When Your Cat Looks Like They're About to Throw Up
If you have a cat, you've definitely experienced this scenario before: you notice your feline friend looking like they're about to vomit. Instinctively, you might rush to grab some tissues or try to catch it with your hand. But no matter how quick you are, the cat usually just turns away and vomits on the floor or the couch instead.
This common situation is something all cat owners can relate to. Despite your best efforts to save your belongings from mess, cats have their own agenda, and sometimes it just doesn't include making things easy for us.
Why are they unwilling to vomit onto the toilet paper and instead move away? Japanese pet columnist SHIHO explains that there are two possible reasons behind this.
1. Your Cat is Unwell and Doesn't Want to Be Disturbed
When a cat is feeling unwell or weak, it tends to avoid crowds and seek out quiet, secluded spots. This behavior is rooted in their natural survival instincts. In the wild, showing signs of weakness makes an animal vulnerable and can attract predators.
Therefore, if your cat is about to vomit and you suddenly bring something like a piece of paper close to it, the cat will instinctively try to dodge it. Even the closest owners might find their cat uneasy in these moments.
2. Some Cats Try to Eat Their Vomit
It might sound a bit exaggerated, but some cats really do think this way. If a cat vomits undigested food because it ate too quickly, sometimes the cat will try to eat the vomit again. When you bring a tissue or paper towel close, the cat may think you are trying to take its "treasure" away and instinctively back off.
Although this behavior is natural for cats, repeatedly eating undigested food is not very healthy. It is recommended to clean up the vomit immediately to prevent your cat from eating it again.
Understanding and Caring for a Cat's Vomiting
Although cleaning up a cat's vomit and washing carpets or bedding can be troublesome, understanding your cat's natural instincts can help you be more patient.
However, it's important to remember that if your cat vomits frequently or shows other symptoms such as loss of appetite, lethargy, or diarrhea, the safest course of action is to consult a veterinarian promptly.
