Vomiting in Cats
Like a human, a cat may experience stomach upset for various reasons, including a bad reaction to a certain food, parasitic infection, virus, or more serious emergencies such as poisoning. Internal health issues like cancer or problems with vital organs may also be to blame.
If your cat vomits frequently or more than once a month, it's important to book an exam with your vet, so the underlying cause of your kitty's vomiting can be diagnosed.
Reasons Your Cat May Be Vomiting
Eating Too Much, Too Quickly
Do you often notice that your cat is vomiting soon after eating? If so, they've likely eaten too much, too quickly. Purchasing some special cat bowls designed to slow your feline friend's eating may help if this is true for your cat.
That said, throwing up right after eating can also be a sign of a more serious problem, such as dehydration, hairballs, esophageal issues, or an obstruction in the digestive tract. Contact a vet if your cat frequently vomits right after eating.
Hairballs
Hairballs are clumps of undigested fur that accumulate in your cat's stomach. These tend to occur more frequently in long-haired cats and those that groom themselves excessively. When cats try to get rid of hairballs, they often experience spasms and hacking noises accompanied by vomiting.
While cats can typically bring up hairballs easily on their own, if you find your cat is struggling to expel a hairball it's critical to take them to a vet. Trapped hairballs can cause dangerous intestinal blockages that can turn fatal.
Other Serious Conditions That May Cause Vomiting in Cats
- Inflammatory bowel disease
- Diabetes
- Food allergies
- Hyperthyroidism
- Intestinal parasites
- Intestinal foreign bodies
- Metabolic disorder (i.e. kidney disease)
- Poisoning
When to Worry About Your Cat's Vomiting
If your cat is vomiting occasionally or not very often, it's a good idea to withhold food for around 12 hours. During this time, you can give your cat a few tablespoons of water every 30 minutes or offer them some ice cubes.
After the 12-hour period, start giving your cat small portions of bland food and gradually resume their regular feeding routine if the vomiting has stopped.
If your cat has repeated bouts of vomiting, contact your vet immediately. Continuous or severe vomiting could be a sign that your cat is seriously ill and requires immediate emergency veterinary care. Bring your cat to the nearest emergency animal hospital if they display any of the signs or symptoms below:
- Repeated vomiting
- Blood in vomit
- Weakness / Lethargy
- Pain / Distress
- Fever
- Blood in stool
Diagnosis
When taking your cat to the vet due to vomiting, it's a good idea to take a sample of your cat's vomit with you. Your vet will be able to examine the sample to help determine the cause of your cat's upset stomach.
- Large amounts of mucus in your cat's stomach could indicate an inflamed intestine
- Undigested food can be an indication of poisoning, anxiety, or simply a sign that your cat has eaten too much or too quickly.
- If bile is present in your cat's vomit, it may be an indication of pancreatitis or inflammatory bowel disease.
- Red blood is a sign that your cat's stomach may be ulcerated.
- An intestinal obstruction may cause your cat's vomit to have a strong smell.
Treatment
Treatment of vomiting in cats focuses on treating the underlying problem. Depending on what has caused your cat's symptoms, treatment can be as simple as temporarily withholding food or as complex as surgery or chemotherapy.
Note: The advice provided in this post is intended for informational purposes and does not constitute medical advice regarding pets. Please make an appointment with your vet for an accurate diagnosis of your pet's condition.