Why Is My Cat Throwing Up Undigested Food?

Cats are obligate carnivores and much of their diet must come from animal-based sources. For this reason, many cat guardians opt to feed canned food over kibble. While switching from dry to canned food is a move in the right direction for our feline companions, it can also lead to a common (but often alarming) issue- the undigested regurgitation of kibble. Although many owners confuse cat vomit and hairballs, vomiting is a forced ejection of stomach contents through the mouth while hairballs are simply compressed strands of hair that pass through the digestive tract.

So why do cats throw up undigested food? In most cases, the underlying cause is a sudden diet change. In their excitement over the delicious new food, many cats will gorge themselves. Eating large amounts of food quickly can cause a phenomenon known as "regurgitation," which is not the same as vomiting. Cats cannot burp, so instead, they regurgitate as a way to relieve pressure due to a distended stomach. For this reason, switching diets gradually over the course of several weeks is recommended.

Here are a few tips for helping your cat adjust to a new diet and avoid undigested food regurgitation:

* Begin by mixing a small amount of the new food with the old food. Gradually increase the amount of new food and decrease the amount of old food over the course of several days.

* Try feeding your cat smaller portions more often. It is often recommended that cats eat a minimum of three, small meals per day.

* Try feeding your cat in a slow-feeder bowl. This can help to slow down their eating rate and prevent them from overeating too quickly.

While undigested regurgitation is often related to a diet change, it's still a good idea to talk to your veterinarian if you're concerned about our cat's vomiting behavior.