If your cat is throwing up, it’s natural to worry. Can you stop your cat from throwing up? Yes, often you can, by identifying the cause and making changes. Your cat throwing up can stem from various issues, from something as simple as a dietary indiscretion to a more serious underlying health problem. This guide will help you navigate the world of feline regurgitation and find ways to keep your furry friend feeling their best.
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Fathoming the Feline Puke: Common Cat Vomiting Causes
Cats throw up for many reasons, and pinpointing the exact cause is the first step to helping them.
4 Common Cat Vomiting Causes
- Hairballs: This is perhaps the most common reason for cats to throw up. Cats are fastidious groomers, and as they lick their fur, they ingest it. This ingested fur can form a hairball in their stomach. When the hairball becomes too large to pass through the digestive tract normally, the cat will vomit it up. You might see a cylindrical mass of fur, sometimes mixed with food or bile.
- Dietary Indiscretion: Just like humans, cats can get an upset stomach from eating something they shouldn’t. This could be spoiled food, something they found and ate outside, or even a new food that doesn’t agree with them.
- Eating Too Fast: Some cats eat their meals incredibly quickly. This can lead to them swallowing air along with their food, which can cause them to regurgitate undigested food shortly after eating. This often looks like a whole, intact piece of food.
- Food Allergies or Intolerances: Cats can develop sensitivities to certain ingredients in their food, such as grains, dairy, or specific proteins. This can manifest as vomiting, often along with other symptoms like diarrhea or skin issues.
Decoding the Different Types of Vomit
What your cat throws up can offer clues about the underlying issue.
Cat Throwing Up White Foam
Seeing your cat throwing up white foam is quite common. This usually happens when the stomach is empty. The foam is typically a mixture of saliva and stomach fluids. It can occur if your cat hasn’t eaten for a while, or if they’ve been trying to vomit something up that isn’t there, like a hairball that hasn’t fully formed yet.
Cat Throwing Up Hairballs
As mentioned, cat throwing up hairballs is a frequent occurrence. A visible clump of fur is the hallmark here. Regular grooming, especially in long-haired cats, increases the likelihood of hairballs.
Cat Throwing Up Food
When a cat is throwing up food, it often means they’ve eaten too quickly or that the food is simply not agreeing with them. If the food is undigested, it suggests it hasn’t spent much time in the stomach. This can be a sign of eating too fast or a minor stomach upset.
Cat Throwing Up Undigested Food
Cat throwing up undigested food is very similar to throwing up food, but it specifically highlights that the food hasn’t been broken down by stomach acids and enzymes. This points strongly towards eating too fast or a rapid expulsion from the stomach before digestion can properly begin.
Cat Throwing Up Bile
Cat throwing up bile typically appears as yellow or greenish liquid. Bile is a fluid produced by the liver to help with digestion. It’s usually stored in the gallbladder and released into the small intestine. If your cat’s stomach is empty and they are retching, they may bring up bile. This can be a sign of an empty stomach, inflammation, or even certain intestinal issues.
Cat Throwing Up After Eating
Cat throwing up after eating can be caused by eating too quickly, a reaction to the food itself, or an obstruction. If it happens consistently after every meal, it’s a sign that something in the eating or digestive process isn’t working correctly.
Cat Throwing Up Diarrhea
A cat throwing up diarrhea is a concerning combination of symptoms. This usually indicates a more significant gastrointestinal upset. It suggests that the digestive system is struggling to process food, leading to both vomiting and loose stools. This often points to infections, parasites, severe food sensitivities, or inflammatory conditions.
Practical Tips for Managing Feline Vomiting
Once you’ve got a better idea of why your cat might be throwing up, you can start looking at solutions.
Addressing Hairballs
- Regular Grooming: Brush your cat frequently, especially if they have long fur. This removes loose hair before they can ingest it.
- Hairball Remedies: Over-the-counter hairball remedies, often available as pastes or treats, can help lubricate the digestive tract and help hair pass through more easily.
- Dietary Adjustments: Some cat foods are specifically formulated to help reduce hairball formation. These often contain higher fiber content.
Modifying Eating Habits
- Slow Feeder Bowls: These bowls have obstacles that force your cat to eat more slowly.
- Separate Meals: If you have multiple cats who tend to gobble their food while competing, feeding them in separate, quiet locations can help.
- Smaller, More Frequent Meals: Instead of one or two large meals, consider offering several smaller meals throughout the day.
Dietary Strategies
- Hypoallergenic Diets: If you suspect food allergies, talk to your vet about a hypoallergenic diet trial. This involves feeding your cat a novel protein source or hydrolyzed protein for several weeks to see if symptoms improve.
- Limited Ingredient Diets: Similar to hypoallergenic diets, these diets contain fewer ingredients, making it easier to identify potential allergens.
- Sensitive Stomach Formulas: Many commercial cat foods are designed for cats with sensitive stomachs, often using easily digestible ingredients.
Home Remedies for Cat Vomiting (with Caution!)
While some home remedies can be helpful for mild, infrequent vomiting, it’s crucial to remember that persistent or severe vomiting requires veterinary attention.
- Pumpkin Puree: A small amount (1-2 teaspoons) of plain, unsweetened canned pumpkin can aid digestion and help hair pass.
- Probiotics: Probiotic supplements specifically for cats can help restore healthy gut bacteria, which can be beneficial for digestive upset.
- Hydration: Ensure your cat always has access to fresh water. If they are vomiting frequently, they can become dehydrated.
Important Note on Home Remedies: Never administer human medications to your cat without explicit veterinary instruction. Many common human medications are toxic to cats.
