What It Is
Vomiting is the forceful expulsion of stomach contents through the mouth. It’s not the same as regurgitation (which is passive). In cats, occasional vomiting can be normal, especially due to hairballs, but frequent or chronic vomiting can signal an underlying issue that needs attention.
Vomiting is a symptom, not a disease, so the key is figuring out what’s causing it.
🐾 Common Signs of Vomiting (vs. Regurgitation)
- Active retching or heaving
- Abdominal contractions
- Drooling or lip licking beforehand
- Projectile or repeated episodes
- Vomit may contain food, foam, bile, hair, or foreign material
Regurgitation, by contrast, is usually quiet, sudden, and without warning.
🦠 Common Causes of Vomiting in Cats
Vomiting can be caused by anything from a simple hairball to life-threatening illness. Causes fall into two general categories:
🧪 Gastrointestinal (GI) causes:
- Hairballs
- Dietary indiscretion (eating something inappropriate)
- Sudden food changes
- Parasites (roundworms, etc.)
- Food intolerance or allergies
- Inflammatory Bowel Disease (IBD)
- GI foreign bodies (toys, string)
- Constipation or obstruction
- Gastroenteritis
- GI cancer
🩺 Systemic causes:
- Kidney disease
- Liver disease
- Hyperthyroidism
- Diabetes
- Toxins (e.g., lilies, antifreeze)
- Infections (e.g., FIP, FeLV, FIV)
- Pain or stress
- Side effects of medications
🔍 When to Worry
Call your vet if vomiting is:
- Frequent (more than once a day)
- Continuing for more than 24–48 hours
- Accompanied by lethargy, diarrhea, or appetite loss
- Contains blood (fresh or digested, like coffee grounds)
- Associated with weight loss
- Paired with straining, bloating, or collapse
🧪 Diagnosis
Because vomiting is a symptom, diagnosing the cause can require multiple tests:
- Physical exam
- Bloodwork and urinalysis (to check for organ function or systemic disease)
- Fecal exam (to check for parasites)
- Abdominal X-rays or ultrasound (to check for obstructions or masses)
- Endoscopy or biopsy (for chronic cases)
- Food trial (for suspected allergies or IBD)
💊 Treatment
Treatment depends on the cause. Your vet may recommend:
For mild, short-term vomiting:
- Withholding food for 6–12 hours (not water)
- Transitioning to a bland diet (e.g., boiled chicken or vet-prescribed GI diet)
- Antiemetic medications (e.g., Cerenia, ondansetron)
- Deworming if parasites are found
For chronic or serious cases:
- Intravenous fluids
- Pain medication
- Anti-nausea or GI-protectant meds
- Surgery (if a foreign object is involved)
- Long-term diet changes or prescription food
- Ongoing management of underlying illness
🩺 Prognosis
Prognosis ranges from excellent (for dietary causes or hairballs) to guarded or poor (for vomiting caused by cancer, organ failure, or obstructions). Early evaluation and proper diagnosis are key.
Chronic vomiting, even if mild, should never be ignored. It’s not “normal” for cats to vomit regularly.
💡 Cat Owner Note
Yes, cats throw up sometimes, but it shouldn’t happen all the time. A hairball here and there is one thing, but if your cat is on a first-name basis with your carpet cleaner, it’s time to call your vet.
❓ Frequently Asked Questions About Vomiting in Cats
Is it normal for cats to vomit regularly?
No. Occasional vomiting may happen, but frequent or chronic vomiting is not normal and should be evaluated.
What should I do if my cat vomits once?
If your cat seems otherwise normal (alert, eating, and no other symptoms) you can monitor them and offer a bland diet. If it happens again, call your vet.
What do hairballs look like?
Hairballs are usually tubular and mostly fur, sometimes with food or bile. They’re not the same as liquid or foam vomiting.
Can dry food cause vomiting?
Yes, especially if eaten too fast or if it doesn’t agree with your cat. Switching to a high-quality wet or sensitive-stomach formula can help.
What if my cat vomits foam or bile?
Foam can signal an empty stomach or nausea. Yellow bile may indicate GI irritation. Either is a reason to monitor closely or seek vet care.
When is vomiting an emergency?
If it’s frequent, bloody, paired with lethargy, or your cat stops eating or drinking, it’s an emergency. Especially if there’s a risk of toxin ingestion or obstruction.