Can Cats Make Themselves Throw up for Attention
It is highly unlikely that cats can voluntarily make themselves throw up for attention. Vomiting is a physical reflex triggered by various factors, not something they can control consciously. Here’s why:
1. Reasons for Cat Vomiting
- Digestive issues: Hairballs, dietary indiscretion (eating something they shouldn’t), parasites, inflammatory bowel disease, and other digestive problems are common causes of vomiting in cats.
- Stress: Changes in their environment, new pets, loud noises, or other stressful situations can cause cats to vomit.
- Poisoning: If your cat ingests something toxic, vomiting is a natural response to expel the harmful substance.
- Underlying medical conditions: Some serious illnesses, like kidney disease or cancer, can also cause vomiting in cats.
2. Why Voluntary Vomiting is Unlikely?:
- Physiology: Vomiting is a complex involuntary reflex involving the digestive and nervous systems. Cats lack the physical control to initiate this process at will.
- Unrewarding behavior: Throwing up is an unpleasant and uncomfortable experience for cats. They would unlikely choose to do it themselves for any reason, let alone for attention.