Why Do Cats Barf? Vomiting in cats is a common concern for pet owners. At solcat.net, we provide comprehensive guidance on understanding the causes, symptoms, and treatments for cat vomiting. Identifying the triggers and seeking appropriate veterinary care can help your feline friend live a healthier, happier life. Explore our resources for expert advice on cat health and well-being, including dietary management and preventive care.
1. Initial Questions for Your Veterinarian
If your cat is vomiting, your veterinarian will likely ask a series of questions to help determine the potential cause. Answering these questions as thoroughly as possible will assist in diagnosing the problem.
- Was the cat exposed to plants or other toxins?
- When did the vomiting start?
- What is the cat’s normal diet?
- Does the cat go outside, and if so, does the cat hunt?
- What is in the vomit?
- Is the cat on medication?
- Is there also diarrhea?
- Is the cat eating?
- When does the vomiting occur (in relation to eating or other activities)?
- Is the cat losing weight?
- Is the cat drinking a lot or urinating a lot?
- Does the cat play with string?
Answering these questions will give your vet a better idea of which diagnostics, if any, to use.
2. Interpreting Vomit Appearance: What Does It Mean?
What does cat vomit look like? The appearance of your cat’s vomit can offer clues, though it doesn’t provide a definitive answer about the cause of vomiting. Here are some common characteristics and what they might indicate:
| Vomit Appearance | Possible Causes |
|---|---|
| Yellow vomit | Bile, potentially liver disease or an empty stomach. It could also mean the cat ate something yellow. |
| Clear vomit | Regurgitation from the esophagus or an empty stomach. |
| White, foamy vomit | Typically regurgitation from the esophagus or an empty stomach. |
| Blood in the vomit | Bleeding from the mouth, esophagus, or stomach. |
| Coffee-ground appearance to the vomit | Bleeding from the stomach, most commonly seen with ulcers. |
| Brown, smelly vomit | Bleeding in the upper gastrointestinal tract or having eaten something brown and smelly. |
| Undigested food in the vomit | The food never left the stomach, which can happen with food intolerances or allergies, obstructions, or pretty much anything that causes upper gastrointestinal tract irritation. |
It is important to know when the cat last ate. For instance, if the cat has not eaten for a day and is vomiting undigested food, that would point to an obstruction or a motility disorder.
Undigested food in cat vomit can indicate food intolerances, allergies, or gastrointestinal issues. Consult your vet for accurate diagnosis and treatment options.
3. Veterinarian Examination and Testing
What will a vet do if my cat is vomiting? The next step is a thorough physical exam by your veterinarian. The veterinarian can look for things such as abdominal pain, masses in the abdomen or elsewhere, an obvious foreign body (such as a string under the tongue), evidence of weight loss, a heart murmur, an enlarged thyroid gland, and a fever. Again, the exam can help determine which, if any, diagnostics are needed.
4. Abdominal X-Rays and Blood Work
What tests are typically done when a cat is vomiting? If warranted, the initial tests are usually abdominal radiographs (aka X-rays) and blood work with a urinalysis. X-rays can reveal abnormalities in organ size and shape, foreign bodies, tumors, constipation, and other abnormalities that the vet might not be able to assess with a physical exam. Blood work can detect things like organ dysfunction and can diagnose endocrine disorders like diabetes and hyperthyroidism. A urinalysis is needed in conjunction with blood work to diagnose conditions like diabetes, kidney disease and urinary tract infections.
Blood work can also give clues about whether an animal has been exposed to some toxins, such as antifreeze. Unfortunately, there are not many easy tests to diagnose toxin exposure. It is often required that the cat’s person knows of potential exposure to the toxin and the presence of classic signs of toxin exposure.
An abdominal X-ray helps veterinarians identify foreign bodies, tumors, and other abnormalities that may be causing your cat’s vomiting.
5. Barium Study, Ultrasound, and Endoscopy
When are advanced imaging techniques needed for diagnosing cat vomiting? Often, X-rays do not diagnose the problem (other than the presence of foreign bodies and a few other conditions), but they help determine whether further abdominal studies are needed. These other studies could include a barium study, which will help determine whether there are foreign objects in the intestines or whether there are motility issues with the intestines. Another study could be an ultrasound to look at the architecture of different organs; ultrasound can be used as a means to sample different organs to get a definitive diagnosis.
