Chronic vomiting is not uncommon in cats. In fact, it’s somewhat normal. But that doesn’t mean that you shouldn’t look into it further and find the best cat foods for older cats that vomit. Many cat parents try to shrug off puking, blaming it on eating too quickly, a sensitive stomach, or those pesky hairballs.
But seeing your cat throwing up will strike worry in even the most confident cat parents. After vomiting, most cats will go back to their normal selves, leaving you to clean up the mess and sending your mind racing. What if it’s not ‘normal’?
When your cats get older, puking can become even more common. And a senior cat vomiting could be due to any number of things. As they get older, they become more prone to certain diseases. Throwing up can be one of the symptoms of sickness.
Helping geriatric felines deal with chronic puking involves a combination of things. With the help of a good vet, the right food, and frequent home check-ups, you can make your cat both happy and healthy.
Here are the best cat foods for older cats that vomit.
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Why is Your Senior Cat Throwing Up?
More often than not, they’ve just eaten too quickly or ingested too much grass. But other times, throwing up can be a sign of something more sinister. Throwing up is a symptom of a variety of illnesses.
One of the most common causes of frequent puking is a chronic small intestinal disease. This can be caused by chronic inflammation or cancer.
If your cat is vomiting on a daily basis, it’s worth taking them to the vet to get them tested. Your vet will probably put your cat on a prescription diet and suggest other options.
Another disease common in senior cats is hyperthyroidism. This is caused by a tumor in the thyroid gland, which causes the metabolism to speed up, increases heart rate and blood pressure, and causes vomiting. This condition can be managed with the assistance of a vet and the right food.
Kidney failure can also cause vomiting as well as several other worrying symptoms. When your cat gets older, the kidneys stop working so well. Cats are tough little creatures, but kidney failure can knock even the strongest feline.
You should test your cat’s kidney and thyroid function once a year. Picking up kidney insufficiency early on can help manage potential kidney failure.
Throwing up in older cats can also be caused by viruses, parasites, or ingesting foreign objects. It’s no secret cats like to eat plants and then consequently throw them up. But this isn’t as common in older cats as in younger cats.
What to Feed an Old Cat That Throws Up
If you have an older cat throwing up undigested food, there are some solutions to this problem. Vomiting in older cats can be partly treated by finding the right food. But the ideal wet or dry food for your cat will depend on the reason for their frequent upchucking. Here are some of the best foods for seniors that throw up.
1. Blue Buffalo Sensitive Stomach Dry Cat Food
If the reason your cat is throwing up is a sensitive stomach, this food is a great solution. This all-natural dry food will have your cat purring for more. Not only is it made from the finest ingredients, but it’s chock-full of enhanced vitamins and minerals.
Sensitive bellies will be able to digest this food with ease, reducing any unfortunate upchucks. It also features FOS prebiotics that promotes healthy digestion. And the real chicken in the kibble will fuel your cat’s muscles. This makes it ideal for senior cats that are vomiting daily.
The recipe also contains whole grains, vegetables, and fruit, as well as omega-3 and omega-6 fatty acids to ensure healthy skin and a shiny coat.
⇒ Shop USA Blue Buffalo Sensitive Stomach Dry Cat Food
2. Blue Buffalo Basics – Natural Indoor Mature Dry Cat Food
Essential vitamins, antioxidants, and vital minerals are just a few of the benefits of this Blue Buffalo food. This food will give your elderly cat a much-needed energy boost.
For cats that vomit, this food supports healthy digestion while helping your cat maintain its weight. It’s made with delicious limited ingredients, catering to mature fur babies with food sensitivities. This makes it one of the best cat foods for senior cats that vomit.
It’s also made with fiber and pumpkin, allowing for gentle digestion. This is one of the best cat food for older cats that vomit.
⇒ Shop USA Blue Buffalo Basics – Natural Indoor Mature Dry Cat Food
3. Royal Canin Appetite Control Spayed/Neutered (Sterilized) 7+ Dry Cat Food
For spayed/neutered senior cats, this food is ideal. The simple operation can affect the hormone levels of your cats, leading to weight gain. So if you’re wondering what to feed a senior cat that keeps throwing up? This might just be the solution!
This food helps your aging kitty stay fit, fighting the first signs of aging while helping to maintain your cat’s body weight. This is one of the best cat food for cats that throw up often.
It’s packed with vitamins and minerals, giving your cat plenty of vitamin C. This food makes use of L.I.P. digestive science innovation and highly digestible protein. It also has added phosphorus levels, which can provide renal support for cats with kidney insufficiency.
