Why Do Cats Vomit? A Comprehensive Guide for Concerned Owners

Cat owners are often concerned when they see their feline friend vomiting. It’s a common issue, but understanding Why Do Cats Vomit is crucial for ensuring their health and well-being. Vomiting in cats can range from a minor, isolated incident to a sign of a serious underlying health problem. This guide will explore the various reasons behind cat vomiting, help you understand what different types of vomit might indicate, and outline the diagnostic and treatment options available.

Understanding Why Cats Vomit: Common Causes

Vomiting is a reflex that helps cats expel harmful or unwanted substances from their stomach and upper intestines. There are numerous reasons why cats vomit, and identifying the cause is the first step towards proper care. Here are some of the most common reasons:

Dietary Indiscretions and Food Sensitivities

Just like humans, cats can experience digestive upset from eating something they shouldn’t. This can include:

Eating spoiled food: Cats can be scavengers, and sometimes they might ingest food that has gone bad, leading to vomiting as their body tries to get rid of toxins.
Sudden diet changes: Abruptly switching your cat’s food can disrupt their digestive system and cause vomiting. It’s always best to transition to a new food gradually.
Food intolerances or allergies: Some cats are sensitive to certain ingredients in their food, such as grains, proteins (like beef or chicken), or artificial additives. These sensitivities can manifest as vomiting.
Overeating: Consuming too much food too quickly can overwhelm a cat’s stomach, leading to vomiting.

Hairballs: A Feline-Specific Cause

Hairballs are a classic reason why cats vomit, especially long-haired breeds. Cats groom themselves meticulously, and in the process, they ingest loose hair. While some hair passes through the digestive system, some can accumulate in the stomach and form hairballs. Cats will then vomit to expel these indigestible clumps of hair.

Infections: Viral, Bacterial, and Parasitic

Various infections can irritate a cat’s gastrointestinal tract and cause vomiting:

Viral infections: Feline panleukopenia (feline distemper), feline calicivirus, and feline coronavirus are examples of viruses that can cause vomiting in cats.
Bacterial infections: Bacterial overgrowth in the gut or infections like salmonellosis can lead to vomiting and diarrhea.
Parasites: Intestinal parasites like roundworms, hookworms, and Giardia can cause vomiting, especially in kittens and cats with weakened immune systems.

Ingestion of Toxins and Poisons

Cats are curious creatures, and unfortunately, this curiosity can sometimes lead them to ingest harmful substances. Toxins that can cause vomiting in cats include:

Household cleaners: Many cleaning products are toxic to cats if ingested.
Certain plants: Lilies, daffodils, and azaleas are just a few examples of plants that are poisonous to cats.
Antifreeze: This is extremely toxic to cats and can cause severe kidney damage and vomiting.
Medications: Human medications like pain relievers (ibuprofen, acetaminophen) are dangerous for cats.
Insecticides and rodenticides: Poisons meant for pests can also harm cats.

Underlying Health Conditions

Chronic or persistent vomiting can be a symptom of more serious underlying health conditions, including:

Kidney disease: Kidney failure can lead to a buildup of toxins in the blood, causing nausea and vomiting.
Liver disease: Liver dysfunction can also result in vomiting, as the liver plays a crucial role in detoxification.
Hyperthyroidism: An overactive thyroid gland can increase metabolism and lead to gastrointestinal upset, including vomiting.
Diabetes: Uncontrolled diabetes can sometimes cause vomiting in cats.
Inflammatory Bowel Disease (IBD): Chronic inflammation of the digestive tract can cause persistent vomiting and diarrhea.
Pancreatitis: Inflammation of the pancreas can be very painful and cause vomiting.
Cancer: Tumors in the gastrointestinal tract or other organs can lead to vomiting.

Foreign Body Obstruction

Cats, especially kittens and young cats, sometimes ingest foreign objects like string, toys, or pieces of fabric. These objects can become lodged in the stomach or intestines, causing a blockage and leading to vomiting.

