Most cat owners are accustomed to the occasional sound of their feline friend vomiting. It’s often a result of eating too quickly, consuming something indigestible, or the inevitable hairball expulsion. While routine vomiting is common, the sight of blood in your cat’s vomit—known as hematemesis—is a serious cause for concern and should never be ignored.
Taking a “wait and see” approach when you notice blood in your cat’s vomit can have grave consequences. Understanding the potential causes and recognizing the signs of an emergency are crucial for ensuring your cat’s well-being.
Let’s delve into the reasons behind why a cat might vomit blood and, more importantly, when this symptom signals a veterinary emergency.
Recognizing Blood in Cat Vomit
Identifying blood in cat vomit isn’t always straightforward. While bright red blood is easily recognizable and alarming, blood can sometimes be more subtle.
Small amounts of fresh blood might appear as light red or pink streaks mixed with mucus, water, or food particles. Blood clots, on the other hand, tend to be darker red, often clumpy, and have a slimy texture.
Blood that has been in the digestive system for a longer period might be partially digested by the time your cat vomits. This digested blood often has a distinctive appearance, resembling coffee grounds. If you observe vomit that looks like coffee grounds, it’s still a sign of blood and requires veterinary attention.
Common Causes of Cat Vomiting Blood
There are various underlying health issues that can lead to hematemesis in cats. It’s important to remember that identifying the precise cause requires veterinary diagnosis. Here are some of the more frequent reasons why a cat might vomit blood:
- Gastrointestinal Ulcers: Ulcers in the stomach or esophagus can bleed, resulting in blood in the vomit. These ulcers can be caused by medications, stress, kidney disease, or tumors.
- Foreign Body Ingestion: If a cat swallows a sharp object, it can injure the esophagus or stomach lining, causing bleeding and subsequent vomiting of blood.
- Toxins and Medications: Certain toxins and medications, particularly NSAIDs (non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs) formulated for humans, can irritate the stomach lining and lead to bleeding and vomiting blood.
- Inflammatory Bowel Disease (IBD): Chronic inflammation of the digestive tract, as seen in IBD, can sometimes cause bleeding and vomiting.
- Pancreatitis: Inflammation of the pancreas can occasionally lead to secondary gastrointestinal issues, including vomiting blood.
- Bleeding Disorders: Conditions that affect blood clotting, such as rodenticide poisoning or certain inherited diseases, can manifest as vomiting blood, among other symptoms.
- Tumors: Growths in the esophagus, stomach, or intestines can bleed and cause hematemesis.
- Severe Vomiting: While less common as a primary cause of bloody vomit, forceful and repeated vomiting, regardless of the initial cause, can sometimes cause small tears in the esophagus, leading to streaks of blood in the vomit. This is more likely to be a minor issue if it resolves quickly, but persistent vomiting with any blood still warrants a vet visit.
Is Cat Vomiting Blood an Emergency?
Any instance of a cat vomiting blood should be considered abnormal and indicative of an underlying problem. It is frequently classified as a genuine medical—and occasionally surgical—emergency.
Prompt veterinary examination and treatment are crucial because a timely diagnosis and intervention can significantly improve the chances of a positive outcome.
Delaying treatment or adopting a “wait and see” approach can have potentially fatal consequences, especially in situations like a ruptured mass or a bleeding stomach ulcer.
Seek immediate veterinary attention if your cat exhibits any of these signs along with vomiting blood:
- Vomiting any amount of blood, whether a small streak or a large volume.
- Persistent or excessive vomiting.
- Signs of abdominal pain (e.g., restlessness, guarding the abdomen, reluctance to be touched).
- Weakness or lethargy.
- Decreased responsiveness or reactivity.
- Severe diarrhea.
- Refusal to eat or drink.
- Pale or white gums.
- Low heart rate or weak pulse.
- Petechiae (pinpoint red spots on the gums, skin, or eyes) or bruising.
- Known weakened immune system, including kittens, pregnant cats, or cats with pre-existing health conditions.
Contact your veterinarian for advice, even if the situation seems less urgent, if your cat is experiencing:
- Infrequent vomiting with blood.
- Appearing otherwise comfortable.
- Normal activity level.
- Bright and alert demeanor.
- Mild diarrhea or no changes in stool.
- Normal appetite.
- Seeming generally okay apart from the vomiting incident.
- Being a healthy adult cat with no known underlying health issues.
It can be challenging to distinguish between a minor issue and a serious problem. It is always best to err on the side of caution and contact your veterinarian at the first sign that your cat is unwell and vomiting blood.
Diagnosing the Cause of Blood in Cat Vomit
To determine the reason behind a cat’s hematemesis, veterinarians follow a systematic diagnostic approach. This typically begins with gathering information about your cat’s history and current condition through questions like:
- Has your cat been diagnosed with any previous health issues?
- Has your cat experienced any recent trauma or undergone surgery?
