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Most cat owners are all too familiar with the characteristic hacking sound of cat vomiting. But just because we’ve all heard it, doesn’t mean it should be a regular occurrence.
Vomiting in cats can often be an early sign of illness, so be careful not to overlook this important change in your cat’s health.
There are many potential reasons cats vomit, from food sensitivities to hairballs and even infections. Find out if your cat’s vomiting is normal or if it’s time to call the vet.
What Is the Frequency of Cat Vomiting?
We used to assume that some cats were merely “pukers,” but now we know that recurrent vomiting is a symptom of something more serious. Hairballs are common in cats owing to their meticulous grooming habits, but vomiting that isn’t connected to hairballs is an indication of a medical problem.
It’s recommended to consult your veterinarian if your cat vomits many times each day or if you detect an increase in the frequency of vomiting.
Understanding What Is Commonplace
Cats, let’s face it, vomit up more than we’d like. Vomiting by your cat once or twice a month may not be cause for concern. Hairballs of fur ingested during grooming are common in cats, although they should only happen once or twice a month. That’s why, according to Ernie Ward, DVM, a writer, podcaster, pet nutrition advocate, and veterinarian who works with cats at animal rescue groups in North Carolina, paying attention to what’s typical for your cat is so important. However, if your cat is vomiting acutely or chronically outside of her normal habit, it might be an indication of something more severe
1. Acute vomiting lasts for a day or two and is generally accompanied by no other symptoms of disease.
- Food-related causes like overeating or eating too quickly
- A parasite in the intestine
- Gastrointestinal or bacterial infection
- Viral infections
- Acute kidney failure
- Some medications, chemicals or toxins
2. Chronic vomiting is defined as vomiting more than once or twice a day, often accompanied by weakness, non stop vomiting, stomach discomfort, blood in the vomit or stool, weight loss, or tiredness.
- Gastritis
- Pancreatitis
- Colitis
- Food allergy
- Heartworm infection
- Liver or kidney failure
- Severe constipation
- Intestinal or gastric tumors or ulcers
Causes of Cat Vomiting
Cats, like people, can overeat or have an upset stomach from eating something they shouldn’t, resulting in vomiting. A cat that vomits, on the other hand, might be suffering from something more serious. What are some of the most common reasons for a cat to vomit, and when should you be worried?
Irritable Bowel Disease and Food Allergies
Cats seldom get allergies, but when they do, the inflammation of the digestive tract that happens when the cat consumes a trigger meal can cause vomiting. As a result of these circumstances, some cats may develop chronic diarrhea.
Parasites
This is a more prevalent cause of vomiting in kittens, although it can affect animals of any age. Pet owners may occasionally find live worms in their pets’ vomit. The good news is that parasite treatment usually stops the vomiting.
Cancer
In cats, cancers of the digestive system are fairly prevalent, and they can cause vomiting by disrupting normal digestion. Other types of cancer in other parts of the body might produce nausea, pain, and malaise, which can lead to vomiting.
Illnesses that affect the entire body
Persistent disorders including renal disease, pancreatitis, and hyperthyroidism can all produce chronic nausea and vomiting owing to a variety of reasons. Identification of the underlying ailment is required to address many causes of vomiting, and many of these disorders require lifetime therapy.
Hairballs
Cats’ rough tongues rip loose hair from their coats, which is subsequently ingested, when they lick themselves. Large amounts of hair can build up in the stomach and become difficult to digest, causing the cat to vomit a hairball. This is normally not a reason for concern, but if your cat produces hairballs on a regular basis, you should consult with your veterinarian. Hairballs might be an indication of a gastrointestinal ailment in rare circumstances
Obstructions or Foreign Bodies
If your cat consumes foreign material, such as a toy, bits of string, a hair tie, or other foreign things, the GI tract may get blocked, resulting in vomiting. This is a dangerous cause of vomiting that needs emergency veterinarian intervention.
Gastroenteritis
Gastroenteritis is a fancy word for a stomach ache that can be caused by a variety of factors, including food indiscretion, pollutants, or drug side effects, among others. Some causes of gastroenteritis are minor and can go away on their own, but others can be dangerous and require medical treatment from a veterinarian.
Other Possible Symptoms
When a cat vomits, it is usually not serious. If you’re not sure why your cat is vomiting or if your cat is exhibiting other dangerous symptoms, such as the ones listed below, you should always call your family veterinarian.
- There might be additional issues if your cat has diarrhea and vomiting.
- Something more serious might be going on if your cat is dehydrated or has little energy.
- If there is blood in your cat’s vomit or if he or she is losing a lot of weight, it’s probable that something more serious is going on.
- If your cat isn’t eating and drinking normally, there’s a chance there’s something more serious going on.
Treating the Problem
Following a diagnosis by your veterinarian, the best treatment choices for your cat will be provided. You may care for your cat at home. Your cat may require more intense medical care, including medication, at other times. In any event, a reputable veterinarian can assist you in determining what your cat requires to feel better.
A veterinarian can detect a cause of vomiting and treat it properly with a thorough physical exam and necessary testing. This can include things like:
- Antibiotics are used to treat infections.
- Dietary changes
- To remove a tumor or foreign body from the throat or intestines, surgery is required.
- Treatments for underlying disorders come in a variety of forms.
Stopping food and water until the vomiting stops may be recommended by your veterinarian, followed by gradually reintroducing water and a bland or easily digested food. It’s critical that cats don’t get any extra or alternative food while they’re being treated for vomiting. Your veterinarian is attempting to quiet down your cat’s digestive system and check for sensitivities to a specific food, which might be tough with more food in her diet.
Because vomiting can cause dehydration, your veterinarian may need to administer fluids to your cat and recommend that water be readily available in the house. Medications to reduce vomiting or treat stomach irritation may also be prescribed by your veterinarian.
How to Prevent Cat Vomiting
To maintain your cat’s digestive tract healthy, take the following steps:
Consider your cat’s eating habits. Make sure your cat is eating a balanced and high-quality food, and don’t overfeed goodies or table scraps.
Keep an eye out for non-food stuff. Allowing your cat to eat non-food objects such as toys, thread, or houseplants is not a good idea.
Inquire with your veterinarian about special meals. If your cat has a condition like food allergies or inflammatory bowel disease, feeding a specific diet advised by your veterinarian may help avoid vomiting.
Consider using an over-the-counter hairball treatment. Finally, ask your veterinarian about over-the-counter medicines that can help prevent vomiting caused by hairballs in long-haired cats or those who have regular hairballs.
Final Thought
Vomiting in cats can be caused by something very normal, such as those bothersome hairballs, or something far more unusual and dangerous. Both your cat and its veterinarian are depending on you to recognize and get treatment if something goes wrong.
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