Hi Everyone

I have a beautiful 18 month old Oriental cat. The trouble is he is constantly being sick , when I say constant I mean once a day every 2 - 3 days.

He has vomited on and off since I first got him but it used to be once a month if that. I just presumed he was either a little piggy or had a slight sensitive tummy.

He has not other symptons, hes bright eyed, shiny and glossy, active (and very inquisitive and naughty!!). His stools are are firm and regular. You wouldnt think there was any problems just too look at him.

I took him to the vet when it became a little projectile and regular, but the vet checked him over did not seem one little bit worried and said he probably just has a sensitive tummy.

The thing is I feed him on a sensitive diet, To be honest I have tried all foods and nothing stops him vomiting. At the moment he is on Porta 21 sensible which is Grain free and made for sensitive tummys and cats with allergies

He also has a small amount of Whiskas oh so menu, but only in Jelly, I try to stay away from the gravy due the higher cereal content. Anyway I have tried to feed all biscuit and then all meat and no combination seems to help.

I spoke to the Breeder who said he might be a pig - and gulping water can make a cat projectile vomit. He does pig everything and I do try hard to slow him down by sitting with him and holding him back.

He has been wormed and as far as Im aware he has no hairball obstruction (I have tried a hairball paste - which probably wasnt good for his sensitive tummy )

I was just wondering if anyone has any ideas or experienced anything like this. I just feel sorry for the little man because it cant be nice for him to be sick so often and I know that it can cause problems in the long run - fingers crossed at the moment, He seems to be hydrated and its not so often hes not absorbing his food.

i just dont know what to do for him - any ideas?

FF

Hey, welcome to the forum.

You say that you have tried an all-dry diet and that made no difference. Have you considered a just wet diet with some high quality wet food?

Instead of hairball paste, which often includes highly unnecessary things such as sugars and/or cereals, have you considered growing some indoor grass (if he is an indoor cat) for him to munch on instead?

Out of interest, when you say that he poops firmly and regularly, how often is that? Once a day? Twice a day? Three times a day? Once every two days?

Hi

Actually I was considering getting some kitty grass for my other cat who loves a good munch when he feels brave enough to venture the garden. Yes this one is indoor. I think I will try that - hopefully it will grow in my basemnet flat!

He poo's I would say 1 -2 times a day. I would say more once than twice, he has his little routine of eating, washing and then pooing

I did try an all wet diet with a better brand but he threw up more often I still have loads left in the larder as I went back to the oh so range.

FF

Hiya

do you feed meals or leave him to graze through the day by leaving food down?

I wonder if he is taking too much in at once because he thinks he is hungry, only to throw it up because he overfills himself.

Most cats will self regulate their food if it is left to them to graze, so although at first he may gorge, it should settle.

I do think this really is part of his problem, he really is a little piggy. He does eat far too quick and always has - The breeder said because he was one of 7 kittens they learnt to gobble or go without. When he was little and he was on the kitten food before I changed it I belive this was what caused his vomiting most of the time as it was often half hour or so after eating and it was slimely expanded biscuits.

The main reason I changed to the grain free, meat based biscuit is because they dont swell.

Now however its just liquid/digested food that comes up, no full biscuits. I do leave the biscuits down in the morning however he will and always has eaten everything including all the other cats food who does like to graze - but often doesnt get the chance. The little oriental was 0.5 kg over weight on his check up 6 months ago, so I try not to leave too much down as he is just going to balloon. I measure out what they have and they have that in the morning and in the evening He will have the meat with a sprinkle of biscuits. He just does not seem to be able to self regulate - i wonder if its a phycological thing from his kitten days. the other cat has never eaten his food or gone to eat his, but I guess he may worry if he doesnt gobble it the other one might?!

I was going to by a feeding station for the biscuits that the cat has to work to get the food out - which would be so good for him as hes really intelligent. However the other one (without sounding like a mean mum ) doesnt have an ounce of intelligence to his name. So if i get the toy he may starve!!! and I cant leave his food down cos the other one will eat it!!!

LOL This really made me laugh!

Regurtitation from eating too quickly/much happens almost immediately after eating. However, if you believe this is a contributory factor you can buy special dishes which help to slow down eating-can't remember the name of where to buy-hopefully someone else will fill us in.

Can you think of anything that coincided with the increased frequency of vomiting?

From what you describe it sounds to me he's got a food allergy/intolerance and once the trigger ingredient is identified ( this is important ) and eliminated it should resolve. So for the moment I would feed him just one food-the sensitive one- and cut out all the others especially the dry, in an effort to see what the possibilites are. I'd also try feeding him smaller portions more frequently, if this is possible. Of course you may well find the same occurs with this, in which case another, including a good wet, might be better.

Hi Everyone just to update and not abandon the post...

I agree I am more convinced its allergy than scoffing as its not all the time, but he pigs every meal.

We went looking for an alternative at a local pet warehouse. I was a bit disapointed in their cat food selection wasnt great...the dog section seemed to take over the whole store though!!

Anyway we did find the new James wellbeloved wet food pouches with lots of none of this or none of that stamped across the packaging. we brought a box and some biccies to I swapped the meat straight away and i have slowly been introducing the new biscuits and so far touch wood, No vomiting yet, I know its still early days so were see - his usual favourite is a friday afternoon - dont ask me why, perhaps he likes to keep us on our toes for the weekend

Anyway Im not sure how I feel about this food but if it suits his tummy I will continue with it. Has anyone got any views?

Im really trying to keep cereal free, I know its not good for them and this food seems to have quite a bit (I know not as bad as some but....) I guess its a weigh up between keeping him eating and his long term digestive health.