As cat owners, we should always be on the lookout for anything that might tell us about our best friend’s health. From the simplest to the most obvious ones, every sign matters. One sign that shouldn’t be ignored is vomiting.
Cat vomiting happens when their bodies forcefully expel the contents from their stomach. This gets rid of harmful substances, such as spoiled food, foreign objects, and toxins.
Because of the implications of vomiting, it’s important to get a head start on everything about it. Lucky for you, we’re here to share what we know.
Why Do Cats Vomit?
Cats vomit for different reasons. It can be as simple as a hairball or something more complex.
Common Causes
Hairballs. Hairballs are a common cause of vomiting in cats, especially cats with long coats. Whenever cats groom themselves, they can sometimes take in some of their own fur. This can accumulate in the stomach, which is then ejected from the stomach.
Dietary Indiscretion. Cats, with their curious nature, tend to eat things they shouldn’t. This can be anything from a small toy to a plant or even plain garbage. As a result, the body vomits them out to remove these dangerous objects.
Sudden Changes in Diet. If your cat’s diet changes suddenly, this can upset its stomach and cause vomiting.
Food Allergies or Sensitivities. Some cats have allergies or intolerances to certain foods. One example is milk, which adults can’t digest because it contains lactose.
Medical Issues
Gastrointestinal Issues. Cat vomiting can be caused by inflammatory bowel disease, pancreatitis, colitis, and more.
Parasite Infestation. Intestinal parasites can irritate your cat’s digestive tract, resulting in vomiting.
Chronic Diseases. Diabetes, kidney disease, and liver failure are among the many diseases that can cause vomiting in cats.
Bacterial and Viral Infections. Pathogens can cause vomiting by inflaming the lining of the gastrointestinal system. One example is feline parvovirus.
Poisons and Toxins. Certain drugs, medications, and chemicals at home can be dangerous for your cat, especially when ingested. When they do, the body naturally expels them by throwing up.
Why Did My Cat Vomit But Is Acting Normally?
This can happen when the cause is mild. The key is to always watch the symptoms that accompany the vomit, as some causes can be severe.
What Is the Difference Between Vomiting and Regurgitation?
In some cases, a cat vomiting food can really just be regurgitating. Let’s talk about the difference between the two:
Vomiting
Vomiting is the active process, which can be seen as heaving, retching, or abdominal contractions. The vomit itself can appear fully or partially digested. In some cases, this can have blood. The cause can be dietary or a serious medical issue.
Regurgitation
Regurgitation is passive, meaning that the affected cat won’t need to make any effort. This means no gagging, retching, or heaving of any kind. It just involves a quiet expulsion of the object or substance, which typically happens after eating.
Generally, regurgitation happens when cats eat too much too fast.
How Often Is Too Often for a Cat to Vomit?
A cat vomiting more than once a week can be concerning. When this happens to your cat, we recommend visiting the clinic or calling our vets. However, when a cat vomits more than two or three times consecutively, this is considered an emergency.
Generally, frequent vomiting can indicate several reasons, from mild hairballs to more serious issues such as gastrointestinal problems.
What Are the Types of Cat Vomit?
The color, texture, and contents of your cat’s vomit can give you important clues about what’s going on in their body. Here’s a quick guide:
Undigested Food
If your cat pukes up food that has not been fully digested, then it can mean that they probably ate too much, too fast, or something they shouldn’t have.
Yellow Vomit
If it looks yellow, then it typically means that your cat’s stomach is empty. The color comes from bile, a digestive fluid that helps break down food. But when there’s no food, bile can accumulate within the cat’s stomach, causing irritation of the lining. This forces the body to eject it.
Hairballs
Hairballs in your cat’s vomit often indicate a lack of grooming. Regular grooming helps remove loose hair and debris on the cat’s coat. So, when they start grooming themselves on occasion, they’ll eventually have fewer hairballs.
Clear Liquid
A clear appearance tells you a lot of things. This can mean:
An empty or upset stomach
Drinking too much water
Hairball vomiting
Presence of parasites
Blood in Vomit
If you see blood in your cat’s vomit, then it’s a serious issue. The presence of blood can indicate a lot of different health issues, namely:
Gastrointestinal infection and irritation
Trauma from foreign material
Toxin ingestion
Clotting disorders
Worms
If worms are visible in your cat’s puke, then it’s a sure symptom of a parasite infestation. Roundworms are the most common examples. These appear as several small worms curling up in a single cluster.