Decoding Cat Vomit: What Does It Look Like?

Observing the characteristics of your cat’s vomit can provide valuable clues for your veterinarian. While it’s not a definitive diagnosis, the appearance of vomit can help narrow down the potential causes.

Yellow Vomit: Yellow vomit typically indicates the presence of bile, a digestive fluid produced by the liver. It can suggest an empty stomach or potentially liver issues. However, it’s also common if a cat vomits after not eating for a while or if they ate something yellow.
Clear Vomit: Clear vomit can be either regurgitation (coming from the esophagus) or stomach fluids. It often occurs when the stomach is empty.
White, Foamy Vomit: Similar to clear vomit, white, foamy vomit is often regurgitation or vomit from an empty stomach. The foamy texture is due to stomach acids and air.
Blood in Vomit (Hematemesis): The presence of fresh, red blood in vomit is concerning and indicates bleeding in the mouth, esophagus, or stomach. This could be due to injury, ulcers, or inflammation.
Coffee-Ground Vomit: Vomit that looks like coffee grounds indicates digested blood. This means the blood has been in the stomach for some time and has been partially digested. It’s often associated with stomach ulcers or bleeding in the upper gastrointestinal tract.
Brown, Smelly Vomit: Brown, smelly vomit can also indicate digested blood from higher up in the digestive tract. Alternatively, it might simply mean your cat ate something brown and unpleasant.
Undigested Food in Vomit: Seeing undigested food shortly after a meal might suggest simple regurgitation, especially if the cat eats too quickly. However, if it’s been a significant time since the cat ate, undigested food in vomit can indicate problems with stomach emptying, food intolerances, allergies, or an obstruction.

Diagnosing the Cause of Vomiting: Veterinary Examination and Tests

If your cat vomits more than once, or if you notice other signs of illness, it’s essential to consult your veterinarian. To determine why cats vomit and identify the underlying cause, your vet will perform a thorough examination and may recommend diagnostic tests.

Initial Assessment: Questions and Physical Exam

Your veterinarian will start by asking you detailed questions about your cat’s vomiting and overall health. These questions might include:

When did the vomiting start? Sudden onset vs. gradual development can be important.
How often is your cat vomiting? Frequency helps determine the severity and chronicity of the issue.
What does the vomit look like? (As described above)
What is your cat’s normal diet? Understanding the diet helps identify potential food-related issues.
Has there been any recent diet change?
Does your cat go outside? Outdoor access increases the risk of toxin exposure, infections, and hunting.
Does your cat hunt or scavenge?
Could your cat have been exposed to toxins or poisons?
Is your cat on any medications? Some medications can cause vomiting as a side effect.
Are there any other symptoms? (Diarrhea, lethargy, loss of appetite, weight loss, increased thirst/urination)
Is your cat eating and drinking normally?
When does vomiting occur in relation to eating? (Immediately after, hours later, etc.)
Does your cat play with string or toys that could be ingested?

Following the history, your vet will perform a comprehensive physical examination. This will include:

Palpating the abdomen: Checking for pain, masses, or organ enlargement.
Checking for dehydration: Assessing gum moisture and skin elasticity.
Listening to heart and lungs: Detecting any abnormalities.
Checking for fever: Elevated temperature can indicate infection.
Examining the mouth and throat: Looking for foreign bodies or signs of inflammation.
Assessing overall body condition: Checking for weight loss.

