Why is My Cat Vomiting
Medically Reviewed by Dr. Sarah Jenkins, DVM, Feline Internal Medicine Specialist
Understanding Vomiting in Cats
Vomiting is one of the most common reasons cat owners seek veterinary care. While occasional vomiting can be normal in cats, understanding when it signals something more serious helps pet owners provide better care for their feline companions.
Common Causes of Cat Vomiting
Hairballs
The most frequent cause of vomiting in cats is hairballs. Cats groom themselves meticulously, swallowing loose fur that accumulates in the stomach. While most fur passes through the digestive tract normally, sometimes it forms clumps that are regurgitated. Hairballs are typically tube-shaped and may contain undigested food.
Dietary Indiscretion
Cats are curious creatures who may eat things they shouldn’t. Eating too quickly, switching to a new food too abruptly, consuming spoiled food, or eating non-food items (like plants, string, or other foreign objects) can all trigger vomiting.
Food Allergies and Sensitivities
Some cats have sensitivities or allergies to certain ingredients in their food, commonly proteins like chicken, beef, or fish. Food allergies can cause vomiting along with other symptoms like skin irritation and diarrhea.
Eating Too Fast
Many cats gulp their food without properly chewing, especially in multi-cat households where competition for food exists. This leads to regurgitation of undigested food shortly after eating.
Grass and Plant Eating
It’s common for cats to eat grass or houseplants, which can irritate the stomach and cause vomiting. While occasional grass-eating is normal, it may indicate your cat is trying to induce vomiting to clear hairballs or an upset stomach.
Parasites
Intestinal parasites such as roundworms, hookworms, and other internal parasites can cause vomiting. Kittens and outdoor cats are at higher risk. Vomiting caused by parasites may sometimes contain visible worms.
Infections
Bacterial, viral, or fungal infections affecting the digestive tract can cause vomiting. Kittens and cats with compromised immune systems are particularly vulnerable.
Inflammatory Conditions
Conditions like inflammatory bowel disease (IBD) cause chronic inflammation of the stomach and intestines, leading to frequent vomiting, often with bile.
Toxin Ingestion
Eating toxic substances—whether plants, chemicals, medications, or foods toxic to cats like chocolate, onions, or xylitol—can cause vomiting as the body tries to expel harmful substances.
Metabolic Disorders
Various metabolic conditions can cause vomiting. Kidney disease, liver problems, and thyroid disorders may all present with vomiting as a symptom.
Cancer and Tumors
Though less common, tumors in the digestive tract or other parts of the body can cause vomiting, particularly in older cats.
Types of Vomiting
Acute vs. Chronic Vomiting
Acute vomiting occurs suddenly and may last a few days, while chronic vomiting persists for weeks or months. Chronic vomiting always warrants veterinary attention, especially in older cats.
Vomiting vs. Regurgitation
It’s important to distinguish vomiting from regurgitation. Vomiting involves active abdominal contractions and expels partially digested food mixed with stomach acids. Regurgitation is passive, bringing up undigested food from the esophagus without retching.
When to Be Concerned
Warning Signs
Contact your veterinarian if your cat vomits repeatedly, the vomit contains blood, your cat seems lethargic or weak, there’s loss of appetite, you notice weight loss, the vomiting is accompanied by diarrhea, your cat is trying to vomit but nothing comes up, or vomiting persists for more than 24 hours.
Emergency Situations
Seek immediate veterinary care if your cat has repeated vomiting along with inability to keep water down, shows signs of pain or distress, has a distended or painful abdomen, appears disoriented or collapsed, or has known exposure to toxins.
What You Can Do at Home
For occasional vomiting in an otherwise healthy cat, you can try feeding smaller, more frequent meals, using a slow-feed bowl to prevent gulping, gradually transitioning to new foods over 7-10 days, keeping toxic plants and substances out of reach, and regularly brushing your cat to reduce hairball formation.
Diagnosis and Treatment
Your veterinarian may recommend various tests to determine the cause of vomiting, including physical examination, blood work, X-rays, ultrasound, or endoscopy. Treatment depends on the underlying cause.
Disclaimer: This article is for informational purposes only and does not constitute professional veterinary advice. If your cat is vomiting persistently, showing other symptoms, or if you have any concerns about your cat’s health, please consult a qualified veterinarian for proper evaluation and appropriate care.