Frequent emesis is not normal in kat , and even occasional vomiting can imply there ’s a problem . Here ’s what to do .

Cat regurgitation is a fairly common occurrence . If you ’ve spent enough prison term with computerized axial tomography , you ’ve probably heard a quat ’s down - in - the - throat , wet , " glurk " sound that signals that vomit is on the way . Maybe it ’s ahairball . Maybe it ’s undigested food . mayhap it ’s clean-cut or bubbly liquidity . Whichever one it is , cat barf happen , and you ’ve got the cleaning supplies to prove it . But if disgorgement happens too often , it might be more than a qat ’s upset abdomen . It could be a sign of disease or illness .

Understanding What’s Normal

get ’s face it — cats throw up , likely more than we ’d like . Your guy vomiting once or twice in a month may not indicate anything abnormal . Many felines throw up hairball of pelt they ’ve ingested during grooming , but that should n’t be more than a duo times a calendar month . That ’s why your attention to what ’s normal for your computerized axial tomography is so crucial , saysErnie Ward , DVM , a author , podcaster , pet victuals counsellor , and veterinarian who works with cats at animate being rescue mathematical group in North Carolina . But if your cat is exhibit signs of penetrating or continuing regurgitation outside of her regular routine , it may be a sign of something more serious .

It ’s crucial to know your African tea ’s riding habit , Ward says . Is it normal for your qat to throw up hairballs ? Is it normal for yourcat to wipe out grassoutside ornontoxic house plantssometimes and barf ? Those event may be easily work with changes to kitty ’s grooming and alimentation habits , or by removing temptation in your environs . However , acute or inveterate regurgitation can be a house of a more serious disease .

What Causes Vomiting in Cats?

Cats chuck for a multitude of reason , and some are more serious than others . Brace yourself for a long lean ! puking in cats can be due to :

Causes of vomiting range from vex to life - minatory , so contact your veterinary surgeon if you suspect your computed tomography ’s wellness could be in danger .

When to Call the Vet

Because cat vomiting can be a sign of a serious disease or simply a dietary injudiciousness , it ’s all-important to visit a vet for a forcible exam and testing to learn what ’s causing it . These agent can avail you figure out how soon you need to see a vet :

Frequency

A major sign to watch for in true cat vomiting is frequency . " If a cat barfs once , then go decently on to her unconstipated business , that ’s commonly hunky-dory , ” Ward apprize . However , if she throw up again and again — regard that a cherry-red masthead . “ Cats who vomit and sit there restfully , as if they do n’t have the muscularity to get up afterwards , that ’s a word of advice sign . "

Contents and Consistency

A second topic to watch out for is the subject matter of her puke . Undigested food might just think of your cat ate too tight . But Ward pronounce nauseant that is teetotal heaves of brothy , watery froth is something that gets his care .

Color

A third , serious result is colored vomit . Dark , tarry or coffee priming - like bit in vomiting can betoken partially digested blood , and that mean a visit to the veterinarian . If cat-o'-nine-tails regurgitation is yellow or pale common , that could be bile and indicate an implicit in disease or consideration . " It stains and is heavy to get out of the rug , " Ward says . A single case of yellow , bile - colored vomit is n’t a big deal , but if it continues , mouth to your veterinarian .

Other clinical signs that may seem with vomiting and assist in diagnosing includedehydration , crashing or non - bloody diarrhea , changes in drinking , reduced appetence , weakness , or weight loss .

Diagnosis and Treatment for Vomiting Cats

With a complete physical exam and appropriate testing , a veterinary may diagnose a cause of vomiting and regale it befittingly . That can range from :

Your veterinarian may recommend stopping food and water until the puking has stopped , then gradually reintroducing water and a bland or easily digestible food . It ’s important during discussion for vomiting that cat-o'-nine-tails do not experience any extra or different food . Your veterinarian is endeavor to calm down your quat ’s digestive system and check for reaction to a special food , and extra food in her diet can make that unmanageable .

Because vomit can cause dehydration , your veterinarian may need to hydrate your cat with fluid and recommend that water be freely available in the home . Your veterinarian may also prescribe medication to see vomit or lighten digestive inflammation .

sad looking longhaired cat being petted

Photo: krblokhin / Getty

Home Care

While cat owners ca n’t diagnose implicit in conditions , if a veterinarian thinks less serious movement are at study , your home intervention after a visit can be important , specially with feeding . Do n’t give up if you ’ve got a food allergic reaction or food intolerance , Ward enounce . " Too often , hoi polloi give up and persist in the behavior , " he says , thinking there ’s nothing to be done . " Or they feel powerless . "

But you ’re not powerless . Ward encourage cat possessor to be methodical and strategic in trying solution for inveterate vomiting that ’s not tie to another disease . Adjustments could include :

A cat ’s vomiting can be triggered by something totally normal — like those plaguey hairballs — or exceedingly abnormal and more serious . Your cat and your cat ’s doc are both count on you to notice when it happens and to make out for help .