There are many reasons, both emotional and medical, that a cat may vomit soon after eating. It is important to know what the reasons behind this behavior might be so that you will know if veterinary treatment is needed. It is also important to know the difference between vomiting and regurgitation, as these are different problems and need to be treated in a different manner.
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Identification
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Vomiting is an expulsion of partially digested stomach contents that usually involves retching and heaving. Regurgitation is an expulsion of contents located within the esophagus, and usually only involves a cat opening its mouth and releasing non-digested food.
Regurgitation Causes
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Cats who have lost muscle mass within their esophagus may experience frequent dilation of the tissue when they are eating. This can then cause them to bring up food before it gets a chance to make it into their stomach. Older cats, or cats with throat problems, may suffer from this problem.
Physical Causes of Vomiting
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Cats who eat too quickly and do not take the time to properly chew their food may be at risk for vomiting afterward. It can also happen with cats who eat too much at one time and then try to run and play before their large meal has had time to settle.
Emotional Causes of Vomiting
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If you have multiple cats, you may find that they try to eat too much too quickly in order to keep anyone from stealing their food. This can lead to vomiting, and so can eating too quickly. Stressful situations such as changes in the cat's environment or adding a new pet to the family can also lead to upset stomachs and vomiting after meals.
Medical Causes of Vomiting
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There are quite a few feline diseases that can lead to vomiting, such as kidney disease and renal failure, stomach cancer, pancreatitis and inner ear disease. Allergies, hairballs and ingestion of toxic substances can also causes this problem.
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