All My Cats Are Throwing Up

Lack Of Appetite In Cats With Vomiting

Lack of appetite in cats can come about from constipation, inflammation, feline coronavirus, hairballs, obstructions, inflammatory bowel disease , ulcers, and more. Your cat could have also ingested something poisonous, or be suffering from malabsorption due to a lack of enzymes from the pancreas.

With malabsorption your cat will have fluid accumulation in the stomach and other tissues. Your veterinarian will do a full examination to check for dehydration, vomiting, diarrhea, weight loss, cancer screenings, anemia. If there are thickened bowel loops or enlarged abdominal lymph nodes, your veterinarian may also recommend lab tests to help check for metabolic diseases like hyperthyroidism.

A diet change will be implemented which will limit protein sources and levels of fats and carbs. Cats with inflammatory bowel disease will have more issues with their diets. Hence, the importance of taking your cat to the veterinarian for digestive and stomach issues. Single protein sources tend to work well when dietary sensitivity is an issue.

Chronic diseases that may affect your cats appetite may include the following:

• Colitis
• Pancreatitis
• Cancer

Commonly diagnosed disorders in cats that vomit and have a lack of appetite may be debilitating for your cat. All of these require testing and a diagnosis so that your cat can be treated. Additionally, its important to make sure that your cat does not become dehydrated.

Feline Lower Urinary Tract Diseases Can Cause Cat Throwing Up

Some estimates say as many as three percents of cats found by vets have feline lower urinary tract infection , which is, in fact, a group of psychiatric ailments with numerous causes. related to cat throwing up

Male and female cats may get FLUTD, and it frequently occurs in cats who are overweight or unfit or who eat dry food. Anxiety, a multi-cat family, and abrupt changes can raise a cats threat of FLUTD, and therapy is dependent upon the sort of FLUTD your kitty has.

• Straining to urinate
• Lack of appetite
• Vomiting

It is consistently a crisis in case your cat can not urinate. Call your veterinarian immediately if you suspect that your cat has a urinary tract issue.

A List Of Some Of The Causes Of Vomiting In Cats

Kitties of all ages and breeds may exhibit vomiting as a symptom, but whether or not it is a cause for concern will depend on how often the vomiting occurs and if there is an underlying medical condition thats to blame.

• Throwing up hairballs is common, and usually nothing to be too worried about. Some cats will get rid of hairballs more often than others, and this is typically considered normal. If you arent sure if your cat is vomiting hairballs more often than what would be considered normal, consult with a vet.
• Another reason why a cat might vomit is because she ate something that she wasnt supposed to. For example, spoiled food, plants, poisonous materials, and household objects, such as string, might cause a kitty to vomit. Also, if a foreign object is causing an obstruction, vomiting might take place.
• Various medical conditions might also cause vomiting. For example, if your kitty has a gastrointestinal problem, such as inflammatory bowel disease , vomiting might occur. Also, if there are internal parasites, or if theres an underlying disease like hyperthyroidism, diabetes, or kidney disease, vomiting might be a symptom of the problem. And gastrointestinal growths, whether benign or malignant, might lead to vomiting as well.

Related: Fun Facts About Cat Hairballs

Don’t Miss: How Do You Make A Wild Animal In Little Alchemy

Types Of Cat Vomit Explained

The appearance of vomit can be grouped in a few categories that could help to explain why your cat is throwing up and if it should be a serious concern.

A cat vomit color chart and reference guide for why your cat is throwing up is a helpful tool to advise on the appropriate action to take for your cat.

When To Worry About Your Cat’s Dry Heaving

If you notice your cat dry heaving and possibly vomiting periodically, avoid giving them any food for about 12 hours. Give your cat a few tablespoons of water every half-hour or so and give them ice cubes to lick while fasting.

After 12 hours is up, give your cat some bland food. If their dry heaving or vomiting doesn’t begin again you can slowly return them to their normal diet.

If your cat is having repeated bouts of vomiting or dry heaving, contact your vet immediately. Continuous or severe dry heaving could be a sign that your cat is seriously ill and requires immediate treatment. Contact your vet if your cat displays any of the symptoms below:

• Repeated vomiting / dry heaving

Also Check: What Does Cat Years Go By

Kidney Failure In Older Cats

A senior cat throwing up can be a symptom of kidney failure. After working 24/7 for 12-plus years, the kidneys begin to wear out. For most cats who live 15 years or more, kidney failure writes the last chapter in the cats medical history.

The kidneys job is not to make urine it is to get rid of waste products that are in the blood. When the waste products exceed the high end of the accepted normal range, we say the cat is in kidney failure.

To measure kidney function, we often look at two waste products in the blood: creatinine and the blood urea nitrogen. When they become elevated, the cat has lost about 75 percent of kidney function. That is the bad news. The good news is that cats are not small dogs. When dogs lose 75 percent of kidney function, we use the term kidney failure. These poor creatures are in real trouble and usually do not live more than a few months. However, cats are tougher than dogs. They can live quite well when the kidney values are mildly elevated.

