Cat Throwing Up

[Zorroncoors]

Hello- we have two cats named Zorro and Coors, they are both 7 almost 8 years old this spring. They are indoor cats and have been healthy. Zorro is a VERY overweight cat. The last time we weighed him he was 36 lbs, but happy. This last week, he has been throwing up all over the house. It doesn't seem to be his food, as there is very rarely much in it, just kinda a whitish yellow color. Anyone have any ideas as to what it may be. We are in a really financially tight spot and can't afford big Veterinarian bills. He has been on the same cat food for quite some time and doesn't get any table food other than an occasional cracker that the kids drop. Thanks for any info.

[con808]

I just posted almost the same question. I hope someone can help us. Mine is going to the Veterinarian this morning!!!

[con808]

Just got back from the Veterinarian and she said he has a big ole hairball stuck in his tummy. Got cat lax from her to use for three days.

[palehorse]

Originally Posted by con808

Just got back from the Veterinarian and she said he has a big ole hairball stuck in his tummy. Got cat lax from her to use for three days.

Glad to hear it wasn't something more serious!

[Zorroncoors]

Cono808 - How was the Veterinarian able to tell is was a hairball. I am in a tough position and everyone I have talked to says initial visit then tests. I just don't know what to do, I can't spend hundreds of dollars on him, we just can't do it.

[con808]

The Veterinarian did a tip to toe exame and said to try the kitty lax which you can buy in a pet store for three days. If no improvement in a week call and then she will do blood tests. After one syringe of kitty lax no vomiting yesterday. Try this before the Veterinarian. Bill was $55 yesterday. You can email me at Con808@aol.com

[packy]

Our cat is about 1 and 1/2 years old and has been throwing up her food on an average of 4-5 times a week. She eats and generally immediately throws it up. She is an indoor cat. The Veterinarian said it could be a variety of reasons, sensitive stomach, eating too fast or something that tests would have to reveal. I have tried special foods to no avail and table scraps are a definite no. I can't afford big Veterinarian bills now- college first. I think this is affecting her personality. She seems have a split personality, good for about 5 minutes and bad the rest of the time. She is set on having her way - no matter what-gets on counters, bites everything - homework, other important papers, artificial plants - anything that I don't want her to bite. She destroy things. She will let you pet her for about 2 minutes and then she will bit you with a vengence. She sounds horrible but she really has a sweet side and an interesting personality. She's been declawed because she would shred our house otherwise. I think I need a cat whisperer... is there a such thing?

[bitterrootbullies]

You're vets right, the throwing up could be lots of things including allergies, hair balls or a sensitive stomach. Since you can't afford the big bills for testing right now (I know the feeling) you may ask your Veterinarian if there is something for cats like tagamet or prevacid (acid reducers) don't use over the counter human stuff unless your Veterinarian says its ok!!!

As far as the personality, cats are tough and cats with food issues are even tougher lol! Often, declawing will cause a cat to start biting, because they can no longer use their claws (not always, but often enough to be a trend).
I would suggest clicker training to try and reduce the biting (I don't use any punishment to train all my critters!)

This may be tough with the food problems, but if you can find a soft food the cat can tolerate or some soft treats like Pounce the cat can tolerate those can be used for training. Get a clicker from petsmart or some other pet store and have it and the treats ready all the time. Whenever the cat allows you to pet her, pet once or twice then click and give a treat. Don't try to pet her to many times, you want to end the session with her not biting you! Also click any time she is NOT destroying something. That sounds silly, but for example, if she walks by a plant she normally bites without biting it, click and treat. If she walks by the homework she would normally tear up without touching it click and treat. This takes a while, but she will get the idea.

Alternatively, if she doesn't like or can't tolerate treats, try using a favorite toy as a reward. Play for a minute instead of giving a treat. At 1 1/2 years old, she's really still just a kitten so a lot of her behavior is still just adolescent sillyness, but you do need to stop the biting of people as soon as you can so it doesn't become too much of a habit.

You can find more information about clicker training at ClickerSolutions Home most of it is directed towards dogs, but clicker training can be used on any species of animal....including humans!
amanda samantha sydney murphy foster and kipling (the feline pit bull wannabe)

Originally Posted by packy

Our cat is about 1 and 1/2 years old and has been throwing up her food on an average of 4-5 times a week. She eats and generally immediately throws it up. She is an indoor cat. The Veterinarian said it could be a variety of reasons, sensitive stomach, eating too fast or something that tests would have to reveal. I have tried special foods to no avail and table scraps are a definite no. I can't afford big Veterinarian bills now- college first. I think this is affecting her personality. She seems have a split personality, good for about 5 minutes and bad the rest of the time. She is set on having her way - no matter what-gets on counters, bites everything - homework, other important papers, artificial plants - anything that I don't want her to bite. She destroy things. She will let you pet her for about 2 minutes and then she will bit you with a vengence. She sounds horrible but she really has a sweet side and an interesting personality. She's been declawed because she would shred our house otherwise. I think I need a cat whisperer... is there a such thing?