Do you ever wonder why your cat eats too much and then throws up? It can be frustrating to clean up after your pet, but there are reasons why they may overeat and vomit. Cats may overeat due to boredom, stress, or a medical issue.
One reason why cats may overeat is due to boredom. If your cat is not stimulated enough, they may turn to food as a way to pass the time. Additionally, stress can also cause cats to overeat. If your cat is anxious or nervous, they may seek comfort in food. However, overeating can lead to vomiting, which can be harmful to your cat’s health.
Another reason why cats may overeat is due to a medical issue. Inflammatory bowel disease and food allergies are common causes of chronic vomiting in cats, according to veterinarians.org. If you suspect that your cat’s overeating is due to a medical issue, it’s important to take them to the vet for a proper diagnosis and treatment plan.
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Why Do Cats Overeat?
Cats are notorious for overeating, and it can be difficult to determine why they do it. Here are some common causes of overeating in cats.
Common Causes of Overeating
- Boredom and Stress: Cats that don’t get enough mental stimulation and exercise may become stressed out and overeat. This can lead to obsessive eating, over-grooming, agitation, play aggression, and more. Providing your cat with toys, scratching posts, and playtime can help alleviate boredom and reduce overeating.
- Medical Issues: Various medical conditions can cause cats to overeat. Diseases like inflammatory disorders or intestinal cancer that impact the small intestine decrease your cat’s ability to process nutrients. This results in an increased appetite, accompanied by weight loss. With roundworms, your cat may be constantly hungry because the worms are stealing the nutrients from their food. If you suspect a medical issue, consult with your veterinarian.
- Food Quality: Cats are picky eaters, and if they don’t like their food, they may overeat to compensate. Be sure to feed your cat high-quality food that meets their nutritional needs.
- Hairballs: Cats groom themselves frequently, and hairballs can accumulate in their stomach, causing discomfort. Overeating can be a way for cats to try to alleviate this discomfort. Regular grooming and hairball remedies can help prevent this issue.
- Worms: Worms can also cause cats to overeat as they steal the nutrients from their food. Regular deworming can help prevent this issue.
By understanding the causes of overeating in cats, you can take steps to prevent it and ensure your pet stays healthy and happy. Remember to consult with your veterinarian if you suspect a medical issue.
Why Do Cats Throw Up?
Cats are known to throw up from time to time. It’s not uncommon, and most cats will experience it at some point in their lives. While it’s usually not a cause for concern, it’s important to understand why cats throw up.
Common Causes of Vomiting
There are several reasons why cats throw up. Some of the most common causes of vomiting in cats include:
- Dietary Indiscretion: Eating too much, too fast, or eating something that doesn’t agree with their stomach can cause cats to vomit.
- Hairballs: Cats groom themselves by licking their fur, which can lead to hairballs forming in their stomach. When the hairball becomes too big, it can cause vomiting.
- Parasites: Worms and other parasites can cause vomiting and diarrhea in cats.
- Inflammatory Bowel Disease: This condition can cause chronic vomiting and diarrhea in cats.
- Bile: Cats can vomit bile when their stomach is empty or when they have a condition that causes bile to back up into their stomach.
- Regurgitation: This is when food is brought up from the esophagus without any retching. It’s common in cats with certain conditions, such as megaesophagus.
- Vomit Color: The color of your cat’s vomit can also provide clues as to what’s causing the problem. For example, yellow or green vomit can indicate the presence of bile, while red or black vomit can indicate bleeding in the stomach or intestines.
It’s important to note that if your cat is throwing up frequently or has other symptoms, such as diarrhea or lethargy, you should take them to the vet. They can help determine the underlying cause of the vomiting and provide appropriate treatment.
Source: PetMD
What to Do if Your Cat is Overeating and Throwing Up
If you notice that your cat is overeating and throwing up, there are a few things you can do to help them. In this section, we will discuss some prevention techniques and when to see a veterinarian.
When to See a Veterinarian
If your cat is vomiting frequently or has other symptoms like diarrhea or constipation, it is important to take them to the veterinarian. These symptoms could be a sign of a more serious underlying condition, like kidney disease or cancer.
