Why Is My Cat Throwing Up And What Can I Do To Help
If you have a feline friend, youve probably seen your cat vomit at one time or another. Vomiting in cats is common, and in many cases, presents nothing to worry about. However, if your cat is throwing up often, a visit to the veterinarian might be in order.
In this post, youll learn what’s making your cat throw up, how to help them feel better, what red flags indicate reason for concern, and when you should seek medical attention.
Treating Acute Vomiting In Cats
The first step in properly treating your cat for vomiting is identifying the underlying cause. First, your veterinarian will do noninvasive diagnostics. This includes:
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A chemistry and CBC to screen for diseases such as kidney disease and diabetes.
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A fecal exam to rule out parasites.
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Abdominal radiographs to rule out larger tumors or foreign bodies that might be causing an obstruction.
If these tests are normal, and your cat is acutely vomiting, your veterinarian will likely recommend supportive treatments with anti-nausea medications.
Cats that vomit from hairballs can be placed on a special high-fiber diet along with a medication to help ease the passage of hairballs.
What Should I Do If My Cat Is Vomiting Brown Liquid
Some cat owners may describe their cat as ‘puke-y’ but it should be noted that frequent vomiting is never normal for a cat. Chronic vomiting or when it has been occurring for more than two or three weeks is definitely a sign of a problem. If your cat is vomiting brown liquid several times and/or in conjunction with other symptoms such as lack of appetite, weight loss, lethargy, or diarrhea you should make an appointment with your vet right away. Your vet will want to start with a physical exam, checking your cat’s vital signs, including temperature, and palpating your cat’s abdomen.
After a thorough examination, your vet may also want to run some tests, including blood work and x-rays. Blood work will check your cat’s organ function, making sure that there are no signs of liver disease or kidney disease, as well as your cat’s red blood cell and platelet levels. An X-ray study will check for any fluid in the abdomen that could potentially be blood and it may also show intestinal gas patterns that could be indicative of a blockage.
Depending on what your doctor finds, your cat may require hospitalization for fluid therapy and supportive care or they may just need outpatient treatments and oral medications to go home on. If your vet suspects your cat has an intestinal blockage your cat may require surgery to remove whatever the blockage is.
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Bleeding In The Digestive Tract
Sadly bleeding may be the reason cat vomit looks like poop. If your cat is vomiting brown liquid for some time, that can indicate that your cat is suffering from inflammation in the esophagus or the mouth, which could discharge blood. However, if your cat just started to vomit brown liquid, it can indicate bleeding problems in the gastrointestinal tract.
If you wonder what may cause the bleeding in the digestive tract, wonder no more since we are here to explain it all. For example, your cat has ingested vast amounts of a hairball that blocks the intestines. Blocking it, it creates trauma and inflammation. It could also be from the ingestion of a foreign body.
The solution would be a biopsy of the gastrointestinal tract in order to identify if it is food hypersensitivity or inflammatory bowel disease.
You can check here for the 10 best cat foods for shedding to avoid huge hairballs.
Cat Vomiting: Understanding What’s Normaland What’s Not
If you’ve spent enough time with cats, you’ve probably heard a cat’s down-in-the-throat, wet, “glurk” sound that signals that vomit is on the way. Maybe it’s a hairball. Maybe it’s undigested food. Maybe it’s clear or foamy liquid. Whichever one it is, cat vomit happens, and you’ve got the cleaning supplies to prove it. But if vomiting happens too often, it might be more than a cat’s upset stomach. It could be a sign of disease or illness.
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When Does A Cat Vomiting Need Veterinary Attention
Most cat owners have experienced the unpleasant sensation of cat sick between the toes on a nighttime bathroom trip, or as a nice addition to your favourite rug. Vomiting is the active expulsion of stomach contents, which in cats can be violent, and may have many causes. It needs to be differentiated from regurgitation: where food is brought up with minimal effort from the oesophagus before ever reaching the stomach.
You may see warnings signs such as drooling, swallowing, licking their lips more, or hiding away. Short-term vomiting consisting of one or two episodes, or lasting less than 24 hours, in an otherwise healthy cat is usually nothing to worry about.
What Precisely Causes Your Cat To Throw Up Brown Liquid
If your pet has not been involved in regular vomit episodes yet comes with brown liquid, it indicates some essential issue. One needs to track down for some internal bleeding through-out the gastro tract. Some ingestion of foreign material, like a hairball, a toxin that could possibly irritate the tract, obstructing the intestine or inflaming it for such an outcome.
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Signs Of Nausea In Cats
Just like you and I, our cats can experience an upset stomach from time to time.
Some cat owners will catch their feline friend in the act of vomiting, while others will simply stumble across an unknown pile of liquid in their home.
Aside from finding the vomit itself, there are other symptoms to be on the lookout for if you think your cat may be experiencing nausea.
