Best Cat Food for Cats That Throw Up: Understanding and Solutions

Dealing with a cat that frequently throws up can be concerning for any pet owner. Vomiting isn’t just unpleasant to witness; it can also be a sign of underlying health issues or sensitivities, often related to diet. Choosing the right Cat Food For Cats That Throw Up is crucial in managing and potentially resolving this problem. This guide will explore the reasons behind feline vomiting and how to select the best dietary options to soothe your cat’s sensitive stomach.

Cats vomit for a variety of reasons, ranging from minor digestive upsets to more serious medical conditions. While occasional vomiting, such as expelling a hairball, might be normal, frequent or forceful vomiting warrants attention. Understanding the possible causes is the first step in finding the right solution, which often starts with their food.

Identifying Potential Causes of Vomiting in Cats

Before diving into specific food types, it’s important to consider what might be causing your cat to throw up. Here are some questions your veterinarian might ask to pinpoint the issue:

Exposure to Toxins: Has your cat been around any plants or chemicals that could be toxic?
Onset of Vomiting: When did the vomiting start? Is it a recent issue or has it been ongoing?
Normal Diet: What does your cat typically eat? What brands and flavors?
Outdoor Access and Hunting: Does your cat go outside? If so, does it hunt and potentially ingest prey?
Vomit Composition: What does the vomit look like? (We’ll discuss this in detail below).
Medications: Is your cat currently taking any medications?
Other Symptoms: Is your cat also experiencing diarrhea?
Appetite: Is your cat eating normally, less, or not at all?
Timing of Vomiting: When does vomiting occur in relation to meals or other activities?
Weight Loss: Has your cat lost weight recently?
Changes in Thirst and Urination: Is your cat drinking or urinating more or less than usual?
Play Habits: Does your cat play with string or other objects they could ingest?

Answering these questions can provide valuable clues for your veterinarian and help determine the next steps, which might include diagnostic tests.

Decoding Cat Vomit: What It Can Tell You

While the appearance of vomit isn’t a definitive diagnosis, it can offer initial insights for your vet. Here’s what different types of vomit might indicate:

Yellow Vomit: This is bile, often suggesting an empty stomach or potentially liver issues. It can also simply mean your cat vomited up something yellow they ate.
Clear Vomit: This could be regurgitation from the esophagus or stomach fluids when the stomach is empty.
White, Foamy Vomit: Similar to clear vomit, this is often associated with regurgitation or an empty stomach.
Blood in Vomit: This indicates bleeding in the mouth, esophagus, or stomach and needs immediate veterinary attention.
Coffee-Ground Vomit: This appearance suggests digested blood from stomach bleeding, commonly seen with ulcers, and requires veterinary consultation.
Brown, Smelly Vomit: This could be due to bleeding in the upper gastrointestinal tract or from ingesting something brown and foul-smelling.
Undigested Food in Vomit: This signifies that food hasn’t moved out of the stomach properly, possibly due to food intolerances, allergies, obstructions, or gastrointestinal irritation. Note the time since your cat last ate, as vomiting undigested food a day after eating could point to a serious obstruction or motility disorder.

Veterinary Examination and Diagnostic Tests

Following a detailed history and observation of the vomit, a thorough physical examination by your veterinarian is crucial. They will check for:

Abdominal pain or masses
Foreign bodies (like string under the tongue)
Weight loss
Heart murmurs
Enlarged thyroid gland
Fever

These findings will guide the veterinarian in recommending further diagnostic tests.

Common Diagnostic Procedures

If necessary, initial tests usually include:

Abdominal X-rays: These can reveal organ abnormalities, foreign bodies, tumors, constipation, and other issues not detectable through physical examination alone.
Blood Work and Urinalysis: Blood tests can identify organ dysfunction and endocrine disorders like diabetes and hyperthyroidism. A urinalysis complements blood work to diagnose conditions like diabetes, kidney disease, and urinary tract infections. Blood work can also sometimes hint at toxin exposure.

Advanced Diagnostics

If initial tests are inconclusive, or if more detailed information is needed, your vet might recommend:

Barium Study: This helps detect foreign objects in the intestines or motility problems.
Ultrasound: Provides detailed images of organ structure and can guide biopsies for definitive diagnosis.
Endoscopy: A minimally invasive procedure using a scope to examine the stomach, upper intestines, or colon. It can detect and sometimes remove foreign objects not visible on X-rays and allows for tissue samples to be taken.

