My Cat Won’t Stop Vomiting

Upper Respiratory Tract Infections

Almost all cats will catch a respiratory virus at some time in their life. The Journal of Feline Medicine and Surgery surveyed 740 cats, finding respiratory viruses in 82% of them.

The symptoms of upper respiratory tract infections are more commonly linked to the common cold. Cats with a respiratory infection will cough and sneeze a lot, usually releasing discharge. The cat will also likely endure streaming eyes.

Some cats struggle with vomiting and diarrhea while battling a respiratory infection. This can be problematic as the cat will also lose appetite. In addition to feeling lethargic and unwell, the cats scent receptors will be blocked. The smell is a huge part of a foods appeal to cats.

Most of the common respiratory infections in cats can be treated with rest. Eventually, the virus will run its course. Antibiotics will aid with this and are advisable in the case of senior cats. Older cats have weaker immunity and are hit harder by respiratory infections.

Cats need to eat when feeling under the weather. The nutrients found in their food will boost recovery. Open your cats sinuses with steam. Closing the door in the bathroom and running a hot tap will do the trick. Once the cat breathes easier, it will regain its appetite.

Symptoms Of Vomiting With Bile In Cats

Vomiting with bile typically occurs in the morning or early evening, when a cats stomach is empty, although it can also happen at any time. Here are the main symptoms to watch for:

• Long term occasional vomiting
• Vomiting that occurs with bile which may be yellow or green and/or foamy. There is normally not a large amount of liquid
• Excessive Drooling

Types

Vomiting can take many forms, and its important to distinguish the various types to know when a serious condition exists that warrants a trip to your local vet.

• True Vomiting. Vomiting is accompanied with nausea and a cat may drool and refuse food. Some will lick their lips and may be depressed for a few hours. The abdomen forcefully contracts before and during a vomit. Your cat may gag and retch.
• Regurgitation: Regurgitation is when undigested food is brought back up from the stomach. There are no abdominal contractions and a cat is not nauseous. There are several potential causes including eating too quickly. Bile should not be seen.
• Hairball: Hairballs are regurgitated or cleared from your cats stomach in a manner that may seem similar to vomiting. They cat may heave for several moments attempting to clear the hairball and may also bring up a small amount of stomach fluid or regurgitated food with the hairball due to the aggressive coughing.

Why Is My Cat Throwing Up

Your veterinarian will ask a variety of questions to determine why your cat is vomiting. These include:

• Have you switched your cats diet recently?

• Have you started any prescribed or over-the-counter medications?

• What diet, including all treats, is your cat on?

• Do you have other cats in the house, and if so, are they also vomiting?

• Is your cat indoor and/or outdoor?

• How often is your cat vomiting, and what does the vomit look like?

• Is your cat still eating?

• Is your cat having other symptoms, such as diarrhea and/or weight loss?

• How long has your cat been vomiting?

There are several possible causes of cat vomiting, and these questions will help guide your veterinarian in the right direction. Possible reasons why cats throw up can be broken into two categoriesgastrointestinal causes and non-gastrointestinal causes.

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Cat Vomiting: 7 Causes And How To Help

• Cats may vomit occasionally from hairballs or mild stomach upset. This is usually benign.
• However, in other instances, vomiting may signal a serious medical problem.
• Cat vomiting may happen due to systemic illness, an obstruction, food allergies, parasites, and more.
• Treatment for vomiting will depend on the cause.

Most cat owners are all too familiar with the characteristic hacking sound of cat vomiting. But just because weve all heard it, doesnt mean it should be a regular occurrence.

Vomiting in cats can often be an early sign of illness, so be careful not to overlook this important change in your cats health.

Short Answer: If Its Red Or Black Thats Bad Otherwise It Can Be A Lot Of Different Stuff

• Red vomit: Unless you know for a fact that your cat has ingested a non-toxic substance that has red coloring in it, red vomit usually means blood. Call your vet immediately.

• Black vomit: Black vomit can be blood from the stomach. It is especially likely to be blood if the consistency of the vomit is like coffee grounds. Call your vet immediately.

• Yellow or Greenish Vomit: If the consistency is watery,this is usually bile the substance your cat uses to break down food. Bile is supposed to remain in the small intestine, but it can be forced into their stomach while vomiting. It may also have been there before they vomited, which is a sign of an underlying illness. If the consistency is more like a smoothie, in addition to bile, it could just be partially digested food.

• Pink vomit: This could be blood in trace amounts which you should definitely talk to your vet about. It could also be salmon-colored food if it has a smoothie-like consistency.

• Green vomit: In addition to bile or partially digested food, this may be digested plant matter.

• Clear or Foamy vomit: This is usually stomach acid that occurs on an empty stomach. It could also be recently ingested water.

