My Cat Keeps Vomiting! Is It Serious?

All cats vomit now and then, but repeated or severe vomiting isn't normal and could indicate that your cat is suffering from something more serious than an upset tummy. Our Los Angeles vets share some advice on when your cat's vomiting could be something serious.

Is It Normal For Cats To Vomit?

Just like their people, our feline friends can suffer from an upset tummy for a number of reasons.

Some of the most common causes of upset stomach in cats include a reaction to eating something bad, viruses and parasites, or more serious problems such as cancer or organ conditions.

Pet parents should be aware that if your cat vomits more often than once a month, or keeps vomiting repeatedly, it's time to see your vet to determine the underlying cause of your cat's vomiting.

Causes Of Vomiting In Cats

Hairballs / Furballs

Hairballs (furballs) are undigested wads of fur that clump together in your cat's stomach as a result of the cat's self-grooming. Hairballs are especially common in longhaired cats, and cats that groom excessively. Any cat owner knows the tell-tale hacking noise of cats trying to rid themselves of irritating hairballs. 

In the majority of cases, hairballs are easily brought up by cats, but if your cat is experiencing difficulties when trying to expel a hairball it's time to see a vet. Occasionally hairballs become trapped and can lead to intestinal blockages which may be fatal.

Eating Too Much & Too Quickly

If your cat is a big food fan and tends to eat too much too fast,  vomiting will likely result soon after they eat. If your cat often eats quickly and then vomits, there are a number of cat bowls available to help slow your cat's eating and help to prevent vomiting.

That said, vomiting right after eating could be an indication of a more serious health issue such as hairballs, a digestive tract obstruction, dehydration, or esophageal issues. If your cat frequently vomits right after eating, it's time to visit the vet.

Some Serious Conditions Can Cause Vomiting In Cats

It can be easy enough to dismiss your cat's vomiting as 'normal cat behavior', but vomiting can be a symptom of a serious underlying health condition. A few of the more serious causes of vomiting in cats include:

When To Take Your Cat To The Veterinarian

If your cat is vomiting periodically or infrequently, have your cat fast (avoid giving them food) for about 12 hours. Provide your cat with a couple of tablespoons of water every 30 minutes or provide them with ice cubes during this brief fasting period. After 12 hours begin providing your cat with small amounts of bland food and gradually return to normal feeding if vomiting has stopped.

If your cat is vomiting repeatedly, you should contact your vet immediately. Continuous or severe vomiting could be a sign that your cat is seriously ill and requires immediate treatment. Contact your vet if your cat displays any of the symptoms below:

Diagnosis

When taking your cat to the vet due to vomiting, it may sound like an unpleasant task but taking a sample of your cat's vomit can be helpful for your veterinarian. Your vet will be able to examine the sample to help determine the cause of your cat's upset stomach.

Some of the things your vet may notice thanks to a sample of vomit are:

• Large amounts of mucus in your cat's stomach could signal intestinal inflammation
• Undigested food can be an indication of poisoning, anxiety or simply that your cat has eaten too much or too quickly.
• If your vet notices bile in your cat's vomit, it may be an indication of pancreatitis or inflammatory bowel disease.
• Red blood in vomit is a sign that your cat's stomach could be ulcerated.
• Strong-smelling vomit may indicate that your cat has an intestinal obstruction.

Treatment

When it comes to treating vomiting in cats, the treatment will depend upon the underlying cause of the problem. Depending on what's causing your cat's symptoms, treatment could be as simple as temporarily withholding food, or as complex as surgery or chemotherapy.

Note: The advice provided in this post is intended for informational purposes and does not constitute medical advice regarding pets. For an accurate diagnosis of your pet's condition, please make an appointment with your vet.

If your cat is vomiting frequently or repeatedly, contact our Los Angeles animal hospital during business hours for urgent care. If your cat is showing extreme symptoms outside of clinic hours, head to your closest emergency vet.