Most of us don’t feel particularly well after the festive season. Usually you start to regret having enjoyed your Christmas meal quite so much, maybe because you helped yourself to seconds and overdid it on the roulade and chocolates! Over-indulging affects your cat too, but it should be taken a lot more seriously. Indigestion is one of the main risks facing your cat at Christmas time. Here’s how you should deal with it, should the situation arise.

Indigestion and cats: causes and symptoms

Cats have very delicate stomachs, so even the slightest change in their diet can lead to digestive trouble. Eating overly rich or inappropriate food can cause cats to suffer from indigestion and this is particularly the case if they manage to get their paws on any Christmas leftovers, such as cake, smoked salmon or meat prepared in sauce.

Indigestion can give your cat an upset stomach, which can usually be spotted by the following signs: trouble sleeping, crankiness or loss of appetite. It can also have the same effect as a stomach bug, resulting in vomiting and diarrhoea, as in humans.

Call your vet

If you catch your cat finishing off some Christmas cake or if you notice some missing and your cat falls ill shortly afterwards, you can be almost certain you’re dealing with a case of indigestion. Vomiting, however, can be caused by various factors so it’s best to call your vet to make sure it’s nothing serious.

In the case of indigestion, the prescribed remedy will often consist of putting your cat on a diet (see below). Sometimes your vet may also prescribe medication to relieve your cat, such as an antacid, antidiarrheal or anti-vomiting treatment.

Putting your cat on a diet

In the event of indigestion, and to give your cat's digestive system a rest, dieting is generally the most effective remedy. This consists of not feeding them for a maximum of 12 to 24 hours. To avoid dehydration, make sure they have access to water. If drinking also causes your cat to vomit, it’s best to give them only small amounts of water at regular intervals.

Make sure your cat has a comfortable spot to rest during this period and that they are warm. Gradually reintroduce meals, making sure to start off with foods that are easily digested, such as small bits of cooked meat or fish. Spread out their food over 4 or 5 small meals. Watch out for any worrying symptoms such as a fever or traces of blood in their stools or vomit, in which case you should contact your vet immediately. All going well, your cat should be back to their normal self within no time!