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 eject 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.
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.
Cats who puke tend to have if they currently have a health problem, which can be anywhere from dietary indiscretion to a parasite infestation.
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.
What are the Types of Vomiting in Cats?
Cat vomiting comes in two types: acute and chronic. Acute vomiting is the type that happens for a short period, multiple times. This is often caused by something they should not have eaten.
If your cat throws up regularly, it’s considered chronic. This could happen once a day, a couple of times a week, or all throughout the month.
Why Do Cats Vomit?
Cats vomit for different reasons. It can be as simple as a hairball or something more complex.
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. These can accumulate in 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. A cat’s digestive system thrives on a routine, so any immediate change will have a significant impact.
Food Allergies or Sensitivities. Cats can have allergic reactions or intolerances to certain types of food. One example is milk. Adults are lactose intolerant, meaning their bodies can’t process the lactose in milk. This results in digestive upset and vomiting.
Gastrointestinal Issues. Issues within the gastrointestinal tract, such as inflammatory bowel disease, pancreatitis, or colitis, can cause cats to puke.
Parasite Infestation. Roundworms and hookworms irritate the gastrointestinal tract, which can cause vomiting in cats, especially kittens.
Chronic Diseases. Vomiting is often a symptom of several chronic conditions, such as diabetes, kidney disease, hyperthyroidism, or even liver dysfunction.
Bacterial and Viral Infections. Pathogens can also cause vomiting in cats, especially when they irritate the digestive tract, particularly the stomach and intestines. Common examples include feline parvovirus and salmonellosis.
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 by throwing up.
What Your Cat’s Vomit Means
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 Do Vets Diagnose the Cause of Your Cat’s Vomiting
When it comes to diagnosing the reasons, here’s what you can expect.
Our vets will start with a physical examination of your cat’s condition and other symptoms that are present. From here, we’ll decide on a few tests we should do, which can include:
Blood and Fecal Tests. These lab tests can help identify any infections, chronic diseases, or parasites in your cat.
Diagnostic Imaging. Tools such as X-rays and ultrasounds can provide a closer look at your cat’s body, catching any presence of foreign material.
Biopsy. In chronic cases, we might do a biopsy to check your cat’s gastrointestinal system for any injuries or cause inflammation.
Elimination Diet. If food allergies or intolerances are suspected, an elimination diet works to resolve vomiting by introducing novel proteins.
What to Do if Your Cat Vomits?
The treatment for your cat’s vomiting often targets the specific health issue that caused it. For simpler and less severe cases, the treatment focuses on dietary adjustments and supportive medications.
Our vets may advise a diet plan that helps soothe the GI tract’s lining and prevent further irritation. Specialized diets can be recommended to reduce allergies and manage vomiting over time. We can also prescribe antiemetics or anti-nausea medicines.
If you want natural remedies for cat vomiting, we recommend withholding food from your cat to allow time for the digestive system to rest. Alternatively, you can also offer a bland diet without any additives.
Additionally, offering fresh water at home will help with recovery, as cats who throw up frequently tend to be dehydrated. In some cases, ginger can help cats. Ginger tea is the most common form and the easiest to serve.
For severe cat vomiting that is accompanied by other symptoms, more intensive treatments will be administered.
Medications will target specific causes, such as parasites, infections, and worms. These can include antiparasitic medications, antibiotics, and anti-nausea drugs. IV fluids can also accompany this form of treatment as a way to regulate hydration levels.
In some cases, surgery will be done to physically remove the foreign object or tumor that has been causing your cat to puke.
How to Prevent Your Cat From Vomiting
Prevention comes in a few easy steps.
Feed Smaller Meals.
Large meals can be overwhelming for cats, especially when they tend to eat quickly. 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.
Provide Fresh Water
Have fresh water readily available at your cat’s water bowls at all times to maintain good hydration levels.
"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.
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