Cat Vomiting: 10 Causes and How to Help

Most owners are familiar with that dreadful retching sound a cat does just before it vomits. Indeed, vomiting is something cats do relatively frequently. Most of them remain well and will soon be back to normal. Less often, the vomiting will require veterinary care.

This article discusses why cats vomit and when owners need to be concerned. It also takes a look at some of the things owners can do from home, as well as highlighting when veterinary care would be needed.

What is My Cat Vomiting?

Cat vomiting is when the cat tries to get rid of substances it perceives to be harmful.

The stomach contents are forcibly brought back up through the food pipe and out of the mouth. You can see stomach contractions and hear gagging noises. Nausea can accompany vomiting, and signs of nausea include drooling and lip licking.

Vomiting should not be confused with regurgitation. Regurgitation occurs when swallowed food is brought back up, largely undigested. Cats are not nauseous and there are no obvious contractions of their abdomen. Regurgitation of hairballs can be a common event for long haired individuals.

Why Does My Cat Keep Vomiting?

Persistent vomiting is abnormal and something that should be flagged up with your vet. This is especially true if your cat has other symptoms, such as excess thirst, weight loss, or a reduced appetite.

There are a huge number of potential causes for vomiting, so let’s take a look at some of the more common ones we see in veterinary practice:

10 Causes of Cat Vomiting

Sudden Diet Change

An abrupt diet change will cause a stomach upset, particularly in more sensitive cats. Young kittens who are re-homed and suddenly eat a new diet frequently vomit.

Transitioning to a new food, even for an adult cat, should be done gradually over the course of 3-5 days.

Overfeeding

While some cats can ration what they eat, others are gluttonous and will continue to eat whatever is put in front of them. If you over-fill the bowl, or if your cat manages to scavenge some extra food, you may find that they bring it back up.

A cat who has over-indulged can also develop mild abdominal bloating, lethargy and diarrhoea. Typically, this sort of stomach upset in an adult cat can be managed from home with a half day of fasting, followed by 24 hours of a bland diet.

Intolerance or Allergies

Cats can react to a range of proteins in foods, including fish, beef, chicken, and dairy. As well as vomiting and diarrhoea, you may notice other signs like itchy skin, fur loss, and scabs.

Most cats will develop signs before the age of two or three, and they can begin to react to foods they previously tolerated. When allergies are suspected, it is sensible to try a hydrolyzed diet for a couple of months to see if things improve.

Ingesting Toxic Materials

If a cat eats a toxin, the body will do what it can to try and get rid of the poison. This can mean profuse vomiting and diarrhoea, shortly after the toxic substance is ingested.

Some regular offenders include house plants (such as lilies or tulips), cleaning chemicals, and spot-on parasite treatments that have been applied where the cat can lick.

If you think it is possible your cat has eaten or licked something toxic, it is important they see a vet urgently. If this occurs outside of your vet’s normal opening hours, you’ll need to seek emergency vet care. Depending on what was ingested, treatment might include vomit induction, intravenous fluids, and activated charcoal.

Ingestion of Objects

Eating something indigestible can lead to gut obstruction and persistent vomiting. Some objects cats seem drawn to include elastic bands, hair ties, and plastic bags.

If you’ve seen your cat eat something it shouldn’t have, it should be seen quickly, even if signs are yet to develop. Making them bring up the object before it gets lodged in the intestine is usually the best way to treat these cases.

Infectious Diseases

A considerable number of infectious diseases are going to cause vomiting. This includes viral, bacterial, and fungal diseases. Those who go outside, are not neutered, hunt, and/or eat a raw food diet will be at the highest risk.

Certain infections can be screened for with blood tests or stool samples, and determining the cause of the vomiting can help your vet provide the most effective treatment.

Inflammatory Bowel Disease (IBD)

Cats with IBD tend to have chronic signs that wax and wane. These can include vomiting, diarrhoea, weight loss, and a scruffy coat. The gastrointestinal tract is inflamed, and the thickened intestinal wall is not able to absorb nutrients as it should.

This can be a tricky condition to diagnose, and usually, it is detected with a combination of blood tests, abdominal scans, and intestinal biopsies. Treatment can include dietary changes and medication such as antibiotics and corticosteroids.

Systemic Diseases

Systemic diseases can affect the body as a whole and cause a myriad of signs. Vomiting is a symptom that is tricky for the cat to hide and one an owner picks up on quite early on. Some of the more common conditions we see in our feline friends include diabetes and hyperthyroidism.

When determining what is going on with your cat, your vet is likely to run a number of diagnostic tests including a blood and urine sample. Their treatment will then depend on what is found, and could include e.g. daily medicine and dietary changes.

Parasites

Usually, young kittens vomit due to parasites, though a cat of any age can be affected. A heavy worm burden can cause vomiting, diarrhoea, a dull coat, and excess hunger.

Many young cats are never de-wormed by their breeder, so they are re-homed with parasitic infestations. Routine deworming is recommended from a young age to help keep these unwelcome critters away.

Constipation

Constipation is typically seen in older, dehydrated cats, as well as in those who have had pelvic injuries and have a narrowed pelvic canal. With severe constipation, when there is a lot of stool buildup, we may also see vomiting.

More advanced cases of constipation will require intervention in the form of hospitalisation, enemas, and IV fluids.

Home Remedies for Cat Vomiting

Mild cases of vomiting in an otherwise well cat is something you can likely manage from home. It is sensible to starve an adult cat for 12-24 hours to rest their gastrointestinal system. When re-introducing food, you should offer small meals of something bland, such as boiled chicken and rice.

Offer your cat regular water drinks. You can also provide cat soup or rehydration solutions to replace any sugars or salts lost in their vomit.

When to Seek Help for Your Cat’s Vomiting?

If your cat is throwing up excessively (more than 2 or 3 times), or they seem otherwise unwell, you should consult your vet. It is also sensible to talk to your vet if your cat is very young, old, or already on medication.

In urgent situations, you may need to find a local emergency vet. This would be the case if you’re concerned about a toxin ingestion, your cat seems obviously unwell, or there is blood in the vomit.

Get More Advice On Cat Vomiting

Contact us if you want to talk to someone further about your cat and their vomiting. We are always here to help, and we understand how worrying it can be when your beloved pet is unwell.