Biology Reference
In-Depth Information
supplements, special diets and treats. If your cat spits up hairballs regu-
larly, one or more of these remedies may decrease the frequency.
Mineral oil is not a safe or effective treatment for hairballs.
It is common to blame a cat's coughing and gagging on hairballs,
but there are some serious conditions that can mimic the same
signs (see Chapter 13). If your cat is not spitting up a hairball when
he goes through those heaving motions, consult your veterinarian.
Possible causes could be asthma, heart disease and other gastrointestinal
problems.
Does Your Cat Have Food Issues?
Many cat owners know their cats do not always perform the second
step of digestion—chewing the food. Cats who eat rapidly without
chewing may regurgitate their meal within minutes and then simply go
back to eating. Cats may eat rapidly because they feel competition at
the food bowl or because they like to overeat. Cats who regurgitate
tend to bring up piles of food that has not been chewed.These cats usu-
ally eat a dry (but sometimes canned) diet too quickly, which blows up
and distends their stomachs, causing the regurgitation. Some sugges-
tions for curbing this problem are:
•
Feed a less palatable diet.
•
Feed a diet with a larger kibble size so that the cat will have
to chew.
•
Add water to moisten the food before it is fed.
•
Mix canned food with the dry to slow down eating and add
moisture.
If you try these all of these suggestions and your cat continues to
regurgitate, consult your veterinarian.
Does Your Cat Have the Flu?
Cats can contract viral or bacterial infections that cause vomiting.
Because routine blood tests may show normal results, it is not easy to
diagnose a gastrointestinal infection. If fever and discomfort are present,
an infection should be suspected.
It is common for cats with infections to also have diarrhea.
Infections can be contagious to other cats, but are rarely transmissible
