just moved--kitties getting sick

[adamjai]

My husband and I have moved into a brand new house and my kitties keep getting sick. We've been in the house for nearly three months now, and it seems like every other day one or the other upchucks.

They're both still eating, drinking, and playing like normal, but I'm getting concerned about the tummy troubles. Has anyone else had this happen to them? Any info would be appreciated!

[Russian Blue]

I think a vet visit is in order, especially since you state that this has been going on for 3 months and is affecting both your cats!

When you moved, did you change foods at all? If you didn't change foods, how long have they been on this food? The cats could have an intolerance to the food, or could they be chewing on something new in the house? Computer wires, plants etc?

If these were my cats, I would be at the vet getting tests done to rule out internal health issues * just in case*.

[Cinder & Smoke]

Originally posted by adamjai
My husband and I have moved into a brand new house
and my kitties keep getting sick...

"New House" brings a couple things to mind...

1) The WATER -
Unless the Kitties drink Bottled Water;
WHERE does their Drinking Water come from:
Municipal (treated) water;
or you own Private Well??

You might want to try Bottled Water for them -
something in the House Supply might be upsetting their tummies.

2) The LandScaping -
Different "flavour" of grass at the New House;
Different plants the might be "nibbling" on;
Availibility of "critters" they might be hunting and eating???

3) Carptes / Floor Coverings / Fresh Paint -
ANY "NEW" things they may be tempted to Lick or Chew
are possible sources of the upsets.

And... WELCOME to Pet Talk!!

[Tubby & Peanut's Mom]

I agree with Phred. I was going to suggest maybe it's the new carpeting. A lot of times they put chemicals on the carpets to protect them from stains and I thought that might have something to do with it. But I also agree with RB, a vet check would defnitely be in order.

Good luck and let us know how it goes. Oh, and welcome to PT!

[adamjai]

They've been eating the same food for a couple of years now, and the water comes from the same supply we had before. I called the vet and they told me that if they were still eating and drinking, and if they were still acting normal, that they were probably okay. They had been to the vet a few months before we moved and got all of their shots and were generally fine. And other than the upchucking, they are absolutely normal. It's kinda weird.

They aren't outside kitties, so they aren't getting into anything out there, and they've never shown any interest in house plants. They have, however, shown an interest in bugs since we've moved, but I don't know how to break them of that. If anyone has suggestions on that it'd be helpful, since it really grosses me out to know my baby Zoe is eating spiders. Ack!

I had just wondered if someone else had moved and noticed that they're kitties got upset tummies after. I thought maybe they were stressed out, since we had been in the other place almost since we got them. But if no one else has noticed this, I guess another visit to the vet is in order.

[Barbara]

Originally posted by adamjai
They have, however, shown an interest in bugs since we've moved, but I don't know how to break them of that. If anyone has suggestions on that it'd be helpful, since it really grosses me out to know my baby Zoe is eating spiders. Ack!

My only suggestion is to look away. Tigris eats spiders and it grosses me out but he is an indoor cat and loves hunting so much - so I leave the room. My husband sometimes saves the spiders and expatriates them. But we have very few spiders in here -that's the positive thing.

But seriously : I have no idea about the upset tummies - some environmental thing in the carpets may be. If it's not good for the kitties it could be possible that it's not good for you either. Here there are institutes that check for you whether there is some poison in your house. I am sure that exists in the US too.

And welcome at PT.

[adamjai]

Boy do I feel silly!

I think I've figured out why the kitties are getting sick. Saturday night I heard some plastic crinkling in the kitchen, but I ignored it because my kitties often try to pull plastic bags out from under the pantry door. Well, after a lot of crinkling I heard one jump down from the counter and then I heard--crunching? So I went in the kitchen and saw them sharing one of my husband's hot and spicy pork rinds!

In our old apartment they couldn't get on top of the refrigerator, but now they have easy access to it since it's right next to the countertops, and my guess is that they've been eating hot and spicy pork rinds since we've moved in. They should be fine now.

Thanks for all the advice that was offered!

[jenluckenbach]

I am sorry to have missed this post, but the ending had me laughing. I sure hope that the spicy food is all there is to their problems. (hee hee). Silly kitties.
Welcome to pet talk.

[adamjai]

I am sorry to have missed this post, but the ending had me laughing.

I laughed pretty hard when I saw them munching on that pork rind! I've hidden them away and all has been fine for the last few days. Kitties can be a handful sometimes!

[CatDad]

I too am sorry that I missed this thread. I started out very worried, but I was happy to hear that it ended well.

Darn kitties anyway getting into things that they shouldn't. It will make for a cute kitty story someday.

Welcome to PT.

[LauralG]

Sorry I missed this also but cute ending I'm glade you found what the problem was. Welcome to Pet Talk. This was a interesting story.