Tummy Troubles
An upset stomach is more common in cats than you might think. But how can you tell if it's a serious problem?
Every cat owner recognizes the warning signs of an upset feline stomach: the mournful meow, gagging and heaving retch. But in a flash, the cat seems to snap back to good health while you're left scrubbing the carpet.
The scenario is a familiar one for Cynthia Bowen of Cleveland, Ohio. As the owner of four Maine Coons, Bowen has cleaned her share of messes. "It would happen every couple of months or so," she says. "Otherwise, they were perfectly healthy."
Although it's not a pleasant subject, vomiting is something cats seem to do almost on cue. Many cat owners have come to accept this as a natural part of owning a pet. But it doesn't have to be that way. Knowing what triggers an upset stomach and what you can do about it will make for a better relationship with your cat.
Feeding your cat a premium food is one of the most important ways to take control of your pet's stomach problems.
Cause for Alarm?
Repeated vomiting should never be ignored because it can lead to dehydration. But since vomiting is common in cats, how do you know what's considered normal? "A general guideline is that if the cat is vomiting one to three times a month, we consider this 'normal,'" says Dr. William Folger, a DVM from Houston.
He considers it serious if the vomiting occurs twice daily for two or three days. If your cat stops eating, seems to have abdominal pain, retches continuously or if there's blood in the vomit, take her to a veterinarian. And as always, if you're suspicious that a lingering problem could be harmful to your pet, call your veterinarian. A visit to the office can help relieve your cat's discomfort and your worries as well.
Why Cats Vomit
Many owners attribute their cat's vomiting to hairballs, but that's not the only culprit. "It's careless to assume that most cases of vomiting in cats are due to hairballs," says Dr. William Folger, DVM and owner of the Memorial Cat Hospital in Houston, Texas. Two other frequent causes of an upset stomach are:
- Eating too fast. Cats sometimes eat too much, too fast. When the stomach wall expands too quickly, a signal is sent to the brain to cause regurgitation. In these cases, the mess on your floor is from regurgitation, not actual vomiting. When a cat regurgitates, she brings up fluid and food from her esophagus by opening her mouth – unlike vomiting, where there's gagging and retching. Regurgitated food is still formed, and may smell fermented. "Cats that eat too quickly because they are gluttonous or stressed by food bowl competition can regurgitate right after eating," says Dr. Sara Stephens, a DVM from Missoula, Montana. Owners shouldn't assume regurgitation is always a case of eating too fast. It could be caused by a number of other things, including esophageal problems, obstruction of the digestive tract, hairballs or dehydration. If you've forced your cat to eat slowly and she still has problems, contact a veterinarian.
- Curiosity. Grass, carpet and toilet paper are just a few things cats may digest and later vomit. The vomiting is a protective mechanism – nature's way of cleansing her system. Sometimes, though, curiosity can lead to more serious problems. String, toy parts and feathers are favorites of playful felines and can lodge in the stomach or intestine, causing repeated vomiting and severe distress. If your cat exhibits these symptoms, take her to a veterinarian immediately; surgery is often necessary to remove the object.
Preventive Measures
Often, owners accept their pet's vomiting as a natural part of their cat's behavior. But just because cats seem to have more than their fair share of tummy troubles, that doesn't mean you have to sit idly by.
One simple, preventive measure is to get your fast-eating cat to slow down or to simply eat less. Stephens recommends giving food to your cat in smaller portions, elevating your cat's food dish slightly or putting an object, such as a ball, into the dish. The cat will be forced to eat around the ball, and thus her intake will be slowed. If you do this, make sure the ball isn't too small to swallow. And you may need to feed cats in a multiple-cat household at different times and places, to reduce competitive eating.
Feeding the scientific nutrition found in Eukanuba cat formulas may also help ease digestion. All our formulas contain Prebiotics that nourish the good bacteria found in the digestive tract. They crowd out the bad bacteria, leaving your cat with stronger defenses. Learn more about Prebiotics.
Diet Matters
Feeding your cat a premium food such as Eukanuba® Cat Foods can help manage your pet's stomach problems. "Usually when you change to a better-quality diet, there is no problem," Stephens says. Following are some tips for helping make sure your cat's change is as successful and comfortable as possible:
- Go slowly. Make the transition gradually to allow your cat's palate and digestive system time to adjust. "Make sure the cat eats something every day," Stephens advises. "A cat that quits eating suddenly can develop liver problems."
- Add appeal. Switching from canned to dry or vice versa also should be done gradually. Many cats find canned food more palatable. If you switch to dry, add water and warm it slightly for more appeal. Discard uneaten food after 20 minutes to prevent spoilage.
- Measure up. How much should you feed? Your cat's age, sex, breed, activity level and overall health all need to be taken into consideration. Discuss the matter with your veterinarian, and then read the manufacturer's recommendations on the food bag or the can. Premium foods like Eukanuba® Cat Foods are more nutrient-dense than many nonpremium diets, so don't be surprised if the recommended amounts seem low.
- Pay attention. Beyond careful measuring, also regularly weigh your cat and adjust the feeding amount accordingly after switching to a premium food. Your cat may appear happy if you overfeed her. But over time, she may become overweight. Tummy troubles can be in the past with a little effort on your part.
