Should vomiting cats skip a meal?
 

I have a cat that visits me and I feed her more or less regularly. Of
course she is not my pet, so I don't control everything she eats.

Today, whlile she was just sitting around and before I could give her
food, she started vomiting. She seemed fine after that and was even
expecting her meal (from the way she was sitting in her usual spot
waiting for it), but I was confused and decided I should not feed her
today.

It was very hard me to look at this little creature, who comes to me
trusting I'd give her some food, just waiting and I had to withhold it.
After a while she left. She did't look particularly sick and we were
left wondering if we did the right thing?

So, for my future reference, should a vomiting cat skip a meal, as I
would myself, or is it different for cats?

Ajanta wrote:
I have a cat that visits me and I feed her more or less regularly. Of
course she is not my pet, so I don't control everything she eats.

Today, whlile she was just sitting around and before I could give her
food, she started vomiting. She seemed fine after that and was even
expecting her meal (from the way she was sitting in her usual spot
waiting for it), but I was confused and decided I should not feed her
today.

It was very hard me to look at this little creature, who comes to me
trusting I'd give her some food, just waiting and I had to withhold it.
After a while she left. She did't look particularly sick and we were
left wondering if we did the right thing?

So, for my future reference, should a vomiting cat skip a meal, as I
would myself, or is it different for cats?

Cats vomit quite a lot (some more than others). I don't think they need to
skip a meal. None of ours ever have and they seem perfectly happy eating
straight after throwing up. Cats are pretty sensible with regards to their
health most of the time so you could have just put some food down and let
her decide whether she wanted it or not. I suppose the worst that could
happen is that she throws it up.

--

http://www.ollieclark.com/acronyms.html

Ajanta wrote:

I have a cat that visits me and I feed her more or less
regularly. Of course she is not my pet, so I don't control
everything she eats.

Is she spayed?

Today, whlile she was just sitting around and before I could
give her food, she started vomiting. ... I was confused and
decided I should not feed her today... we did the right thing?

If she isn't spayed, maybe you did the right thing.

So, for my future reference, should a vomiting cat skip a meal,
as I would myself, or is it different for cats?

I do not really agree with your premise about humans needing to
skip a meal.

I don't think cats should skip a meal. Cats vomit fur balls. They
might vomit also because of intestinal/digestive problems. In the
latter case, maybe their diet should be changed or maybe they
should be taken to a veterinarian. When concerned, I carefully
examine my cats vomit for hairballs to see whether there is a good
reason or whether she might need help.

Good luck.

In article ,
Ajanta wrote:

I have a cat that visits me and I feed her more or less regularly. Of
course she is not my pet, so I don't control everything she eats.

Today, whlile she was just sitting around and before I could give her
food, she started vomiting. She seemed fine after that and was even
expecting her meal (from the way she was sitting in her usual spot
waiting for it), but I was confused and decided I should not feed her
today.

It was very hard me to look at this little creature, who comes to me
trusting I'd give her some food, just waiting and I had to withhold it.
After a while she left. She did't look particularly sick and we were
left wondering if we did the right thing?

So, for my future reference, should a vomiting cat skip a meal, as I
would myself, or is it different for cats?

Most cats hack up their fur balls by intentionally vomiting. Chance are,
the cat you're caring for is doing this. Such vomiting is certainly an
annoyance, but its nothing to worry about. If this cat has heavy fur,
the problem might be worse than usual, especially during warmer months.
Try brushing the cat's fur once or twice a day to reduce hair balls, and
thus, reduce vomiting.

John Doe wrote:

: Today, whlile she was just sitting around and before I could
: give her food, she started vomiting. ... I was confused and
: decided I should not feed her today... we did the right thing?
:
: If she isn't spayed, maybe you did the right thing.

What is the relationship between being spayed, vomiting, and meals?

: So, for my future reference, should a vomiting cat skip a meal,
: as I would myself, or is it different for cats?
:
: I do not really agree with your premise about humans needing to
: skip a meal.

