Cat Vomiting
Why Is My Cat Vomiting? Causes, Warning Signs, and When to See a Veterinarian
Vomiting is one of the more common reasons cats visit the veterinarian. While an occasional episode of vomiting may not indicate a serious problem, repeated or frequent vomiting in cats is not considered normal and can be a sign of an underlying medical condition.
If your cat is vomiting regularly, even if he or she is still eating and acting normally, it is important to determine why.
Why Is My Cat Vomiting?
There are many possible causes of vomiting in cats. Some are relatively minor, while others can be serious or even life-threatening.
Common causes of cat vomiting include:
- Eating something inappropriate or toxic, such as certain plants, medications, chemicals, or other toxic substances
- Swallowing a foreign object, such as string, ribbon, plastic, toys, or other items that can cause an intestinal obstruction
- Dietary sensitivity or intolerance
- Eating too quickly or suddenly changing foods
- Hairballs
- Intestinal parasites
- Gastrointestinal disease, including inflammatory bowel disease (IBD)
- Pancreatitis
- Diabetes
- Hyperthyroidism, particularly in older cats
- Kidney disease or kidney failure
- Liver disease
- Intestinal cancer, including intestinal lymphoma
- Infectious disease or fever
- Urinary obstruction, particularly in male cats
Because many different diseases can cause similar vomiting symptoms, a veterinary examination may be necessary to determine the underlying cause.
When Is Cat Vomiting an Emergency?
Some episodes of vomiting require prompt veterinary attention. Contact your veterinarian as soon as possible if your cat is vomiting and has any of the following signs:
- Vomiting repeatedly or continuously
- Losing a significant amount of fluid
- Unable to keep food or water down
- Known or suspected ingestion of a toxin
- Known or suspected ingestion of a foreign object
- Not eating
- Lethargy or weakness
- Hiding or becoming noticeably less interactive
- Appearing painful, crying, or having difficulty getting comfortable
- A fever or feeling unusually warm
- Difficulty urinating or repeatedly going to the litter box without producing urine
A suspected toxin or foreign-body ingestion should be treated seriously even if your cat initially appears normal. Some problems become much more difficult to treat after symptoms have progressed.
My Cat Is Vomiting Hairballs. Is That Normal?
Hairballs are clumps of swallowed hair that accumulate in the stomach and are eventually vomited. Because cats groom themselves, an occasional hairball can occur.
However, frequent hairballs should not simply be considered normal.
If your cat is producing hairballs more than a few times a year—or is repeatedly vomiting hair along with fluid or partially digested food—it is worth discussing with your veterinarian.
Frequent hairballs may indicate that your cat is grooming excessively or that there is an underlying problem affecting the gastrointestinal tract.
What Causes Frequent Hairballs?
Possible causes include:
- Excessive grooming
- Fleas or skin allergies that cause itching and increased grooming
- Anxiety or stress
- Poor grooming because of illness, arthritis, obesity, or other health problems
- Gastrointestinal disease such as inflammatory bowel disease
- Intestinal lymphoma or other intestinal cancers
- Abnormal gastrointestinal movement
The goal is not simply to treat the hairball. Your veterinarian may need to determine why your cat is producing hairballs so frequently.
Is My Cat Coughing or Vomiting?
Sometimes what looks like vomiting is actually coughing.
A cat with a respiratory condition may crouch, extend the neck, and repeatedly hack or cough without producing food, fluid, or a hairball. This can be mistaken for trying to vomit.
Feline asthma is one possible cause of coughing in cats. Some cats with asthma can develop severe breathing difficulty that requires emergency treatment.
If you are unsure whether your cat is coughing or vomiting, recording a video of an episode can be very helpful for your veterinarian.
Is It Normal for a Cat to Vomit Regularly?
No. Regular vomiting is not normal for cats.
Cat owners sometimes assume that vomiting is harmless because their cat:
- “Just has hairballs.”
- “Ate too fast.”
- “Just changed foods.”
- “Must have eaten something that didn’t agree with him.”
While these explanations are sometimes correct, recurrent vomiting can be a sign of chronic disease.
If your cat vomits daily, weekly, or even monthly, your veterinarian should evaluate the pattern. Chronic vomiting can occur with conditions such as:
- Inflammatory bowel disease
- Hyperthyroidism
- Kidney disease
- Diabetes
- Pancreatitis
- Intestinal parasites
- Food intolerance
- Intestinal lymphoma or other gastrointestinal disease
Early diagnosis can be particularly important in older cats because chronic diseases become more common with age.
What If My Cat Is Eating and Acting Normally but Keeps Vomiting?
A cat that is still eating, drinking, playing, and interacting normally can still have an underlying medical problem.
If vomiting is occurring repeatedly, schedule a veterinary examination rather than assuming the vomiting is harmless.
Before your appointment, it can help to:
Keep a vomiting diary. Record:
- How often your cat vomits
- What the vomit looks like
- Whether it contains food, fluid, bile, or hair
- When vomiting occurs in relation to meals
- What your cat has eaten
- Changes in appetite, thirst, urination, bowel movements, weight, or behavior
Bring a fresh fecal sample if possible. Testing the stool for intestinal parasites may be recommended.
A video of your cat during an episode can also help your veterinarian distinguish vomiting from coughing or regurgitation.
How Is Vomiting in Cats Treated?
Treatment depends on the underlying cause.
Depending on your cat’s condition, treatment may include:
- Fluids to correct dehydration
- Anti-nausea medication
- Pain medication when appropriate
- A prescription gastrointestinal diet
- Treatment for parasites
- Treatment for an underlying medical condition
- Hospitalization and intensive supportive care for severely ill or dehydrated cats
- Surgery when a foreign body or intestinal obstruction is present
The most effective treatment is directed at the cause of the vomiting rather than simply stopping the vomiting.
What Will the Veterinarian Do for a Vomiting Cat?
The appropriate diagnostic testing depends on your cat’s age, history, physical examination, and the nature and frequency of the vomiting.
A veterinarian may recommend:
Physical Examination and Weight Check
A thorough physical examination and accurate body weight are important first steps. Weight loss can be an important clue that vomiting is associated with an underlying chronic disease.
Blood Work and Urinalysis
Blood tests and a urinalysis provide important information about kidney and liver function, blood glucose, hydration, and other potential causes of vomiting.
For older cats, additional testing may be recommended to screen for conditions such as hyperthyroidism and kidney disease.
Fecal Testing
A fecal examination can help identify intestinal parasites and other gastrointestinal problems.
X-Rays
Abdominal radiographs can help identify foreign objects, intestinal obstruction, abnormal gas patterns, and other abnormalities.
Abdominal Ultrasound
An abdominal ultrasound provides a more detailed evaluation of the stomach and intestines and can be particularly useful when chronic gastrointestinal disease, pancreatitis, or intestinal cancer is suspected.
When Should I Bring My Vomiting Cat to Abbott Animal Hospital?
If your cat is vomiting repeatedly, losing weight, eating less, acting differently, or developing other symptoms, a veterinary examination can help determine whether the vomiting is caused by a simple gastrointestinal upset or something requiring further treatment.
At Abbott Animal Hospital, we can evaluate vomiting cats with a comprehensive physical examination and diagnostic testing when indicated, including blood work, urinalysis, fecal testing, digital radiography, and abdominal ultrasound.
If your cat is vomiting regularly, don’t assume that it is simply a hairball. Contact Abbott Animal Hospital to schedule an examination and find out what may be causing your cat’s vomiting.