In addition, an endoscopy (using a scope to look into the stomach, upper intestines, or colon) might be recommended by your vet. Endoscopy is a way to look for foreign objects in the stomach that do not show up on X-rays, and it can be used to retrieve foreign objects. This procedure also allows viewing of the lining of the stomach and upper intestines to look for abnormalities, and it can be used to collect samples of the upper gastrointestinal tract.
An endoscopy allows veterinarians to visually inspect the inside of your cat’s stomach and intestines for abnormalities, aiding in accurate diagnosis.
6. Exploratory Surgery
When is exploratory surgery necessary for diagnosing cat vomiting? In a cat with persistent vomiting that is not being controlled by symptomatic therapy, exploratory surgery might be needed. This is true with some acute vomiting situations (namely, concern that a foreign body is present) and some chronic vomiting situations (namely, looking for signs of intestinal cancer, non-intestinal abdominal disease, or inflammatory bowel disease).
In the case of foreign objects, the surgery is used both to diagnose and fix the problem by removing the foreign object. If no foreign object is found, then biopsies can be taken during the surgery. The intent of doing a surgery for chronic vomiting is normally to take biopsies of the intestines, stomach, liver, pancreas, lymph nodes, and any abnormalities in the hope of diagnosing the problem. The most common things to diagnose are inflammatory bowel disease or a form of cancer.
As a diagnostic tool, surgery is preferred over endoscopy by some veterinarians because the whole intestinal tract can be evaluated, as well as different organs in the abdomen. In addition, full thickness and larger intestinal biopsies can be taken during surgery. Furthermore, biopsies of the liver, pancreas, and lymph nodes can be taken.
Conversely, endoscopy might be preferred because it is usually less expensive (although not by much), usually results in a representative sample of the intestines to provide a diagnosis, and is much less invasive. It can take several weeks for a cat to recover from surgery, while an animal who has had an endoscopy and endoscopic biopsies usually recovers within a few hours or within a day.
Because some of the diagnostics can be invasive and expensive (endoscopy can run up to $1,500 and exploratory surgery can cost more than $2,000), many people elect not to do them. There are treatments that can be implemented without a full diagnosis, but those decisions will require communication between you and your veterinarian about the risks of doing those treatments.
7. Treatments for a Cat Who’s Throwing Up
What are common treatments for vomiting in cats? The treatment for vomiting varies greatly based on the cause, and describing the treatment for each individual cause is beyond the scope of this resource. However, we can give some generalizations for treatment.
7.1 Fluids
Why are fluids important for a vomiting cat? If the physical exam reveals no abnormalities and nothing in the cat’s history raises a red flag, a veterinarian might just elect to do some symptomatic therapy, such as administering fluids subcutaneously (under the skin). Even if an animal is not clinically dehydrated, giving fluids can be important to flush the system and to maintain hydration. A vomiting patient is likely a little dehydrated simply from fluid loss from vomiting and failure to keep water down.
Dehydration is a self-perpetuating problem, meaning that when animals are dehydrated, they don’t feel good and therefore won’t eat or drink and might even vomit more. This makes them more dehydrated, which makes them feel worse and less likely to eat or drink — and then they get more dehydrated.
Some form of fluid therapy is given for almost every cause of vomiting. If an animal is very dehydrated or weak, IV fluids are often recommended. This involves placing a catheter in a vein and giving the animal fluids through the catheter. It’s a more direct way to give fluids, and more fluids can be given via this method throughout the day. The downside is that giving IV fluids is significantly more expensive and requires the cat to stay in the hospital. However, especially in a very dehydrated patient, subcutaneous fluids do not absorb very well and IV fluids are needed to help the cat.
