Mary Allen
Vomiting helps cats clean themselves, but it can also be a symptom of stomach disorders. Read here which diseases these can be and how to feed your cat correctly after vomiting.
Acute or chronic stomach problems have a variety of causes and can pose health problems for cats. It is often an inflammation of the gastric mucosa. Cat food also plays an important role in therapy.
Gastric Mucosal Inflammation in Cats
Cat stomach acids are much more aggressive than humans. So that the digestive juices do not protect the stomach, it is lined with a protective layer of mucus. If this is dangerously irritated or damaged, acute gastritis (inflammation of the stomach lining) can occur, which if left untreated can also take on chronic features. Gastritis in cats can be triggered by:
- Food allergies or intolerances
- poisoning
- Foreign bodies in the digestive tract
- Emphasize
Inflammation of the gastric mucosa is usually associated with other diseases such as bacterial or viral infections, liver and kidney diseases, and worm infestation. Chronic gastritis often results in gastric ulcers.
When the Cat Vomits
The most common symptom of gastritis in cats is vomiting. However, the vomiting center of cats is particularly sensitive and is used in the self-cleaning process of plant animals. The obligatory puddle of slime on the carpet, decorated with the remains of cat grass or undigested fur sausages, is, therefore, no cause for concern. However, a veterinarian should be consulted immediately if the following abnormalities occur:
- repeated vomiting for more than six to eight hours
- Vomiting ingested liquid
- fever and lassitude
- Coffee grounds-colored blood in the vomit
Bland Food for Cats After Vomiting
In order for the cat’s stomach to recover after acute vomiting, the post-vomiting diet should be adjusted:
- With veterinary advice: Fast for 24 hours
Acute cases of vomiting are usually treated with medication by the vet and usually subside within a few days. The owner should support this healing process with a strict diet, as the cat’s stomach recovers best when it is not working. Therefore, the cat can be deprived of food for a maximum of 24 hours. The following should be noted:
- In the case of severely overweight cats, the veterinarian should be consulted beforehand.
- Outdoor cats are best at home during this period.
- There should always be enough water available.
Light Food in Small Portions
After the fasting day, the cat gets its light food at least five times a day in small, fresh portions. You can prepare light food yourself:
Combine a carbohydrate source (e.g., mushy cooked rice or mashed potatoes without milk) with a protein source (e.g., cottage cheese or cooked, unseasoned chicken) in a 1:2 ratio. Alternatively, the vet will offer you diet food. It is best to choose wet food because dry food removes water from the gastric mucosa and thus delays the healing process.
Prevent Stomach Problems in Cats
So that the cat’s stomach does not protest in the first place, the following rules must be observed:
- Never give food directly from the fridge
- Consume opened cans promptly
- spoiled feed is taboo
- give up cow’s milk
- Avoid sudden feed changes
- do not allow any parts of the game (e.g. wool threads) to be swallowed
- Regular worm prophylaxis and adequate vaccination protection, especially for outdoor cats
With proper precaution, you can reduce the risk of stomach upset. However, should your cat have an upset stomach, do not delay a visit to the vet for too long! Repeated, pathological vomiting is a symptom to be taken seriously.