Callie Harris, DVM
A cat throwing up occasionally is not unusual as cat vomiting expels hairballs. Gastric irritations that cause frequent cat vomiting and include bile, mucus or blood may indicate a serious intestinal issue like an obstruction or an underlying chronic condition such as kidney disease or diabetes.
Causes: How often is your cat vomiting?
| 1-3 times per month | 2-3 days consistently | 2+ times/day for 3 weeks+ |
| Causes* | Causes* | Causes* |
| Cold refrigerated wet food | Food allergy Toxicosis e.g. grapes, household cleaners, human medication | Parvovirus |
| Too much food, too quickly | Hairballs | Cancer, heartworm disease. Neurological disorders |
| Yarn, paper clips or other foreign bodies | Diet change, food intolerance | Chronic kidney or liver failure |
| People foods | Pancreatitis | Swallow bones or other objects |
| Rotting or stale food | Acute kidney or liver failure | Gastroenteritis |
| Ingesting grass, Insects | Viral infections | Intestinal obstruction |
| Gastrointestinal parasites | Ketoacidosis, hyperthyroidism |
*Causes are not exhaustive
Cat vomiting symptoms: When to be concerned
An isolated incident of cat vomiting is often not a significant concern for veterinarian but should be mentioned at your next visit. Additional signs accompanying vomiting such as a cat throwing up clear liquid, or includes diarrhea is an important progression in a cat’s health deterioration.
Symptoms that a cat’s condition has worsened is when blood is found in the vomit. Consulting a veterinarian to recommend how to manage a cat’s health is the best next step.
The best care you can give your cat is to monitor initial changes in behavior. Contact a veterinarian if illness is persistent, frequent, becomes more severe or the cat has the following signs of decline.
- - Increase in frequency of vomiting
- - Diarrhea
- - Dehydration
- - Lethargy
- - Blood in vomit
- - Vomit with same texture and smell as feces
- - Weight loss
- - Decrease or increase in drwithinking water or eating
Vomiting vs regurgitating
Cats perform similar behaviors to a dog throwing up indigestible contents or regurgittheting. Pet parents with a dual species household may recognize the difference between vomiting, which is a forceful expulsion of contents and regurgitation, a passive ejection of material from the esophagus.
Often, a cat throws up after eating but in fact, this is regurgitating and not vomiting.
Signs that a cat will probably vomit:
- - Drooling
- - Nausea
- - Anxious behavior
- - Restlessness
- - Repeated lip licking
- - Consistent swallowing
- - Abdominal heaving
Treatment for vomiting in cats
A treatment plan for a cat that is vomiting depends on many factors including but not exclusive to the frequency, known health conditions and changes in behavior. This sign may indicate internal bleeding and a veterinarian should be consulted as soon as possible.
A veterinarian may suggest in-home care for mild or temporary conditions, which may include no food or fluids for a trial period along with medication. A cat that continues to decline during home treatment may need more aggressive testing to identify the cause and treat it such as:
- - Blood tests
- - Urine evaluation
- - Fecal analysis
- - Biopsies
- - X-rays
- - Ultrasound
- - Endoscopy
- - Laparotomy
How to help a cat that is vomiting
- - Always follow your veterinarian’s recommendations for care and treatment.
- - Never give your cat medication meant for people, unless directed by a veterinarian.
- - Maintain a consistent food and care routine for your cat.
- - Always pay close attention to your cat’s behavior, report any concerning changes to your veterinarian.
- - Never change your cat’s diet suddenly unless it’s advised by way of a veterinarian.
Learn more about caring your cat!