7.2 Anti-Vomiting Medication
How do anti-vomiting medications help cats? Another common therapy for most kinds of vomiting is giving an anti-emetic (anti-vomiting) medication, which can help stop the vomiting and thus decrease fluid loss. These medicines can also help relieve abdominal discomfort and make the cat more prone to eating. Sometimes, stomach protectants such as Pepcid or sucralfate might be indicated, but the helpfulness of these is up for debate. They typically do not cause any harm though. If the anti-emetics do not provide adequate pain control, a pain medication might be added to the cat’s treatment plan.
7.3 Diet Changes
How can diet changes alleviate vomiting in cats? For both chronic and acutely vomiting cats, one of the most important treatments is dietary change. If your cat has an acute case of vomiting, this might involve a temporary change to an easily digestible diet, such as Royal Canin Gastrointestinal High Energy cat food, Hill’s ID cat food, or a bland human food such as meat-flavored baby food (with no onion or garlic powder added) or boiled chicken. Keep in mind that chicken and baby foods are not complete diets for cats and therefore should only be used for a few days. For cats with chronic vomiting, a diet change can be therapeutic as well as diagnostic.
If the new food controls the vomiting, it was partially caused by a dietary intolerance or allergy or possibly low-grade inflammatory bowel disease. Regarding diet trials for chronically vomiting cats, keep them on the new diet for several weeks to see whether it is working. The cat should be on one of the aforementioned prescription diets or a limited-ingredient prescription diet to make sure it’s a complete, balanced diet.
Specialized cat food formulated for sensitive stomachs can help manage vomiting caused by dietary issues or underlying health conditions.
7.4 Prednisone
When is prednisone used to treat vomiting in cats? Inflammatory bowel disease might be the cause of vomiting in some cats. The treatment for inflammatory bowel disease often involves the medication prednisone. We don’t recommend that you try prednisone on your cat without any diagnostics being done because prednisone has a lot of side effects, including an increase in thirst, an increase in urination, a weaker immune system, and weak muscles. Giving a cat prednisone can also make some causes of vomiting (such as pancreatitis, diabetes, and kidney disease) worse. However, if your cat’s blood work and X-rays are normal and you do not wish to pursue further diagnostics, a trial of prednisone could be considered. You’ll want to have a thorough discussion with your veterinarian about the risks.
8. Understanding Common Causes of Vomiting in Cats
What are common triggers for cat vomiting? Identifying the underlying cause of vomiting is crucial for effective treatment. Here’s an overview of potential reasons why your cat might be throwing up:
- Dietary Issues: Food allergies, intolerances, or eating spoiled food can lead to vomiting. According to the American Animal Hospital Association (AAHA), sudden changes in diet can also upset a cat’s stomach.
- Hairballs: Cats groom themselves frequently, ingesting hair that can form hairballs. These are often vomited up.
- Infections: Viral, bacterial, or parasitic infections can cause gastrointestinal upset and vomiting. The Cornell Feline Health Center notes that certain viral infections can lead to severe vomiting.
- Toxins: Ingesting poisonous substances, such as household cleaners, certain plants, or medications, can induce vomiting.
- Foreign Bodies: Swallowing non-food items like string, plastic, or small toys can obstruct the digestive tract and cause vomiting.
- Underlying Diseases: Conditions like kidney disease, liver disease, hyperthyroidism, and inflammatory bowel disease (IBD) can all lead to chronic vomiting.
- Medications: Some medications can have vomiting as a side effect.
Help your cat manage hairballs with regular grooming and specialized diets to reduce vomiting and promote digestive health.
9. Preventive Measures to Reduce Vomiting
How can I prevent my cat from throwing up? While not all causes of vomiting can be prevented, there are several steps you can take to minimize the risk and promote your cat’s digestive health:
- Feed a High-Quality Diet: Choose a nutritionally balanced cat food that is appropriate for your cat’s age, health status, and activity level. Avoid sudden changes in diet.
- Control Hairballs: Groom your cat regularly to remove loose hair, and consider using hairball control cat food or supplements.
- Keep Toxins Out of Reach: Store household cleaners, medications, and other potentially harmful substances in secure locations.
- Provide Safe Toys: Choose toys that are durable and unlikely to be swallowed. Avoid toys with small parts that can be easily detached.
- Regular Veterinary Check-ups: Annual check-ups can help detect underlying health issues early, allowing for prompt treatment.
