Expert: KC - 10/22/2007

Question
Hi KC.

I am so happy to see this web site!  I hope you can help.

My kitty is 14 years old.  He's always been a healthy cat, maybe a little heavy.  He's structurally a big cat, but you could tell that he had some pudge.  

BUT...8 months ago over a 5 month period, he went from 13 pounds to 9 pounds.  I immediately took him to the vets.  The first time for "older cat" blood work.  The second time for more blood work (diabetes, kidney, Feline PV, etc.), stool sample test, urine sample test, and a MRI on his belly.  

He was issued a clean bill of health.  The Vets could not find anything wrong with him.  (!!!!!!!!!)

He used to throw up every other day for the first 13 years of his life.  Chalked that up to hairballs, put him on Science Diet.

But this year he stopped throwing up so much. I leave dry food out for him every day, and feed him wet food twice a day. He barely ever touches the dry food now.  I have switched dry food brands about 6 times this year, trying to find a brand he likes.  Nothing.  

He never throws up the wet food.  

I noticed this week that whenever he eats the dry food, he IMMEDIATELY throws up.  I'm wondering if the dry food is triggering his gag reflex.  The dry food is real tiny kibble, so there is no way it's hurting him.  

I am at a loss.  I love my baby kitty, he means everything to me.  He seems to have gained about a pound back thanks to me feeding him more wet food.  I am about to call another Vet to get a second opinion, but after reading your Web page, I am convinced it is his diet.

Thank you for anything you can advise me on.  

- Lisa


Answer
Hi Lisa,

The very first thing that would come to mind, considering his age and weight loss, would be feline diabetes, liver problems, etc.  I'm certainly glad that you had taken him to a vet for lab work to rule any of that out.  As cats age, their metabolism changes quite a bit, as it does in humans and other animals.  It is at this time that diet-related problems tend to become most obvious and/or they develop diabetes, fatty liver disease, kidney problems, and a whole plethora of other illnesses.  So, I am certainly glad that you ruled out something serious.  With his changing metabolism, he truly needs optimum nutrition from an easily digestable food.  As I'm sure you've read on my main AllExperts page, Science Diet, etc. are NOT.  Commercial dry foods tend to cause vomiting due to the fillers and grains that they contain...most of which are potentially toxic, loaded in chemicals and by-products, and NOT fit for any animal to consume.  The gastrointestinal tract of carnivores were not meant to digest grain products or cooked kibble.  However, truly premium dry food (which does not contain grains or fillers) is available if you prefer feeding a dry.  If you change him to a truly premium food, such as Innova, Wellness, or Nature's Variety brand, to name a few, I think you will notice the vomiting clearing up almost immediately.  If he still shows a sensitivity to the dry (a grain free, by-product free, meat-based dry), then put him on strictly canned and/or raw.  However, you can only feed raw that is supplemented.  As in a question that I answered just a few days ago, rabbit based foods (like Nature's Variety canned rabbit) are excellent for cats with sensitive stomachs...the protein in rabbit meat is more easily digested.  You also ONLY need to feed twice per day, as it's less irritating to their stomach, etc. and a much more natural feeding routine for any carnivore.  Please read some of my past answers here:  http://en.allexperts.com/q/Cat-Food-3490/indexExp_83830.htm
There is an answer on food intolerance and one on feeding younger cats.  In those, and other answers, I cover detailed info on feeding schedule, brands, etc.  I'm pretty optimistic that if you switch him to a premium food that his problem will clear up in as little as a week or two.  Just remember, letting him graze on food all day will only further irritate his stomach and cause gastritis, especially if he is currently vomiting.  Keep ample water available.  It's totally fine, when the vomiting isn't frequent, to give high quality treats (raw chicken, a few kernels of a grain-free premium dry, treats like the Nature's Variety real turkey liver dehydrated treats, and even plain yogurt).  My AllExperts main page also has further information and links to a few brands that I recommend.
If you have any futher questions, just ask!  I hope this helps!