Diagnostic Tests: Unveiling the Underlying Cause

Based on the history and physical exam findings, your veterinarian may recommend further diagnostic tests to pinpoint why your cat is vomiting. Common tests include:

Blood work and Urinalysis: These tests assess organ function (kidneys, liver, pancreas), detect infections, identify metabolic disorders like diabetes and hyperthyroidism, and evaluate hydration status. Blood work can sometimes also indicate toxin exposure.
Abdominal X-rays (Radiographs): X-rays can reveal foreign bodies, organ enlargement or abnormalities in shape, tumors, constipation, and other issues not detectable on physical exam.
Ultrasound: Abdominal ultrasound provides a more detailed view of internal organs. It can help assess organ structure, detect masses, and guide biopsies if needed.
Barium Study: In a barium study, the cat swallows barium, a contrast agent that shows up on X-rays. This can help identify obstructions, motility problems, or masses in the intestines.
Endoscopy: Endoscopy involves inserting a flexible camera (endoscope) into the esophagus, stomach, or intestines. It allows direct visualization of the lining of these organs, detection of foreign bodies not visible on X-rays, and collection of biopsies.
Exploratory Surgery: In cases of persistent vomiting where other diagnostics are inconclusive, or when a foreign body obstruction is suspected, exploratory surgery may be necessary. Surgery allows for a thorough examination of the abdominal organs and the entire intestinal tract, removal of foreign bodies, and collection of biopsies from various organs (intestines, stomach, liver, pancreas, lymph nodes).

Treatment Options for Vomiting Cats

Treatment for vomiting in cats depends entirely on the underlying cause. Your veterinarian will tailor a treatment plan based on their diagnosis.

Symptomatic Treatment: Relieving Vomiting and Dehydration

In some cases, especially for mild, acute vomiting, symptomatic treatment may be sufficient. This focuses on managing the symptoms of vomiting and supporting the cat while the body recovers. Symptomatic treatment often includes:

Fluid Therapy: Dehydration is a common consequence of vomiting. Subcutaneous fluids (under the skin) or intravenous fluids (IV fluids) may be administered to rehydrate the cat and maintain fluid balance. IV fluids are more effective for severely dehydrated cats.
Anti-emetic Medications: These medications help to control vomiting and reduce nausea. They can make the cat more comfortable and help them start eating again.
Stomach Protectants: Medications like Pepcid (famotidine) or sucralfate may be used to protect the stomach lining, although their effectiveness in cats is debated.

Addressing the Underlying Cause

Definitive treatment focuses on addressing the root cause of the vomiting. This may involve:

Dietary Management: For food sensitivities or intolerances, a change to a highly digestible diet, novel protein diet, or hydrolyzed protein diet may be recommended. For acute vomiting, a temporary bland diet (like boiled chicken or baby food – plain meat flavor, no onion or garlic) might be advised. For hairballs, a high-fiber diet or hairball remedy can help.
Medications: For infections, antibiotics, antivirals, or antiparasitic medications will be prescribed. For inflammatory bowel disease, immunosuppressants like prednisone may be used. For hyperthyroidism, medication, surgery, or radioactive iodine therapy are options. For diabetes, insulin therapy is necessary.
Surgery: Surgery is required to remove foreign body obstructions or tumors.

Dietary Changes: A Key Treatment Strategy

Dietary changes are often a cornerstone of treatment for both acute and chronic vomiting in cats. For acute cases, easily digestible diets help to soothe the digestive system. For chronic vomiting, dietary trials with prescription diets are often used to diagnose and manage food sensitivities, allergies, or inflammatory bowel disease. It’s crucial to keep your cat on the prescribed diet for the duration recommended by your veterinarian to assess its effectiveness.

When to Seek Veterinary Care for a Vomiting Cat

While occasional, isolated vomiting might not be an immediate cause for alarm, it’s important to know when to seek veterinary attention. Contact your veterinarian immediately if your cat:

Vomits repeatedly or for more than 24 hours.
Shows other signs of illness, such as lethargy, loss of appetite, diarrhea, fever, or abdominal pain.
Has blood in their vomit.
Is vomiting undigested food hours after eating.
Is known to have ingested a toxin or foreign object.
Is a kitten or senior cat.
Has a pre-existing health condition.

Don’t hesitate to contact your veterinarian if you are concerned about your cat’s vomiting. Early diagnosis and treatment can significantly improve your cat’s prognosis and overall well-being. Understanding why do cats vomit is the first step towards ensuring your feline companion stays healthy and happy.