Prevention Techniques
There are a few things you can do to prevent your cat from overeating and throwing up:
- Feed your cat smaller, more frequent meals throughout the day.
- Use a puzzle feeder to make mealtime more challenging and engaging for your cat.
- Make sure your cat is getting enough exercise and playtime to burn off excess energy.
- Avoid feeding your cat table scraps or human food, as this can upset their stomach.
If hairballs are a problem for your cat, consider adding a hairball control formula to their food. These formulas contain added fiber to help move hair through the digestive system.
Overall, it is important to pay attention to your cat’s eating habits and take action if you notice any changes or symptoms. By working with your veterinarian and making some simple changes to your cat’s diet and routine, you can help prevent overeating and vomiting and keep your cat healthy and happy.
Stick To The Portion Sizes On The Cat Food
The portion sizes on your cat’s food isn’t just there to look pretty. It provides valuable information, and you will be surprised at how much people ignore that information.
If you look at the side of the cat food packet, it will tell you exactly how much cat food you need to be feeding your animal. This will be based on the sex of your cat, as well as their weight. The manufacturer will have calculated these portions. Generally speaking, if you stick to the guidelines on the side of the pack, you won’t have to worry about your cat overeating.
We suggest that you get yourself either a set of scales or some measuring equipment. Make sure that you stick with the guidelines, and we reckon that your cat will stop overeating.
Feed Smaller, More Frequent Portions
This may be an issue if you are at work. However, if you are at home, try splitting your cat’s portions up into smaller amounts throughout the day.
Again, you should be paying attention to the guidelines on the food package. This will tell you how much you should be giving the cat throughout the day. Try to split the portion up into frequent intervals. This way, you won’t be running the risk of your cat overeating.
We recommend that you try and give your cat food at the same time every day; this way, you won’t have to worry too much about them going hungry.
Purchase a Cat Feeder
If you are not at home to give your cat equal portions throughout the day, then we suggest that you pick yourself up an automatic cat feeder.
With an automatic cat feeder, you can program it to let certain amounts of food out at certain times of the day. This way, your cat has a steady stream of food coming through, but the risk of them overeating is reduced.
The one issue that you may run into here is that if the cat doesn’t eat at one point, their bowl may overfill, and they overeat the next time.
Purchase a New Bowl For Your Cat
If you are still running into issues, then we recommend that you pick up a new bowl for your cat.
You will find various ‘puzzle bowls’ on the market if you hunt around. The idea of these bowls is to make your cat work for the food. Because they have to work for each bit of food, perhaps by solving a puzzle or playing with a toy, they are much less likely to overeat.
Make sure that you pay attention to your cat the first few times they use these bowls. Obviously, you want to know that your cat is intelligent enough to get the food out.
Final Word
Generally speaking, a cat overeating is rarely a major issue. You only need to worry if you notice that your cat is suffering from nutritional deficiencies.
It is unknown why cats overeat. However, it is a problem that you will probably want to work hard to solve.
Perhaps the easiest way to deal with the issue is to feed your cat the right portion amount, or give them smaller amounts of food throughout the day. If you still run into issues, then pick up a ‘puzzle bowl’ that makes your cat work for their food.
In conclusion, cats overeat and vomit for various reasons, including boredom, stress, dry cat food diet, medications, and medical issues. If your cat overeats and vomits occasionally, it may not be a significant problem. However, if it happens frequently, you should consult a veterinarian.
It is essential to note that overfeeding your cat is not beneficial to you or your cat. In some cases, overeating can lead to vomiting clear liquid, green vomit, or mucus. Green vomit can indicate the presence of bile, while mucus can be a sign of an underlying medical issue.
If your cat vomits clear liquid, it may be due to an empty stomach or hairballs. However, if it happens frequently, it may indicate a medical problem. You should consult a veterinarian if you notice any unusual vomiting patterns.
In summary, it is crucial to monitor your cat’s eating habits and seek veterinary attention if you notice any unusual behavior. By doing so, you can help ensure your cat’s health and well-being.
My name is Ken and I’m one of the staff writers at Petloverguy.com. I’ve cared for pets most of my life starting with hamsters, turtles, and snakes. Then moving up to parakeets, guinea pigs, and even ducks.
I currently live with two yorkies and a chihuahua mix.
