Dry heaving is also referred to as projectile vomiting and is a common problem in cats. This leads to undesirable situations where your pet doesn’t feel well after eating or drinking. Fortunately, you can easily make sure your cat doesn’t dry heave by understanding what exactly it is.
What is Cat Dry Heaving?
Dry heaving is a condition that causes your cat to vomit without any other symptoms. The vomiting is usually triggered by something your cat eats and has a strong desire to get rid of.
There are many reasons why cats can dry heave, but it’s not always clear what causes it. Some cats will have dry heaving symptoms if they’re stressed out or nervous or if they’re exposed to certain chemicals or smells.
If you notice your cat dry heaving, try not to worry too much about it—it’s probably nothing serious! As long as your cat isn’t throwing up blood or having trouble breathing, there shouldn’t be any need for immediate medical attention.
Why is my cat dry heaving?
Hairballs
Dry heaving in cats is a serious condition that can be caused by many things, including hairballs. Hairballs are the result of a cat’s natural grooming habits, and they can cause dry heaving when they get lodged in their intestines.
If you notice your cat has been dry heaving, it’s important to consult your vet immediately. Your vet may need to perform scans or other tests to determine what is causing the problem and how best to fix it.
Nausea
Nausea is a common symptom of feline digestive disease and can cause dry heaving in cats.
Nausea can be caused by a number of things, including food allergy, stomach upset from eating too fast or too much, or even an obstruction or other problem with your cat’s digestive system.
Dry heaving is caused by increased gas production in the stomach. This causes vomiting due to the excess gas pressure in the stomach and intestines.
Gastroenteritis
Gastroenteritis is a condition that can be caused by several different things, including food poisoning or an infection in the stomach or intestines. It can also be caused by a virus.
In cats, gastroenteritis tends to cause vomiting and diarrhea. In some cases, it can cause dry heaving as well.
Kidney Disease
Kidney disease can be a cause of dry heaving in cats. It’s not necessarily the case that your cat is suffering from kidney disease, but it could be a contributing factor to their vomiting.
We know that kidney disease can cause vomiting in cats, and it’s most likely caused by an inflammatory response from the body. This inflammation can lead to dehydration and electrolyte imbalances, which could lead to excessive dry heaving.
However, this is not always the case—your cat may also be experiencing low levels of water or electrolytes in their body due to other conditions such as anorexia or liver disease. If your cat is experiencing these symptoms and has been diagnosed with kidney disease, please consult with your vet about treatment options and preventative measures you can take for your pet.
Liver Disease
Liver disease is the most common cause of dry heaving in cats.
The liver is a big part of what makes up a cat’s digestive system, and it produces bile, which helps break down food before it gets digested. But when a cat has a liver problem, bile production can become disrupted, which can lead to dry heaving and vomiting.
This could be caused by an underlying disease, or it could be caused by something else, like an infection.
Heart Disease
Heart disease is a common cause of dry heaving in cats. This can be caused by atherosclerosis, a condition where the plaque in your arteries hardens and narrows, cutting off blood flow to your heart and other organs.
This condition can cause chest pain, difficulty breathing, coughing, wheezing and shortness of breath. If you notice your cat is dry heaving because of heart disease, it’s important to start treatment immediately so that it doesn’t get worse.
What to do if your Cat is Dry Heaving
If your cat is dry heaving, it’s important to know what to do. Here are some tips on how to help your feline friend feel better.
- Check for dehydration: The first thing you need to do is get your cat checked out by a vet. If there’s nothing alarming going on, then consider giving them some water from an eyedropper or syringe. You can also try sprinkling some canned food on their fur or letting them drink from a bowl of water.
- Consider changing the diet: It’s best to change the diet of your cat if they’re dry heaving frequently. Many cats have digestive issues that can cause excessive vomiting and diarrhea, so switching over to one with more fiber will help them feel better faster. You can also add in natural remedies such as ginger tea or even make sure they’re getting enough exercise every day!
- Give them something bland: If your cat keeps dry heaving every day, it might be time to try changing their diet again—but this time, try adding in something bland such as chicken broth instead of canned food or wet food (which usually contains too much salt).
How to prevent Cat Dry Heaving?
You can take steps to prevent this from happening:
- Make sure your cat has access to clean water at all times. Cats need plenty of water every day—try to give them a water bowl with fresh water every morning and night.
- Try feeding a new food to your cat every week or two—this will help them get used to new tastes and textures, so they don’t feel sick when they eat something unexpected (like dry food) later on down the line!
- If you notice that your cat has frequent dry heaves and seems uncomfortable when eating certain foods or drinking certain liquids (like milk or juice), talk with your vet about what might be causing these symptoms so we can evaluate how best to treat them together!
FAQ
When should I go to the vet for dry heaves?
The best time to go to the vet for dry heaves is as soon as you start noticing symptoms. If you’re not sure what’s going on, it’s better to get symptoms checked out sooner rather than later.
What does cat dry heaving look like?
Dry heaving is a common symptom of feline COPD. Cats with this condition tend to cough up mucus and saliva, making it look like they’re dry heaving. The coughing is often accompanied by shortness of breath, which can make it difficult for your cat to catch her breath.
Conclusion
Your cat is most likely dry heaving because he ate something he shouldn’t have. Looks like you’ll need to keep an eye on him and let him listen to his own body. Make sure there’s nothing stuck in his throat by feeling his neck with your hand or using a flashlight. If you cannot find anything lodged in his throat, just let your cat ride it out and watch closely.