Exploratory Surgery

In cases of persistent vomiting unresponsive to initial treatments, or when serious conditions like foreign bodies or cancer are suspected, exploratory surgery might be necessary. Surgery allows for a comprehensive examination of the entire intestinal tract and other abdominal organs, enabling biopsies of the intestines, stomach, liver, pancreas, lymph nodes, and any abnormalities. While more invasive, surgery can sometimes be more effective than endoscopy for diagnosing complex issues.

Endoscopy is generally less expensive and invasive with a quicker recovery, but surgery offers a broader view and the ability to take larger and more varied biopsies. The choice between these procedures, and indeed whether to pursue advanced diagnostics at all, often comes down to a discussion between you and your veterinarian, considering the costs, invasiveness, and potential benefits.

Dietary Treatments: Choosing the Right Cat Food for Sensitive Stomachs

Dietary changes are a cornerstone of managing vomiting in cats, especially when food sensitivities or intolerances are suspected. For cats that frequently throw up, selecting the right cat food is paramount.

Easily Digestible Diets

For acute vomiting episodes or as a general approach for sensitive stomachs, easily digestible diets are often recommended. These diets are formulated to be gentle on the digestive system and reduce the likelihood of irritation. Options include:

Prescription Diets: Brands like Royal Canin Gastrointestinal High Energy, Hill’s Prescription Diet i/d, and Purina Pro Plan Veterinary Diets EN Gastroenteric are specifically designed for digestive issues.
Bland Homemade Diets: In the short term, bland, easily digestible human foods can be used, such as plain boiled chicken (no skin or bones) or meat-flavored baby food (ensure it contains no onion or garlic powder, which are toxic to cats). However, these should only be used temporarily (a few days at most) as they are not nutritionally complete for long-term feeding.

Limited Ingredient Diets

If food allergies or intolerances are suspected, a limited ingredient diet can be beneficial. These diets reduce the number of potential allergens by using a single novel protein source (one your cat hasn’t been exposed to before, such as duck, venison, or rabbit) and a limited number of other ingredients.

Prescription Limited Ingredient Diets: Many veterinary prescription brands offer limited ingredient options.
Over-the-Counter Limited Ingredient Diets: These are also available, but always check with your vet to ensure they meet your cat’s nutritional needs and are suitable for their specific condition.

High-Quality, Grain-Free Options?

While grain-free diets have become popular, there’s no definitive evidence that grains are inherently problematic for most cats. Food sensitivities in cats are more commonly related to protein sources. However, some cats may benefit from grain-free or diets with specific grain types. The focus should be on high-quality ingredients and digestibility, rather than simply avoiding grains.

Wet vs. Dry Food

The texture of food can also play a role. Some cats with sensitive stomachs tolerate wet food better than dry food. Wet food has higher moisture content, which can be beneficial for hydration and digestion. Experimenting with both wet and dry versions of easily digestible or limited ingredient diets might help identify what works best for your cat.

Other Feeding Strategies to Reduce Vomiting

Beyond choosing the right food, how you feed your cat can also make a difference:

Smaller, More Frequent Meals: Feeding smaller meals more often can be easier on the digestive system than large meals.
Slow Feeding: If your cat eats too quickly, they might be more prone to vomiting. Slow feeder bowls or puzzle feeders can help slow down eating.
Ensure Fresh Water: Always provide fresh, clean water to aid digestion and prevent dehydration, especially if your cat is vomiting.

When to Seek Veterinary Care

While dietary changes can often help manage vomiting, it’s crucial to know when veterinary intervention is necessary. Consult your veterinarian if your cat experiences any of the following:

Frequent or Persistent Vomiting: Vomiting more than once or twice a week, or vomiting that doesn’t resolve quickly.
Lethargy or Weakness: If your cat seems unusually tired or weak.
Loss of Appetite or Refusal to Eat: Especially if it lasts for more than 24 hours.
Weight Loss: Unexplained weight loss is always a concern.
Blood in Vomit or Coffee-Ground Vomit: These are signs of potential internal bleeding.
Other Symptoms: Diarrhea, fever, changes in urination or thirst, or any other concerning signs.

Conclusion: Finding the Right Diet for a Happier, Healthier Cat

Managing a cat that throws up frequently often involves a multi-faceted approach, with diet playing a central role. By understanding the potential causes of vomiting and working with your veterinarian to choose the best cat food for cats that throw up, you can significantly improve your cat’s comfort and well-being. Remember, patience and careful observation are key to finding the right dietary solution and ensuring your feline friend enjoys a healthier, happier life, free from frequent digestive upsets. Always consult with your veterinarian before making significant changes to your cat’s diet, especially if they are experiencing ongoing health issues.