Have you noticed your cat being irritated and throwing up white foam, and not eating lately? This would be in a milky liquid state, declaring that something is wrong. This wrong might be with the cat’s stomach and does not necessarily indicate sickness or disease. However, it is mandatory to view your cat eating routine and check for her ingesting lately.
Understanding the problem
One needs to look into the eating habits of cats. And check if the cat food stays in a bowl for real long before it eats. Many cat owners may think that it is ok if the cat throws around vomit regularly. But a piece of wise advice will be to have it checked with the vet if the vomiting episodes are often and recurrent. This might be a clear indication of stomach issues, and if in particular white foam, the problem could be even more severe.
Here’s a guideline to be checked if some steps are to be taken in terms of rectification. This, in turn, deals with the cause, prognosis, and treatment modalities available.
Let us have a walk-through of a myriad of reasons and solutions that can be followed.
Vomiting: An indication of gastro issues
One of the multiple reasons underlying cause of cats throwing up white foam and not eating is the disordered digestive system. While making a diagnosis of gastro issue, it is also essential to check the frequency of vomiting. That is, if it is periodic or happening recurrently. Also, vomiting episodes could be of two kinds: acute and chronic.
Here, an acute episode of vomiting would refer to a short time or sporadic duration of vomiting. One suffering with this kind vomits multiple times over a quick spread of time. On the contrary, chronic vomiting hints at churning out the gastric content over a long spread of time.
Observing Behavior
While considering either type of vomiting, it is also essential to check for accompanying symptoms. Plus, it needs to be put into the current situation or context of the cat’s profile.
- For instance, one should see if the cat vomits after certain activities, let’s say consuming food or while playing around.
- One needs to observe a cat when it is fed with food or milk. See if it throws over the smell of food or after taking it down in the stomach.
- Most of the time, the cat cannot keep the food down, and every time it is fed, it will throw it out.
- And while the cat keeps vomiting, the next thing will be to observe the foam-like appearance and if it contains yellowish bile.
- The color and consistency of the vomit are other things to be taken into account. This will help in drawing the correct diagnosis.
- One might see some added content inherent to the vomit. One such thing is blood, and the other might be green slimy mucous.
Thus, looking at the type and supporting features, the vet must be seen before the cat turns out lean with excellent weight loss. The wise vet will look at all and co-join to give a fitting conclusion and hence treatment.
Inflammatory bowel disease
Bowel issues can also mark an important cause of vomiting amongst cats. This, however, needs to be differentiated from lymphoma, having some more symptoms in addition to this. A relevant test will be referred by the vet to make a distinction. If troubled with inflamed bowel, the cat will suffer from diarrhea and will be throwing up white foam and not eating
Panleukopenia
One common gastro disease seen with a cat is known as feline panleukopenia. The underlying cause is a virus that makes its way into the cat’s body, causing the bloody outflow of feces and vomit. The diarrheal episode is accompanied by fever and the cat refusing to eat. In such a case, visiting the vet for further treatment will be the choicest decision.
Causes of vomiting other than gastro
Not every time its the stomach or intestine, having an issue and resulting in vomiting. At times, it could be other organs like the liver, kidney, or pancreas, just to name a few. Below referred are a few such conditions to be looked into if the cat throws white foam and vomits.
Renal insufficiency
This is an issue seen with geriatric cats. The damage to the kidney can have one such symptom of throwing up white foam and not eating. This, however, could be both chronic and acute in nature, demanding attention respectively.
The vet needs to be soon earlier as possible for any such symptoms of vomiting. In addition, an increase in water intake, signs of weakness, boredom in the cat’s mood, or even any signs of dehydration and diarrhea will be observed.
Hepatic problems
Liver insufficiency could be another point of consideration. The liver is involved in many vital processes, dealing with removing waste formed in the living body. A lack of functionality or failure altogether will be no less than trouble. This could be identified in earlier stages with its symptoms of malfunctioning. One such would be lack of appetite, throwing food away when consumed, thus should be checked.
Hyperthyroidism
The high activity of the thyroid is called hyperthyroidism. The thyroid is found in the neck, secreting thyroxin, and occurs due to the thyroid glands over activity. However, if the production exceeds the normal, the food and water intake can go high in the cat. This, in addition, is accompanied by excess urination and vomiting. One must consider this too while seeing a cat with other options.
