water during heat, which is associated with hormonal changes in the body. As a rule, appetite is restored within a few days.

The cat of an acquaintance suddenly lost its appetite and drank very little. At first she thought it had something to do with the extreme heat. Then the cat started hiding and lost a lot of weight. When I came to visit her and called her pet, he came out of hiding. He was terribly skinny, he could barely sit up. Suddenly, I found a sore on his withers and no fur in that area. I told him to go to the vet right away, because I suspected a mite. I recommend that you carefully examine your pets if they have poor appetite and refuse water. The provoking factors are not always as harmless as they may seem at first glance. Now the cat has almost completely recovered, but long-term therapy is still required.

Treatment

Treatment of foaming vomiting depends on the cause of occurrence. If the cause is natural factorhelp is usually not necessary – in this case the foaming vomiting is a defense mechanism against the factor that caused it, and it goes away on its own.

If, however If the cat is vomiting because of a diseaseEach case of treatment is different and it is always only a qualified help in a veterinary institution.

If During heat or pregnancy cat periodically vomits and it repeats at every episode, then the animal should be examined for pathologies. In some cases, the only solution in this situation will be to have the animal sterilized.

When vomiting is caused by helminths, the cat is selected and prescribed antihelminthic drugs. This is done strictly under the supervision of a doctor. It may be necessary to prepare the pet for deworming, since parasites may excrete toxic substances when they die in the intestinal tract, and thus significantly worsen the condition of the animal.

Vomiting caused by poisoning, digestive tract diseases, infections, obstruction, tumors, sepsis, kidney and heart disease requires an individualized approach. The treatment regimen for each variant may be very different and is chosen by the treating physician based on the symptoms and the facilities of the clinic.

Whatever the cause of vomiting in a cat, if it recurs frequently and dehydration is present, the animal is prescribed IVs to replenish fluid in the body. In some cases, the doctor prescribes antiemetics.

In the case of intestinal obstruction due to the presence of an ingested foreign object in the digestive tract, the cat will require surgery. If the animal is taken to the clinic at an early stage of the problem of obstruction, an endoscopy – extraction of the foreign object by means of an endoscopic device – may be sufficient. This procedure is non-traumatic – does not require an incision. It is performed strictly under anesthesia. As a rule, animals quickly return to normal.

What to do if the kitten vomits white foam?

For a kitten, the presence of foamy vomiting is a very alarming sign. In his case, there is a high risk of developing a dangerous disease. Most often it is a sign of infection, poisoning or helminth infestation. Since kittens have an active metabolism and have not yet developed defense systems sufficiently, the disease can develop rapidly and can be fatal. Therefore, in any case, the kitten must be shown to a veterinarian to quickly provide skilled care.

The best way to prevent foamy vomiting in cats is to follow the rules of maintenance, care and feeding. Keep an eye on your cat – identifying signs of ailment in the early stages will prevent the disease from developing.

1. Observe the rules of maintenance and hygiene of the cat;
2. Adhere to the rules and regulations of feeding – The frequency and time of feedings, as well as the volume of portions should always be the same (except in cases of changes in the physiological status of the animal: pregnancy, feeding kittens, old age, diseases). Make sure that the cat does not go hungry for a long time. If the cat refuses food for more than 1-2 days, you should start force-feeding. But it is better to show your cat to a doctor to find and eliminate the cause of the lack of appetite;
3. Feed your cat a quality and balanced cat food. If the cat is diagnosed with gastritis, the doctor will prescribe a specialized therapeutic diet followed by a transition to a food designed for cats with sensitive digestion. For example, Purina ONE® Sensitive Cat Food, which contains hypoallergenic ingredients such as rice and turkey to reduce gastric sensitivity, and valuable ingredients such as fish oil, yeast, beet pulp, chicory and minerals that have a positive effect on the cat's digestion, coat quality and overall health;
4. Give timely deworming, vaccinations and treatments for external parasites;
5. Regularly comb the cat's hair to get rid of shedding hair. Combing is an excellent way to prevent the accumulation of hairballs in the stomach and intestines. This is especially true for long-haired breeds and all cats during the moulting period. For the same purpose, you can additionally give your cat pastes and treats to remove hairballs from the digestive tract or Purina ONE® Dry Cat Food for a beautiful coat and healthy skin, which helps to control the formation of hairballs in the digestive system and maintain the beauty and health of the coat and skin;
6. Bathe your cat periodically to additionally get rid of shedding hair. If you use a quality shampoo and conditioner for cats, you can bathe them at a frequency of once a month. During bathing procedures, hair follicles relax and give up dead hair more easily. Therefore, washing the pet in warm water helps to get rid of shedding hair more effectively than just brushing it out. The main rule is to dry the cat completely with a hair dryer after bathing and to eliminate drafts in the room. If the cat is afraid of the blow-dryer or the owner has a fear of performing this procedure himself at home, the best option is a professional grooming procedure at a grooming salon;
7. Visit your veterinarian periodically for preventive examinations. This will allow you to identify diseases in the early stages and treat them in a timely manner.