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My dog ate cat food, vomited, won't eat, lethargic. What to do?

Updated on September 23rd, 2025

Pet's info: Dog | Chinese Shar-Pei | Male | unneutered | 5 months and 1 day old | 35 lbs

My 5month old shar pei ate some cat food. He regurgitated it later that evening but is refusing to eat.. only drinks water and is quite lethargic

3 Answers

Most Helpful Answer

Answered By Dr. Melanie, BVSc MS

Veterinarian

Published on March 29th, 2020

Poor Brutus. He's such a cutie! It sounds like the cat food has upset his stomach. Feed him a bland diet of boiled white meat chicken (no bones) and white rice in small amounts several times a day for a couple of days. Then slowly add back in his normal diet. If he refuses to eat the bland diet, he vomits the bland diet, develops diarrhea, stops drinking water, starts vomiting water, or becomes very lethargic, he will need to see a vet right away.

1Pet Parents found this answer helpful

Related Answers from Veterinarians

Answered By Dr. Melanie, BVSc MS
Veterinarian
Published on June 12th, 2020
Thank you for contacting Petco Pet Education Center, formerly Petcoach with your question about Odin. Poor boy! I am a bit concerned that he's been vomiting daily for five days. In all honesty, that's a while to be vomiting. He probably feels really bad from the vomiting, leading him to be lethargic today. The food switch could be the cause of the vomiting. Cats can develop stomach upset from sudden changes in diets. Given the amount of time he has been vomiting plus the fact that he's now lethargic, I do think it's best you get him into a vet asap. I hope this helps!
1Pet Parents found this answer helpful
Answered By Dr. Melanie, BVSc MS
Veterinarian
Published on May 1st, 2017
I'm sorry Angel has been sick lately! He could still be experiencing some stomach upset from the vomiting and diarrhea, and I would try offering him a bland diet of boiled white meat chicken (no bones) in small amounts several times a day for a couple of days. If he eats that regularly, then I would slowly add back in his normal diet. Should he continue to be lethargic or refuse to eat the bland diet, then I would have him seen by a vet.
1Pet Parents found this answer helpful

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