The topic of the day is: Will Bugs keep his breakfast down this morning?
We thought we had this problem licked, by separating his food into thirds and feeding him one-third at a time. Together with some stones in there to keep him from eating too fast. It worked for two days. And then it didn’t.
So now we’re putting the meat through the mill, and adding water to make a nice smoothie. And feeding that to him in thirds.
So far this morning — one third down and staying down.
Rumpydog posted another Friday haiku challenge, which inspired us. So here’s Bugs, looking regal and entirely uninterested in a premium catnip log I bought for him, which is so potent even I can smell it across the room. What’s that faraway look on his face. The suspense is killing.
Breakfast time is nigh.
Residing in the ice box.
Will it stay down? Doubt.
catself 
Poor ‘lil guy… But you’re doing everything you can! We had to go through just this (baby food, smoothies, thirds…). Of course, did as many natural remedies for digestion as humanly possible too…
You did? This is so reassuring . . . my sensitive little Bugsy. We are not alone. A wonderful relief.
Oh, yeh… For sure. We went the baby food route, then began mixing OUR OWN (ground chicken in the blender, mixed with regular food for the vitamins they need). But there are also herbs and natural remedies that help with their tummies, too.
awwwww rats, Bugsy!
I require the extra trouble and attention. It’s working for me.
Rats? Rats might be good. Not like wildebeest, of course, but they look plump and tasty. And fun to play with.
Of course you require and deserve extra trouble and attention — but geez! That Bean of yours is at it again. The attention of the whole world focused on your need to yak?!? Come on, Bean. Give him some privacy already. Reminds me of the whole litter box vigil. Oy vey. You want me to come bite her or growl menacingly at the window, Bugs? I’m there for you, dude. Make sure the next yak lands in her shoe!
Advice noted and gratefully received, JhaJha. Shoe-ward it is. And you’re so perceptive, to link this episode with the litter box vigil. The two are indeed related. When I don’t get my sensitivity needs met, I retaliate with eating-disorder issues. They may manifest at either end of the digestive system. You are a loyal cohort, to offer to bite or growl. Think that would shape her up? I wonder. She is so squirrely as it is, I fear the slightest nudge might drive her all the way into the deep end. She might not make it back out of there and then who would I look to, to manipulate? –Your friend, Bugs
One of my cats will regurgitate her food about once a month, sometimes more. It seems to be from eating too fast, and sometimes I do water her food down and feed her smaller meals. It seems to help, but as you say, not always. I hope Bugs can keep his food down!!!
Oh Julia, another voice heard-from! I tell you, it is so heartening to know that I have company in this one. What we go through. Hey, since you might know — one really puzzling thing to me is that Bugsy only heaves up in the morning. So this morning the smoothie 1/3-1/3-1/3 routine worked — and this evening, no problem whatsoever. Even though I shoveled the full monty at him, chunks and all — no worries. Down the hatch everything went and down it stayed. Like — please forgive this next indecency — but — WTF?
I feel as though I missed something along the way – when did this start? What had changed, other than everything, before it started?
About a week ago, Spiders . . . and your observation about “everything” is well taken. Or — nothing changed. Honestly? I’m completely in the dark about this. I thought at first it was a hairball issue, because he had been coughing — and it may still be that, even though he’s not coughing any more — but — my question remains: Why only in the morning?
It’s funny how you mentioned on my blog about Austin horking up his breakfast! Because he did today and it is only about the third time (that I know of!!) since I had him! So thanks Nad!!! But it is true it seems to happen when the planets are in alignment and the moon is in third house and he gobs his food down real quick. Oh, and it also happens when it’s a particular brand of kibble which he’s addicted to. So, mind like a rapier, I have now deduced what the problem is, duh!! He is normally a really picky eater, so I have learnt now after nearly 5 years that if he gobs down, he’s going to gob up again pdq. So I reckon that both Austin and Bugs have delicate stomachs *sigh*
Now whether we could monetize on this onomatopoetically ?? LOL xx
Oh CAT, don’t mention it. We are here to help. On the onomatopoetical type thing, how about, oh, I don’t know — Jiffy Chunks? It caulks! It spackles! Better than duct-tape! Also great as a dessert-topping.
Poor Bugs 😦 Such a sensitve soul. He does look like he is contemplating upchucking in that photo.