- Monitor Outdoor Activities: If your cat goes outside, supervise their activities to prevent them from ingesting toxins or hunting potentially infected prey.
10. When to Seek Immediate Veterinary Care
When is vomiting in cats an emergency? While occasional vomiting might not be cause for alarm, certain symptoms warrant immediate veterinary attention. Seek prompt care if your cat exhibits any of the following:
- Frequent or Severe Vomiting: Vomiting multiple times in a short period or forceful vomiting can indicate a serious problem.
- Blood in Vomit: The presence of fresh blood or a coffee-ground appearance suggests bleeding in the digestive tract.
- Lethargy or Weakness: If your cat is unusually tired, weak, or unresponsive, it could be a sign of dehydration or a more serious underlying condition.
- Abdominal Pain: Signs of abdominal pain, such as a hunched posture or reluctance to be touched, should be evaluated by a veterinarian.
- Dehydration: Symptoms of dehydration include dry gums, sunken eyes, and decreased skin elasticity.
- Known Toxin Ingestion: If you suspect your cat has ingested a poisonous substance, seek immediate veterinary care.
- Difficulty Breathing: Vomiting accompanied by difficulty breathing is an emergency.
FAQ: Addressing Common Questions About Cat Vomiting
1. Why does my cat vomit after eating too fast?
Cats may vomit if they eat too quickly because they overwhelm their digestive system. This can happen if they are very hungry or if they feel they need to compete for food. Slow-feeding bowls or smaller, more frequent meals can help.
2. Is it normal for cats to throw up hairballs?
Yes, it’s relatively normal for cats to vomit hairballs occasionally. Cats groom themselves, ingesting hair that can form hairballs. Regular grooming and hairball control diets can minimize this.
3. What should I do if my cat is vomiting and not eating?
If your cat is vomiting and refusing to eat, it’s important to consult a vet promptly. This could indicate a serious underlying issue such as an obstruction, infection, or systemic disease.
4. Can stress cause vomiting in cats?
Yes, stress can cause gastrointestinal upset and vomiting in cats. Changes in environment, loud noises, or the presence of new pets or people can trigger stress-related vomiting.
5. What are some common household toxins that can cause vomiting in cats?
Common household toxins include cleaning products, antifreeze, certain medications, insecticides, and poisonous plants like lilies. Ensure these are stored safely out of your cat’s reach.
6. How can I tell if my cat is dehydrated from vomiting?
Signs of dehydration include dry gums, sunken eyes, decreased skin elasticity (skin tenting), and lethargy. If you suspect your cat is dehydrated, seek veterinary care.
7. What is a bland diet for cats who are vomiting?
A bland diet typically consists of easily digestible foods like boiled chicken (no bones or skin) or meat-flavored baby food (without onion or garlic). These are temporary solutions and should only be used for a few days.
8. Is vomiting different from regurgitation in cats?
Yes, vomiting is an active process involving abdominal contractions, while regurgitation is a passive process. Vomited material is often partially digested, while regurgitated material is usually undigested.
9. How often should I groom my cat to prevent hairballs?
Groom your cat regularly, ideally daily or at least a few times a week, to remove loose hair. Long-haired cats may require more frequent grooming.
10. Can kidney disease cause vomiting in cats?
Yes, kidney disease can cause vomiting in cats due to the buildup of toxins in the bloodstream that the kidneys can no longer effectively filter. This is a common cause of vomiting in older cats.
Conclusion: Ensuring Your Cat’s Health and Well-being
Vomiting in cats can be a sign of various underlying issues, ranging from minor dietary indiscretions to serious health conditions. Understanding the potential causes, recognizing the symptoms, and seeking prompt veterinary care are essential for ensuring your cat’s health and well-being. Remember, solcat.net is here to provide you with reliable information and resources to help you navigate your cat’s health journey.
Do you want to learn more about your cat’s health? Visit solcat.net for more insightful articles, expert advice, and a supportive community of cat lovers. Connect with us and discover how to provide the best care for your feline friend. Whether you’re dealing with occasional hairballs or more complex health issues, we’re here to help you every step of the way.
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