Of course, its also all supposed to stay in there.

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Recovery Of Vomiting With Bile In Cats

The prognosis will depend on the underlying condition.

Stomach conditions can take time to fully heal and your cats entire digestive system will often times need to reset and regrow important balances of good bacteria. In the case of prescription medicine, it will be important to complete the entire regimen in order to fully resolve the condition.

For food-based treatment, following the recommended course of meals and sticking with a consistent diet should help relieve signs quickly. Alteration of the course of feeding, if followed, will provide lasting results. Most cats with this condition will respond well with maintained treatment, whether dietary or prescription based.

Courses of ant acids may be given for several weeks and it is important not to miss a dose.

When You Should Worry About Your Cat’s Vomiting

If your cat is continuously vomiting or throwing up at infrequent intervals avoid feeding them any cat food for roughly 12 hours. Give your kitty a couple of tablespoons of water every 30 minutes or give them ice cubes during this time of fasting. After 12 hours start giving them small amounts of bland food and gradually return to normal feeding if they have stopped vomiting.

If your cat is having repeated bouts of vomiting immediately call your veterinarian. Continuous or severe vomiting can indicate a serious illness that requires immediate veterinary treatment. Contact your vet if your cat exhibits any of the following symptoms:

• Repeated vomiting

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What Should I Do If My Pet Is Experiencing Vomiting Or Diarrhea

Ideally, treatment is aimed at the underlying problem and can be as simple as temporarily withholding food or as complex as surgery or chemotherapy.

If the Vomiting and Diarrhea Are Infrequent

Avoid giving your pet food for 12 hours. You can give them up to 3 tablespoons of water every 30 minutes or provide them with ice cubes.

After 12 hours, reintroduce the water bowl. Start feeding with a few teaspoons of bland food. If they can keep it down, feed them a little every hour or two.

If all goes well and your pet is no longer experiencing these conditions then you may begin to feed them as normal the following day.

If Your Dog or Cat Has Severe Vomiting or Diarrhea

Remove any food that your dog or cat can get into. Inspect your pet for signs of dehydration or shock, including pale skin, gums, and abnormal disposition.

Preventing Your Cat From Throwing Up

Cats are curious creatures, and they can accidentally get into things that make them sick. Itâs best to keep toxic plants, human medications, yarn or string, chocolate, or other small objects out of your catâs reach. They may eat or swallow these items and cause digestive complications.

If your cat vomits frequently, youâll want your vet to diagnose the underlying causes. Itâs best to not hesitate to take your cat to the vet if you suspect they are sick.

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What To Look For In Cat Food For Vomiting

Unless you already know what ingredients your cat is reacting to, you may need to do an elimination diet. This involves feeding your cat a limited ingredient diet made with a novel source of protein for 8 to 12 weeks until all signs of sensitivity resolve.

This is generally the best course of action to take if you suspect a food allergy to a specific ingredient. If you suspect the issue is more related to the quality of the food, an elimination diet may not be needed. Your vet will give you specific instructions on how to perform the elimination diet.

Here are some things to look for in a good cat food for vomiting:

• Made with wholesome, natural ingredients
• Real source of animal-based protein
• Moderate healthy fat content
• Low carb content, easily digestible carbs
• Free from by-products and low-quality fillers
• No artificial additives like colors, flavors, or preservatives

Generally speaking, the shorter the ingredients list, the better. If a commercial cat food has a long list of ingredients, theres more for your cat to react to.

For foods with long lists of synthetic supplements at the end, you might want to question the quality of the main ingredients. Low-quality cat foods often have long lists of supplements because the nutritional integrity of the main ingredients becomes compromised during processing . Natural sources of nutrients are always preferable.

When Is Vomiting In Pets Cause For Concern

Vomiting may be cause for some concern and constitute a serious veterinary emergency if you see any of these signs:

• Continuous vomiting
• Vomiting with nothing coming up
• Vomiting in conjunction with other symptoms such as lethargy, weight loss, fever, anemia, etc.
• Bloody diarrhea
• Suspected ingestion of a foreign body

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Vomiting & Diarrhea In Pets That Require Emergency Veterinary Care

There may be situations that require immediate veterinary attention. These conditions may also potentially be signs of much more serious and potentially fatal diseases and conditions.One of the most dangerous is a bowel obstruction which is usually fatal is left untreated and will require your cat or dog to be seen by a veterinarian for emergency veterinary care as soon as possible.

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.

Vomiting Or Diarrhea In Pets

Vomiting and diarrhea are common signs of inflamed, irritated stomach and intestines, or gastrointestinal upset.

As unpleasant as it is, vomiting is your pet’s way of emptying their stomach of indigestible material to prevent it from getting further into their system.