The key is to find out about kidney insufficiency early on, so measures can be taken to prolong kidney function. Kidney insufficiency is a stage of life in which normal kidney function has passed, but in which kidney failure does not exist. The cats annual physical examination should include blood tests for kidney function .

If It Is Normal Then How Serious Can Vomiting Be

It depends on the cause of vomiting. Most cases of acute vomiting, when vomiting has been present for less than two to three days, resolve quickly with simple treatment, without the underlying cause being diagnosed. Severe or chronic vomiting is more serious. It can lead to secondary problems, particularly dehydration and disturbances in the levels of electrolytes such as sodium.

Vomiting can be caused by minor intestinal upset, such as from eating plants, spoiled food, or foul-tasting things such as certain insects. However, vomiting can also be a sign of a more serious illness, such as bacterial or viral infection, intestinal obstruction from foreign bodies , urinary tract obstruction, liver disease, thyroid disease, inflammatory bowel disease, or cancer. Left untreated, these illnesses can lead to serious complications, including death.

You May Like: Gargamels Cats Name

Cat Throwing Up Undigested Food

There is a difference between vomiting and regurgitation. Regurgitation is when cats throw up undigested food, often with little or no effort.

This undigested food may be covered in mucus and shaped like a tube. Regurgitation is often brought on by coughing, difficulty breathing, oesophageal problems or foreign bodies.

If your cat is vomiting foam, its likely to be bile. This is usually yellow or greenish in colour. Blie is an acidic liquid created in the liver and stored in the gallbladder until food has been ingested, when its released into the intestine. Bile helps cats break down food. It can, however, leak into the stomach and cause vomiting. If your cat vomits bile persistently or their sickness is accompanied by other health issues such as diarrhoea, loss of appetite or lethargy, seek urgent advice from your vet.

Eating Too Much Too Quickly

If your cat eats too much, too quickly vomiting will likely result soon after they eat. A number of fun cat bowls are available to help slow your cat’s eating, if your cat eats too quickly. That said, throwing up right after eating can be an indication of a more serious problem such as hairballs, dehydration, esophageal issues, or a digestive tract obstruction. If your cat frequently vomits right after eating, a trip to the vet is required.

Recommended Reading: Hp Lovecrafts Cat

When Should I Be Concerned About My Cat Vomiting

If your cat is vomiting, the first step is to monitor their current behavior. How often are they vomiting? How are they behaving at other times?

Something as simple as a hairball can lead to cat vomiting, and on its own isnt a concern, but more frequent vomiting might be a sign of a more serious medical problem.

If your cat vomits more than once per day, or for several days in a row, book an appointment with your regular veterinarian to put your mind at ease. Chronic vomiting is a serious sign of illness. If vomiting is new, or its happening more than before, then you should get your pet checked out.

Look at your cats vomit for clues about their health. If the vomit is clear, then it might just be water. If it includes yellow bile, red blood, mucus or undigested food, then this is important information to share with your vet.

Get your cat checked by a vet if their vomiting is accompanied by unusual behavior, if its happening more than twice a week or if your cat is showing other signs of poor health like weight loss, excessive thirst or being more tired than usual.

A Cat Throwing Up Because Of His Fleas

Fleas are a persistent external feline health issue. Nonetheless, its one it is easy to treat.

Another, Fleas can endure for at least a year, along with your cat dangers anemia, if the issue gets severe, so make sure you take care of your cats flea problem and avoid future infestations.

• Flea dirt on its skin
• Constant scratching
• Hair loss
• Skin infections or hot spots

Speak with your vet about that which flea control could be ideal for your furry friend. Treatments include oral drugs, powders, foams, and topical medicine.

Read more about preventing and treating fleas in cats.

You May Like: 7 Years In Cat Years

Cat Vomiting Food: When To Worry

If your cat vomits often, consult with a veterinarian at your earliest convenience. Vomiting is never normal, but there are some specific symptoms associated with vomiting that indicate a potential emergency that requires veterinary intervention as soon as possible:

• Acute vomiting .
• An uptick in chronic vomiting .
• Diarrhea
• Yellowed skin or whites of eyes
• Fresh red blood in vomit or material that looks like coffee grounds
• Vomiting in conjunction with medication administration
• Worms in your cats stool in addition to vomiting
• Your cat has already been diagnosed with a disease like diabetes or kidney disease.
• You see evidence that your cat consumed something dangerous, such as chewed up hair ties, ribbon, tinsel, poisonous plants or other poisonous substances.
• Your cat is very young or very old.

Is My Cats Vomiting An Emergency

The most important question we need to answer is: Should I stop reading this article and take my cat to the ER? If your cat is experiencing any of the following, go to the emergency room:

• Cant keep down any food or water. Vomiting many times per day.

• Vomiting blood

• Vomiting what looks like coffee grounds

The greatest health risks, all of which are rare, that are associated with vomiting are bleeding, obstruction of the digestive system, and severe dehydration. Thats what this list is trying to address.

Recommended Reading: How Much Should A 4 Month Old Cat Eat

When To Make A Vet Appointment

If you notice any of the aforementioned symptoms, there are a few things you should consider.

