Why Is My Cat Throwing Up? 3 Possible Causes and What You Can Do About It

We all love our cats, but when they start to throw up, it can be concerning. There are a few possible causes, and most of the time, they’re manageable. In this post, we’ll cover why your cat might be throwing up, what to do about it, and how to prevent it from happening again.

We’ll also discuss the three most common causes of cat vomiting and how to diagnose and treat them. With the information in this post, you’ll be able to get your cat back to feeling better in no time.

Understanding Vomiting In Cats

Vomiting can be an innocent and natural occurrence in cats, but it can also be a symptom of serious underlying diseases. To better understand why cats vomit, it’s important to first have a basic understanding of the anatomy of their digestive system.

The feline digestive system consists of the mouth, esophagus, stomach, intestines, and anus. The process begins when food is taken into the mouth and swallowed. It passes down the esophagus where it enters the stomach and is broken down by stomach acid and enzymes. From here, it enters the small intestine, where most of the nutrient absorption occurs, and then continues to move through the large intestine, where it is further broken down into waste products.

But why do cats throw up? Is it normal for them? Generally speaking, vomiting is not considered normal for cats, however, there are some situations where it can happen more frequently. Common causes include dietary causes like eating too fast or eating spoiled food, eating hairballs, ingestion of toxic substances or certain parasites, stress, and medical conditions such as pancreatitis, kidney disease or liver diseases. In some cases, vomiting may also be caused by medication side effects.

Possible Causes of Cat Vomiting

Diet-related Causes

Eating too fast is a common cause of vomiting in cats because they are not giving their bodies enough time to digest food properly before they move on to the next bite. Eating spoiled food can also cause vomiting due to bacteria or other toxins that may be present in the food. Additionally, cats may sometimes eat indigestible objects like strings or small toys that can cause irritation and inflammation in their intestines leading to vomiting.

Eating Hairballs

Cats groom themselves often, which leads to them swallowing hair which can form hairballs in their stomachs that then need to be regurgitated in order to be eliminated from their system. This is completely normal behavior for cats and should not be a cause for concern unless it happens frequently, or the cat cannot seem to pass the hairball on their own.

Ingestion of Toxic Substances

As with all animals, cats can sometimes get into things that they shouldn’t eat, such as antifreeze or other household cleaners that may contain toxic ingredients. Ingesting these substances can result in severe vomiting.

Parasites

Certain intestinal parasites like roundworms or protozoa can cause vomiting if left untreated for an extended period of time. It’s important to have your cat tested for parasites if you think they may have ingested one so you can get the proper treatment before the problem gets worse.

Stress

Stress is another possible cause of vomiting in cats and is usually related to changes in routine such as a new pet or person entering the home, loud noises or sudden movements around them that frighten them, moving homes, or basically any sort of change in their lives.

Medical Conditions

A number of medical conditions, such as pancreatitis, kidney disease, or liver diseases, may also cause cats to vomit due to inflammation and irritation in their digestive tract from these illnesses. If your cat has been diagnosed with any of these conditions, you should work closely with your veterinarian to help manage your cat’s condition.

Medication Side Effects

Some medications used to treat other conditions in cats can have side effects that include vomiting as well, so it’s important to always speak with your vet about potential side effects before giving your cat any new medication.

What Can You Do For Your Cat?

Once you’ve identified the possible cause of your cat’s vomiting there are steps you can take to help reduce and treat it. You may want to adjust your cat’s diet if they are eating too fast or give them small frequent meals throughout the day instead. A timed feeder also helps with this issue. Additionally, try switching up their food as well as providing them with more fiber sources like pumpkin puree, which helps pass through hairballs more easily. If you suspect food poisoning, seek medication attention and get rid of contaminated food immediately.

If you think there could be a parasite causing your cat’s vomiting, then schedule an appointment with your vet for them to be examined and take a stool sample for testing so you can get the proper treatment plan. Additionally, if you suspect any underlying medical conditions, then make sure you make an appointment right away so your vet can investigate further and determine what type of treatment will work best for your cat’s condition.

Adding supplements containing cat probiotics can help improve your cat’s digestion. In addition, ask your veterinarian about vitamins like vitamin B12 which has been found effective at helping reduce nausea linked with pancreatic disorders as well as other medical conditions that could potentially be causing your cat’s vomiting episodes

Try reducing stressors around your cat by providing them with a quiet place away from loud noises and introducing new people/pets slowly, so they have time to get used to them before fully interacting with them all at once. Reducing stressors, in general, usually leads to fewer vomiting episodes.

Final Thoughts!

Cats may vomit from time to time, but understanding the various causes can help you take the proper steps to help reduce or eliminate vomiting in your cat. If your cat has a significant change in vomiting episodes, it is important to take your cat to the vet to get a proper diagnosis and treatment plan. Eating too fast, eating spoiled food, eating hairballs, ingestion of toxic substances, stress, and medical conditions are all possible causes of cat vomiting that may need to be addressed. With the guidance of your veterinarian, you can make dietary changes, add supplements, reduce stressors, and receive the proper medication to get your cat back to feeling its best.