|  |  | 
February 11th, 2009
|
| | Fish Keeper
| Cat throwing up
Hi gang,
Didn't realise until now about the cat section but I sure am glad it is here.
We have four cats, 2 males and 2 females, that have all been fixed. One male and female are brother and sister from a litter of 7 which we raised from 2 weeks old at our previous residence because their mother dissapeared (story for another time), the other male my wife rescued when he was a little kitten from outside her place of work so he wouldn't get run over and the 2nd female was given to us by my brother-in-law as they had a new baby.
Ok that's the quick history 
The problem is this; one of the males (the brother) often  up his food. This happens anywhere between 10 seconds to 30 seconds after he has eaten. Then at other times he'll eat and not barf at all. 
None of the other cats do it. Yes, they cough up the occasional hairball and thinking that might be the problem, we have switched to food that helps regarding that - Purina Friskies Indoor Delight - as all of the cats are indoor cats. Didn't make a difference.  We tried a feeding pattern of putting enough food in the bowls for three meals a day - no joy. So we went back to making sure the bowls are filled all the time, since cats like to go to and from their food and water bowls during the day.
We've had this problem for about 3 years (he and his sister are 4 years old) and while we've been able to put up with it, it is something I'd love to remedy for both our sake and his.
Other than this problem, he is absolutely fine, plays around with the others, jumps all over the place etc.
So any suggestions, ideas, advice are all welcome. Oh and pictures of our 4 cats are below (along with their occasional nicknames) with Buddy being the victim.
Cinders - 4 years old (Daddy's girl) aka Snooty
Buddy - 4 years old aka Budda or Barfhead
Felix - 2 years old (Mommy's boy) aka Doofuss
Dreamer - 2 years old aka Chubbybutt
Thanks,
D
| 
| | |
February 11th, 2009
|
| | Moderator
| I don't have any suggestions for you other than, have you asked your vet about it?
Your kitties are really cute.  | |
| | |
February 12th, 2009
|
| | Fish Keeper
| my fiance said that is likely from the cat eating too fast. There's nothing to do about it, it's just your cat being overly enthusiastic (or overly dumb, whichever way you look at it).
btw: she's a vet tech. Not an expert, but certainly knows what she's talking about. | |
| | |
February 12th, 2009
|
| | Fish Keeper
| If your cat is otherwise fine but throws up after he eats, I'd suspect hairballs in his stomach as they irritate the stomach lining. Then when he eats his stomach gets irritated further and up it comes. This is really common and affects different cats differently, depends on grooming habits and coat type etc. Hairball-treating foods really don't do all that much besides add a little extra fibre, with limited success.
This happens to my cats all the time (not good for bare feet....) I don't know that I'd call it 'normal' but it's definitely common. What I do for mine is take a small amount of petroleum jelly (yes, plain ol' Vaseline) and put it on their paws. You put it there so you're certain it gets inside him - they hate stuff on their feet and will lick it off. It works on the same principle as giving mineral oil to a baby. It lubricates everything so the offending 'article' comes out the proper side. They get this about once a month or so as a preventative, and more frequently if there's a persisitant issue. You can buy fancy remedies at the pet store but they're basically the same thing with flavouring, and cost more than is necessary to treat the problem.
If that doesn't help, THEN I'd go see a vet.
*I'm definitely no vet so take this with a grain of salt. I did train as a veterinary technologist a really long time ago and I've owned 2 cats for 11 years and recently acquired a new kitten. I'm not offended if ppl disagree, and as always if you feel safer in doing so then go see a vet regardless. Peace of mind is wonderful medicine! 
Edit: Should also mention to not give them too much or you'll be cleaning up messes of a different variety  And btw, they're beautiful (-: Hope it works out!
Last edited by prairielilly; February 12th, 2009 at 12:25 AM.
| |
| | |
February 12th, 2009
|
| | Fish Mentor
| Yes, I too agree that he is eatting too fast and/or too much. If my cat eats too much she throws up. What are you feeding him anyway? A brand from a grocery store or food from a vet store? It could also be the brand you are feeding him may not be easy on his stomach but fine for your other cats. | |
| | |
February 13th, 2009
|
| | Fish Keeper
| I'm feeding them all Purina Friskies Indoor Delight.
I might try that Vaseline trick and see if that helps.
He doesn't seem to eat too fast but I'll watch him a bit more next time.
Thanks for all the replies gang,
D
| |
| | |
February 13th, 2009
|
| | Moderator
| Maybe feeding less at one time and feeding him where he's not worried about competition for his food would help. Even having their own bowl cats and dogs will scarf their food up real fast thinking someone else is going to get it.
Your kitties are beautiful. Felix looks like my Angus
Carol | |
| | |
February 13th, 2009
|
| | Fish Master
| It's almost garunteed b/c he's wating too fast.
