Why is my Cat Vomiting in Boynton Beach, FL?
There are many reasons that your cat might be vomiting. While there are a few things that could be causing your cat’s vomiting that are not that serious, there are lots of conditions that are very serious that cause vomiting in cats. You should be careful about taking cat vomiting too lightly, which could cause you to miss the early warning signs of serious illness.
Making sure that your cat’s vomiting is controlled right away can be essential for its well-being. If you know more about why your cat might be vomiting, you will be better able to identify serious vomiting that warrants a trip to the vet. If you are ready to learn some more about why your cat is vomiting, you need to keep reading.
Reasons That Your Cat Might be Vomiting
Listed below are the main reasons why your cat is vomiting in Boynton Beach, FL:
1. Poisoning
While not the most common reason for cat vomiting, cats that have ingested something toxic can start vomiting out of the blue and get sick very quickly. Look for additional symptoms like blood in the feces or vomit and pale or bluish gums. Cats that have ingested very toxic substances need to get emergency treatment right away, so it is better to be safe rather than sorry if this is why your cat is vomiting.
2. Diet
Feeding your cat the wrong food can lead to vomiting. When your cat’s food is the reason for their vomiting, they will typically vomit right after eating. You might also notice diarrhea and weight loss or increased water intake when your cat’s food is the reason for their vomiting.
Dietary issues can usually be resolved with a switch to a different kibble or feeding program, but you might need help from your veterinarian to make the right changes. It can take a couple of weeks to see the benefits of a food change after it has been made, so you should not panic if you don’t see immediate changes in your cat’s vomiting after you try a different food.
3. Cancer
One of the reasons that you need to take your cat to the veterinarian when they are vomiting is that they could have a number of serious health conditions. One of the hardest conditions to deal with that can cause vomiting is cancer. This might be a GI tract cancer, but any cancer in the body can cause reactions like vomiting. Even if your cat is not showing other symptoms of ill health, vomiting can still be the first sign of cancer and other serious illnesses.
4. Kidney Disease
Cats are prone to kidney disease, and even young cats can fall prey to this condition. Kidney disease can lead to other symptoms besides vomiting, like increased water intake, dry coat, losing weight, and lethargy. Kidney disease can be treated when caught in the early stages, so you will want to make sure that this is not the reason for your cat’s vomiting. The sooner that your cat gets help with its kidney disease, the more likely it will be that you can make control any long-term damage that could happen due to the disease.
5. Ingesting Foreign Bodies
If your cat has eaten something indigestible that cannot pass through its GI tract, this can lead to vomiting. Many indigestible things have to be removed via surgery, so you will want to rule out this root cause for your cat’s vomiting. Your veterinarian might be able to palpate the item when checking your cat out, but sometimes x-rays will be needed to track down the foreign body and confirm its existence.
6. Worms or Parasites
When parasites and worms take up residence in your cat’s GI tract, they can cause irritation that leads to your cat vomiting. Cats with worms also usually show other symptoms like diarrhea and a dry coat. Your cat might also be losing a lot of weight. Your vet will take a stool sample and look at it under the microscope to figure out which worms or parasites are causing your cat to feel sick. This is typically a simple problem to treat once the culprit has been identified.
7. Hairballs
Cats ingest a lot of hair when they groom themselves, and this can lead to them vomiting up clumps of hair. If your cat’s hairballs get bad enough, they might even lead to an intestinal blockage. While it is not that concerning for your cat to vomit once in a while due to hairballs, if the problem is happening every day or your cat stops eating and drinking, you need to be worried. Your vet can help you to come up with a long-term solution for your cat’s hairballs.
Contact a Veterinarian if Your Cat is Vomiting
If your cat has been vomiting consistently, or if they seem to be feeling poorly in other ways, you will want to be sure to take your cat to the veterinarian. Contact Colonial Animal Hospital or Colonial Gateway Veterinary Center in Boynton Beach, FL if you have any additional questions or if you would like to schedule an appointment online. Our compassionate veterinarians treat every pet like family and will provide the best care.