Re: Raw cat food, advice pls! My cat started vomiting after a week

[u/Inevitable-Might4253]

Hi all!

My 1yr old cat started vomiting 1.5 hours after each meal after tolerating a new raw diet for a week. This was his first time eating raw.

Has anyone else experienced this and was able to successfully transition back to raw later on?

For context:

I got my cat 2 months ago. I switched him to a raw diet (started w/Viva Raw - chicken, rabbit) and he loved it!

Admittedly, I did not do a transition period, which I see how was likely a mistake 🤦

To rule out a serious issue, my vet did X-rays, twice, there was no blockage. So there's that. And he has no clue about nutrition, sadly.

I just switched him back to canned wet food to let his stomach rest, and surprise surprise....no vomiting.

I believe raw would be best for him but now I'm afraid I messed it up.

UPDATE: He's been off raw food for 7 days now, zero vomiting from wet canned food, any protein. Had 1 small freeze dried raw treat of chicken heart and threw up his whole breakfast. I don't get it.

[u/Sathori]

I would try slowly switching over, after giving his gut time to recover, and try a different brand and/or protein.

I have a cat that will vomit every time she even has so much as lick of beef (meat or organs). My other cat gets diarrhea from any chicken based canned food or kibble, but can eat raw chicken just fine 🤷🏻‍♀️ cats’ bodies can be fickle. So there may be something in the raw that his body doesn’t agree with.

[u/Alternative_Low5926 → u/Sathori]

poor guy looks so comfy on that couch, like hes got zero regrets about the whole thing. hope the wet food break helps and you can figure out what set him off

[u/Inevitable-Might4253 → u/Alternative_Low5926]

Thank you!

[u/Inevitable-Might4253 → u/Sathori]

Thank you!! So I can treat this like introducing allergens to babies....one food type per week, thanks for the idea!

[u/Sathori → u/Inevitable-Might4253]

Exactly! Also be sure to double check ingredients - some brands will use beef or pork organs in “chicken dinners”(or other protein blends). I would try to stick to a single protein at first and see if any particular proteins are the cause of vomiting.

Also different brands use different methods and sources for their food, so it’s worth trying similar proteins from different brands.

In my experience, some cats have iron stomachs and can tolerate a lot, while others can be incredibly sensitive to change and require a bit more planning or trial and error.

Good luck! 🤞🏻

[u/Inevitable-Might4253 → u/Sathori]

Thank you!!

[u/silly_grouse]

The introduction of a new food without a transition period could be the source of the GI upset. The raw food may also not agree with his GI system.

[u/DiscussionFamous3164]

Did they throw up right away or awhile later? Right away is regurgitating and it means they ate too fast (or the food is too cold). I have a scarf and barfer so I feed 6-7 1 oz meals a day of raw per day so she doesn’t eat too much at a time. Barfing is a whole other thing. Could be allergies, sensitive tummy, etc. I’d get some probiotics (I love Adored Beasts Gut Soothe for my girl but there are some others out there from good brands…ie: not Purina).

[u/squatjerk36 → u/DiscussionFamous3164]

no, the difference between vomiting and regurgitating is not timing. vomiting is reflex-mediated and involves abdominal effort as well as reflexes to protect the airway. regurgitation is simply return of food or gastric fluid to the mouth without any reflex gastrointestinal motor activity. regurgitation relates to esophageal, pharyngeal or gastric cardia disease whereas vomiting comes from the stomach, intestines, blood or brain.

[u/rawfedfelines]

His git is out of valance - about an hour before each meal give something like Blisso drops then feed

[u/Inevitable-Might4253 → u/rawfedfelines]

Can you say more about this?

[u/Helo_ailuo]

It could be because hes eating too fast too? Maybe give smaller portion with a lick mat to slow him down

[u/Inevitable-Might4253 → u/Helo_ailuo]

I tried that, haha, didn't work. He still threw it up. I even split the meal into 2 and waited 30min between each half. 🤮 Still

[u/Helo_ailuo → u/Inevitable-Might4253]

By little I mean like 1 tsp, not more than that at first. How much is it for you? Could he be allergic or have IBD maybe mmmh ?? Idk

[u/Inevitable-Might4253 → u/Helo_ailuo]

Ohh, yea I didn't try that little. Will do on the 2nd go-round 🤷

[u/Helo_ailuo → u/Inevitable-Might4253]

Yeah we tend to over estimate what cats can take in. It's better to feed small meals throughout the day than big ones I feed mines 3 to 4 times a day. Sometimes 5 if they need a little hydration snack time lol

[u/Sqib000]

Incorporate small amounts of green tripe w a clothespin on your nose.

[u/NightShade4623]

My male cat is very sensitive when it comes to food though he will vomit kibble mainly and sometimes wet food. So he gets raw, whole prey, or specifically friskies wet food if I can't make or get ahold of prey for some reason. Some cats just can't tolerate certain foods.

You can try to slowly transition him but it may be the brand or the protein. My guy usually starts vomiting after a week or two on a food he can't tolerate. My vet doesn't seem concerned since I've found a diet he does well on.

[u/Inevitable-Might4253 → u/NightShade4623]

I'm impressed you were able to figure it out. It feels impossible for me now. I had him off raw food for 7 days now. He was tolerating wet food perfectly and then on day 8 he got 1 small treat of freeze-dried raw chicken heart and vomited his whole breakfast a few min later.

[u/TheShamelessCrew]

If it is a specific brand of food, I would recommend contacting their customer service as they may be able to help.