Oct 28, 2024
Vomiting is usually common for cats, but it can be alarming if things get out of hand. Cats vomit for numerous reasons, as this act is a symptom of many diseases and conditions. These conditions may be mild, but some may be severe.
While occasional vomiting is not an immediate concern, regular or excessive vomiting could indicate an underlying health issue that requires attention.
What is Cat Vomiting?
Cat vomiting is the process when the body forcefully ejects the contents ingested. This comes in two forms: acute and chronic cat vomiting.
Acute Vomiting
Acute vomiting refers to short-term bursts of vomiting, which usually resolves in a day or two. It can easily be treated if the cause is mild or temporary. However, severe or persistent acute vomiting may require immediate medical attention.
Chronic Vomiting
If your cat vomits frequently or if the act happens for a long period, this can be another form called chronic vomiting. This is usually accompanied by other symptoms that point to a medical condition, such as lethargy, weakness, and diarrhea.
Causes of Cat Vomiting
Cat vomiting can be triggered by different factors ranging from mild to much more serious. Knowing the reasons why your cat is vomiting helps our vets provide the right treatment options for your best friend. To help you get to know your cat more, here are some of the common causes of cat vomiting:
Hairballs
Hairballs are super common in cats, which is why it’s normal to see your cats choking out hairballs from time to time. The reason why it’s so common is because cats love to groom themselves. It’s a big part of their nature.
In doing so, they swallow loose hairs and fur. These loose fur can accumulate in the stomach and become hairballs. When these hairballs become too large, cats will usually vomit it out.
It’s important to practice regular cat grooming to prevent this form happening. By removing loose hair and fur, there will be less chance of hairballs, and they’ll feel better mentally.
Dietary Indiscretion
Dietary indiscretion is the tendency of animals to ingest things that they shouldn’t, such as spoiled food, chemicals, plants, and objects. Cats, being naturally curious creatures, fall victim to this kind of behavior. As a result, they tend to get upset stomachs, leading to them vomiting out the things they have ingested.
Additionally, sudden changes in a cat’s diet can trigger vomiting. Cats love a good routine, which is why changes in the things they do can trouble them as well as their sensitive stomachs. If your cat’s stomach is super sensitive, it’s important to gradually introduce new foods if you are planning a new diet.
Food Allergies and Intolerances
Some cats are allergic and sensitive to specific foods. When they eat something that does not agree with their stomach, their immune system will trigger a reaction to vomit it out. This is their body’s natural response to eating something that shouldn’t be eaten.
Some of these foods can include chicken, beef, and fish. Not all cats are allergic to the same kind of food. It really depends on your cat.
Food intolerances, on the other hand, are pretty similar to food allergies, except that these don’t involve any reactions from the immune system. Generally, these intolerances include a cat’s reaction to food, such as lactose intolerance, food poisoning, and dietary indiscretion.
Gastrointestinal Issues
A cat’s digestive system is super sensitive, which is why gastrointestinal issues such as inflammatory bowel disease, gastritis, or pancreatitis can lead to vomiting in cats. Inflammation in the digestive tract disrupts normal digestion and absorption, causing nausea and vomiting.
Cats with chronic gastrointestinal issues may also display other symptoms like diarrhea, weight loss, or lethargy. These additional symptoms can often accompany vomiting in cats, which can highlight several potential causes.
Parasites
Parasites that love to live inside cats, such as tapeworms, roundworms, and hookworms, can cause significant vomiting through irritation and problems within the digestive tract. Kittens are vulnerable to parasites, especially if they contract these from their mother or through a contaminated environment.
Because cats’ immune systems are still developing, they are at a high risk of a parasite infestation. This makes it super important to be sure they are well-protected during their younger years.
Chronic Diseases
Kidney disease, diabetes, hyperthyroidism, and other chronic conditions can all lead to vomiting and nausea as part of their significant symptoms. For instance, cats with kidney problems can have a buildup of toxins in their bloodstream, leading to vomiting as a result of gastrointestinal issues.
