My cat is eating litter crystals, vomiting, and has a rash. Why?

In an older pet who is just now experiencing allergy type symptoms, I would definitely suspect that it could be either the new litter, new food or a combination of both that is causing this. I would start with changing the litter back to the normal litter that you used to use. As for the skin, you can try bathing Billy in a hypoallergenic shampoo (Duoxo calm shampoo) or oatmeal based shampoo. However, Billy may need a steroid shot by your vet to calm things down. If the change in litter doesn't cause resolution of the skin, then I would suggest changing the food back. I hope you can get Billy's skin back to normal soon!

Hi, and thanks for your question. This could be due to an allergy, although it could also be infection or mites. First of all, in order to rule out skin parasites, you will need to treat with a high quality flea treatment, then ask the vet to perform a skin scrape - this might reveal an infection or a mite infestation. If all of those came back negative, the next step is to treat the allergy symptomatically and try to discover the cause of the allergy. Three main type of allergies are usually affecting pets: food allergies, flea and parasite related ones and environmental type (allergens coming from trees, pollens, dust etc etc). Some medications can be given by the vet in order to repair any possible skin lesions (like steroids and antibiotics). Hope this answer was helpful, but please do not hesitate to contact us again on the forum or by requesting a consultation if you have any more questions or to discuss it any further. If this answer was helpful please let us know, this will be used to improve our service!

Hi there. I would be concerned about a possible toxin ingestion or something along those lines if both of your cats are suddenly vomiting and having diarrhea. Pica-the term for a condition you have described for an odd craving for nutrients can be a sign of many things, and with multiple signs it is honestly best to see your veterinarian for further testing before proceeding. I hope this helps and that they feel better soon!

Hi, and thanks for your question. This could be due to an allergy, although it could also be infection or mites. First of all, in order to rule out skin parasites, you will need to treat with a high quality flea treatment, then ask the vet to perform a skin scrape - this might reveal an infection or a mite infestation. If all of those came back negative, the next step is to treat the allergy symptomatically and try to discover the cause of the allergy. Three main type of allergies are usually affecting pets: food allergies, flea and parasite related ones and environmental type (allergens coming from trees, pollens, dust etc etc). Some medications can be given by the vet in order to repair any possible skin lesions (like steroids and antibiotics). Hope this answer was helpful, but please do not hesitate to contact us again on the forum or by requesting a consultation if you have any more questions or to discuss it any further. If this answer was helpful please let us know, this will be used to improve our service!

This is enough concerning things to warrant a trip to the veterinarian. The hair loss may be due to allergies, to fleas or food, or environmental contaminants. The vomiting could be related to hair loss or food allergy and the vocalization can certainly indicate pain. She may have a number of conditions, including a urinary tract infection, always suspect when their toilet habits change abruptly. The best first step is going to see the vet for an exam and labwork. based on those results, the vet will be better able to determine the reason for the cat's illness and get her started on the correct treatment.

Thank you for submitting your question regarding Chloe. I recommend that she sees her veterinarian. She is either having diarrhea and is unable to make it to her box or she is ill enough that she is just not capable of getting there. Her veterinarian will likely recommend blood work and possibly other testing to determine the cause of her illness. From there, treatment can be prescribed. Older cats are prone to thyroid disorders, kidney disease and pancreatitis among other problems. I hope this information helps!

Hi there! Thanks for using Petco Pet Education Center, formerly Petcoach! This could be related to some degree of gastroenteritis or upset stomach. This would be the best case scenario. I recommend that you continue to monitor Whiskers closely for now. Have water available at all times to try to avoid dehydration. If no improvement is seen in the next 24 hours or he develops more vomiting and becomes more lethargic, have Whiskers evaluated by your veterinarian for further assessment and treatment based on findings. Good luck!