Some of the most common symptoms of nausea and vomiting in cats include:
- Appearing anxious or on edge
If you notice any of the above symptoms in your feline friend, they may be experiencing some form of GI upset.
There are an array of medical conditions that can lead to nausea and vomiting in cats, so we always suggest having them seen by your veterinarian for further guidance.
Foreign Material Cat Vomit
If your cat is known to eat things they shouldnt, you may see evidence of this in their vomit.
Some cats will vomit up items ranging from hair ties to candy wrappers, all of which can lead nausea as they attempt to pass.
While some cats will get lucky and vomit up all the foreign material they consumed, this is not always the case.
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Diagnosis Of Vomiting With Bile In Cats
The first thing your veterinarian will do in order to diagnose the cause of bile vomiting is ask for your cats history concerning the condition. It is therefore important that you document the number of times, frequency and approximate start date of the vomiting. Additionally, you should collect a stool and urine sample if possible and supply your vet with the brand and specific recipe of any commercial cat food given.
After reviewing the history of your cat, your vet may then opt to perform several diagnostic tests to rule out serious, life threatening conditions. These tests may include liver and kidney assessment via a urinalysis, a full blood profile including white blood cell count analysis, and a thorough physical exam. Your vet may also perform imaging studies such as x-ray or ultrasound to examine motility of the contents of the stomach or any potential obstructions.
Why Does My Cat Keep Throwing Up All The Time
A cat shouldn’t puke every day or even frequently throughout the month. If your cat is constantly throwing up, the cause could be something as simple as hairballs, but it can also mean that your cat consumed something toxic or is suffering from a major illness. Be sure to visit your veterinarian as soon as possible if your cat keeps throwing up.
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Should I Call The Vet If My Cat Throws Up
You should call your veterinarian right away if:
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Your cat vomits more than two to three times in a row.
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Your cat has other symptoms, such as not eating and diarrhea. If your cat is also having diarrhea, it will be difficult to keep them hydrated without seeing your veterinarian.
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Your cat does not eat or drink for 12 hours and has vomited several times in a row.
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Your cat has already been diagnosed with an illnesses . This is an emergency, and your cat should be seen immediately, as this could mean that their disease is progressing. Early medical intervention is necessary in these patients, as they can become dehydrated very quickly.
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Your cat has vomited a worm. You need to deworm your cat and any other animals in the household as soon as possible. It is also important to keep the environment clean and scoop the litter boxes several times a day to ensure that your pets do not get reinfected.
What To Do If Your Cat Is Throwing Up Yellow Liquid
If your cat vomits yellow liquid one time and there are no other signs of illness, then it may not be a cause for concern. Watch your cat closely for a day or two to make sure he is eating, drinking, and behaving normally. If your cat stops eating, becomes lethargic, or continues to vomit, contact your veterinarian for advice. Your vet may recommend withholding food for 12-24 hours, feeding a bland diet, or coming in for an exam. If vomiting becomes frequent or your cat appears to be in distress, bring him to the nearest open veterinarian as soon as possible.
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Ms Midnights Happy Ending
As to Ms. Midnight? You did the right thing. After an exam, it was determined that she had lost almost half a pound since her last visit 6 months ago. She also had high blood pressure. The veterinarian did some bloodwork, and determined that she had an overactive thyroid. She was started on some medication for this, and almost immediately the vomiting completely resolved!
A potentially fatal disease if left untreated was caught early and treated appropriately thanks to a few splats on the rug. Our cats really do speak to us and tell us their problems, it might just not always be in ways that we actually appreciate!
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Have A Thorough Examination Of The Cat
Once referred to the vet, one shall be referred for additional diagnostic tools to evaluate the seriousness of the problem. This may entail a series of images, including X-rays, of the internal organs of the cat. This may have the kidney, liver, and pancreas checked, which may be involved with the vomiting episode. Some may also go for biopsy of the cats GIT or intestine to eliminate any doubts of bowel disease or gastrointestinal lymphoma.
Specimen of the fluid can be further evaluated, and an X-ray will magnify issues like fluid in the abdomen or blockade otherwise. A fecal test and complete blood count can be additionally made to be sure of the parasite or see the anatomy of the disease. This, in short, will give an insight into the underlying issue of the cat in concern.
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What Does Bad Cat Vomit Look Like
It is usually possible to tell what your cat produced by looking at its production. Your pal may have regurgitated if it is firm, tubular, and covered in mucus. There is a lot of liquid in cat vomit, and the food is more broken down than in dogs. If your cat vomited, it probably had a harder time expelling .
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What Is Vomiting With Bile
Bile is a yellow or green substance produced in a cats liver, which aids in digestion of food. Vomiting with bile in cats can be an alarming condition for both the feline and the worried owner. Vomiting with bile may be especially difficult for an owner to recognize, given that animals are likely to clean up after themselves, unless you manage to catch your cat in the act of vomiting. This can make it difficult to determine exactly how long the condition has been occurring. Its important to be aware of the signs and symptoms that can occur with bile vomiting in order to determine when veterinary intervention is necessary.