Hyperthyroidism is another common condition cats experience. This problem involves an overproduction of the thyroid hormone, leading to vomiting as one of the more prominent symptoms, alongside weight loss and diarrhea.
Infections
Bacteria and viruses can cause vomiting in cats through infections. One such example is gastroenteritis. In this condition, a cat’s gastrointestinal tract gets inflamed, caused by the infection of bacteria, viruses, parasites, or medications. What’s worse is that infections can usually spread and cause more damage to a cat’s body, leading to more issues than just vomiting.
Toxins or Poisons
Cats are sensitive to various toxins, including antifreeze, certain houseplants, and household cleaners. Ingesting these substances can cause acute vomiting as the body attempts to expel the harmful material. If your cat has ingested something that it shouldn’t, emergency vet care should be given right away to prevent things from getting worse.
Types of Cat Vomit
If your cat vomits, the appearance of this can provide important clues about what your cat is dealing with. Our vets include this in our diagnosis, allowing us to get more evidence of your cat’s problem. Here’s an overview of the types of cat vomit and what they mean:
Undigested Food
If your cat vomits undigested or partially digested food shortly after eating, it could tell you that it is eating too quickly, which can upset the stomach. Undigested food can also be vomited if your cat is intolerant or sensitive to the specific food.
Yellow Liquid
A yellow vomit usually tells us that your cat’s stomach is empty. This yellow liquid is most likely bile. Bile is an essential fluid that aids in digestion. Cats that go long periods without eating may vomit bile as their stomach acids irritate the lining of the digestive tract. This can also occur if your cat has gastritis or acid reflux.
Hairballs
Hairballs are a common cause of vomiting, especially in long-haired cats. Cats love to groom themselves, which is why some of this hair gets swallowed. If the hair stacks up in the stomach, the cat’s body will be forced to vomit the hairball out since it cannot pass through the digestive tract.
Clear Liquid
A vomit with clear liquid may indicate that your cat is drinking too much water or having an empty stomach. Hydration is super important for cats. However, it can be concerning if something is done too much, even if it is related to drinking water.
Blood
Cats vomiting out liquid with blood in it are always a major health concern. The blood may appear bright red, indicating active bleeding in the esophagus or upper gastrointestinal tract, or dark brown, resembling coffee grounds, which indicates partially digested blood from the stomach. Bloody vomit can be caused by ulcers, severe inflammation, ingestion of a foreign object, or, in rare cases, cancer.
Worms in Vomit
Sometimes, intestinal parasites like roundworms can be seen in a cat’s vomit. These parasites can cause vomiting, diarrhea, and weight loss, especially in kittens or cats that have not been dewormed. If you see worms in your cat’s vomit, it’s important to get your cat dewormed immediately.
Diagnosing Cat Vomiting
Aside from looking at your cat’s vomit, our vets also utilize various techniques to diagnose your cat’s condition. Here are some of the methods we use:
Physical Examination
Our vets will always start with a physical examination to evaluate your cat’s condition. This will include checking for symptoms, weight changes, and other issues. Through these clues, we can go one step further to know the right steps for treatment.
Blood and Fecal Tests
Bloodwork allows us to evaluate your cat’s internal organ function, such as the kidneys and liver, and detect any signs of infection, inflammation, or chronic conditions like diabetes or hyperthyroidism.
To test for parasites and worms, we use a stool sample. These tests can help us identify any hookworms, roundworms, and other parasites that are commonly associated with causing problems for cats.
Diagnostic Imaging
Diagnostic imaging technologies can help us get a deeper view of your cat’s body. We use X-rays and ultrasounds to identify any foreign objects that might have been the cause of your cat’s vomiting.
Biopsy
If the problem is chronic and complex, biopsies will be used to diagnose your cat’s vomiting. We do this by collecting a sample from your cat’s gastrointestinal tract and examining the sample under a microscope.