How old is your cat? How is your cats overall health? Is there any chance they may have ingested something poisonous? How long has your cat been vomiting ?

We firmly believe that it is better to be safe than sorry when it comes to your beloved four-legged companion. Again, no vomiting should be considered normal.

If you have any reason to believe that your cats vomiting is a sign of something more severe, make an appointment with your veterinarian.

Food Allergies / Intollerance

Just like humans, cats can have food allergies or sensitivities. There might be an ingredient in their food that they are sensitive to, and that is causing them to throw up. This is something youll need to talk to your vet about so they can test for common allergens. Other symptoms of food allergies include:

• Gas/flatulence
• Red inflamed skin or ears
• Theyre itching a lot, sometimes causing hair loss or bleeding

Recommended Reading: 4 Month Old Kitten In Human Years

Cat Vomiting Vs Regurgitation

If your cat is bringing up food, it may not be vomiting, which is why it is important to know the difference between vomiting and regurgitation.

Vomiting can happen at any time and is an active, strenuous activity often preceded by retching. Cats feel nauseous, may drool or vocalize and often wont want to eat.

Regurgitation is due to problems with the esophagus, the tube that connects the mouth to the stomach. Regurgitation is a passive process, the cat burps and undigested food comes out. Regurgitation usually happens soon after eating, and the cat may regurgitate and then try to eat again. There is no nausea.

Bacterial Infection Of The Gastrointestinal Tract

Another potential reason for acute vomiting is a bacterial infection in the gastrointestinal tract. Like people, cats have normal, healthy bacteria that live in their gut and help with digestion and nutrient absorption.

However, if theres an overgrowth of bad bacteria due to an infection, the normal intestinal functions are greatly affected, leading to diarrhea and vomiting.

While many bacterial gastrointestinal tract infections clear up in about a weeks time, we recommend seeking veterinary treatment for the underlying cause of the infection, as it may likely resurface if not handled appropriately.

Also, it is important to monitor your cats weight and hydration as the infection clears.

You May Like: How Old Is 9 In Cat Years

Do You Need A Prescription Food Or Veterinary Diet

Not necessarily.

Veterinary diets do exist for sensitive stomach and dietary intolerances, but they arent necessarily the best solution. Many of these products use hydrolyzed protein to minimize the risk of triggering food allergies but they may also contain higher concentrations of carbohydrates than is optimal.

Rather than spending a small fortune on a veterinary formula from Purina One, Hills Science Diet, or Royal Canin, look for a premium cat food made with a single source of high-quality animal protein that is low in carbohydrates and highly digestible.

You may also want to consider fresh or wet food versus dry food.

Though many pet parents prefer dry food for its convenience and affordability, wet food may be a better option to help stop vomiting. Wet food is generally higher in protein, lower in carbohydrates, and richer in moisture than dry food which makes it both more palatable and more digestible for many cats.

Vomiting Versus Other Forms Of Regurgitation

Something coming out of your cats mouth isnt necessarily vomiting. Vomiting is a specific form of regurgitation and knowing how to differentiate between throwing up and other forms of regurgitation can help you more accurately identify your cat’s issue. The key identifier of vomiting is that its forceful. When your cat is throwing up, youll notice strong stomach contractions and your cat will probably arch her back. Other forms of regurgitation are more passive and dont involve contractions. Some signs that your cat may be vomiting or is going to vomit include drool, licking her lips and nose and dramatic or excessive swallowing.

Read Also: Lovecraft’s Cat Name

Cat Throwing Up Brown Liquid

Cat throwing up brown liquid is usually digested blood due to some trauma or irritation to the intestinal tract.

Examples of causes of digested blood include:

• Ulcers
• Foreign bodies
• Hairballs in the intestines

A cat that vomits several times in a row will likely irritate and possibly ulcerate the esophagus. Stomach acid can also irritate a cats stomach lining.

Toxic products like rat poison can cause a clotting abnormality causing vomiting of digested blood.

What You Can Do At Home To Help Your Cats Vomiting

The best advice is to always call your veterinarian or animal ER to confirm if it is okay to wait or if the cat should be seen immediately. If your otherwise healthy cat vomits once or twice in a 24-hour period but seems fine , your veterinarian may recommend withholding food and observing your cat for a day.

Cats with pre-existing conditions, who are vomiting and not eating, who have diarrhea, decreased energy, who are hiding, or who may have eaten something harmful should be seen by their veterinarian immediately .

If your cat has thrown up more than two times in 24 hours, your veterinarian may want to see your cat as soon as possible, since prolonged vomiting can lead to dehydration and electrolyte and acid/base imbalances, which can make the prognosis worse.

You May Like: One Human Year Is How Many Cat Years

What Do I Do If My Cat Is Sick

If your cat is sick once or twice but appears otherwise well, remove their food for a few hours, then feed small amounts of a highly digestible food such as chicken, or a prescription diet from your vet. Allow them constant access to a small amount of water. After 24 hours go back to your usual routine.