Why is my old cat moaning, hissing, and throwing up food/hairballs?

Question

My cat is 14 years old is overweight but seems pretty healthy. Sometimes he seems ill and I can not tell what it is. Today was really bad, He moaned then walked hardly moving and even hissed which he never does. I am very concerned what could be going on with him? A local vet examined him early and just said he needed to lose weight. He has been throwing up food and hairballs lately too. There is no blood and he is not losing weight. Please give me some idea as to what is going on. Pet's info: Cat | American Shorthair | Male | neutered | 14 years and 2 months old | 24 lbs

Sara Farmer, DVM · Accepted Answer

Vague behavior changes like you are describing can be the first sign of illness in an older cat, so if you feel something is wrong I would encourage you to see your veterinarian again. Blood work might be recommended to rule out kidney or liver disease. The vomiting could be a sign of inflammatory bowel disease or even an intestinal mass and if the blood work is normal an abdominal ultrasound might be recommended. Finally, the vocalizing and hissing could be a sign of pain from something like arthritis and there are some supplements and now pain medications that can be used in cats.

Why is my old cat moaning, hissing, and throwing up food/hairballs?

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