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Causes Of Your Cat Vomiting Up Brown Liquid
Bleeding in the Gastrointestinal Track: Brown vomit can be indicative of bleeding. If your cat has been vomiting chronically for some time, there may be inflammation in the mouth and/or esophagus that could be oozing blood. If your cat hasn’t been chronically vomiting, brown liquid vomit may be indicative of internal bleeding further down the gastrointestinal track. This could be the result of something like a foreign body ingestion or a large hairball impaction that is blocking the intestines and creating inflammation and trauma.
Brown Bile: Sometimes brown liquid vomit can be bile from your cat’s liver. Vomited bile is usually yellow in color, though, so if it is determined that the brown liquid your cat is vomiting is bile, that could be a sign of a problem with your cat’s internal organs.
Food: Of course, most cat food, whether dry kibble or canned, is some shade of brown in color. If you cat is a habitual ‘scarf and barf’ cat or if they have intestinal sensitivities, that may be causing them vomit up partially digested or undigested food. If your vet has ruled out other medical issues and thinks that what your cat is vomiting up is actually food, they may want you to try a commercial, sensitive systems food with your cat. If your cat is still struggling with vomiting food on this special diet, they may then want to put your cat on a strict, hydrolyzed protein diet.
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What To Feed A Cat With Diarrhea And Vomiting
It is best to speak with your veterinarian if your pet is vomiting and has diarrhea. Your veterinarian may suggest a brief period of fasting and bland food, like plain chicken and rice, or a prescription diet for cats with sensitive stomachs.
Additionally, your veterinarian may recommend therapies for underlying problems, as well as fluids to restore hydration and electrolytes, nausea drugs, and medications to help firm up the stool .
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How To Know If Your Cat Is Throwing Up
Your cat can get nauseous before they throw up. They can be restless, salivating, or repeatedly swallowing. Vomiting starts with intense contractions in your cats abdominal muscles. They then expel whats in their stomach or throat.
Coughing in cats can look similar to throwing up. When a cat coughs, theyll crouch down on all four legs and stretch their neck out. They then cough up froth or foam, which they might swallow again immediately.
Theres also a difference between regurgitation and vomiting. Regurgitation takes your cat less effort and usually doesnt involve abdominal contractions. Regurgitation often happens right after eating or drinking and may be a sign of a problem in the cats esophagus.
Showing your vet a video of your cat vomiting can help them differentiate between vomiting, coughing, and regurgitating.
When Should You See The Vet
If your feline companion is suddenly experiencing an upset stomach, you may wonder when it is time to have them seen by your veterinarian.
Some cats may only vomit once without the onset of any other GI symptoms, while others will become more ill as time passes.
To help you better determine when you should seek veterinary guidance, lets list a few basic health care rules.
If your cat only vomits once and is acting fine otherwise, it is okay to wait on the vet visit and monitor them closely at home.
If their GI upset resolves within 12 hours and they do not have another vomiting spell, then its possible that they simply had a mild case of an upset stomach.
However, if they vomit more than once or have developed any other concerning symptoms outside of their vomiting, they should always be seen by a vet.
Another factor to consider is whether or not they have any underlying medical conditions.
If your cat has been diagnosed with a chronic illness, or if they are prone to episodes of GI upset, we always suggest seeking veterinary care at the first sign of vomiting.
At the end of the day, it is never a bad idea to reach out to your vet for guidance when your cat begins to vomit.
They know your furry friends medical history, so they can help you determine the best plan of action for your cat.
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Possible Reasons Why Your Cat Is Vomiting Brown Liquid
There are several reasons why cats throw up or vomit. If it happens once, then theres no need to be worried. However, if your cat vomits brown liquid, then it should be handled immediately.
It can be a serious problem when cats vomit blood. Make sure you know all the reasons your cat is vomiting blood.
Brown liquid in cats can be caused by several reasons, such as internal bleeding, intestinal blockage, fecal matter in the digestive tract, ulcers, constipation, or even cancer. Here they are, the possible reasons why your cat is vomiting brown liquid. Lets take a look at one by one.
1.Diet
The first reason why your cat is vomiting brown liquid is its food. If food is the reason, then you should notice fairly soon right after your cat eats. If your cat keeps eating the same food for a while and doesnt have any issues, then it is not likely the case.
Cats also frequently throw up some undigested food. There are some reasons why they vomit brown liquid as undigested food, such as excess food intake, eating too quickly, allergy, unfamiliar food, cold food and excessive movement after eating. Read more about it in causes of cats vomiting the undigested food.
Cats tend to eat their food quickly, so it may upset their stomach. It can also be caused by the food is not agreeing with them. However, food is not a frequent cause of cat vomiting brown liquid.
2. Health Issues
3.Eat Harmful Items
4. Hairballs
5. Fecal Matter
6. Possible Causes