When to Seek Veterinary Advice
While occasional vomiting can be normal, there are times when you absolutely need to consult your veterinarian.
Red Flags: When Your Cat Needs a Vet
- Frequent Vomiting: If your cat is throwing up more than once or twice a month, it’s time for a check-up.
- Cat Not Eating and Throwing Up: This is a serious sign. A cat that isn’t eating and is also vomiting is at risk of hepatic lipidosis (fatty liver disease), a potentially life-threatening condition.
- Vomiting Blood or Foreign Objects: Any sign of blood in the vomit or if you suspect your cat has ingested something non-food related (like string or plastic) requires immediate veterinary care.
- Lethargy or Weakness: If your cat is also acting unusually tired, weak, or withdrawn, it indicates a more systemic problem.
- Weight Loss: Unexplained weight loss accompanying vomiting is a major concern.
- Diarrhea: If vomiting is accompanied by diarrhea, especially if it’s severe or bloody, seek veterinary attention promptly.
- Dehydration: Signs of dehydration include sunken eyes, dry gums, and loss of skin elasticity.
Diagnostic Approaches by Your Veterinarian
If your cat is experiencing persistent vomiting, your vet will perform a thorough examination.
What to Expect at the Vet
- History Taking: Your vet will ask detailed questions about your cat’s symptoms, diet, lifestyle, and any changes in their environment.
- Physical Examination: This includes checking your cat’s temperature, hydration status, weight, and palpating their abdomen for any abnormalities.
- Diagnostic Tests: Depending on the suspected cause, your vet may recommend:
- Bloodwork: To check for organ function, infection, and other internal issues.
- Fecal Analysis: To detect parasites.
- Urinalysis: To assess kidney function and hydration.
- X-rays or Ultrasound: To visualize the gastrointestinal tract, check for obstructions, foreign bodies, or masses.
- Endoscopy or Biopsy: In some cases, a camera may be used to look inside the digestive tract, and tissue samples can be taken for analysis.
Dietary Management for Vomiting Cats
The right diet can be a cornerstone of managing feline vomiting.
Choosing the Right Food
- Veterinary Prescription Diets: For diagnosed allergies or specific gastrointestinal conditions, your vet might prescribe a specialized diet. These are formulated to be highly digestible and free from common allergens.
- High-Quality Commercial Foods: Look for foods with a limited number of high-quality protein sources and easily digestible carbohydrates. Avoid artificial colors, flavors, and preservatives.
- Wet vs. Dry Food: Some cats tolerate wet food better than dry food, as it is more digestible and provides increased hydration.
Gradual Food Transitions
If you need to change your cat’s food, always do it gradually to prevent digestive upset. Mix small amounts of the new food with the old food, slowly increasing the proportion of the new food over a week to 10 days.
Environmental and Behavioral Factors
Sometimes, the cause isn’t strictly diet-related.
Stress and Anxiety
Just like humans, cats can experience digestive upset due to stress and anxiety. Changes in routine, new pets, moving house, or even loud noises can trigger stress.
- Creating a Safe Environment: Ensure your cat has plenty of quiet, safe spaces where they can retreat.
- Enrichment: Provide plenty of toys, climbing structures, and opportunities for play to keep your cat mentally and physically stimulated.
- Feliway Diffusers: These can release calming feline pheromones that help reduce stress.
Intestinal Parasites
Internal parasites like roundworms, hookworms, and tapeworms can cause vomiting, especially in kittens. Regular deworming is crucial.
Ingesting Non-Food Items
While we touched on foreign bodies, it’s worth reiterating. Cats may eat things they shouldn’t, like string, rubber bands, or small toys. These can cause blockages or irritation, leading to vomiting.
Preventing Future Vomiting Episodes
Prevention is always better than cure.
Proactive Care Strategies
- Regular Veterinary Check-ups: Annual or semi-annual check-ups allow your vet to catch potential issues early.
- Parasite Prevention: Keep your cat on a regular deworming and flea/tick prevention schedule as recommended by your veterinarian.
- Controlled Diet: Feed a high-quality, balanced diet appropriate for your cat’s age and life stage.
- Mindful of Environment: Keep potentially harmful objects out of reach.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)
Q: How often is it normal for a cat to throw up hairballs?
A: It’s common for cats to throw up hairballs occasionally, perhaps once or twice a month. However, if your cat is throwing up hairballs more frequently, it could indicate an underlying issue with grooming or digestion.
Q: My cat is throwing up undigested food. Is this serious?
A: It can be a sign of eating too fast or a minor stomach upset. If it happens frequently, or if your cat also exhibits other symptoms like lethargy or diarrhea, it’s best to consult your vet.
Q: Can I give my cat human medication for vomiting?
A: Absolutely not. Many human medications are highly toxic to cats and can cause severe illness or death. Always consult your veterinarian before giving your cat any medication.
Q: What are the signs of dehydration in cats?
A: Signs include dry gums, sunken eyes, loss of skin elasticity (when you gently pull skin on their back, it doesn’t snap back quickly), lethargy, and reduced urination. If you suspect dehydration, contact your vet immediately.
Q: My cat is throwing up bile. What does this mean?
A: Cat throwing up bile usually signifies an empty stomach, meaning there is nothing else to expel. It can also be associated with inflammation or certain intestinal conditions. It’s a good idea to speak with your vet if this happens regularly.
By understanding the various reasons behind feline vomiting and knowing when to seek professional help, you can effectively manage your cat’s health and ensure they live a comfortable, happy life.