Cat vomits almost immediately after eating

[DeborahF]

Sugarfoot DSH feline
1 year old
Neutered male, 9 lb
Behavior normal, energy good, appetite ok, can be shy but otherwise ok. Glossy coat, appears healthy, good weight.
Fed combination Weruva Gravy wet food (pouches) and Oragen dry adult kibble
Vaccinations: Rabies 1 year and Feline 4-1 + Leukemia; next due in March 2024

Problem is intermittent vomiting immediately after eating (usually 2-3 minutes) undigested food. Usually fine and playing/acting normally almost immediately after.
Started shortly after he was adopted at the age of 6 months. Can occur 1-3 x a week, and has happened 1-3 times a day on a few occasions.

Possibly could be made worse by his "brother" who was adopted shortly after Sugarfoot. Sugarfoot was adopted early April at 6 months of age. He was a rescue. Sugarfoot is shy compared to the other younger cat, who is now 8 months old and is very active and a "big eater". However, they get along very well, playing, etc.

3 vets consulted - X-rays, bloodwork and stool analysis done, all deemed normal. Please find x-rays and bloodwork files attached.

Currently we are limiting his food intake (1Tablespoon wet food 3 x a day and approximately .5-1 Tablespoon of dry 3 x a day ) but are concerned that this is not enough nourishment. This does seem to control the vomiting after mealtime. Suggested tx is to change to high fiber diet.

We have been fighting this issue since late April of this year and are trying to do our best to help him. Any suggestions would be welcomed and greatly appreciated.

 

[Dr. Jeff]

Hey Deborah!

I'm sorry to hear about Sugarfoot's vomiting health challenge.

His x-rays and bloods look good tho there is gas accumulation in his intestine. Is he a fast eater?

"Scarf and barf" is a very common cause of vomiting right after eating. Eliminating the dry food and using the Mine Pet Platter for feeding is often super helpful for reducing the symptom:

The Platter | Mine Pet Platter: The Best Way to Feed Dogs & Cats

 

[DeborahF]

What are your thoughts/comments on the volume of food he is being fed? I would think he should be eating more (albeit more slowly) , but I also read that a cat's stomach is about the size of a golf ball?? We have a "slow feeder" that we use but has not solved the problem...... will look into the Mine Pet Platter right away... and thank you!

 

[Dr. Jeff]

What are your thoughts/comments on the volume of food he is being fed?

Feeding less volume more often is great if you can do it. Ideally he'd get no more than a "mouseful".

 

[Dr. Jean Hofve]

Definitely separate the cats during feeding! Sounds like Sugarfoot is scarfing his food as a protective mechanism.

Dr. Jeff is right, NO dry food. For either cat. A cat's diet should be all wet food, whether pouches, canned, or other forms.

If the slow-feeder bowl doesn't work, try feeding a tablespoon at a time, every 15 or 20 minutes, until he is no longer interested. Let him decide how much. Dry food is much denser in calories, so the initial volume of wet food he wants may surprise you, but he will normalize in a few weeks.

Is his weight normal? An average 10-lb. cat will eat 6-8 oz. of wet food a day. It does not sound like he is getting enough right now.

High fiber diets are worthless, and the lower calorie content is exactly the opposite of what he needs. Most vets do not understand cats. This is a psychological issue, not dietary (other than dry food is terrible for cats!).

 

[Dr. Jean Hofve]

BTW he does not need the leukemia vaccine. At his age and history, his risk is almost zero. There are combo vaccines that do not include it. If your vet doesn't carry one, find another vet. Seriously.