Diarrhea often occurs when that indigestible material makes its way fully through your dogs digestive system, anywhere along the intestinal tract.

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What Other Treatment Or Diagnostic Testing May Be Required

If the vomiting is severe or if your veterinarian suspects a serious underlying problem, such as kidney or liver disease, more aggressive treatment may be required. It may be necessary to hospitalize your cat for intravenous fluid therapy to combat dehydration and correct any imbalances in the levels of electrolytes. In some cases, it may be necessary to administer injections to control the vomiting. In less severe cases, you may be able to treat your cat at home. You may be asked to administer fluids and special solutions at home, and if this is the case, you will be shown how to do this. You must be patient, giving only small quantities at frequent intervals. If your cat becomes distressed by home treatment, contact your veterinarian for further instructions.

“If the vomiting is severe, more aggressive treatment may be required.”

Additional diagnostic tests may be required in cases of chronic vomiting, or when the cat has been vomiting for more than two to three weeks, even though the vomiting may be intermittent and the cat may appear otherwise well. In these cases, the underlying cause must be determined in order to treat the problem appropriately. Some of the more commonly used tests are:

Blood tests may show evidence of infections, kidney and liver problems, thyroid disease, or diabetes, and may provide other clues leading to the diagnosis.

See handout “Testing for Vomitingâ for a more in-depth discussion of what other tests your veterinarian might perform.

Your Cat Is Vomiting And Sneezing

If your cat has acute vomiting and sneezing, they could have contracted a virus . It is not uncommon for cats who become sick to also develop an upper respiratory tract infection. This is because a large portion of cats contract certain viruses, such as herpesvirus, as kittens, and can be acting normal until they are immunocompromised.

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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 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.

Cat Won’t Stop Vomiting

I have a 10mo orange male tabby. From the moment I adopted him he’s had health issues, before I had him he had a major ear infection that caused him to go deaf and gave him a head tilt that he’s somewhat outgrown. He eats a Hill’s gastrointestinal biome diet as prescribed by his vet, because he was having diarrhea just eating normal cat food. He’s always vomited, but lately it’s been getting more frequent it’s typically a green liquid with some kind of solid that is a hairball. When he’s at my parents house he eats plastic with food on it and other human food behind my back, then throws that up too.

I suspected his vomiting to be that, or him adjusting to his prescription diet, or the stress of being separated from me while I’m at class it could be a million different things. I brush him often and keep the garbage in a locked closet. He has a food bowl with walls inside so he can’t eat too fast. He eats at the same time every day, morning and afternoon. He doesn’t get treats now because I’m trying to figure out what’s causing him to vomit on the daily like this. I would like to save money by trying to figure out a solution before taking him to the vet as I am a broke college student, but if i have to take him there I will.

I love my little boy and I don’t want to see him vomit anymore. I want him to be carefree and have no pain or health issues, he’s been through so much already. He’s very energetic and loving. His attitude hasn’t changed, so I hope he’s not in pain.

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How To Help A Cat Not Throw Up

This article was co-authored by Pippa Elliott, MRCVS. Dr. Elliott, BVMS, MRCVS is a veterinarian with over 30 years of experience in veterinary surgery and companion animal practice. She graduated from the University of Glasgow in 1987 with a degree in veterinary medicine and surgery. She has worked at the same animal clinic in her hometown for over 20 years. This article has been viewed 125,929 times.

Occasional vomiting can be perfectly normal in a cat.XTrustworthy SourceAmerican Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to AnimalsLeading organization dedicated to the prevention of animal crueltyGo to source However, if it’s out of character for your cat to vomit, the frequency of vomiting increases, or the cat loses weight or seems unwell, then veterinary attention should be sought. In the meantime, there are some simple methods to help your cat feel better and stop vomiting.

Ways To Prevent Cat Vomiting

Wouldn’t all pet parents love to know the secret to eliminating vomiting? Or even a way to train your cat not to do it on your bed or carpet? Unfortunately, there’s no magic word. But there are a few things you can try to ease your cleanup and your kitty’s discomfort.

If your cat is vomiting hairballs, make sure to brush your cat regularly, keeping themactive and feed a food with balanced nutrition that is designed to help cats with hairballs.

To help keep your cats stomach happy, give them the type and amount of food recommended by your vet and have clean, fresh water available at all times. If your cat eats too quickly you can try a puzzle feeder or a dry food with large, crunchy pieces to slow them down. If your veterinarian recommends medications or therapeutic foods, it will be important to follow their instruction in order to keep your cat healthy. \ Be sure your cat sees the vet regularly and discuss your concerns.

Though cleaning up messes and bodily fluids is something all pet parents will experience at some point, following these tips and knowing when to seek the help of a professional can hopefully make these experiences few and far between.

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