Few things are more upsetting to a cat owning household than hearing, or
seeing, your cat vomiting. It often causes owners to panic and wonder if something serious is wrong,
however if your cat is not vomiting bile or blood, most causes are easy to treat. Only a few will require
veterinary care. The top reasons cats may vomit are:
Hairballs
Eating too fast
Eating Indigestibles
Diet Change
Food Allergies and Intolerances
Infection
Parasites
Poisons
If your cat is vomiting hairballs, consider switching to a hairball food or using a laxative remedy such as
petroleum jelly on their paw. This will coat the hair and help to ease its passage through the stomach and
intestines. If they eat too much too fast, consider putting a little less food in their bowls during feeding
time, or adding a second bowl if you have more than one cat. The goal is to slow down the fast eater so if
there is less to eat or an obstacle in the bowl to eat around it will take them a tad longer to over-fill their
stomach. Be sure you have cat/ kitten-proofed your home. Make sure plastic bits, shiny foil wrappers, tissue
and strings are up off the floor. Curiosity can certainly kill your cat if they eat something that gets lodged
in the intestine.
If you change your cats diet you may have switched foods too fast. Try going back to the
old food and making the transition a little more slowly. If the vomiting continues, consider that your pet
may have an allergy to something in the food and simply eliminate it altogether.
If any of the following occur, contact your vet immediately:
Persistent Vomiting: The cat vomits and then continues to heave, bringing forward clear,
frothy fluid. It could signal infectious enteritis.
Sporadic Vomiting: If the cat vomits on and off over a period of days, and there is no
relationship to meals but the cat appears haggard and listless get them to the vet. This could signify liver or
kidney problems, or diseases such as chronic gastritis, IBS, heavy worms, or diabetes. Check around your
house as well, is it possible they ate something that has gotten stuck?
Vomiting Blood: Red blood indicates a bleed somewhere between the upper part of the small
intestine and the mouth. If your cat vomits something that looks like coffee grounds, this is old and partially
digested blood. The most common cause of both is often a foreign body. Any cat that vomits blood should be
taken to the Vet without hesitation.
Vomiting Feces: If your cat vomits foul smelling material that looks like feces it is likely
suffering from an intestinal obstruction or severe peritonitis. Seek immediate Veterinarian help.
Projectile Vomiting: This is a forceful vomiting where the stomach contents are suddenly
expelled, often going a great distance. It indicates a severe blockage in the digestive system and in some
cases brain disease.
If vomiting persists for more than 24 hours, is foul smelling, or bloody seek veterinary
attention immediately. If your cat starts to vomit, remove food and water for a minimum of twelve hours. If
your cat appears to be thirsty, allow him to lick ice cubes. If the vomiting has stopped for 12 hours, offer
sips of water. You can include something like Pedialyte or other pediatric electrolyte solution in small
amounts as well. If the water is tolerated, begin offering a strained, meat only, baby food (low fat and no
onion powder) four to six times a day for two days and then return your cat to its regular diet.
Related Articles
Tips For Managing Feline Arthritis
Chronic Renal Failure
Declawing Your Cat
Emergency Symptoms in Your Cat
Cats and Eye Inflammation
Cats - Dealing With Fleas
Feline Lower Urinary Tract Disease
Cats and Gastritis
Cats and Heartworms
Hyperthyroidism In Cats
Is My Cat In Heat?
Quick Guide to Feline Leukemia
Common Skin Problems in Cats
Best Flea Control For Cats
Cats and Upper Respiratory Tract Infection
Cat Vaccines - What To Know
A Personal Tale of The Amazing Cancer Cat
When to Euthanize Your Cat
How Long Will My Cat Live?
Why Declawing Your Cat Is a Bad Decision
Managing a Diabetic Cat
Three Different Pet Meds for Cats
Did You Know That Cat Scratch Fever Really
Exists?
Can Cats Have Allergies?