For about a week, Luciano hasn't been eating his wet food, none of the four flavors he used to enjoy. He was still eating his dry food, still drinking, still normal output in the litter box & I figured it was a phase. I was a bit concerned he wasn't getting his prozac, which is usually in his wet food, but I thought it was a temporary thing.
In that same time, I've come home about four times & found some vomit, always on the floor. It seemed to be food only. Tonight he threw up in front of me & it was more copious and there was something solid in it. At first I thought it was a shredded piece of chicken, but he has no access to my garbage can and I haven't eaten any chicken at home in weeks. Then I touched it and it felt more fibrous & I wondered if it was celery or a broccoli stem, but I haven't had that at home either. Then I realized it was probably a piece of his beloved cardboard box he uses as a scratching post. The box has major holes in it now, but he still seemed to love using it. I hadn't noticed that he was eating the cardboard since I was always sweeping it up from the floor. I've no idea how much he may have eaten or why he seems to have started this behavior.
I got rid of the shredded cardboard box, but there's plenty of other cardboard around, boxes he likes to jump in and out of, recyclables etc. Does eating cardboard signify something missing from my cat's diet? After this big vomit, he did drink from the faucet & ate some dry food and so far, so good. I'm planning on contacting the vet tomorrow, but would like some advice from the cat whisperers here. I'd rather not bring him in for a battery of tests. Is there something over-the-counter to give a cat that's throwing up?
If this post belongs in another area (nutrition, behavior?), moderators please feel free to move it. Thanks.
In that same time, I've come home about four times & found some vomit, always on the floor. It seemed to be food only. Tonight he threw up in front of me & it was more copious and there was something solid in it. At first I thought it was a shredded piece of chicken, but he has no access to my garbage can and I haven't eaten any chicken at home in weeks. Then I touched it and it felt more fibrous & I wondered if it was celery or a broccoli stem, but I haven't had that at home either. Then I realized it was probably a piece of his beloved cardboard box he uses as a scratching post. The box has major holes in it now, but he still seemed to love using it. I hadn't noticed that he was eating the cardboard since I was always sweeping it up from the floor. I've no idea how much he may have eaten or why he seems to have started this behavior.
I got rid of the shredded cardboard box, but there's plenty of other cardboard around, boxes he likes to jump in and out of, recyclables etc. Does eating cardboard signify something missing from my cat's diet? After this big vomit, he did drink from the faucet & ate some dry food and so far, so good. I'm planning on contacting the vet tomorrow, but would like some advice from the cat whisperers here. I'd rather not bring him in for a battery of tests. Is there something over-the-counter to give a cat that's throwing up?
If this post belongs in another area (nutrition, behavior?), moderators please feel free to move it. Thanks.
I just keep an eye on him, and try to keep the damaged boxes thrown away. and replace scratching post when they get too worn.
