What causes vomiting?
Vomiting is not a disease; rather, it is a symptom of many different conditions. Many cases are self-limiting after a day or two. Common minor causes include hairballs, eating too quickly, an abrupt diet change, stomach or intestinal viruses, and intestinal parasites.
Less commonly, vomiting points to a serious illness: a swallowed string or toy blocking the intestine, inflammatory bowel disease, kidney disease, hyperthyroidism, or cancer. Even vomiting from a mild cause can become dangerous if fluid and nutrient losses go unchecked.
A word about "just hairballs." An occasional hairball is normal cat life. Vomiting several times a month — even if hair is in it — is not, and is worth investigating. Cats are experts at hiding illness, and frequent vomiting is often the first visible clue.
How serious is vomiting in cats?
Severity depends on how sick the cat has become as a consequence of the vomiting. When more than one body system is involved, some of the following may be noted:
- Diarrhea
- Dehydration
- Loss of appetite
- Abdominal pain
- High fever
- Lethargy or hiding
- Blood in the vomit
A cat showing several of these signs — or any cat that stops eating for more than a day — should be seen promptly. Unlike dogs, cats that go without food even briefly can develop a secondary liver problem (hepatic lipidosis) that makes everything harder to treat.
What tests are performed to find the cause?
If vomiting is associated with several of the signs above, we may recommend a workup: X-rays (with or without barium), blood tests including thyroid testing in older cats, stool testing, ultrasound, and in some cases intestinal biopsies or exploratory surgery. Once the diagnosis is known, treatment may include specific medications, a special diet, or surgery — a swallowed thread, for instance, is a true surgical emergency.
If your cat does not appear systemically ill, the cause is likely minor. A minimal number of tests rule out parasites and infection, and treatment is typically anti-nausea medication plus a bland, restricted diet for a few days while the body's healing mechanisms correct the problem.
What can I do at home?
For a single episode in an otherwise bright cat, offer small, frequent meals of a bland or easily digested diet and keep fresh water available. Regular brushing reduces hairballs, and a puzzle feeder or slow-feed bowl helps the cat who eats too fast. Keep string, ribbon, and hair ties out of reach — cats swallow them far more often than owners expect.
We expect improvement within two to four days. If vomiting continues past that, or keeps coming back over weeks, schedule an exam — chronic vomiting almost always has a findable cause.
Questions about anything here? Contact our team — we’re glad to help.