Ask the Expert: Overeating Cat a Challenge!

Your Pet Question:

One of my two cats eats until he’s sick. He just keeps eating and bringing up the food. What is the cause of this? What can be done– beyond removing his food– to help him take control of his eating?

Joanne Joyce, Kemptville, Ontario

The Expert Says:

I have seen many cats that just don’t seem to know when enough is enough! Portion control is your best tool in this particular battle. Cats evolved to eat small, mouse-sized meals frequently and your solution may be as simple as providing smaller, more frequent meals. Commercial cat food is made to be really tasty, to encourage your pet to eat up, and sometimes the result is overeating. That being said there are other reasons that cats vomit food that has been recently consumed. Intestinal parasites can act like a foreign body in the stomach and cause vomiting. Hairballs could also be the culprit. De-worm your cat and give him a hairball treatment to rule those out two possibilities. If that doesn’t work, it may be that a food change will help your cat tolerate his diet better. Your veterinarian can guide you to the best diet solution for your overeater!

Dr. Leeanne Bargen DVM practices at Pet Vet Clinic in Steinbach, Manitoba.