How Often Is Too Often for a Cat to Vomit?
A cat vomiting more than once a week can be concerning. When this happens to your cat, we recommend visiting the clinic or calling our vets. However, when a cat vomits more than two or three times consecutively, this is considered an emergency.
Generally, frequent vomiting can indicate several reasons, from mild hairballs to more serious issues such as gastrointestinal problems.
How Do Vets Diagnose the Cause of Your Cat’s Vomiting
We'll start by examining your cat's condition and other accompanying symptoms. From here, we'll do additional tests. These may include:
Blood and Fecal Tests. These lab tests can help identify any infections, chronic diseases, or parasites in your cat.
Diagnostic Imaging. X-rays and ultrasounds allow us to identify foreign objects, blockages, and other indicators of disease.
Biopsy. In chronic cases, we might do a biopsy to check your cat’s gastrointestinal system for any injuries or cause inflammation.
Elimination Diet. For food allergies or intolerances, an elimination diet works to resolve vomiting by introducing novel proteins.
What Is the Remedy for Cat Vomiting?
Treatment will depend on the main cause. Generally, this will include:
Dietary Adjustments and Medication
Our vets will focus on helping your cat's digestive tract recover, emphasizing easily digestible food that's low in fat.
Specific medications will target particular causes, such as parasites, infections, and worms. These can include antiparasitic medications, antibiotics, and anti-nausea drugs. We can also prescribe antiemetics or anti-nausea medicines.
IV fluids can also be used alongside this form of treatment to regulate hydration levels.
Surgery and Specific Treatments
In some cases, surgery will be done to physically remove the foreign object or tumor that has been causing your cat to puke. For severe cat vomiting that is accompanied by other symptoms, more intensive treatments will be administered depending on the main disease that’s causing it.
Withholding Food
If you want natural remedies for cat vomiting, we recommend withholding food to give the digestive system time to rest. Alternatively, you can also offer a bland diet without any additives.
Fresh Water
Additionally, offering fresh water at home will help with recovery, as cats who throw up frequently tend to be dehydrated. You can install several water bowls or fountains to encourage your cat to drink.
Vet Tips: How to Prevent Vomiting in Cats
To avoid unnecessary pain and discomfort, we should naturally help prevent the causes.
Feed Smaller Meals
Large meals can be overwhelming for cats. Plus, some may eat too fast. Feed smaller, more frequent meals and manage portions.
Adjust Your Cat’s Diet
If your cat does not tolerate certain ingredients well, then changes will be needed. With the help of our vets, gradually adjust your cat’s food.
Groom Regularly
As previously mentioned, regular grooming helps remove loose hair and debris that can cause hairballs whenever cats lick themselves.
Remove Hazards and Toxins
Keep dangerous chemicals and medicines away from your cat’s reach. Store these in secure cabinets to avoid accidental ingestion.
"A cat's tummy health is crucial to their happiness. Paying attention early can help save your cat from a lot of pain and discomfort."
- Dr. Rokas Proscevicius
Final Thoughts
When cats vomit, it’s often an initial sign of a health problem that should be taken into consideration. By knowing all about it, you’ll be able to give your best friends the treatment they deserve.
Frequently Asked Questions
When should I worry when my cat vomits?
You should worry when your cat vomits more than a couple of times a day, displays other symptoms, or has blood in their vomit. Some of the symptoms to take note of include lethargy, diarrhea, a reduced appetite, and discomfort.
Why did my cat puke out of nowhere?
Your cat may throw up out of nowhere due to sudden irritation within their gastrointestinal tract. This can happen when they eat too fast or have dietary indiscretion. In serious cases, this can be due to foreign objects, parasites, toxins, and other diseases.
What can you give a cat for vomiting?
You shouldn’t give your cat anything if they are vomiting. Generally, you should withhold food for around 12 hours and only offer a bland diet, such as boiled chicken and fish, after this period. The food should be given in small amounts only. Also, make sure they drink plenty of water.
How many times should a cat throw up before seeing a vet?
Generally, if your cat vomits three or more times within a 24-hour period, or if they vomit persistently for a couple of days, then it’s time to bring them to the clinic. The frequency usually means that they need immediate help.
Is it normal for cats to vomit?
Occasional vomiting is normal for cats, especially when hairballs are involved. However, when this happens often, then this is not normal. Plus, if there are other symptoms that accompany your cat’s vomiting, then it’s also not normal.
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