Most cats vomit from time to time, and a single episode in an otherwise healthy, happy cat often isn’t a cause for alarm. But vomiting can also be a sign of illness, poisoning or a blockage. Here’s how to tell when it’s probably harmless, what you can safely do and when to call the vet.
Vomiting or Regurgitation?
It helps to know what you’re seeing:
- Vomiting is an active process. Your cat may drool, lick its lips, swallow repeatedly and make heaving movements with its belly before bringing up partly digested food, liquid, foam or hair.
- Regurgitation is passive: undigested food comes up suddenly, with little or no effort, often shortly after eating, and may be tube-shaped.
Tell your vet which one you saw, as the causes are different.
Common Causes of Vomiting
Vomiting can have many causes, from minor to serious:
- hairballs, especially in long-haired cats and during shedding season;
- eating too quickly or too much;
- eating grass or plants;
- a sudden change of diet or food intolerance;
- eating something it shouldn’t, such as spoiled food, string, hair ties or toys;
- poisoning (read more about poisoning in cats);
- parasites, such as worms (read more about worms in cats);
- infections;
- illnesses, such as kidney disease, liver disease, hyperthyroidism, diabetes, pancreatitis, inflammatory bowel disease or cancer, which are especially common in older cats;
- motion sickness during travel.
When to Call the Vet
Call your vet promptly or go to an emergency clinic if your cat:
- vomits several times in a day, or keeps vomiting;
- vomits blood (bright red, or dark and grainy like coffee grounds), or the vomit smells like feces;
- tries to vomit but can’t bring anything up;
- also has diarrhea, especially with blood;
- seems lethargic, weak, in pain or has a swollen belly;
- stops eating or drinking, or can’t keep water down;
- may have swallowed something toxic, or a foreign object such as string or a toy;
- is a kitten, a senior or has an existing health condition, such as kidney disease or diabetes.
Make an appointment with your vet if:
- your cat vomits regularly, even if it seems well otherwise. Vomiting more than once or twice a month isn’t normal, and “it’s just hairballs” isn’t always the real reason;
- your cat is losing weight or eating less;
- you notice changes in your cat’s thirst, peeing or behavior.
It helps to note how often your cat vomits, when (for example, after meals), what the vomit looks like (a photo is useful) and any other symptoms.
What You Can Do at Home
If your cat has vomited once or twice but is otherwise bright and behaving normally:
- make sure fresh water is always available;
- ask your vet whether to rest your cat’s stomach for a few hours before offering a small meal of its usual food, and then return to normal meals if all is well. Don’t withhold food from a cat for long periods: cats that don’t eat for more than a day or two can develop serious liver problems;
- watch your cat closely, and call your vet if it vomits again, seems unwell or stops eating.
Don’t give your cat human medicines for nausea, vomiting or upset stomach. Products such as Pepto-Bismol contain ingredients that are toxic to cats. Don’t try home remedies either. Only give medication your vet prescribes.
Preventing Vomiting
- For fast eaters, use a slow feeder bowl or puzzle feeder, or feed smaller meals more often.
- Change food gradually over about a week.
- Brush your cat regularly to reduce hairballs, and ask your vet about hairball-control food or remedies if needed. Read more: how to brush a cat.
- Keep string, ribbons, hair ties and small objects out of reach.
- Keep toxic plants, medicines and chemicals out of reach.
- Deworm your cat regularly, as your vet recommends.
- Take your cat for regular checkups, especially as it gets older.
