puking cat

Question
QUESTION: Hi- I have a mixed breed (long-haired) cat. We are unsure of his age, but our guess is about 8-9 years old. His frequency of puking has increased and I'm wondering if it is temperment related. He usually pukes when my husband and I are not home. When he pukes, there are normally multiple piles and he also poops somewhere nearby. This occurs once or twice a week. Most often, there is a hairball present. Wondering if he is just angry at us for leaving, if it's just hairball issues, or if we need to take him to the vet. Our hesitance to taking him to the vet is the cost involved. Any suggestions?

ANSWER: Hi Holly,

Have you tried hairball medicine? This might help. But it sounds like there is more going on. The other thing that comes to mind is your cat may have hyperthyroidism. Age, vomiting, and the pooping are possible signs of this. This is something he does need to be checked out by a vet. Just out of curiosity, is he eating and drinking alot? And is he urinating alot? These are also signs of this. I would take him to the vet. If it is hyperthyroidism he will need medicine. And just in case, heres a link about hyperthyroidism.

http://www.2ndchance.info/hyperthyroid.htm

Good luck and take care.

Ciao, Karen

---------- FOLLOW-UP ----------

QUESTION: Thank you for the quick response. He does not seem to be drinking/eating/urinating any more often than normal. We give him a hairball reducing food, but I will probably look into a different brand. We've been doing Purina...may try Science Diet. He's never responded well to the hairball remedies- wouldn't touch the Petromalt and if we put the paste, he wouldn't touch the food. However, tried again last night with the Petromalt and he gobbled 3 up like they were treats (although he won't touch treats either). I will see if the Petromalt helps and I also groomed him thoroughly, otherwise off to the vet we go. Thanks again.

Answer
Hi Holly,

Glad I could be of some help. Heres a link about what you might want to feed him. Wet food will do him better.

http://catinfo.org/

If he doesn't like the petromalt try this stuff instead.

http://www.petnaturals.com/vitamins_supplements/hairballforcats.php

Heres some more info about cats vomiting.

http://www.catsofaustralia.com/vomiting-cats.htm

http://www.vetmed.wsu.edu/ClientED/vomiting.aspx

If the hairball remedy helps then I wouldn't worry about him too much. Otherwise have your vet check him over. Good luck and take care.

Ciao, Karen