Pet care: Acting like he's starved, fast-eating cat vomits

Q: I have a cat who eats too fast and throws up. I bought a slow feeder bowl, but it doesn't seem to be working. Are there any slow feeder bowls that are better than others, or should I try feeding him only wet food.

Dr. Nichol: Bolting food and then vomiting are important symptoms. This is not a feline eating disorder. Something worrisome is going on. We shouldn’t just treat the symptoms.

Your cat has an internal illness that is causing him to eat like a fiend and then toss his cookies. If he is over age 9, benign thyroid tumors may be responsible. The resulting excessive thyroid hormone, surging through his system, can lead to heart and kidney failure if not treated. These big eaters have racing heart rates. They lose weight while racking up serious grocery bills. Vomiting is often seen. The good news is that this common disease of older cats, called hyperthyroidism, nearly always responds well to treatment. A blood test would be diagnostic.

There are other possibilities. Diabetes, chronic intestinal inflammation, or even cancer could cause your kitty's body to believe he's not getting sufficient calories, and then he upchucks much of what he eats. If his thyroid glands are fine, his doctor can submit blood for a chemistry panel and blood count. Tests for vitamin B12 (cobalamin), along with a TLI would help rule out chronic intestinal and pancreatic disorders.

Kitties like yours can be diagnostic challenges. Abdominal X-rays and an ultrasound evaluation would be intended to show indicators of various intestinal problems. A hunt for cancer is not what you want to hear, but you need to know why your cat is sick so you can make informed decisions. Medication is usually well-tolerated, significantly extending a good life, even for cats with lymphoma.

You can help your kitty in the near term by feeding him exclusively from food-dispensing toys and puzzles. Maropitant, is an oral tablet that can reduce vomiting; ondansetron, an injectable, may be necessary. Don't waste time. My best advice is to diagnose first, treat second.

•For help with behavior problems, you can sign up for a Zoom group conference at drjeffnichol.com.