I have 13 cats, and one male always does this. Feed him a little at a time, and he should be fine. | |
| | |
February 13th, 2009
|
| | Fish Master
| Vasaline - is oil based, and may make the cat have very loose stool. Hairball pastes are sold at local pet stores - LAXATONE is recommonded. Also butter is a natural alternative. | |
| | |
February 13th, 2009
|
| | Moderator
| I agree with Amanda as far as avoiding Vaseline. I avoid the petroleum-based hairball remedies. Cod liver oil is a decent cheap one (and makes their fur nice and shiny). There are also a number of examples at many pet stores. These usually have added flavoring to make cats like them (one of my cats won't drink cod liver oil, so when she's having hairball issues, she gets the paste).
My cat has almost the exact same issue as yours, and my wife and I believe it is because he bolts his food. We've broken his meals into three in the day (rather than the two larger we used to give him), and if a meal is delayed, will break his portion into a few smaller portions and give him a few minutes between to allow his food to settle.
Just wondering, does your cat have a large palate? The easiest way to tell is if it wheezes when it breathes and if its purring is exceptionally loud. Our cat with the issues has a palate that extends further than it should, and we wonder if this has something to do with his vomiting problems. | |
| | |
February 14th, 2009
|
| | Fish Bum
| Hi there!
One of my cats developed similar issues a few years ago for no apparent reason. After trying several different foods I finally changed her diet to Purina One Sensitive Systems and I have not had any problems since. It is a more costly food, but she is worth it! WalMart carries it sometimes at a decent price, as well as PetSmart (when on sale). There are other similar products out there that may not be bad price wise. All I know is that this is what works best for her, so it's what she's getting from now on. I hope this helps! BTW, those are some adorable cats! | |
| | |
February 14th, 2009
|
| | Fish Keeper
| D,
I remembered today that I once read a thread here where someone stated they were a veterinarian. Maybe you could PM them and ask their opinion? worst case scenario, they charge you a consult fee 
Thread, vet was 'drbenfield': New thrend for bowls (vent) | |
| | |
February 16th, 2009
|
| | Fish Keeper
| Firstly, thanks for the replies. Sorry it's taken me a while to reply back but I've been having some stomach problems of my own and have been taking it easy in case it is appendicitis.
Re the thoughts on Buddy scoffing his food too fast, yes we noticed this when we were doing the feeding pattern of three meals during the day and that's why we went back to making sure the food bowls are full all the time. Plus with four of them, we have found better harmony among them if they can go and get food when they choose to, rather than having to wait for us to put it out for them.
Two things that I will look into that have been suggested in this thread will be the cod liver oil paste and some food for sensitive stomachs.
Thanks again everyone.
| |
| | |
February 17th, 2009
|
| | Fish Mentor
| You could also put a couple of tennis balls in the food bowl. It won't keep them from eating, but it slows down their eating as they have to eat around the tennis balls. This is recommended for dogs that eat too fast, but I'm sure it would work the same way for cats. | |
| | |
February 17th, 2009
|
| | Fish Keeper
| I'll keep that idea in mind.
A little update, ever since I posted the question, Buddy hasn't barfed any, I wonder if he's been reading this and got embarrassed that the world now knows of his problem 
| |
| | |
February 21st, 2009
|
| | Fish Bum
| Does your cat chew his food properly? Kirk throws up and the result is predominantly whole pieces. He doesn't eat a lot at a time, so his is not an issue of too much. He practically inhales the Whiskas Temptations treats, even given one at a time! (He doesn't throw up furballs; maybe he needs to - his short fur is really thick & plush. I wonder if I should offer him a "buttered paw" occasionally.) The palate idea is interesting. Kirk has a strong purr, and he snores. Blood work was fine. We did that and some dental work when I acquired him as an 11 yr old refugee when his former owner went to a nursing home a few years ago, as I knew nothing of his medical history. He does sneeze around smokers or if I stir up a lot of dust when I clean (me too!), but incense, candles, or open windows don't seem to bother him. He seems a picture of health. He is an indoor-only cat. Be sure the vet takes a good look inside your cat's mouth; there may be a dental problem, such as an abcess or infection, if he isn't chewing properly - or there may not; some cats, like some people, are just "little piggies".
Newborn babies come to mind. Some gulp their bottle, then spit up; others take more time and less formula, and don't. It's just individual style. So if you rule out obvious health problems, I would guess it's the same with your cat. (I've had many, many cats throughout my lifetime, and each is a marvelously unique individual.) | |
| | |
February 21st, 2009
|
| | Fish Bum
| I was going to suggest golf balls in the bowl...tennis balls can get furry and messy . I know that golf balls work . If you feel it is more of a hairball problem, you can help them with their grooming by brushing them, or even if you can get them to lie still vacuum them. I actually have one that will allow me to do this...took some patience though.
Lori | |
| | |
February 27th, 2009
|
| | Fish Helper
| Quote:
Originally Posted by ≈ D ≈  I'm feeding them all Purina Friskies Indoor Delight.
I might try that Vaseline trick and see if that helps.
He doesn't seem to eat too fast but I'll watch him a bit more next time.
Thanks for all the replies gang,
D
| the food coud be the problem... how long has he been on it? you might want to just try him on something else just to make sure its not a sensitive stomach. i suggest royal canins sensitive stomach | |
| | |
February 28th, 2009
|
| | Fish Keeper
| We've tried different foods and different brands etc. | |
| | | |
Similar Aquarium Fish Forum Threads 
