Should My 13-Year-Old Pet’s Increased Vomiting and Reduced Bowel Movements Warrant a Vet Visit?

Dear VetBabble,

My 13-year-old fur pal seems to have a bit of an unusual situation. Lately, she’s been vomiting more frequently than normal, but her bowel movements have reduced quite significantly. Should I set up an appointment with my local vet? Could it be something as severe as dehydration due to her constant upchucking or even constipation?

Ensuring Your Cat’s Health: Understand the Signs

It’s commendable that as a pet parent, you’re attentive and concerned towards any changes in your cat’s behavior or bodily functions. However, before jumping to conclusions or making assumptions, it’s essential to understand a few vital points.

First and foremost, your feline companion, particularly at her current age, may be prone to a few health issues. Infrequent bowel movements and recurrent vomiting are indeed unusual signs that may point towards potential health concerns such as gastrointestinal blockages, kidney disease, or constipation. These conditions can also be coupled with dehydration since vomiting can lead to significant loss of fluids and important electrolytes.

Why Is My Cat Vomitting More Frequently?

Let’s take a closer look at what might cause your cat’s vomiting. Overeating, abrupt changes in diet, hairballs, parasite infections, or more serious ailments like pancreatitis, liver disease, and kidney disorders can all contribute. We recommend exploring our comprehensive guide ‘Why is my Cat Vomiting?‘ to understand the different scenarios and their solutions.

Could My Cat Be Constipated?

Reduced or absent bowel movements can imply constipation, a condition not to be overlooked. It can be a result of dehydration, a low-fiber diet, lack of exercise, or certain medications. Considering your cat’s increased vomiting, she might be dehydrated which could be inducing constipation. Read through our article, ‘How Do I Help My Constipated Cat?’ to gain a broad perspective on the problem.

Could My Cat Be Dehydrated?

The combination of reduced bowel movements and recurrent vomiting may very well be leading to dehydration in your cat. Dehydration could also manifest itself through an increased intake of fluids. VetBabble’s article, ‘Why Does My Cat Drink More Water?’ can give you a clear understanding of your pet’s water consumption habits.

Could This Be a Sign of Kidney Disease?

Last but not least, these symptoms combined could be an indication of a serious underlying health condition such as kidney disease, especially in older cats. We suggest you peruse our well-researched piece on ‘Kidney Disease in Cats’ to delve more deeply into this subject.

To recap, while these signs are not normal, they are not conclusive proof of a serious ailment either. The best course of action is to consult your veterinarian who can accurately diagnose any potential problems, so as to ensure the best possible care for your feline friend.