Cat "air chewing" - sign of nausea?

cat hunter

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Hi all, 

I'm a new member and I'm posting here for the first time to find out if anyone has experience of their cat "air chewing". I don't have a video of my cat, but this one on YouTube is exactly what my cat RoRo does


. She's started doing this more and more frequently, but mainly does it at night. She's also been vomiting up hairballs more and more frequently, and occasionally vomiting up well, just vomit. We've had 3 hairballs in the last week. 

Bit of background - RoRo is a 7 year old female cat who I adopted from the SPCA in January. She's eating, drinking, peeing, pooping fine and is playful, energetic and very affectionate. Apart from the chewing and hairballs she seems perfectly healthy.

She's just been seen by the vet who suspects GI issues and that the chewing is a sign of nausea. She suggests we start with a hairball lubricant, and then possibly pepcid ac. The vet also suspects overgrooming/OCD. The vet checked RoRo's teeth and they all seem fine (she had 4 teeth removed before I adopted her in January so I was worried it was dental pain). 

The vet said it's difficult to diagnose without further tests such as an abdominal ultrasound and a pancreatitis test. But she recommended the other solutions first as otherwise RoRo seems like a healthy and bright cat. 

I was wondering if anyone else had experience of this air chewing with their cats, and if you got a diagnosis of the cause? I don't want to put my kitty through invasive tests unless absolutely necessary. 

Thanks in advance! 

Cat
 
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miss mew

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Hi and welcome to TCS!

I know what you are talking about.  We used to have a cat that would do this.  It sounds like your vet did a good work up.  In our case it was a combination of dental issues and food sensitivities.  It was many years ago so I can't remember all the details but I seem to remember the food change (with vet supervision) helped.
 
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cat hunter

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Hey Miss Mew, thank you for replying. Good to hear someone else has experience of this, and that in your cat's case it wasn't anything sinister! 

My cat is notoriously picky when it comes to food, so changing her food might be a challenge. She gifted us yet another hairball last night, so they are coming up far too frequently. I think she does have an overgrooming problem. 
 
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cat hunter

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Hey Kenneth - good to hear someone else with experience of this. I'm starting to think it might just be a weird quirk rather than anything sinister! Problem is my cat does this at the most random times, mostly in the middle of the night next to my face!! 
 

kenneth haley

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I noticed today that she would "chew air" after marking my bookcase with her cheek. She seems only to do it in positive situations. In my cat, I think it's just a quirk.
 

kenneth haley

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Hey Kenneth - good to hear someone else with experience of this. I'm starting to think it might just be a weird quirk rather than anything sinister! Problem is my cat does this at the most random times, mostly in the middle of the night next to my face!! 
That fits, she's happy to be cuddled up with you! let's hope anyway.
 

js124

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My cat does this and for my cat it is a sign of nausea. He has Ibd. he does a lot when sleeping. My cat takes pepcid twice a day but he still does it. I would def start the pepcid. Did te get recommend switching diet?
 
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cat hunter

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Hey js124 - what's lbd? My cat does it mostly at night too. 

pepcid is the next stage if the laxatone doesn't work. She hates it though!! Do you add the pepcid to your cat's food?

The vet did mention changing diet, but I have a very very very fussy cat. She won't touch wet food, and rejects most other types of dry food. Not interested in things like tuna either. If you have any tips on changing her diet, and what you would recommend, I'd appreciate it! Thanks!
 

js124

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Inflammatory Bowel Disease, no I give him a 1/4 pill twice a day in a pill pocket.

I mix the laxatone in his food when he gets hairballs

I have a very picky cat too. went through a lot of food, he tens to like wet food with gravy, other than that he really wont it.

I know the classic fancy feast are grain free, but I am not sure if they all are. I went through a lot of food and a lot of brands

I recently switched to Wervuva food and he likes it a lot

is there a pet value by you?
 
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