If you have cats in the home, you’re most likely familiar with the unwanted sound of one vomiting somewhere in the house. It isn’t something nice to hear. Especially during the middle of the night or when you can’t locate your cat to clean up after them. Unfortunately, cats vomit. It’s part of life. Some cats even do it more often than others. One of the most common times a cat may vomit is after a meal.

For cat parents who notice their cat’s distress after mealtimes, it’s understandable that you’d call everything into question. Is my cat sick? Am I feeding my cat the right food? Could I be overfeeding my cat? Is there anything I can do? After asking yourself all these questions, and reaching out to your veterinarian, you may find yourself deciding to try an anti-vomiting cat bowl or elevated feeding bowl.

While these bowls are all the rage, the big question is do they work? Unfortunately, there isn’t an all-encompassing answer to that question. Anti-vomiting cat bowls work for some cats. Others, not so much. However, the science behind these bowls does make sense. Let’s learn more and see if an anti-vomiting cat bowl could be the answer to your prayers.

Why Is My Cat Throwing Up After a Meal?

Before you turn to anti-vomiting cat bowls, it’s important to rule out other reasons your cat could be throwing up after meals. The first thing you should do is take your kitty to the veterinarian. While having a sick kitty is a scary thought, it’s always best to rule things like this out early on. There are several gastrointestinal issues cats can suffer from. Food allergies, parasites, IBS (irritable bowel syndrome), and even more serious diseases can be a culprit when your cat is having issues digesting their food. This is why it is always best to visit your veterinarian and rule these things out before trying to tackle the issue on your own.

Once medical issues are ruled out, your veterinarian is going to have questions about your cat’s eating, and vomiting, routine. It is always possible that your cat is sensitive to the texture of the food you’re feeding them. If they only vomit after having dry kibble, they may do better on a wet food diet. Maybe your cat is a speed eater. If that’s the case, they may be making themselves too full and having to get rid of the excess. Paying close attention to their eating habits is the best way you can discuss these things with your veterinarian and come up with a solution. If none of these possible scenarios seems to be the problem, then trying an anti-vomiting cat bowl could be your answer.

How Anti-Vomiting Cat Bowls Work

The idea behind anti-vomiting cat bowls is simple. When a cat eats from a bowl on the ground, especially those that eat a bit too fast, the food they swallow remains in their esophagus instead of traveling down to the stomach as it should. Since there isn’t anything to hold that food in place, your cat needs to get a bit of relief and ends up throwing up. The theory behind elevated bowls is simply gravity. If your cat is eating from a higher elevation, gravity will help the food move downward into the stomach instead of it staying behind in the esophagus. For some cats, this is the answer to their problems and the regurgitation subsides.

Another idea your veterinarian may suggest when it comes to food bowls and your cat’s vomiting is puzzle feeders. These bowls are designed to slow your cat down when eating. If elevated feeders don’t seem to do the trick, these may be another option. Just like the elevated bowls, these feeders are hit or miss when it comes to helping reduce vomiting after meals. Some cats have great success with them while others don’t. As with anything you try, always remember every cat and their situation is different.

Other Benefits of Elevated Bowls

If you’re debating on adding elevated food bowls to your cat’s life, you should understand all the benefits you and your kitty will receive. While they may not stop vomiting, there are certain things they can do that you may be welcoming of. Let’s take a look at a few of those now.

Less Mess

We all know how messy pets cats are. Cats are no different. If your cat is a messy eater or one of those who loves to paw and play with their food, bowls that are off the ground can eliminate these issues. You’ll be cleaning up less mess while your cat is eating better.

Less Food Contamination

Whether we want to admit it or not, the floors in our house can get dirty. Using elevated anti-vomiting bowls can help to keep your cat’s food and water away from dust, dirt, and other allergens that could potentially make your kitty sick.

Less Discomfort

For some cats, especially those that are aging, leaning over to eat from bowls on the ground can be hard on them. If you use elevated bowls, it helps avoid issues with stiff necks, backs, and even indigestion.

Reduced Risk of Esophagitis

Elevated bowls also reduce the probability of cats developing gastric reflux and esophagitis. They use gravity to let the food pass to the stomach and prevent stomach acids from refluxing towards the esophagus.

Are Anti-Vomiting Cat Bowls Right for Your Cat?

While the scientific verdict may be out on whether anti-vomiting cat bowls work, there is truly no reason why you shouldn’t give it a try with your cat. If your feline is throwing up after their meals or seems to eat far too quickly for their own good, it’s time for you to do something. These bowls may be the answer you’re looking for to keep your cat’s food down and help you avoid the dreaded experience of stepping into a pile of cat vomit or undigested food in the middle of the night. It could be a winning situation for all parties involved.

Featured Image Credit: mik ulyannikov, Shutterstock