I was speaking for myself, the few times I have vomited I didn't feel
like eating for a long time. But I do realize that this may not be the
case for other humans let alone animals. :) Certainly, this cat wanted
to eat, I could tell that much. Next time I see her I will give her a
good meal.

"Ajanta" wrote in message
...
I have a cat that visits me and I feed her more or less regularly.
Of
course she is not my pet, so I don't control everything she eats.

Today, whlile she was just sitting around and before I could give
her
food, she started vomiting. She seemed fine after that and was even
expecting her meal (from the way she was sitting in her usual spot
waiting for it), but I was confused and decided I should not feed
her
today.

It was very hard me to look at this little creature, who comes to me
trusting I'd give her some food, just waiting and I had to withhold
it.
After a while she left. She did't look particularly sick and we were
left wondering if we did the right thing?

So, for my future reference, should a vomiting cat skip a meal, as I
would myself, or is it different for cats?

Who does the cat belong too? If it's not a stray or unwanted it's
best to feed
her.
Alison

Alison wrote:

: Who does the cat belong too? If it's not a stray or unwanted it's
: best to feed her.

The OP clearly meant that she feeds this cat regularly but on that one
occasion wasn't sure if it was good for the cat's health to eat right
after vomiting, so didn't feed that one time.

I am inexperienced myself, but reading the follow-up responses I
understand it is ok for cats to eat after they vomits.

Kind of counter-intuitive to me---I wouldn't hand over a full dinner
plate to my child right after he vomited---but cats do have a different
physiology from ours.

Our cats suffer from time to time with this (as do most) but we know our
cats well enough to know when to continue to give food or skip a meal.

Somtimes you can feed them and they will be fine. Sometimes though we can
feed them and they will just bring it up again five minutes later. (No they
do not have internal health problems)

So its a matter of judgement. It wont hurt them to skip a meal if you feel
the situation could occur again. Cats may have a different set-up to humans
but they are not alien...sickness (wether health or fur-ball induced)
usually means they will have an upset tummy for a short while. So be careful
if feeding them staright away.

"Newbie" wrote in message
...
Alison wrote:

: Who does the cat belong too? If it's not a stray or unwanted it's
: best to feed her.

The OP clearly meant that she feeds this cat regularly but on that one
occasion wasn't sure if it was good for the cat's health to eat right
after vomiting, so didn't feed that one time.

I am inexperienced myself, but reading the follow-up responses I
understand it is ok for cats to eat after they vomits.

Kind of counter-intuitive to me---I wouldn't hand over a full dinner
plate to my child right after he vomited---but cats do have a different
physiology from ours.

Ajanta wrote:
John Doe wrote:

: Today, whlile she was just sitting around and before I could
: give her food, she started vomiting. ... I was confused and
: decided I should not feed her today... we did the right
: thing?
:
: If she isn't spayed, maybe you did the right thing.

What is the relationship between being spayed, vomiting, and
meals?

Being spayed/neutered means the stray cat you are feeding will not
have a bunch of kittens or sire a bunch of kittens.

It's a difficult decision. Personally, I like to provide fresh
water for outdoor animals even though I am not 100% sure of the
logic in doing so. But I am aware that well fed outdoor cats will
breed and produce kittens that die some very unpleasant deaths.
The number of cats that are already abandoned onto the streets is
probably much more than the number needed to take care of rodents
produced by sloppy living.

Good luck.

"Alison" wrote in message
...
"Ajanta" wrote in message
...

It was very hard me to look at this little creature, who comes to
me
trusting I'd give her some food, just waiting and I had to
withhold
it.
After a while she left. She did't look particularly sick and we
were
left wondering if we did the right thing?

So, for my future reference, should a vomiting cat skip a meal, as
I
would myself, or is it different for cats?

Who does the cat belong too? If it's not a stray or unwanted it's
best to feed
her.
Alison

Oops that should be best *not* to feed her.
Alison