Why Does My Siamese Cat Throw Up So Much – Common Reasons

Every cat owner vividly remembers the first time they heard their kitty hacking in the other room. If you’re one of them, you likely had the overpowering instinct to run to your cat’s rescue with an ungodly amount of paper towels. Cats throwing up unexpectedly (when all you do is give them tons of love and care) is always worrying. So, have you ever wondered why does my Siamese Cat throw up so much? 

Siamese cats are predisposed to certain diseases and sensitivities that can cause them to throw up more often than other domestic cat breeds. Sudden changes in diet can cause cats to throw up. Urinary tract infections, hairballs, and underlying diseases can also cause cats to throw up. If you see your cat is throwing up more than just once or twice, you’ll want to contact your local veterinarian.

Don’t let researching the diseases or intolerances that your Siamese may be disposed to spiral you into becoming overly upset. These are possible everyday hardships that Siamese cats face; however, they can still experience a happy and fulfilled life after receiving proper treatment and care.

Do Siamese Cats Have Sensitive Stomachs

Siamese cats may be more susceptible to developing food sensitivities or food allergies. Although it may take up to a few years for your cat to develop a negative response to certain foods, once they do, the response usually can’t be reversed.

Cats generally develop food intolerances to beef, pasteurized milk products, and fish. These food products contain proteins or enzymes that don’t agree with the cat’s digestive system.

Usually, the cat’s body elicits an immune response against the “foreign” substance, manufacturing antibodies to fight it. While there are several signs that your cat is having an allergic reaction to a particular food, such as irritated skin and poor coat condition, frequent vomiting is almost always a present symptom.

It is important to note that the Siamese cat’s mouth is shaped differently than other domestic cat mouths, causing them to lap up food easily and quickly. Siamese breeders claim that Siamese cats could likely be vomiting frequently from eating too fast at mealtimes! Of course, you must consult your vet before assuming that your Siamese cat is merely eating too fast.

Whether you believe your Siamese is allergic to a food product, or merely sensitive toward it, remove the food product that you suspect can be causing issues from your cat’s diet. Watch your cat closely for a few days to see if the vomiting subsides.

While beef, pasteurized milk, and fish may be foods that you enjoy treating your Siamese to one in a while, it is recommended to avoid feeding them to your cat. Instead, turkey, raw chicken necks, and raw goat milk are just a few all-natural foods that each provide their unique benefits to your kitty.

Turkey, while caution must be exercised when feeding raw, contains high amounts of taurine and tryptophan. Taurine is an amino acid essential to your cat’s well-being; without its presence in their diet, cats won’t have clear vision, good digestion, adequate heart muscle function, or a healthy immune system. Studies have shown that integrating tryptophan into your cat’s feeding regimen yields a calmer temperament.

Raw chicken necks are fantastic at cleaning plaque from your kitty’s teeth, on top of containing more nutrients than dental treats or water additives.

Raw goat milk is an excellent taurine source, as well as an easy way to hydrate your cat. Raw milk, as it is not cooked or pasteurized, doesn’t contain the enzyme lactose, and therefore, doesn’t prompt an adverse immune response when consumed.

Esophageal Hypomotility (Megaesophagus)

Esophageal Hypomotility, or megaesophagus, usually occurs when the cat’s esophagus cannot properly move food down to their stomach; in this case, the esophagus becomes stretched to a larger size. Siamese cats usually have a hereditary form of this condition that comes with gastric emptying disorder.

Siamese cats who contract this condition will usually throw up tube-sized quantities of under-digested food. If your Siamese is consistently vomiting in this manner or seems to have difficulty eating and digesting, contact your vet immediately.

The only way to formally diagnose this disease is by using an X-Ray; therefore, you can’t only assume your cat has this condition and act on your own from there. If megaesophagus is left untreated, your Siamese could get chunks of their food into their windpipe instead of their esophagus, leading to pneumonia.

Your vet will likely educate you on a modified feeding posture for your kitty, propose an alternative feeding regimen, or prescribe medication.

Cats with megaesophagus must be fed frequent small meals in an upright position; 10-15 minutes must be allowed in this position for gravity to adequately move food down to the stomach.

While megaesophagus usually cannot be prevented, cats with this condition can still have long, happy, and pain-free lives, given they receive proper treatment.

 Asthma

Feline asthma is another disease that Siamese cats seem to have a higher risk of developing. Of course, that doesn’t mean your Siamese is sure to be asthmatic. Asthma can be present in cats from young to old age. 

Asthma presents a variety of symptoms, such as persistent cough, wheezing, difficulty breathing, and/or overall lethargy. Cats with asthma will often throw up from just from coughing.

If your Siamese cat has any of the symptoms mentioned above, make an appointment with your vet. They will provide you with many ways in which you can treat your cat’s asthma, as well as prevent future asthma attacks. 

Other Reasons for Vomiting

Of course, the reason your Siamese is vomiting may not be tied to a hereditary condition. There are many different reasons, besides the shape of the Siamese cat’s mouth, as to why your cat could be throwing up.

When one of my kittens was one year old, she vomited a few times within a week. The third time, my partner and I were cooing at each other how much she enjoyed turkey; suddenly, she began to gag violently.

We turned to each other in horror, immobilized. Although we’d been changing her food, making sure to provide her with protein wouldn’t upset her stomach, she was still vomiting.

Finally, she threw up into her food bowl and walked away as if nothing had happened.

During a quick visit to the vet the next day, we were informed that she was eating too much too fast, as well as munching on a ton of grass. If your cat inhales their food as mine does, take the bowl away for 30 seconds to a minute. It’ll give them a chance for their stomach to settle.

If your cat is allowed outdoors, or generally munches on plants, expect them to throw up from eating plant matter.

Cats lack the proper enzymes to digest grass, so when they consume it, it either acts as a laxative, or they’ll vomit it up with other indigestible matter.

Don’t feel like you need to prevent your kitty from eating grass. This is a natural behavior, especially if your cat catches mice or birds. My younger kitty loves to munch on tall grass all day since she catches the field mice that inhabit the hill outside our house. Grass helps her pass the larger bones and fur that she can’t digest.

Conclusion

It can be disheartening to hear that cats with such a beautiful personality and appearance are at a higher risk for certain diseases. However, make sure to rule out the possibility of disease by visiting your local vet before jumping to conclusions.

Between now and your vet appointment, give your Siamese small amounts of soothing foods, and make sure they get proper rest in a low-stress environment.

Provide your cat with large amounts of fluids, as vomiting frequently is incredibly dehydrating. Mixing a bit of raw goat milk into your cat’s water bowl can motivate them to drink more liquids.

Keep in mind that booking a vet appointment is a huge part of overcoming this issue; in no time, your Siamese will receive the care or feeding regimen needed to end their frequent vomiting.