Elimination Diet Test
If food allergies or intolerances are a potential cause, we may suggest an elimination diet. This will be done by switching your cat’s normal diet with something different for a while. Either we’ll have a hypoallergenic diet or a diet with limited ingredients. We’ll continue to monitor your cat throughout the process.
Treatment for Cat Vomiting
The treatment option for your cat’s vomiting will depend on the cause. Here are some of the common treatment options we use at the clinic:
Dietary Management
A change in diet will be recommended for vomiting triggered by food-related issues such as sensitivities, allergies, or quick eating. We’ll work closely with you so we can determine the cause of your cat’s vomiting when we eliminate certain foods from its diet.
The process is a two-in-one method for diagnosing and treating your cat. Additionally, we’ll help you create a diet plan so you won’t get lost during the entire process.
Medications
If your cat's vomiting is due to an underlying medical condition or infection, our vets will prescribe medications to control the vomiting and treat the root cause. Antiemetics, which are anti-vomiting medications, can help reduce nausea and prevent vomiting.
Antibiotics may also be used if a bacterial infection is involved, while steroids or anti-inflammatory medications are commonly prescribed for conditions like inflammatory bowel disease.
Hydration and IV Fluids
Constant vomiting can dehydrate your cats, especially if it happens for a long time. If your cat is severely dehydrated or unable to keep water down, we may administer IV fluids to restore hydration levels.
This is especially useful in cases of chronic and prolonged vomiting, where dehydration could lead to further complications such as kidney damage. With proper hydration at the clinic and at home, your cat’s body will slowly recover from vomiting.
Surgery
In situations where the vomiting is caused by foreign objects, a tumor, or a blockage in the gastrointestinal tract, surgery will be an option. This is most often necessary when the obstruction cannot be passed naturally or if there’s a risk of perforation or other complications.
Specific Treatments for Chronic Conditions
Specific treatment options will be used for the different conditions that could be the cause of your cat’s vomiting. Kidney diseases, liver issues, and other conditions all have different treatment options that can solve your cat’s vomiting problem. These include prescription diets, fluid therapy, medications, and surgery, depending on the best solution for the issue.
Preventing Cat Vomiting
While the occasional cat vomit is normal, persistent vomiting can be quite concerning. There are a lot of ways to help your cat with its vomiting. To help you get started, here are a few tips:
Gloom Regularly
Since hairballs are one of the most common causes of vomiting in cats, regular grooming can help your cat with the problem. Plus, it improves their mental health and hygiene. This strategy is super helpful for cats, especially for those with long hair.
Manage Diet
Diet plays a big role in a cat’s life, which is why it’s crucial to provide the food your cat can safely eat. Consult with us so you’ll get a good idea of what your cat can and cannot eat. Knowing these things helps you prepare safe and nutritious food for your best friend.
Control Portions
Always manage your cat’s food portions. If your cat easily chokes on food or eats too fast, it’s best to provide smaller portions at a time, gradually giving the food so it can control its pace. Being with them while they eat is a good practice to have so you can monitor them closely.
Organize Hazards
Make sure to keep your house free from hazards and dangerous objects that might get easily ingested by your cat. Keep dangerous chemicals stored properly, and don’t leave small and sharp objects within your cat’s reach.
Deworm Routinely
Regular deworming helps protect your cat’s digestive system from internal parasites. Having a regular schedule can prevent vomiting and other concerning symptoms. Be sure to ask our vets for a good deworming schedule so we can help protect your cat.
Conclusion
Vomiting is a common occurrence that owners face when taking care of their cats. This can be caused by parasites, infections, toxins, foreign objects, and many other gastrointestinal issues. Knowing the potential causes can help you know what to do when these situations occur.
Of course, you’re not alone in this. With the help of our vets, we’ll diagnose your cat’s vomiting and get straight to treatment. Most of the treatment options are always available at our vet pharmacy, which means we can help you take home the best medicines for your cat.
Keeping your cat healthy starts with understanding your best friend and its body. With our help, you can keep your cat safe from vomiting and other potential troubles.