My Cat Won't Vomiting: What to Do & When to Worry

Cat Vomiting

Like people, cats can suffer from an upset tummy for various reasons. There are many possible causes, including viruses and parasites, a reaction to eating something bad, or more serious conditions such as cancer or organ problems.

If your cat vomits more often than once a month or keeps vomiting repeatedly, it's time to contact your vet. Depending on the nature of your cat's stomach upset and their symptoms, your vet may advise you to book a wellness checkup or bring your cat in for emergency care so the underlying cause of your cat's vomiting can be diagnosed.

Reasons Your Cat May Be Vomiting

Hairballs

Hairballs are undigested wads of fur that clump in your cat's stomach. Hairballs are especially common in long-haired cats and cats that groom excessively. Hacking noises and spasms commonly accompany vomiting when your cat tries to rid itself of hairballs. Cats easily bring up most hairballs, but it's time to see a vet if your cat struggles to expel a hairball. Trapped hairballs may lead to intestinal blockages that can be fatal.

Eating Too Much, Too Quickly

If your cat overeats, it will likely vomit soon after eating. Putting your cat's food into an interactive cat bowl can help slow your cat's eating if it eats too quickly. However, frequent vomiting after eating could indicate a more serious issue, such as hairballs, dehydration, esophageal problems, or digestive tract obstruction. If your cat vomits frequently after eating, it's important to take it to the vet.

Other Serious Conditions That May Cause Vomiting in Cats

When to Worry About Your Cat's Vomiting

If your cat is vomiting periodically or infrequently, avoid giving it food for approximately 12 hours. Give your cat a couple of tablespoons of water or ice cubes every 30 minutes during this brief fasting time. After 12 hours, give your cat small amounts of bland food and gradually return to normal feeding if vomiting has stopped.

If your cat has repeated bouts of vomiting, seek emergency veterinary care right away. Continuous or severe vomiting could be a sign that your cat is seriously ill and requires urgent treatment. Contact your vet if your cat displays any of the symptoms below: 

Diagnosing the Cause of Your Cat's Vomiting

When taking your cat to the vet due to vomiting, it's a good idea to take a sample of your cat's vomit with you. Your vet can examine the sample under a microscope to help diagnose the cause of your cat's upset stomach. Here are some common potential causes of vomiting in cats:

• Large amounts of mucus in your cat's stomach could indicate an inflamed intestine.
• Undigested food can indicate poisoning, anxiety, or simply a sign that your cat has eaten too much or too quickly.
• If bile is present in your cat's vomit, it may indicate pancreatitis or inflammatory bowel disease.
• Red blood is a sign that your cat's stomach may be ulcerated.
• An intestinal obstruction may cause your cat's vomit to smell strongly.

Treatment for Vomiting in Cats

Treatment of vomiting in cats focuses on treating the underlying problem. Depending on what has caused your cat's symptoms, treatment can be as simple as temporarily withholding food or, if your cat is diagnosed with a treatable form of cancer or other disease, 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.

Has your cat been vomiting consistently? If so, contact our animal hospital in Fountain Valley today. We can diagnose and treat the cause of your cat's stomach upset.