Why is my cat vomiting? *Update #7*

[Kimmiepie]

Okay, we got a kitten from a family back in June. She was said to be about 8 weeks old then, but when we took her to the vet the dr. said he thought she was about month younger than that. So she is somewhere between 5-7 months old. She got a clean bill of health at her vet checkup a couple of months ago.

She is an inside cat, but in the past month or so became really curious about being outside. We are not supposed to have an animal here so we didn't want her roaming about if the landlord were to stop by (we're moving in two weeks though). She started "sneaking" outside when the kids went out in the backyard and we would bring her back in. Well she got really good at darting out the door. A few weeks ago she got out and was gone for a bit. Then the other day she got out and we couldn't find her for 2 hours. Ever since that time she was out for a while she meows at the windows and doors almost constantly. She's also become really clingy, she follows me around all the time.

We have an appt to get her spayed next week, but I'm wondering if she could have gotten pregnant or eaten something outside the other day. She vomited 2 days ago and then I found more today! It is the color of her food and I don't see anything weird in it. She's never had a problem with the food before, and other than wanting to go outside and wanting my attention she is still very active, eating well (in fact she's always reeeeeeally hungry) etc. She doesn't seem sick or anything like that. It's not hair balls because she is a short hair cat, and the vomit is hairless. I've had cats most of my life and can recognize the difference.

Do you think she could have eaten something (grass??) that made her sick? I don't even know if cats get "morning sickness" but this crossed my mind as well.

Any advice would be greatly appreciated. Thanks!

[Llyra]

My cats barf anytime they go outside. I think they graze on the grass and it makes them sick. FWIW, though, my cats barf a lot just anyway. I think they get a hairball and they have to throw up a bunch of times before they succeed in getting it up.

If it becomes more and more common, though, you might speak to a vet about it. I had a cat once who had an intestinal tumor, and it started with the occasional vomit and over a few weeks progressed to where she couldn't keep any food down at all.

FWIW, even short-haired cats get hairballs.

[Caneel]

Originally Posted by Llyra

My cats barf anytime they go outside. I think they graze on the grass and it makes them sick. FWIW, though, my cats barf a lot just anyway. I think they get a hairball and they have to throw up a bunch of times before they succeed in getting it up.

If it becomes more and more common, though, you might speak to a vet about it. I had a cat once who had an intestinal tumor, and it started with the occasional vomit and over a few weeks progressed to where she couldn't keep any food down at all.

FWIW, even short-haired cats get hairballs.

I have short hair cats also and they randomly puke and have for 15 and 16 years. It isn't uncommon for cats to do this, especially if they have been nibbling on grass or plants.

[Kimmiepie]

Thank you. That's probably what it is. She goes in friday to get spayed, so maybe they will be able to check then.

[lindberg99]

My last cat was a big puker. She lived to be 15 so I don't think it affected her too much. She was pretty skinny when she died but she also had thyroid problems.

Do you give her any kind of anti-hairball stuff?

[MaWhit]

Glad to hear she's getting spayed.

If the vomiting continues, consider a different feeding method. If she free-feeds, then feed her on a set schedule instead, or if she has scheduled feedings, try free-feeding her. Some cats just eat too much too fast (with either feeding method) and sometimes a change is all that's needed.

[Kimmiepie]

Update-

Well, reading the signs and looking back Chavah (the cat) was *definitely* in heat!! She has not thrown up since a few days after the original post. She was very very loving and affectionate (more than ever!), eating a ton etc. until a few days ago.

Now she is very tired all the time. She still eats, but not ravenously like is normal for her. She will go to the same spot under my bed which she never seemed to notice before, or by the windows and lay down. I have read to look for bigger/pinker nipples but I haven't noticed this yet and her belly doesn't seem much bigger than normal. I did notice that she looks "fuller" all around but not necessarily just her tummy. Her nose is still cold and wet so I don't believe she has a fever or is very ill. She's just MUCH calmer than is usual, very tired and eating less than usual. She's definitely not in heat anymore, but I guess that doesn't mean she is pregnant.

Should I take her to the vet to make sure she isn't sick or confirm pregnancy?

ETA: We didn't get her spayed when we were supposed to because my husband was involved in the Ft. Hood shootings the day before we were supposed to, so we rescheduled but they couldn't get us in until December.

[phatchristy]

Was she outdoors AT ALL? Because if she was during the heat then she is most likely pregnant.

However, you could take her to the vet to confirm, and/or have her spayed.

[Kimmiepie]

Yes, she was outside.

We just got back from the vet and she has a "fever of unknown origin". They gave us antibiotics. So I'm not really sure what's wrong with her.