Pancreatitis
The cat suffering from inflammation of the pancreas is called pancreatitis and demands severe medical treatment. It can vary from mild to profound in terms of seriousness. More accurately referred to as either acute or chronic, require its own kind of treatment. However, it can occur in the company of any other medical condition like gastro, liver issues, or diabetes.
This, in turn, causes problems with the digestion and metabolism of food as it is responsible for secreting insulin, mandatory for sugar breakdown and assimilation. Some underlined common indications will be diarrhea, vomiting, and thinning of the cat.
Diabetes
This is a condition where the body somehow fails in producing sufficient insulin. Insulin is critical in metabolizing sugar, allowing the dissemination of energy to the body. In diabetes, the cat might be seen eating and drinking more than usual, followed by more urination. This might not necessarily add to the weight of the cat. However, such symptoms could be seen along with vomiting and loss of the cat’s fur with a foul odor.
Parasites
The cats can have worms disturbing the GIT, making them throwing up white foam and not eating. The infestation in a cat’s belly is way too common and needs to be dewormed. The vet might not even have proper meals, in this very case, along with persistent diarrhea.
The parasite infesting the cat is responsible for all such symptoms. Such a situation is seen mainly with young cats than the senior ones. The best solution is to get the cat dewormed and use metronidazole or any medicine recommended by the vet.
Foreign bodies
One probable reason for pushing the food out could be swallowing hairballs by the cat. The cat is usually grooming itself or, when bored, starts eating up a lot of body hair. Especially when the mass of hair turns into a hairball.
The cat throws it out most of the time, removing anything taken in, but other times, the case might be different. The hair taken will get into the stomach in the form of a hardball that is referred trichobezoars.
Most of the animals can regurgitate them and put out the mass, while in cats, it stays and causes gastro irritation. This might also, at times, lead to obstruction, i.e., called intussusception. This precisely means the entry of something within a part of the intestine, particularly within the fluid. In this case, the situation is grave most of the time and may require surgical intervention.
However, the white foam thrown out was due to the hairball preventing food from down the track.
Other Reasons
Here are few other points to consider if your cat is throwing up white foam and not eating
Cat is depressed
At times, it is not some grave issue when the cat is throwing up white foam and not eating. Sometimes it is not the disease, but something poisonous taken up by the cat while licking. The substance with toxic potential can react with the cat causing dehydration and, in turn, foamy residue.
Other than that, if not watered properly, dehydration can also have similar actions.
Also, if the cat is depressed, it can pick up things and drool stuff from the mouth with the production of white foam. This, in turn, invites the attention of the owner.
A stressed cat
A cat under stress conditions could be vomiting around. Stress can be marked by multiple reasons. The cat owner paying less attention or having a new pet around. Even a new baby in the house could all add to anxiousness to the cat. With all this adding to anxiousness cat possibly fail to take food down.
Even taking food down swiftly in anger, may make them regurgitate the food. In such a case, reducing the anger and anxiety of the cat may be an immediate therapy.
Countering the problem
Having have our reasons for cat throwing up white foam and not eating. The next thing in mind should be treating it to get away with the problem or clearing the stuff. Some tips that can steer your way out of this are given below:
Vomiting:
Vomiting needs attention as it can lead to dehydration. Before the cat gives away any added problems, rehydrate it and concern the vet for further management.
Observe symptoms other than vomiting; watch out for eating schedules and new habits. This will be a helping hand for the veterinarian concerned. Ending up with a quick diagnosis.
Nutritional Needs:
The nutritional needs of the cat shall be met. A lack of a balanced diet can be the root cause of any such issues. Make sure the cat gets all proteins and carbs in the right concentration.
Healthy Environment:
Keep the cat in a safe and healthy environment. This keeps the cat from in taking any intoxicating stuff.
Pay attention to the cat for any troubles. It is not pathological reasons; psychological disturbances can also lead to the ill health of the cat.
Vacuum the floor:
To avoid hairballs, play with the cat, and keep it clean. Brush regularly and remove any fallen hair on the floor using a vacuum cleaner.
Note:
- Sometimes, vomiting can be a lifesaver.
- Watch out if the cat has ingested something poisonous or irritating to the internal system. However, recurring vomiting and foaming might be a different case.
- Get a regular check-up to save a cat from any severe health anomaly.
