The bowl goes down, your cat inhales the food in under a minute, and a few moments later there is a neat pile of barely chewed kibble on the floor. Some owners call it “scarf and barf”. It is common, and often fixable with simple changes to how your cat eats. But it is worth knowing when bringing food back up is not just about speed.
Regurgitation or vomiting?
Veterinarian Dr Katie Grzyb, writing for PetMD, explains the difference:
| Regurgitation | Vomiting |
|---|---|
| Passive: food just comes back up | Active: retching and heaving |
| Food from the gullet, usually undigested and tube-shaped | Food from the stomach |
| Typically soon after eating, without signs of nausea | Usually comes with signs of nausea |
Telling the two apart helps your vet work out the cause.
Why cats eat too fast
Swallowing air
PetMD explains that cats that eat quickly swallow air along with their food, which can fill the stomach and bring food straight back up.
Competition
Eating next to other cats can make a cat eat faster, according to PetMD. Even if your cats seem friendly, mealtimes can be tense; see why cats groom each other and then fight.
Big meals
PetMD advises smaller amounts for cats that overeat, and suggests timed feeders for smaller meals through the day instead of free-feeding.
How to slow your cat down
- Feed smaller meals more often. Split the daily amount into several small portions, or use a timed feeder, as PetMD suggests.
- Feed cats separately. PetMD advises feeding away from other cats to reduce competition.
- Try a slow feeder. PetMD notes that slow-feeder bowls can slow eating but may sometimes cause more air swallowing, so watch your cat when you introduce one.
- Try a food puzzle. A 2016 review in the Journal of Feline Medicine and Surgery by Dantas, Delgado, Johnson and Buffington described food puzzles as a way to make cats work for their food, with reported benefits for weight and behaviour. If your cat ignores puzzle toys, see what to do when a cat will not use a puzzle feeder.
- Moisten the food. PetMD also lists moistening food and raising the bowl among options to try.
When to see the vet
FAQ
Why does my cat throw up right after eating?
Often because it ate too fast and swallowed air, so the food comes back up undigested. That is usually regurgitation. If it happens often or with other signs, see your vet.
How can I stop my cat eating too fast?
Feed smaller meals more often, feed cats apart, and try a slow feeder or a food puzzle.
Is it normal for a cat to throw up undigested food?
Occasional regurgitation linked to fast eating is generally not a major concern. Frequent episodes, or other symptoms, need a vet check.
Do slow feeders work for cats?
They can slow eating, but sometimes cause more air swallowing, so watch your cat when you start using one.
When is vomiting an emergency?
When it comes with lethargy, weakness, blood, not eating, diarrhoea or weight loss. Contact your vet promptly.
Sources
- Grzyb K, DVM. Cat regurgitation. PetMD. Read
- Cornell Feline Health Center. Vomiting. Read
- Dantas LM, Delgado MM, Johnson I, Buffington CT. Food puzzles for cats: feeding for physical and emotional wellbeing. Journal of Feline Medicine and Surgery, 2016;18(9):723. Summary via ScienceDaily
This article is for general information and is not a substitute for advice from your veterinarian.
