Sorry, we couldn't find any results matching
Please:
Sorry, we couldn't find any results matching
Please:
Cats may have a reputation for vomiting often, but the truth is frequent vomiting can be a cause for concern. There are a myriad of reasons why a cat may be throwing up — ranging from simple digestive upsets to serious health issues.
Learning why cats throw up can help you determine when your cat’s vomiting might require a trip to the vet.
Find Out More
If your cat is throwing up, it can be an acute case or chronic — each have different underlying causes.
Acute vomiting consists of sudden bouts of vomiting that don’t last more than a couple of days. It’s likely due to a cat eating something they shouldn’t, contracting an infection, developing pancreatitis, or having intestinal parasites.1
Chronic vomiting happens when a cat vomits often, either consistently or on and off over time. This would usually be caused by some sort of chronic condition — like kidney disease, cancer, hyperthyroidism, or inflammatory bowel disease — or a food allergy.1,2
There are various reasons why a cat might throw up. Understanding the possible causes is the first step in resolving any potential issues.
Just like humans, cats can suffer from food allergies. The most prevalent food allergies in cats are dairy products, chicken, fish, and beef. Some cats can also have allergic reactions to lamb, rabbit, egg, wheat, barley, and corn — although, these are less common.2
If you notice your cat throwing up after eating — along with signs of itching, hair loss, or recurring ear infections — it’s possible they have a food allergy. Through a careful food elimination process, you and your vet should be able to determine the trigger(s) and ensure your cat isn’t exposed.2
Vomiting is a natural response when a cat has ingested something toxic, such as:3,4
If your cat ingests something poisonous, they’ll likely vomit to purge the toxins. They may also be lethargic, have trouble breathing, lose their appetite, or have bloody urine and feces.3
Contact your veterinarian immediately if you suspect your cat has ingested something poisonous. You can also get 24/7 assistance by calling the ASPCA Animal Poison Control Center hotline at (888) 426-4435 or the Pet Poison Helpline at (855) 764-7661.
Cats who groom themselves frequently often ingest a certain amount of their own hair — especially long-haired breeds. This hair and digestive fluids form a clump, either in the esophagus or stomach, that cats throw up. Technically, however, hairballs are regurgitated rather than vomited since the hairball hasn’t been digested yet.4,5
It’s pretty common for cats to form hairballs and cough them up once a week or so. However, it’s possible for a cat to struggle bringing up a hairball, causing a blockage to form in the digestive tract. Relieving the obstruction may be accomplished through surgery or laxatives at the vet’s office.4,5
Vomiting can be a sign that something is going on in your cat’s gastrointestinal (GI) tract. Constipation, obstruction from ingesting a foreign body, and inflammatory bowel disease (IBD) could all cause vomiting.4
IBD is a relatively common condition in which a cat’s GI tract becomes inflamed. Chronic vomiting is one of the main signs of IBD, especially if the inflammation is in the small intestine or stomach.6
Internal parasites can also cause cats to throw up. Parasites like roundworms, tapeworms, hookworms, isospora, and giardia can make cats sick — with diarrhea, loss of appetite, and bloody feces being possible symptoms alongside vomiting. Some GI parasite infections can be fatal, so it’s a good idea to take your cat to the vet if you notice the above symptoms.7
There are a variety of illnesses and health conditions that could lead to a cat throwing up. These can include pancreatitis, diabetes, hypothyroidism, kidney disease, and even cancer.4 It may be tough for you to tell exactly which illness, if any, your cat might be dealing with. Your vet can give your cat a thorough examination and run diagnostics to form a treatment plan that’s right for them.
The icky substances your cat coughs up may not always be vomit. Vomiting occurs when a cat’s stomach contracts to force the contents back out. Regurgitation is when a cat’s body involuntarily expels a substance out of the mouth.8
There’s typically no retching with regurgitation, as the contents usually haven’t progressed past the cat’s esophagus. However, there are times (like with hairballs) when the contents made their way to the stomach but haven’t been digested yet. Whatever is being regurgitated might come back up with water or slimy saliva.5,8
Regurgitation often has different causes than vomiting. It’s important to note the possible reasons your cat could be regurgitating to help your vet make an educated diagnosis.
Hairballs are one of the most common reasons for a cat to regurgitate. Two other typical causes of regurgitation are overeating or eating too fast. The food usually comes back up whole or in larger pieces because it hasn’t been digested. Additionally, some cats are born with a congenital defect of their esophagus, making them regurgitate often.5,8
There are other reasons why your cat could be regurgitating. So it’s better to play it safe and contact your veterinarian to find the cause.
While the occasional vomiting episode isn’t typically cause for alarm, it’s worth taking note of how often it happens. Frequent vomiting can lead to dehydration and malnutrition, and it may also be a symptom of a more serious problem.1
Contact your veterinarian if your cat is throwing up multiple times in a row or several times a day. This is especially true if your cat also isn’t eating or drinking, is lethargic, or has diarrhea or bloody vomit.1,4
In cats with chronic illnesses — like kidney disease and diabetes — vomiting can be a sign their condition is getting worse, so contact your vet ASAP. Also, if you notice a worm in your cat’s vomit, you’ll want to take them to the vet to get dewormed.1
At the vet visit, your veterinarian will likely ask for a rundown of your cat’s symptoms before performing a physical examination. From there, if the cause can’t yet be determined, blood work, fecal examination, X-rays, ultrasounds, and even a biopsy can be performed to help pinpoint the cause.4
With vomiting in cats, treatment depends on the cause. Often, vets will begin by administering IV fluids, to help with dehydration, and recommending a bland diet for a bit after the vomiting stops.4
Medications could also be prescribed to your cat — such as deworming medication for parasites, antibiotics for infections, steroids for IBD, and antidotes or supportive care for toxicity. In the case of an obstruction due to a foreign object or growth, an endoscopy or surgery may be needed. Any other underlying health conditions will be treated accordingly.4
While you might reach for the medicine cabinet when you have an upset stomach, there aren’t any over-the-counter (OTC) medications that can safely help when your cat’s throwing up.1 See your veterinarian and make sure to follow their instructions to help your cat feel better.
Naturally, the last thing any cat owner wants is to see their cat throwing up and not feeling well. A cat insurance policy from MetLife Pet could help you get your kitty important medical care. So if your cat starts vomiting, you can focus on their health and worry less about the vet costs.
Heather, a cat from Washington, D.C., has kidney disease and was taken to the vet after vomiting. Heather’s vet recommended that her owner start her on prescription food to help treat the condition. The total cost of the vet visit and food was just under $300, but because Heather’s owner has a MetLife Pet policy, they were reimbursed over $200.9
Get coverage for your furry family member today, starting with a free quote.