The recipe ensures that the necessary nutrients are provided to your cat. And the ring-shaped kibble can slow ingestion speed, making it one of the best cat foods for vomiting.
⇒ Shop USA Royal Canin Appetite Control Spayed/Neutered 7+ Dry Cat Food
⇒ Shop UK Royal Canin Appetite Control Sterilized 7+ Dry Cat Food
4. Royal Canin Aging Spayed/Neutered (Sterilized) 12+ Dry Cat Food
Tailored specifically for senior cats, Royal Canin’s Aging food has easy-to-chew kibble. With this food, your cat will be able to age healthily. Its recipe includes a range of nutrients. This includes a complex of antioxidants, including omega-3 fatty acids and lycopene, to support your cat during the aging process.
The best part about this food is its L.I.P. digestive science innovation. Making use of high-quality selected proteins, this kibble can be digested with ease, reducing puking. It’s also made with a moderate fat level, keeping your cat at an ideal weight.
And the ingredients include adapted phosphorus levels which will support your cat through kidney decline.
⇒ Shop USA Royal Canin Aging Spayed/Neutered (Sterilized) 12+ Dry Cat Food
⇒ Shop UK Royal Canin Aging Spayed/Neutered (Sterilized) 12+ Dry Cat Food
5. Hill’s Science Diet Adult Sensitive Stomach & Skin Chicken & Rice Recipe Dry Cat Food
Cats with tummy trouble will be delighted by this food. It’s highly digestible and gentle on the stomach, allowing optimal nutrient absorption. It’s also formulated with tasty ingredients to ensure a healthy heart. All in all, this food offers a complete and balanced diet for mature cats who vomit.
Your cat’s skin and coat will benefit from the added vitamin E and Omega-6 fatty acids. The recipe is made from natural, high-quality ingredients without artificial colors, preservatives, or flavors.
Plus, the vitamins and antioxidant blend work together to ensure a healthy immune system.
⇒ Shop for Hill’s Science Diet Adult Sensitive Stomach & Skin Chicken & Rice Recipe Dry Cat Food
6. Hill’s Science Plan Mature Adult Hairball Indoor Dry Cat Food
Sometimes hairballs can be one of the reasons for frequent vomiting. In this case, food that reduces hairballs is a great choice. Not only does this balanced food reduce hairballs, but it also provides your furry friend with internal organ health support.
The high-quality proteins and natural fiber stop hairballs. While antioxidants and vitamins promote a healthy immune system. Additionally, vitamin E and omega-6 fatty acids support a healthy coat and skin.
⇒ Shop Hill’s Science Plan Mature Adult Hairball Indoor Dry/ Wet Cat Food
7. Purina One Sensitive Skin and Stomach Premium Dry Cat Food
Specifically designed for adults with sensitive stomachs, this food is perfect for cats that vomit. It’s made from high-quality, highly digestible protein that’s gentle on tummies. With its tasty ingredients and crunchy texture, your cat will be purring in no time.
The recipe also includes an antioxidant-rich blend of vitamins and minerals. It also includes omega fatty acids, ensuring healthy skin and a silky coat.
⇒ Shop USA Purina One Sensitive Skin and Stomach Premium Dry Cat Food
⇒ Shop UK Purina One Sensitive Skin and Stomach Premium Dry Cat Food
FAQs About Cat Food for Older Cats That Throw Up
If you have a senior cat that throws up after eating, then chances are you could have a much healthier cat by simply changing its diet. But apart from what to feed a cat that throws up a lot, there are many other questions that need to be answered. These are some of the most frequently asked questions about older cats that get sick often.
Why is My Senior Cat Throwing Up Undigested Food?
If your cat is throwing up food that hasn’t been digested yet, it could be a sign of something more serious. But don’t stress too much until you have had your cat checked out by a professional vet. Your cat could be throwing up undigested food for a rather harmless reason, such as hairballs, eating too quickly, indigestion, constipation, stress, or anxiety.
But don’t brush off these potentially harmful symptoms too quickly, as they could also be a sign of something more serious. Things like internal obstructions, pancreatitis, poisoning, parasitic infections, and depression are just a few of the other possible causes. It’s best to take your kitty to the vet to ensure that there are no serious issues that could be causing it to throw up undigested foods.
What Can I Give My Cat To Stop It From Throwing Up?
If your cat only recently started vomiting and it is not a daily occurrence, then it would be best to keep your cat away from food for about 12 hours. This gives them a chance to recover from any brief stomach bug that could be taking place.
