bulimic cat?

by Karen
(Hamilton, ON Canada)

I have a 6 year old female ragdoll (only about 6 pounds or so) who was adopted through the SPCA. She had been on the street for some time, they thought and is very anxious about her food. When I feed her she eats so fast, runs to eat the other cats food then often she will throw up everything that she just ate. I feed her morning and at supper along with the other cat (13 yr old male - big boy) often in separate rooms and she seems to behave as though this is her last and only meal. Is there anything I can do to prevent her from throwing up as often? I don't think this is good for her, her teeth not to mention that then she is hungry all over again. Thanks for your help.

Answer by Kate
Hi yes this is a common problem with anxious cats and often rescue cats suffer from it. in fact my own cat was like this for the first few months until we altered her eating pattern. we gave her dry food only (good for her teeth and provides all the nutrition required) along with fresh water, but we would only give her small amounts of food but more often throughout the day. this prevented her from 1 eating too quickly dry food needs a little more chewing and 2. she could not eat so much that it made her sick.

we did this for several months until she became generally more relaxed in her new surroundings and began to feel at home. then we slowly increased the amount of food at a time and reduced the frequency of meals. She soon settled down into a normal routine and the vomiting after eating stopped and never returned.

best wishes Kate

 

 

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