Why Your Cat Throws Up After Eating? A common question that pet owners ask is why their cat throws up after eating.
There can be a few reasons for this, some of which are relatively minor and don’t require much concern, while others may be more serious.
In this article, we’ll explore the possible causes for cats throwing up after eating, as well as when you should start to worry.
10 Reasons Why Cats Throw Up After Eating
Reasons Cats Why Throw Up Their Food Ate Too Much
When it comes to feeding cats, there are a variety of different philosophies.
Some people choose to feed cats smaller portions more often during the day.
Other like always to have a large portion of food available for their cats at all times.
And still, others rotate between giving their cats small and large meals.
There are pros and cons to each method, and the best way to feed your cat will vary depending on your individual cat’s needs.
But this could be one of the Reasons Why Your Cat Throws Up After Eating.
Ate or Drank Too Fast
No one likes to see their pet cat vomit, but it can be especially concerning when it projectile vomits food.
There are many reasons why cats might throw up their food, but the most common reason is that they ate or drank too fast.
When a cat eats or drinks too quickly, they can swallow too much air along with their food or water.
This air gets trapped in the stomach and causes the stomach to expand.
The expanded stomach puts pressure on the other organs in the abdomen, which can push food and stomach acids up through the esophagus and out of the mouth.
Hard to Digest Foods
A recent study found that one of the most common reasons why your cat throws up after eating is because they eat hard-to-digest foods.
This means that their digestive system has to work overtime to break down these types of foods, which can often lead to vomiting.
In addition, cats tend to go crazy for foods like raw meat and fish, which can also be difficult for their digestive system to process and could be why your cat throws up after eating.
Ingredients in Food
Giving your cat high-quality food is important, but did you know that there are some ingredients in the food that can make them throw up?
Here are some of the most common ones:
- Dairy products – Cats are lactose intolerant, so dairy products can make them sick. This includes milk, cheese, and ice cream.
- Fatty foods – Fatty foods like hamburgers and french fries can cause pancreatitis in cats, which is a serious illness.
- Processed foods – Cats aren’t designed to eat processed foods like kibble or canned food, so they often have trouble digesting them. This can lead to vomiting and other digestive problems.
- Onion and garlic – These spices are toxic to cats and make them very sick.
Toxic Plants
Do you have a cat that loves to eat plants?
If so, you may want to watch out for these toxic plants that can lead to poisoning adding to one of the reasons why your cat throws up after eating.
Lilies are especially dangerous to cats and can cause kidney failure. Other poisonous plants include:
- Amaryllis ( Amaryllis spp.)
- Autumn Crocus ( Colchicum autumnale )
- Azaleas and Rhododendrons ( Rhododendron spp.)
- Castor Bean ( Ricinus communis )
- Chrysanthemum,
- Daisy,
- Mum ( Chrysanthemum spp.)
- Cyclamen ( Cyclamen spp.)
- Daffodils,
- Narcissus ( Narcissus spp.)
- Dieffenbachia ( Dieffenbachia spp.)
- English Ivy ( Hedera helix )
- Hyacinth ( Hyacintus orientalis )
- Kalanchoe ( Kalanchoe spp.)
- Lily ( Lilium sp.)
- Lily of the Valley ( Convallaria majalis )
- Marijuana ( Cannabis sativa )
- Oleander ( Nerium oleander )
- Peace Lily ( Spathiphyllum sp.)
- Pothos,
- Devil’s Ivy ( Epipremnum aureum )
- Sago Palm ( Cycas revoluta )
- Spanish Thyme ( Coleus ampoinicus )
- Tulip ( Tulipa spp.)
- Yew ( Taxus spp.)
If you think your cat has ingested a poisonous plant, this could be why your cat throws up after eating; call your veterinarian immediately.
What about grass?
Though it is commonly thought of as a sign that a cat is unwell, eating grass is not actually harmful to them.
In fact, it can be beneficial as grass helps cats digest their food properly.
Cats eat grass to help clear their stomachs of any hairballs or other indigestible items they may have ingested and to get essential vitamins and minerals that they might not get from their regular diet.
So the next time your cat starts nibbling on the lawn, don’t worry – she’s just doing what comes naturally to her!
So eating grass is unlikely to cause your cat any issues and would not be one of the reasons why your cat throws up after eating.
It’s the Food
One notable reason your cat throws up after eating is that the food didn’t agree with them.
