We adopted a lovely black and white cat from a local cat rescue charity in April. We went to meet two other cats that they thought would be suitable and ended up falling in love with him instead. He is quite a big boy and so calm and we love him to bits. Anyway, he is FIV which does make life harder. He can't go outside and can't have any raw/human food. He also had to have an operation before we got him as his eyelashes were growing towards his eyeballs and irritating him. He was fending for himself outside when the charity found him, so all in all he has had a horrible time.
He settled in pretty quickly. He used the litter tray straight away, he ate the dry IAMS food and the wet Whiskas food (he loves the Whiskas) and he drinks water. I was worried about him being bored so we purchased some toys. He seemed ok. Two months in, he started to to be sick. Very occasionally and more regurgitating really. I have had another cat who used to do that sometimes so was not concerned. Old cat used to eat too quickly sometimes and then throw up pretty much straight away. This cat doesn't throw up straight away. He has the wet food in the morning and I think on reflection, he rarely throws up in the morning. I leave dry IAMS down all day when we are out of the house. There is always some left when I get home so he is not gorging. I normally get rid of the old food and freshen up his bowl and put new dry food down late afternoon/early evening. He also might have a few treats, dry treats or a wet tube treat.
More and more frequently he starts to pant/heave and make retching noises and throw up. This does not happen straight after eating. It might be half an hour after or maybe even longer. The other day he threw up and then when I was in bed a few hours later, he started to throw up again. I am worried that it is becoming more frequent. The shelter said that he was mainly on a dry food diet as in warmer weather they don't like putting down wet food. Yet the dry food appears to be the problem - although I can't be totally sure.
Should I eliminate the dry food for now and give him a pouch of Whiskas in the morning and another in the evening? Should I eliminate treats? I have been looking at raised bowls as they are supposed to help with digestion. Does anyone have a cat with similar issues that could provide advice? Is this serious enough to go to the vet. I know a lot of cats throw up and he appears well in every other way, no bowel issues, no loss of appetite, drinks plenty of water etc.
I just do not understand why it is getting worse. Any help would be much appreciated. Thanks!