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My cat ate kitten food, now vomiting and has diarrhea. What to do?

Updated On September 23rd, 2025

Pet's info: Cat | Domestic Shorthair | Male | neutered | 14 lbs

I have a male neutered house cat that is about 5 years old. i found a kitten last week and brought him in. the older cat ate some of the kitten food (canned) and I made sure he no longer has access to it. Yesterday he didn't eat as usual and vomited twice. Today the same thing but he ate a little bit of his own food this afternoon and seems to be holding it in. his stools are runny. do you think it is from the kitten food? anything I should be doing?

4 Answers

Most Helpful Answer

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Answered By Dr. Melanie, BVSc MS

Veterinarian

Published on January 3rd, 2024

Thank you for contacting Petco Pet Education Center, formerly Petcoach with your question about Buddy. How lovely of you to take in this stray kitten!! Yes I suspect it's the kitten food causing Buddy to have an upset stomach and vomit. Sudden changes in diet can lead to these symptoms. Feed him a bland diet of boiled white meat chicken (no bones or skin) in small amounts a couple times a day for a few days, the start slowly adding in his normal diet. If he refuses to eat the bland diet, vomits the bland diet, stops drinking water, starts vomiting water, continues to have diarrhea, has blood in his stool, and/or becomes very lethargic, he will need to see a vet immediately. I hope this helps!

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    Answered By Dr. Melanie, BVSc MS

    Veterinarian

    Published on July 23rd, 2020

    Thank you for contacting Petco Pet Education Center, formerly Petcoach with your question about Toulouse. Poor boy. Sudden changes in diet, even the same brand, can lead to stomach upset for cats. I can give you a home remedy for him to see if that helps. Feed him a bland diet of boiled white meat chicken (no bones) in small amounts several times a day for a couple of days. Then slowly add back in his normal diet. If the diarrhea continues on the bland diet, he vomits the bland diet, he refuses to eat the bland diet, stops drinking water, starts vomiting water, or becomes very lethargic, he will need to see a vet right away. I hope this helps!

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    Answered By Dr. Melanie, BVSc MS

    Veterinarian

    Published on October 6th, 2019

    This can be from the food change, and I can give you a home remedy to see if that helps Ocean. Feed him a bland diet of boiled white meat chicken (no bones) in small amounts several times a day for a couple of days. Then slowly add back in his normal diet. If the diarrhea continues on the bland diet, he starts vomiting food, stops drinking water, starts vomiting water, or becomes very lethargic, he will need to see a vet right away.

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    Answered By Dr. Melanie, BVSc MS

    Veterinarian

    Published on October 24th, 2019

    I can give you a home remedy for Cheddar to see if that helps. You can try the medication as well. Feed him a bland diet of boiled white meat chicken (no bones) in small amounts several times a day for a couple of days. Then slowly add back in his normal diet. If the diarrhea continues on the bland diet, he starts vomiting food, stops drinking water, starts vomiting water, or becomes very lethargic, he will need to see a vet right away.

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