Cat vomit is often composed of undigested food, hairballs, and stomach acids.
While it may be alarming to see your pet purge their meal, it’s actually a natural process that helps keep their digestive system healthy.
Cats are carnivores, and as such, their stomachs are adapted to digesting meat.
When they eat plant-based foods like fruits and vegetables, their stomachs can have a hard time breaking these down.
This can result in indigestion and vomiting.
So this is one of the few reasons your cat throws up after eating that you don’t need to worry about – it’s just their body telling them that the food wasn’t right for them.
Minor Disruptions
When cats vomit up their food, it’s because they’re not feeling well.
In fact, one of the most common reasons for cats to vomit is because they have a stomach virus or another type of infection.
Other causes of why your cat throws up after eating can include eating something that disagrees with them, being poisoned, or having a tumor or other health problems.
So for this is another one of the reasons why your cat throws up after eating, don’t panic – there’s probably a logical explanation behind it.
Needs to be Groomed
Cats groom themselves to keep clean and remove loose hair.
But sometimes, they need a little help from their human companions.
Excess hair in their stomachs could be why your cat throws up after eating.
How often should you groom your cat?
Most cats only need to be groomed once or twice a week.
However, some cats may need more frequent grooming if they have a lot of hairballs or if they are prone to matting.
If your cat is not used to being groomed, start by brushing her lightly and gradually increase the pressure as she gets used to it.
Gently comb her hair in the direction of growth, taking care not to pull on it.
Be sure to check her ears and nails regularly and trim them if necessary.
An Underlying Condition
One possibility why your cat throws up after eating is that the cat has a gastrointestinal issue, such as gastritis or pancreatitis.
Another possibility is that the cat is experiencing a problem with its liver or kidneys, leading to nausea and vomiting.
In some cases, a cat may simply be eating too fast and swallowing too much air, which can cause them to vomit.
If your cat is throwing up their food on a regular basis, you should take them to the veterinarian for a check-up to determine the cause of the problem.
Call The Vet
If your cat vomits and any of the following symptoms are also present, call your veterinarian:
- lethargy
- diarrhea
- loss of appetite
- weight loss
- dehydration.
These symptoms could indicate that your cat has a serious illness.
Final Thoughts, Why Your Cat Throws Up After Eating!
In conclusion, while there are many reasons why your cat might vomit after eating, most of them are relatively minor and easily treatable.
If your cat vomits frequently or has other symptoms, such as diarrhea or a loss of appetite, it is important to take them to the vet for a check-up.
However, for most cats, a little bit of stomach upset after a meal is nothing to worry about.
FAQs
Why does my cat throw up in the morning after eating?
There are a few reasons cats might vomit in the morning after eating.
One possibility is that they ate too quickly or ate something that didn’t agree with them.
Another possibility is that they have a stomach ulcer.
If your cat is vomiting regularly, you should take them to the vet to get them checked out.
Why does my cat keep throwing up but seem fine?
There are a few potential reasons why your cat might be vomiting but seeming otherwise fine.
One possibility is that your cat has a hairball and is trying to get rid of it by vomiting.
Another possibility is that your cat has a food allergy or intolerance and is vomiting as a way of getting rid of the offending food.
Why does my cat throw up after eating dry food?
There are a few reasons why cats might vomit after eating dry food.
One possibility is that they’re not used to the texture, and their digestive system isn’t able to handle it well.
Another possibility is that they’re eating too much dry food and not getting enough water, which can lead to dehydration and vomiting.
Finally, some cats might have a sensitivity or allergy to one of the ingredients in the food.
How do I get my cat to stop throwing up after eating?
There are a few things you can do to help your cat stop throwing up after eating.
One is to feed your cat smaller meals more often throughout the day instead of one large meal.
You can also try feeding your cat wet food instead of dry food, as wet food is easier for cats to digest.
If your cat is still having trouble stopping vomiting after eating, you may want to take him or her to the vet to rule out any underlying health problems.
Why do cats throw up after they eat?
There are a few reasons why cats might throw up after eating.
One possibility is that the cat ate too fast and didn’t chew their food properly, leading to indigestion.
Another possibility is that the cat has a sensitive stomach and is reacting to something in its food.
Finally, it’s also possible that the cat has a medical condition such as gastritis or pancreatitis which is causing them to vomit.
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