[VTHokies]

Hello Everyone,

I am new to this forum, but I can see that it is really a great place to talk about cats. My cat has been getting skinnier/unhealthier over the past few months. She eats a lot and yet is ALWAYS begging for food, it seems as if she is always starving and is fighting for her life.

She practically dedicates her life to scavenging for food, always roaming the kitchen after meals and even clawing through plastic-wrap to get to things such as bread, pastries, etc. We have been trying to feed her in little dosages because she pukes very often, especially after she eats a lot. She averages a solid 1.5 pukes per day.

It seems as if she is eating a lot more than she has over the years, and yet she is still very skinny and is losing weight, along with her constant puking. Has anyone experienced anything similar with their cat and does anyone have any suggestions? What do you think the problem is and what can I do to get her better (I am on a tight budget)?

Thanks!

 

[FlickeringHope]

You're probably feeding bad food, dear! Cats only go after people food with intensity if they're being malnourished from the food they eat.

Dogs that are being fed poor food eat their own poop and eat from the garbage... cats will look for human food.

Puking is NOT good. You need to feed better. What are you feeding? Malnourished cats will also need to be fed more..you feed better food, you feed less.

You need to buy a better food, that's the ONLY thing will solve it. Natural Balance Ultra Premium dry food would probably be a good food to get her pack some weight on and stop puking. Chances are, if the food you're feeding now contains corn, or soy, it's probably a reaction to that. You need to avoid foods with corn, and soy especially. Byproducts(poultry, meat byproducts or "meat meal")..you need to avoid all of those. You could also feed Innova's Healthwise - Chicken and Rice. It's got rice, which is a grain, and isn't ideal(cats and dogs shouldn't be eating grains). That shouldn't upset her tummy, either. But her puking should stop once you change her food.

That happened to one of our cats...not to that intensity...but she would puke several times a week. One night, several months ago, she started crying(she cries before she's about to puke - it's heart-wrenching, but that's how we know to prepare). I tried to hold her steady, but she was puking so violently I was afraid I'd hurt her if I kept a grip on her. I took some Fancy Feast my fiance's mom had stocked up on for emergencies(Fancy Feast is not a good food, but it worked). And I gave it to her to fill her belly. She didn't puke it out, thankfully. But I changed them to a better food when I could. And the reason she puked was because we were feeding on what my fiance's mom feeds the rest of the cats - Purina Cat Chow. Bad food. And it's why she was vomiting. She hasn't puked since that day.

 

[Sasami]

At this point, I wouldn't start trying things like a food change. I would get her to a vet. Good luck!

 

[Jennicat]

I have to ditto Sasami, the constant puking is often a sign of a medical problem, especially if your cat is losing weight!

 

[VTHokies]

Thanks for the response!

I consulted with my brother and he does not think that the food we are feeding her is the problem. We feed her Science Diet catfood and it is of great quality!

She is also experiencing some hair loss, has increase thirst, increased urination, and is 'ravenous', but she does have a high energy level.

Any other opinions/suggestions are appreciated!

 

[FlickeringHope]

Science Diet is CRAP! It contains ethoxyquin. ...Go to consumeraffairs.com and type in Science Diet. It's KILLED animals! Science Diet is NOT good food!!! Science Diet doesn't even know what "Great quality" is! That food is KILLING her.

People ahve had to put their animals to SLEEP because they began puking violently, and began puking up blood, then they got lethargic, and then there was no hope for them. Science Diet. Is. Not. Good. Food. I'm sorry, but it's not. It's the worst food you can feed a cat or dog besides Purina or Iams.

 

[Jennicat]

She needs to see a vet. All of these symptoms are pointing towards a more serious problem.

 

[FlickeringHope]

Science Diet is full of lies. They don't give a crap about your pets' health, all they want is money. And that food WILL kill your cat if you don't stop feeding Science Diet.

..So...the choice is up to you.

 

[Sasami]

FlickeringHope, you aren't a vet. Please stop acting as if it's definitely the food. The cat has been throwing up for months and needs to see a vet asap. Could it be the food? Definitely. But no one is going to be able to tell that over the Internet, the cat needs veterinary care.

 

[FlickeringHope]

Science Diet has done to other cats, what it's doing to her's. The fact of the matter is, most medical ailments are caused by what you're feeding your pet. Trial and Error. It's the food, and she needs to stop risking her pets' health by continuing to feed rotten food.

Yes, the cat needs veterinary care. But the food needs to be changed, regardless of what any vet says.

 

[Sasami]

The fact of the matter is, most medical ailments are caused by what you're feeding your pet.

And plenty aren't caused by the food at all (parasites being a huge one).

By saying that the food is causing it, you may cause the owner to delay medical care in order to change the food. Like I said, the food is low-quality but this cat needs a lot more than better food.

 

[FlickeringHope]

Actually, medical care and a better food are about 50/50.

..And if she delays medical care, that's her problem. I don't force people on what to think, so if she makes a stupid decision, that's on her. I'm giving my input/advice, which is what was asked. The steps she takes, are up to her. Considering how dire the situation is, if she skips out on taking the cat to a vet, I can't be blamed for that. It's common sense to take a sick animal to a vet. Or at least it should be.