- Is your cat currently receiving any medications, or could they have ingested any drugs or toxins?
- Has your cat eaten anything unusual recently?
- Could your cat have had access to anything potentially harmful outdoors?
- When did the vomiting first start?
- Did the vomiting onset occur gradually or suddenly?
- Was blood present from the first instance of vomiting, or did it appear later?
- What other symptoms is your cat displaying?
Following the history, a thorough physical examination is performed. The veterinarian will look for signs such as abdominal masses or bruises that could indicate a bleeding disorder.
Laboratory tests are usually essential for diagnosis. These often include:
- Blood Chemistry Panel: To assess organ function and electrolyte balance.
- Complete Blood Cell Count (CBC): To evaluate red blood cell count, white blood cell count, and platelet count, which can help identify anemia, infection, or bleeding disorders.
In some cases, more specialized diagnostic tests may be necessary, such as:
- X-rays: To visualize the abdomen and chest, looking for foreign bodies, masses, or other abnormalities.
- Ultrasound Exam: To provide more detailed imaging of abdominal organs, helping to identify masses, organ abnormalities, or fluid accumulation.
- Endoscopy: A procedure where a small camera is inserted into the esophagus, stomach, and upper small intestine to directly visualize the lining and obtain biopsies if needed.
- Surgery: In exploratory surgery, the abdomen is opened to directly examine organs, obtain biopsies, and potentially correct certain conditions.
- Tissue Biopsies: Samples of tissue taken during endoscopy or surgery are examined under a microscope to identify inflammation, infection, or cancer.
Treatment for Cats Vomiting Blood
The immediate treatment for a cat vomiting blood often focuses on stabilization. This may include:
- Intravenous (IV) Fluids: To combat dehydration and support blood pressure.
- Blood Transfusions: In cases of severe blood loss.
In some situations, procedures to stop the bleeding may be required, such as:
- Endoscopy: To cauterize bleeding ulcers or remove foreign bodies.
- Surgery: To address bleeding tumors, severe ulcers, or intestinal obstructions.
Long-term treatment is directed at the underlying cause of the hematemesis. For example:
- Vitamin K: Administered to cats who have ingested anticoagulant rodenticides (rat poison).
- Surgery: To remove bleeding tumors in the intestine or stomach.
Medications may also be prescribed to:
- Reduce Stomach Acid Secretions: To aid in healing ulcers (e.g., proton pump inhibitors, H2 blockers).
- Coat Ulcers: To protect the ulcerated area and promote healing (e.g., sucralfate).
- Stabilize Blood Clots: In specific bleeding disorders.
Preventing Cat Vomiting Blood
While it may not always be possible to prevent all instances of hematemesis, there are proactive steps you can take to minimize the risk for your cat:
- Secure Potential Toxins: Keep household chemicals, medications (especially human NSAIDs), and poisons out of your cat’s reach. Use closed trash cans and store cleaning supplies in secure cabinets.
- Prevent Foreign Body Ingestion: Pick up small toys, string, and other items that your cat might be tempted to swallow. Choose cat toys that are durable and less likely to be chewed into small pieces.
- Maintain Good Dental Hygiene: Regular tooth brushing and professional veterinary dental cleanings can help prevent dental disease, which can sometimes contribute to systemic issues.
- Seek Prompt Veterinary Care for Vomiting: Don’t delay seeking veterinary advice if your cat starts vomiting, even if there is no blood initially. Persistent vomiting can lead to esophageal or stomach irritation and potential bleeding.
- Be Aware of Medication Side Effects: If your cat is prescribed medication, be aware of potential side effects, particularly gastrointestinal upset. Discuss any concerns with your veterinarian.
- Keep Cats Indoors: Indoor cats are less likely to encounter toxins, injuries, and infectious diseases that could lead to vomiting blood. This also reduces risks of heatstroke, snake bites, and insect stings.
Cat Vomiting Blood FAQs
Is there a home remedy for cat vomiting blood?
No, there is no safe and effective home remedy for a cat vomiting blood. Hematemesis is a serious symptom that requires professional veterinary diagnosis and treatment. Attempting home remedies can delay necessary care and potentially worsen the underlying condition.
Why is my cat vomiting blood but acting normal?
Even if your cat appears to be acting normally despite vomiting blood, it is still crucial to seek veterinary attention. You may be observing the early stages of a disease process, and early intervention is often key to a better outcome. Cats are also adept at masking illness, so “acting normal” doesn’t necessarily mean they are healthy internally.
By being informed about the signs, causes, and emergency aspects of cat vomiting blood, you can be a proactive advocate for your cat’s health and ensure they receive timely and appropriate veterinary care when needed.
WRITTEN BY
Jennifer Coates, DVMVeterinarian
Dr. Jennifer Coates is an accomplished veterinarian, writer, editor, and consultant with years of experience in the fields of veterinary…
