Vomiting is something that most cat parents will encounter at some point. While an occasional hairball or mild stomach upset may not be a cause for concern, frequent or severe vomiting can signal an underlying health issue.
As a veterinarian and cat mom, I know how stressful it can be to see your cat throwing up and wonder whether it's something minor or a sign of a serious problem. In this guide, we'll break down what’s normal, what’s not, and how to help your feline friend when vomiting becomes an issue.
How much vomiting is too much?
Vomiting occasionally is not uncommon for cats, but how do you know when it’s too much? A cat that throws up once in a while but appears otherwise healthy is likely fine.
However, vomiting more than once a week on a regular basis, or throwing up multiple times in a day, is a sign that something more serious may be going on.
Signs that cat vomiting is excessive and may require veterinary attention include:
- Vomiting more than twice a day
- Persistent vomiting over multiple days
- Vomiting accompanied by lethargy, weight loss, or a lack of appetite
- Blood in the vomit
- Sudden and severe vomiting episodes
Is cat vomiting ever normal?
Yes, occasional vomiting can be normal, especially for cats that groom themselves frequently and cough up hairballs. Some cats also vomit due to eating too quickly or minor dietary indiscretions. However, regular vomiting, even if mild, is not normal and should not be ignored.
Cat vomiting vs. coughing
Sometimes it’s easy to mistake coughing for vomiting, as both can involve heaving motions. The key difference is:
- Vomiting typically involves abdominal contractions, and the expelled material often consists of food, liquid, or bile.
- Coughing is more of a dry, hacking motion without stomach involvement, often due to respiratory disease or asthma.
Causes of acute vomiting in cats
Although occasional vomiting can happen, it’s worrying when your cat throws up over and over again. If it happens often enough for you to wonder “why does my cat keep throwing up?”, it might be more than a hairball.
Acute (sudden) vomiting can have several causes, including:
- Eating too fast
- Hairballs
- Dietary indiscretion (eating something they shouldn’t)
- Food allergies or intolerance
- Gastrointestinal infections
- Intestinal parasites
- Poisoning or toxin ingestion
- Foreign body obstruction (such as string or plastic)
- Motion sickness
Causes of chronic vomiting in cats
Chronic vomiting, occurring over weeks or months, may indicate a more serious condition, such as:
- Inflammatory bowel disease (IBD)
- Food sensitivities or allergies
- Pancreatitis
- Hyperthyroidism
- Kidney disease
- Liver disease
- Cancer (lymphoma or other gastrointestinal tumors)
- Chronic parasitic infections
How to identify what’s causing the vomiting
If your cat is throwing up frequently, it’s best to consult a veterinarian to identify the root cause. Doing so can take some detective work, however. Key steps include:
- Observing when the vomiting occurs (e.g., after meals, at random times, only in the morning)
- Noting the appearance of the vomit (more on that below)
- Looking for additional symptoms like diarrhea, weight loss, or behavioral changes
- Trying a diet trial with hypoallergenic food to rule out food allergies
- Veterinary diagnostics, including bloodwork, imaging (X-rays or ultrasound), fecal testing, and biopsies if needed
Types of cat vomit and what they mean
If you’re unsure why your cat is throwing up, this cat vomit color chart may help you identify what you’re dealing with.
Different types of cat vomit can offer clues about what’s happening inside your cat’s body:
- White foam: Often due to an empty stomach, acid buildup, or mild gastritis.
- Undigested food: Could indicate eating too fast, food intolerance, or a blockage.
- Hairballs: Normal in small amounts, but excessive hairball vomiting may indicate grooming or digestive issues.
- Blood (bright red or dark coffee grounds-like): A medical emergency—could be from ulcers, tumors, severe inflammation, or other serious disease.
- Clear liquid: Often stomach acid or saliva, sometimes linked to nausea.
- Yellow or bile-stained vomit: Common with an empty stomach, bile reflux, or liver disease.
- Mucus or slimy vomit: Could be related to esophageal irritation.
- Worms or foreign objects: A sign of parasitic infection or ingestion of something they shouldn't have eaten.
When to take your cat to the emergency vet
While some vomiting cases can be managed at home, urgent veterinary care is needed if:
- Your cat throws up multiple times in a row
- There is blood in the vomit
- Your cat shows signs of pain, lethargy, or collapse
- Vomiting is accompanied by diarrhea, dehydration, or not eating
- Your cat is unable to keep food or water down for more than 12 hours
- Your cat has known health conditions such as kidney disease or diabetes
How to treat cat vomiting at home vs. at the vet
For mild cases of vomiting, you can try:
- Withholding food for 6-12 hours to let the stomach settle
- Offering small amounts of water frequently to prevent dehydration
- Switching to a bland diet (boiled chicken and rice, or a veterinary-prescribed gastrointestinal diet)
- Slow feeding techniques if vomiting is due to eating too fast
- Using hairball prevention remedies (fiber supplements or hairball control diets)
Veterinary treatment may include:
- Fluid therapy to address dehydration
- Antiemetic medications to stop nausea and vomiting
- Blood tests and imaging to diagnose underlying conditions
- Hospitalization in severe cases requiring intensive care
How emergency vets treat vomiting
In an emergency setting, veterinarians may:
- Perform an initial assessment and stabilization
- Administer IV fluids for dehydration
- Provide anti-nausea injections (such as maropitant or ondansetron)
- Conduct bloodwork and imaging (x-rays and ultrasound) to check for underlying diseases
- Consider endoscopy or surgery if a foreign body is suspected
- Monitor for signs of deterioration or complications
Prevention tips for cat vomiting
While not all vomiting can be prevented, these tips can help reduce occurrences:
- Feed smaller, more frequent meals to prevent overeating
- Use slow-feeder bowls or portion controlled automatic feeders for cats that eat too quickly
- Ensure adequate hydration with fresh water and wet food
- Brush your cat regularly to minimize hairballs
- Keep toxic substances out of reach (houseplants, human medications, cleaning products)
- Keep toys or household items they may ingest out of reach (string, yarn, shoelaces)
- Maintain regular vet check-ups to catch health issues early
- Transition foods gradually to prevent stomach upset
Final thoughts
Vomiting in cats can range from a harmless occasional event to a serious medical concern. While hairballs and minor stomach upset are common, frequent vomiting should never be ignored. Understanding why your cat is throwing up, recognizing warning signs, and seeking veterinary care when needed can make all the difference in your cat’s health and comfort. If in doubt, always consult with your vet—better safe than sorry when it comes to your cat companion’s well-being!
FAQ
Why is my cat throwing up white foam?
Your cat throwing up white foam may be due to an empty stomach, acid buildup, or mild gastritis.
Why is my cat throwing up clear liquid?
Clear liquid is typically stomach acid or saliva, sometimes linked to nausea.
Why is my cat throwing up undigested food?
Your cat throwing up undigested food may indicate eating too fast, food intolerance, or a blockage.
