Is this normal?
An occasional one-off can be. Common everyday triggers are gulping food, a big meal after a long gap, a switch that went too quickly, or hairballs in cats. Ongoing vomiting is different, and food changes alone shouldn't be used to manage it.
What to try, most effective first
- Slow the switch. Go back to the last mix that suited your pet and move forward more gently: dogs, cats.
- Smaller, more frequent meals. Split the same daily amount into more meals: meals per day.
- Slow down fast eaters. A slow-feeder bowl, or spreading food on a flat plate, helps pets who gulp.
- Take the chill off. Serve at room temperature or slightly warmed, never straight from the fridge and never hot.
- Check the portion and pause extras such as treats, chews and table food.
- Cats with hairballs: moisture-rich meals help, and Purrfect Fish is a good choice.
When to call your vet:
Vomiting more than once in a day, or vomiting that keeps coming back.
Can't keep water down.
Blood in the vomit, or it looks like coffee grounds.
Also has diarrhoea, seems lethargic, in pain, or has a swollen tummy.
Retching without bringing anything up, especially in large dogs: this is an emergency.
You think they swallowed something they shouldn't have.
Puppies, kittens, seniors, or a cat that hasn't eaten for more than 24 hours.
If you think a specific pack is the problem, keep the pack, take a photo and message us: something unusual in my food.
Related: loose stools after switching, when to see a vet.