Yeah. Like, this I contemplate. What will be the repercussions? Will there be any? Will there not? Let us find out. With a little on-the-ground field-work.
Aw Bugsy.. you poor yak boy!
I used to have a calico who would eat so fast everything came right back up. You’d think she’d not like that and stop… but never learned.. If I’d known about that bowl Jackson Galaxy used in the last episode (I think it was the last..) with the big hump in the middle to make them go slow and have to go in a circle, I’d have had one for her back then!
Star will occasionally yak her food, usually when it’s something new and she pigs out..
Maybe mornings are too much for Bugsy? Is it possible to give him a tiny breakfast and maybe lunch later in the day? Or does he already get lunch?
I wish I knew the answer for you.. some kitties just yak.. When it’s not every day, it’s not an issue really. but when it is. boy does it rattle the nerves, doesnt it? Hugs for the bean and for Bugsy!
Andrea, the staged approach you suggest seems to be working, thank Cod . . . plus stones in the dish so he has to eat around them. Interesting that Jackson used a similar strategy. Wish I had cable so I could see the shows — but I have to wait to buy them. Mope. Yup it rattles my nerves big-time, especially because of the earlier episode JhaJha mentioned; perhaps you recall. The litter box vigil. NOT THAT!! Hugs to you too.
Aw, I hope Bugsy is doing better with his breakfast.
My beloved Tweets used to eat a lot and then shortly thereafter barf it up on a regular basis, ever since he was little. Then he would eat more later and everything would be fine. I think it had to do with his speed. There are special bowls that slow kitties down, but I’m not sure if they work for wet food.
Great, lm, I really think what you’re saying is what’s going on with Mr. Bugs too. Funny thing, that later was OK for your Tweets. Looks like that’s what’s going on with Bugs as well. Our little babies.
Purring purring PURRING for my man Bugsy!! Feel better, my fine friend!
Thank you Rumbles! I think I do feel better. Certainly when I read this comment. Purrs back at you.
1I hope it stays down
So far so good. Paws crossed.
We’ll keep our paws crossed!
Thank you!
When does produce Bugs output during the day? In the morning or later? There might be some connections between poop-problems and over-sensitive stomach or bowels.
But it may be the case that you have hurted Bugsy’s feelings because you provided only a single-perspective depiction of the events of the Fight Club! Those beautiful eyes tell anything!
And what about the opposite direction? Is there product on the day before his breakfast-problem?
Ah. Not usually. I think it’s happened maybe once in three years. Fang, on the other hand, has thrown up once before breakfast — but only once, and that was clearly a hairball thing.
Oh, I think my formulation was not clear, sorry! I meant whether Bugs did have “product” on the preceding days.
Do you mean did he poop on preceding days? Umm — sometimes hard to say. He might poop every other day. He’s that regular, as long as he’s eating. When he’s not eating or throwing up, though, I think he doesn’t poop at all.
During this most recent episode, he threw up every day, immediately after eating. So I immediately got concerned and started feeding him the bland chicken baby-food.
Have I grasped your question now?
The main thing is, though, that now, after making the smoothies and the 1/3-1/3-1/3 plan, things are staying down. Yippee!!
Yes, and 🙂 🙂 about the latest news!
Great observation, kolytyi. So far the only connection of both ends that I’m aware of is that if Bugsy’s food doesn’t stay down, then he doesn’t get nourished or hydrated and he doesn’t poop. Which is not good. I believe he “produces” in the morning, after he’s eaten. I picture the shipping department memo: “New goods coming in, move the old inventory out!” And you are right, I will have to make it up to him about the hurt feelings. He definitely has soul, this one.
Hi nadbugs I got your comment over on my blog and i agree with you but how do you want me to implement that panel. On the second page? On the first page? Can you tell me where on either of those pages?
-bewilderedcomics
I dunno if this could make a difference: sometimes food bowls need to be elevated so the cat isn’t hunching over it, hoovering. Like with a phone book under it. (We’re of an age, so I KNOW you know what a phone book is!)
That’s a cool idea, having rocks in the bowl so he has to eat slowly. A bowl upside down in the food bowl would also work, huh?
Yak Cat. Bugs the Yakety Yak Cat. Hmmmm just talkin’ to myself here….
A further idea: what about some probiotics (for example, yoghurt?)
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