Dealing with Cattitude? Here’s What Might Be Up with Your Cat
Cats are fascinating creatures. They are great pets in part because they can be so mysterious to us. Why do they do some of the things they do? Sometimes they’re funny, like when they demand to drink from the faucet. Sometimes they’re annoying, like when they knock things off the shelf or counter. But some behaviors can be more than just amusing or annoying.
Some cat behaviors can be worrisome for the health of the cat, or the health and safety of your home. For example, if your cat keeps getting sick around the house, you might wonder why your cat keeps throwing up. It can be difficult to know if it’s just something giving their throat a tickle or if there’s an internal problem that needs a vet’s attention right away.
Another problem is when your cat is making the entire house its own personal restroom. Why does your cat not use the litter box? Is it because they’re mad at you, or is there a medical reason that you need to know about? Here’s some info about both of these cases and what might be done to address them.
Why does my cat keep throwing up?
Compared to humans, and even other pets, cats throw up a lot. They regularly will hack up hairballs, especially after a particularly intense self-grooming session. This is not unusual, and it is less “vomit” than just a bunch of indigestible hair getting cleared out. But if your cat throws up multiple times a day, it might be time to schedule a checkup at the vet.
There are many different types of vomit, and some are more serious than others. First of all, there’s a difference between vomiting and regurgitation. Vomiting lasts several minutes and involves the forceful expulsion of contents in the stomach and upper intestine. Regurgitation, on the other hand, happens suddenly—it’s basically just spitting up almost without warning and without the retching or heaving involved in vomiting.
The color of the vomit can also be an indicator of a larger problem. For example, red or pink vomit may indicate the presence of blood, but it can also be simply the result of dyes used in the cat’s food. Black or brown vomit, especially if it looks like coffee grounds, can be a sign of bleeding in the digestive tract and requires immediate attention from your vet.
Why does my cat not use the litter box?
Sometimes a cat will stop using their litter box, and this is often a sign that your cat is trying to communicate something to you. This could be something as simple as that they don’t like the type of litter, or that they don’t like where the box is located. Maybe it’s just dirty—cats are notoriously clean creatures, after all. But it may be a sign of a health problem, especially if your cat is straining to urinate or if there’s blood in the urine.
Fortunately, dealing with these and other cat problems doesn’t have to be something you do on your own. For all your cat veterinarian needs, contact St. Francisville Animal Hospital today.
Categorised in: Cat Care