Is your cat licking excessively or vomiting frequently? It could be something more serious than you think.
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A guide for responsible pet owners who want to prevent the silent suffering of their pets.
What seems normal… may not be so
Did you know that excessive licking or frequent vomiting in cats can be more than just a nuisance? They're often attributed to hairballs or typical feline habits, but when these symptoms recur or change pattern, they may signal something deeper.
Understanding your cat's digestive and cleaning behavior is key to their well-being. Join us in this article to discover what signs to look for, what they might mean, and how good nutrition can make a difference.
Main causes of vomiting and excessive licking in cats
🔬 1. Food intolerance or allergy
Ingredients such as gluten, artificial colors, soy, or certain animal by-products can trigger gastrointestinal or dermatological reactions.
Source: Verlinden et al., 2006, Journal of Animal Physiology and Animal Nutrition.
😿 2. Feline Inflammatory Bowel Disease (IBD)
One of the most common causes of chronic vomiting in adult cats. It can be immunological, bacterial, or nutritional.
📚 Source: Norsworthy et al., 2002, Journal of the American Animal Hospital Association.
💢 3. Chronic stress or anxiety
Changes in the home, routine, or the presence of new animals can lead to compulsive behaviors such as excessive licking.
📚 Source: Amat et al., 2009, Journal of Feline Medicine and Surgery.
🥫 4. Inadequate or low-quality food
The inclusion of ingredients with low nutritional value, such as cereals containing gluten or poorly processed by-products, can damage the cat's gastric and intestinal mucosa, causing vomiting, diarrhea, or chronic inflammation.
What can you do as a responsible guardian?
🐾 Look carefully: If a symptom recurs, don't take it for granted. Your pet's body may be crying out for help.
🐾 Always consult a trusted veterinarian: Only a professional can correctly assess the clinical picture and define the best treatment.
🐾 Evaluate the diet: Choose foods formulated with functional ingredients, highly digestible proteins, gluten-free, and without artificial additives.
🐾 Avoid sudden changes or self-medication: Changing your diet without guidance or trying supplements on your own can make things worse rather than better.
🥣 What ingredients help improve these conditions?
Sensitive cat foods should include:
- Hydrolyzed proteins (such as salmon or poultry peptones)
- Oils rich in Omega 3-6 , such as salmon oil
- Gluten-free carbohydrate sources , such as potatoes, rice, or cassava
- Natural prebiotics such as FOS, MOS and beta-glucans
- Absence of artificial colors, flavors and by-products
📚 Source: Cave, N. (2006). Hydrolyzed diets and food allergies in dogs and cats. Veterinary Clinics of North America: Small Animal Practice.
🌎 What's happening in the Chilean and Latin American markets?
In countries like Chile, the growth of the food category functional, gluten-free and with digestive properties It has been steadily increasing, with more informed tutors and those concerned about digestive health and the quality of ingredients.
At the same time, the industry faces the challenge of offering foods that are not only safe and nutritious, but also benign for sensitive digestive systems .
🧬 And what can the pet food industry do?
As responsible formulators, distributors and brands, it is key to:
✔️ Increase the use of functional proteins and safe ingredients
✔️ Develop “sensitive” and “digestive care” lines for cats
✔️ Train sales and technical teams in digestive nutrition
✔️ Work with reliable suppliers to access allergen-free and highly digestible raw materials
🤝 At MCE Global…
We support companies that want to develop functional, safe, and high-quality foods for pets with intolerances or special digestive needs.
📩 If you are formulating or looking for ingredients for digestive or gluten-free lines , talk to our Technical Sales Manager, Fabiola Romero , and learn about our line of:
✅ Hydrolyzed peptones
✅ Functional oils
✅ Gluten-free ingredients
fromero@mceglobal.cl | www.mceglobal.cl
📖 Related articles to complement this reading:
🔗 Food allergies in dogs and cats: the invisible challenge that good food can solve
🔗 Gluten intolerance in dogs and cats: an emerging disease affecting homes and the pet food industry.
📌MCE Global's final recommendation:
Always consult with your veterinarian If your pet experiences any behavioral changes, digestive symptoms, or dermatological symptoms. Only he or she can diagnose and guide you safely.
🛡️ MCE Global Disclaimer
The information contained in this article has been prepared by MCE Market SpA hereinafter MCE Global for educational and informational purposes, aimed at pet food industry professionals and conscious guardians.
While we strive to keep information up-to-date and based on reliable sources, MCE Global does not guarantee that all data reflects the latest technical regulations or trading conditions in each market.
MCE Global acts as a supplier and distributor of functional ingredients for animal nutrition, not as a formulator of specific diets. Therefore, we always recommend consulting with veterinary professionals or nutritionists before making changes to product formulas or pet food.
Likewise, MCE Global is not responsible for the improper use, improper storage, or poor formulation of products made by third parties from our ingredients.
All products offered by MCE Global are intended exclusively for industrial or professional use, and not for direct sale to the end consumer.
For more technical or commercial information, please contact us directly through our official channels.