I'm not a vet. Nor would I want to be, because most vets RECOMMEND Science Diet because Science Diet funds their research.

In any case, I gave my advice because it was asked out of concern from the OP. And I'M concerned about the well-being of the cat. Maybe that's my downfall, but it doesn't make me any less of a person. If that's an issue with you, then I'm sorry, but I'm not changing what I wrote. Advice is asked for, advice is given. That's the bare bones of it.

 

[Sasami]

Without even knowing much about the cat, you recommended switching foods and nowhere in your post did you even mention vet care. There's a good chance this has nothing to do with food. I don't want to argue with you but please remember that the forum guidelines clearly state that you can't give medical advice.

To the OP: Here are some emergency vets in your area since I realize it's after hours:

http://www.friendshiphospital.com
http://local.yahoo.com/info-3620408...mQMT1M_kCqSGTWHNcIF;_ylv=3?csz=Washington,+DC
http://local.yahoo.com/info-3512055...Ok29CIbDETxkraHNcIF;_ylv=3?csz=Washington,+DC

If money is the issue: http://www.paw-talk.net/forums/f75/help-with-vet-bills-56020.html

Care Credit is especially useful. Good luck and please keep us updated!

 

[FlickeringHope]

Medical advice...? Switching foods is not medical advice. Anything you put into your body, or your pets' can have positive, and adverse effects. Puking is a sign of the body trying to dispel something, and, quickly. Likely an ingredient in the food.

And if it is indeed considered medical advice, then apparently I'm not cut out for this forum. Been thinking about leaving for a while now, guess I actually have a reason to. Especially if I'm going to get b*tched at for being utterly concerned about someone's cat dying before her eyes. And absolutely outraged that someone could think the food wasn't the issue, when the cat is losing hair, losing weight, ravenous...with hunger, and still can't possibly imagine it's the fault of the food.

Well...it's been sweet. But see ya everyone. I'm needed elsewhere.

 

[VTHokies]

Hi Again,

Thanks to everyone who responded and provided recommendations, especially Flickering! Without her advice, I would not have known that Science Diet is not a good quality cat food. Now that I know, I am going to feed her a different food. Please do not leave the forum flickering, you have been very helpful.

And to everyone else, how much would you guess the vet bill is going to be? My brother seems to think it is either a kidney problem or hyperthyroidism. Do you all know how appx. how much it costs to treat a cat with these complications? About how much will it cost for an initial check-up? What about putting her to sleep, would this be considered serious enough to justify that?

Thanks again!

 

[Sasami]

I'm not sure how much it'll cost because it varies depending on the vet and the area (I'm in New York). If you called, they should at least be able to give you an estimate for a check-up.

I wouldn't think about euthanasia this early, it could easily be something fixable with the right medical care .

 

[Chinchi]

It sounds like the same problem as my 16 year old male has.
He has a problem with his metabolism. It's not uncommon in older cats, but it's quite easy to treat. They need to be on pills for the rest of their life, but they do quite fine on them and thrive

When they have metabolism problems, they will eat all the time, and still loose weight. So that would be my bet.
But go check with a vet

 

[Chinchi]

FH:
Not to be a b*tch, but you did say this:

You need to buy a better food, that's the ONLY thing will solve it

That's medical advice...

 

[Kendalle]

It could possibly be the food, our cat lucy was on science diet his whole life, since it is like $30 a bag and vets sell it we thought it was good food he has hairball issues and pukes a lot, i told my mom it is bad food and she switched to call of the wild i think and lucy doesn't puke much anymore but he is still transitioning and does love the food.

but also he just went to the vet and the vet found a mass in his belly area that could be scar tissue from when he got spayed by a bad vet or a tumor he goes back for new tests soon.


There are a lot of things that could cause vomiting a vet is the only answer. I would switch the food anyway just do it very slowly call of the wild looks pretty good and is about the same price.

good luck!

and flickering hope, your advice is normally pretty good, well informed and so on you are a good contribution to the site, however this problem may or may not be related to food and a vet is really needed. The vomiting sounds like it started some what suddenly and could be related to something else.

 

[Jennicat]

Our cat has kidney problems, and it was fairly reasonable to diagnose and work with. Initially he was given an exam and blood tests (it's been a while, but it was around $200), and then was put onto a prsecription food that was made for a kidneys. (It is also the dreaded Science Diet -- however, they do make excellent prescription foods). He also gets a supplement in his wet food each night that's aimed at boosting his kidneys.

Over the years, his bloodwork has slowly improved, and now he's got better kidney function. Sometimes it doesn't (the kidneys stay the same) but the food is designed not to stress them as much so that there is not more damage.
He was diagnosed roughly 9 years ago, and he's still fine now.

He was taken in because he started barfing a lot as well. Our vet told us that as the kidneys begin failing, it will make the cat slightly nauseous. There are lots of other things that can, as well (just like with people -- nausea is a pretty common symptom), but with Loki it turned out to be his kidneys.