Seeing a cat vomit is never pleasant. It can be messy, loud, and, more importantly, worrying for the person who cares about that cat. For many owners, the first time they see their pet bring something up is alarming. Cats seem to be so independent and self-contained that it is easy to assume that anything out of the ordinary must be serious.
The truth is that vomiting is a relatively common event for domestic cats. It can happen for many reasons. Some of those reasons are harmless and occasional. Others may indicate that something in the cat’s life or health needs attention. The challenge for an owner is understanding when it is normal and when it is a sign of a bigger problem.
In this article, we will take a careful look at why cats vomit. We will explore the common and simple causes, the more serious reasons, what vomiting looks like, and what you can do when it happens.
Table of Contents
Vomiting or Hairballs: Knowing the Difference
Before looking at the causes, it is worth knowing that not all things that appear to be vomiting are the same. Cats often bring up hairballs, and these can easily be mistaken for vomit.
When a cat grooms itself, its tongue catches loose hair. That hair is swallowed and passes into the stomach. Most of the time, the hair moves through the digestive tract and comes out naturally. Sometimes, though, too much hair collects in the stomach, forming a small clump. The cat then coughs, retches, and finally brings up a tight, damp cylinder of fur. This is not a true vomit, because it is mostly hair with little food.
True vomiting involves liquid and partially digested food, and often happens with a few minutes of heaving or gagging. Both events can look similar, but it helps to watch what comes up. A hairball is usually solid and tubular, while vomit is more like a puddle of liquid, foam, or food.
Hairballs are a normal part of life for many cats, especially long-haired ones. Frequent hairballs, however, can sometimes be a sign of over-grooming, too much hair swallowed, or other issues.
Eating Too Fast
One of the simplest reasons for vomiting is eating too quickly. Many cats, especially those that are enthusiastic eaters, gulp down their food. When a cat eats fast, it also swallows a lot of air. The combination of air and food can cause the stomach to feel uncomfortable. The cat may then vomit soon after eating.
This type of vomiting usually happens soon after a meal and often looks like undigested food that comes up almost whole. The cat often returns to normal immediately after, as if nothing happened.
Diet Changes
Cats can have sensitive stomachs. A sudden change in food—whether in brand, texture, or type—can upset the digestive system. This may result in vomiting as the cat’s stomach adjusts.
When you switch your cat’s diet, most veterinarians recommend doing it slowly, mixing small amounts of the new food with the old and increasing the amount over a week. Sudden changes can be too much for the cat’s system to handle at once.
Hair and Grooming
As mentioned earlier, hairballs are a leading reason for occasional vomiting. Even when a hairball forms, it does not always come out as a neat cylinder. Sometimes, hair irritates the stomach and triggers vomiting of liquid and hair mixed together.
Cats that shed a lot or groom themselves constantly are more prone to this. Regular brushing can help by reducing the amount of hair the cat swallows.
Grass and Plants
Many cat owners have noticed their pet chewing on grass and then vomiting. This can seem strange, but it is common. The exact reason why cats eat grass is not fully understood. Some experts think that grass helps trigger vomiting, which may help the cat clear out hair or other things that are irritating the stomach. Others think the grass contains certain nutrients or fiber that the cat seeks out.
Whatever the reason, eating grass or some houseplants can lead to vomiting. This is one reason why it is important to make sure that any plants in your home are non-toxic to cats.
Food Sensitivities and Allergies
Like people, cats can develop sensitivities or allergies to certain ingredients in their food. For some cats, proteins like chicken, beef, or fish can be a problem. For others, it may be grains or additives.
When a cat has a food sensitivity, vomiting can be one of the symptoms, along with diarrhea, skin issues, or poor coat condition. This type of vomiting is usually recurring, happening after the cat eats certain foods.
Parasites
Internal parasites such as roundworms or hookworms can irritate a cat’s stomach and intestines. These parasites sometimes cause vomiting. In severe cases, worms themselves can appear in the vomit.
Regular deworming treatments, especially for outdoor cats or kittens, can help prevent this. A veterinarian can test for parasites if there is suspicion of an infestation.
Hair and Stress
Stress can also play a role. Cats are sensitive creatures, and sudden changes in their environment—a move to a new home, a new pet, or even a change in routine—can sometimes lead to digestive upsets. Stress-related vomiting may be occasional and accompanied by changes in appetite or behavior.
More Serious Causes
While many causes of vomiting are mild and can be managed, there are also serious medical conditions where vomiting is a key symptom. Some examples include:
- Infections: Viral or bacterial infections can upset the digestive system.
- Kidney disease: Chronic kidney problems can lead to nausea and vomiting as waste products build up in the blood.
- Liver disease: Liver conditions can also cause repeated vomiting.
- Pancreatitis: Inflammation of the pancreas is painful and often causes vomiting and loss of appetite.
- Foreign objects: A cat that swallows string, small toys, or other objects may vomit as the body tries to remove the obstruction.
- Poisoning: Eating toxic plants, chemicals, or spoiled food can lead to sudden vomiting.
- Cancer: Tumors in the digestive tract may cause chronic vomiting.
In these cases, vomiting is usually more frequent, and the cat often shows other signs of illness such as weight loss, lethargy, or refusal to eat.
When to See a Veterinarian
It can be difficult to know when vomiting is normal and when it needs professional attention. As a general guideline, a single, occasional episode is not usually a cause for concern. Cats, like people, can have an upset stomach from time to time.
However, you should contact a veterinarian if:
- The vomiting is frequent or continuous.
- There is blood in the vomit.
- The cat also has diarrhea, lethargy, or a change in behavior.
- The cat stops eating or drinking.
- The cat shows signs of pain or distress.
For kittens and older cats, even a few episodes can quickly lead to dehydration, so early veterinary advice is important.
How to Help at Home
For mild, occasional vomiting, there are a few simple steps you can take:
- Slow down mealtimes. If your cat eats too fast, try using a slow-feeding bowl or dividing meals into smaller portions.
- Brush your cat regularly. This reduces the amount of loose hair swallowed.
- Keep toxic plants out of reach. Replace them with safe alternatives or indoor cat grass.
- Avoid sudden diet changes. Introduce new food slowly.
- Provide a calm environment. Reducing stress can prevent some stomach upsets.
Vomiting vs. Regurgitation
Sometimes what looks like vomiting is actually regurgitation. Regurgitation happens when food comes back up from the esophagus without much effort. There is no retching or heaving. Vomiting, on the other hand, involves active abdominal movements.
Knowing the difference can help a veterinarian diagnose the cause, so it can be helpful to watch your cat carefully when it happens.
Vomiting in cats can be unsettling to witness, but it is important to remember that it is not always a sign of something serious. Many cats vomit occasionally because of hair, eating too fast, or a mild irritation. At the same time, vomiting can sometimes point to health problems that need prompt attention.
The key is to look at the frequency, the accompanying symptoms, and any changes in behavior. Occasional vomiting followed by a quick return to normal is usually not a big concern. Repeated or severe vomiting, especially if combined with other symptoms, is a reason to seek veterinary care.
Cats are excellent at hiding discomfort, so paying close attention to these signs can make a big difference.
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