is this an allergic reaction?

I've been feeding Blue Buffalo Salmon (BB). No health conditions. 

Decided to switch off BB for a variety of reasons. Did some research and landed on ZiwiPeak Venison and Fish. I bought some today -- the air-dried -- and opened it up at dinner-time. Because it comes in the same kind of packaging as a treat, my cat went nuts. I hand-fed him a portion equivalent to a couple treats. I left the rest mixed in with his BB, but he got bored and walked away.

About 15-20 minutes later, he vomited. Obviously the new ZiwiPeak flakes were in the vomit. All else being equal, I am fine not giving him much of a choice and making him eat the new food. It's not going to taste like candy like BB did, but it's much better for him. However, I am concerned about potential allergens. He is now refusing ZiwiPeak but will eat the BB when presented by hand.

Should I be worried that he might be allergic to some of the ingredients in the new food? I am a little sketched out that such a small amount of new food produced vomiting.

 ZiwiPeak (air-dried)  -- the new food

http://www.ziwipeak.com/natural-cat-food/air-dried-cat-food/air-dried-venison-fish-cat-cuisine

Venison Meat, Venison Liver, Venison Lung, Venison Tripe, Venison Heart and Kidney, Fish, New Zealand Green Mussel, Lecithin, Inulin from Chicory, Dried Kelp, Vitamins (Vitamin D3 Supplement, Vitamin E Supplement, Riboflavin, d-Calcium Pantothenate, Nicotinic Acid, Pyridoxine Hydrochloride, Folic Acid, Vitamin B12 Supplement), Minerals (Iron amino acid complex, Copper amino acid complex, Manganese amino acid complex, Zinc amino acid complex, Sodium Selenite, Potassium Bicarbonate), DL-Methionine, Taurine. Naturally preserved with Mixed Tocopherols.

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Blue Buffalo Salmon (dry)  -- Been eating this problem-free for years

http://bluebuffalo.com/natural-cat-...or-health-adult-salmon-and-brown-rice-recipe/

Deboned Salmon, Turkey Meal, Chicken Meal, Brown Rice, Barley, Chicken Fat (preserved with Mixed Tocopherols), Peas, Tomato Pomace (source of Lycopene), Powdered Cellulose, Natural Flavor, Flaxseed (source of Omega 3 and 6 Fatty Acids), Potatoes, Calcium Carbonate, Alfalfa Meal, Choline Chloride, Potassium Chloride, Salt, Potato Starch, Dried Chicory Root, Caramel, Taurine, DL-Methionine, Cranberries, Mixed Tocopherols (a natural preservative), Sweet Potatoes, Carrots, Zinc Amino Acid Chelate, Zinc Sulfate, Ferrous Sulfate, Nicotinic Acid (Vitamin B3), Iron Amino Acid Chelate, Vitamin E Supplement, Yucca Schidigera Extract, Oil of Rosemary, L-Lysine, Parsley, Kelp, Blueberries, Apples, Spinach, Blackberries, Pomegranate, Pumpkin, Barley Grass, Turmeric, L-Ascorbyl-2-Polyphosphate (source of Vitamin C), Thiamine Mononitrate (Vitamin B1), Copper Sulfate, Biotin (Vitamin B7), Vitamin A Supplement, Copper Amino Acid Chelate, Pyridoxine Hydrochloride (Vitamin B6), Calcium Pantothenate (Vitamin B5), Riboflavin (Vitamin B2), Manganese Sulfate, L-Carnitine, Manganese Amino Acid Chelate, Vitamin D3 Supplement, Beta Carotene, Vitamin B12 Supplement, Folic Acid (Vitamin B9), Calcium Iodate, Dried Yeast, Dried Enterococcus faecium fermentation product, Dried Lactobacillus acidophilus fermentation product, Dried Aspergillus niger fermentation extract, Dried Trichoderma longibrachiatum fermentation extract, Dried Bacillus subtilis fermentation extract, Sodium Selenite.

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I read somewhere recently that there's a difference between cats vomiting and cats regurgitating. I can't say for sure if it's a food intolerance issue but I know that a couple of mine always did this with raw kangaroo. I assume he hasn't vomited again and the blue is staying down just fine? Sometimes cats just vomit and it might be a coincidence but a lot of kitties have problems with fish so it's possible it's the fish and not necessarily the ziwipeak too.

Does he gorge on his food? Like eat it too fast?

Tobilei said:

 
I read somewhere recently that there's a difference between cats vomiting and cats regurgitating. I can't say for sure if it's a food intolerance issue but I know that a couple of mine always did this with raw kangaroo. I assume he hasn't vomited again and the blue is staying down just fine? Sometimes cats just vomit and it might be a coincidence but a lot of kitties have problems with fish so it's possible it's the fish and not necessarily the ziwipeak too.

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The blue buffalo was salmon, so I sort of doubt it's fish generally, although it could be the particular variety of fish in the ziwipeak. Good to hear about your experience. 

He's keeping down the blue buffalo fine, and napping right now. I'm thinking of trying again tomorrow.

Miagi's_Mommy said:

 
Does he gorge on his food? Like eat it too fast?

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Not really. His first couple bites of the new food were very quick, but it was so small. Ziwipeak is basically flakes, probably 1/2 the thickness of a piece of kibble. So what he ended up eating was almost like giving him 2-3 treats in terms of mass. 

Hi, and welcome to TCS

Usually, vomiting within the first 30mins or so of eating is due to the cat eating too quickly. Venison is a very different meat to salmon or poultry though (the other meats in the old food), and it may have just been a little rich for him.

If it were me, I'd stick with the old food for 24hrs or so to make sure there isn't anything else going on, then maybe try literally one or two pieces of the Ziwipeak on their own (away from all other food) and see what happens.

Go very cautiously with the transition - the two kibbles are very different in composition, and if you go too fast you'll very likely cause an upset tummy. I know Ziwipeak suggest a 7 day transition, but I'd be seriously tempted to at least double that in this case.

Lastly, do do a quick search for product recalls on both foods. I'm not aware of any current issues, but it never hurts to rule out that kind of thing