During their time of fasting, ensure that they are drinking enough water so that they can recover more quickly. Sometimes giving them an ice block or two is the best way to get them feeling better. If your cat continues to throw up after 12 hours of fasting, then it might be time to take your kitty to the vet.
Why Is My Senior Cat Throwing Up Every Day?
In senior cats, the most common cause of chronic vomiting is a sensitive tummy. As cats age, their stomachs tend to become more and more sensitive to different foods. But other metabolic diseases can cause havoc with your cat’s digestive system.
Hyperthyroidism, chronic kidney disease, and cancer all pose a threat to your cat’s ability to digest food, and, ultimately to its life. If you are worried that your kitty might be suffering from something quite serious, then it may be time to take it to the vet.
Is It Common for Older Cats to Throw Up?
Chronic vomiting is a very common symptom in older cats. Because of this, many cat parents choose to do nothing about their cat’s vomiting problems, but that shouldn’t be the case. Often, simply changing your cat’s food could prevent vomiting, but if it doesn’t, consulting with a vet is the next best thing to do.
What Is the Most Common Cause Of Vomiting in Cats?
The most common thing that causes vomiting in cats is a hairball. This is caused by undigested hair mixing with bile and blocking up the digestive tract. The dislodging of a hairball by throwing up takes place on a frequent basis and can be expected to take place at least once every two weeks, if not once per week.
This is completely normal and shouldn’t be the cause of any concern. Because cats lick themselves to stay clean, it is normal for furballs to develop. Just ensure that you are brushing your cat frequently to minimize the number of hairballs they need to throw up.
What Age Is a Senior Cat?
A senior cat is one that is aged between 11 – 14. Most felines don’t outlive their senior years. However, there are the rare few that manage to make it into their geriatric years, which are considered to be 15 – 25 years.
During their senior and geriatric years, cats usually experience more health problems than they did in their younger years, so it’s important to keep a keen eye on your cat during this time.
What Does Solid Cat Vomit Mean?
If your cat has chunky vomit, it means that it didn’t even get a chance to digest its food before it was rejected. This could be because of an allergy to the food they are eating, or it could be because your cat is eating too quickly.
If your cat tends to dive into their food bowl shortly after being fed and finishes the entire bowl of food, it could be time to invest in a slow feeder. This will help them to pace themselves while they eat.
What Is the Healthiest Food to Feed Your Cat?
Cats are natural meat eaters, so it’s important to make sure they are getting enough protein-rich meat in their diets. While both dry and wet cat food can keep your cat on a decent diet, having that added meat will make it a little more balanced.
You should aim to feed your cat cooked chicken, beef, or turkey at least once a week. Seeing as this is the food they were born to eat, it’s important to ensure it’s a regular part of their diet.
How to Know If Your Old Cat Is Suffering?
When a cat gets to the end of their life, there is usually some suffering involved. But how do you know if your cat is suffering? They will often lose interest in food and water, choosing to pick at their food only when they are absolutely starving.
Much like humans, they also start to get quite frail while their muscles weaken. Because of this, you may notice that your cat chooses to move as little as possible. Their body temperature begins to lower, so covering your old cat with a blanket when you notice they are cold would be a good thing to do.
When cats are suffering, they also tend to spend more time alone, often becoming quite reclusive. They will likely also change in both appearance and smell, so if you notice this sudden onset of changes, it could be an indication that your kitty is suffering.
What Does Unhealthy Cat Throw Up Look Like?
If your cat’s throw-up is very thick or if it contains a yellow substance, then it could indicate a more severe illness. If this is what your kitty’s vomit looks like, then it may be time to take them to the vet to ensure they are not suffering.
Is Canned Tuna Good for Cats?
Canned tuna is not recommended frequently or in large amounts, as the oils could cause your kitty to throw up. It is also not balanced in nutrients, so it should not be a large part of your cat’s diet to any degree.
Final Thoughts on the Best Food for Cats That Vomit
An important part of helping your cat deal with any illness includes the right food. Finding the right brand for your cat will depend on the assistance they need.
If you suspect an underlying reason for why your older cat might be vomiting, you should contact your vet. They’ll be able to help you manage your cat’s healthcare and give you advice on the right food to buy.
Please Note: This best cat food for older cats that vomit post contains affiliate links. That means if you click through on most of the links and end up making a purchase, I will receive a small commission. This will not affect the price that you pay. I wanted to make sure that you were aware of this.
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Amanda created and owns The Discerning Cat. A lifelong cat lover she is the proud parent of two Siberian cats, Alexei and Vladimir. She is passionate about understanding cats and different cat breeds.