Vomiting in Cats

Laurie Anne Walden, DVM

Photo by Saru Robert on Unsplash

If your cat vomits, don’t assume it’s because of hairballs (or just because he’s sitting on an expensive rug). Vomiting has lots of possible causes, and some are serious. A mistaken belief that vomiting is normal for cats can delay diagnosis and treatment.
 
When to Seek Veterinary Care
Many cats vomit occasionally, just like dogs and people. Some cats vomit frequently, and these cats need an examination and diagnostic tests. “Frequently” means different things for different cats, but in general, cats that vomit more than about once a month should see a veterinarian. These are some other signs that a vomiting cat needs veterinary care:

• Increased frequency of vomiting
• Decreased appetite
• Decreased activity
• Weight loss
• Increased or decreased urine volume (change in size of urine clumps in litter box)
• Increased frequency of urination
• Increased thirst
• Constipation or diarrhea
• Meowing more often than usual or crying in the litter box
• Behavioral signs of discomfort: hiding, avoiding people or other animals, playing less than usual, sleeping more than usual, being grumpy or aggressive

 
Vomiting or Coughing?
Respiratory problems in cats can be mistaken for vomiting. Coughing can look a lot like hacking up a hairball. Asthma is common in cats, and the hunched posture and raspy breathing of an asthma attack can look and sound very similar to retching.
 
True vomiting means forcefully expelling stomach contents from the mouth. Hacking up food or a hairball is vomiting. Hacking up a little bit of foam is harder to interpret. Signs that the problem is with the lungs or heart instead of the stomach include open-mouth breathing, wheezing, and increased sleeping respiratory rate (more than 30 breaths per minute while asleep).
 
It’s OK if you can’t tell if your cat is vomiting or coughing. Take a video to show your veterinarian and make an appointment as soon as you can; lung and heart problems shouldn’t wait.
 
Causes of Vomiting
Vomiting has too many possible causes to list here. These are some of the most common in cats:

• Metabolic diseases: kidney disease, diabetes, hyperthyroidism, liver disease, cancer, etc
• Digestive tract disorders: inflammatory bowel disease, intestinal lymphoma, megacolon, etc
• Foreign objects: string, rubber bands, etc
• Hairballs
• Intestinal parasites
• Infectious diseases
• Poisonous plants, toxins, human food, medications, etc
• Intolerance to food ingredients

 
Diagnostic Tests
The tests chosen depend on the cat’s history, signs, and physical examination findings. Cats with chronic vomiting typically undergo a series of tests until the cause is found. Baseline laboratory tests include bloodwork, urinalysis, and stool tests for parasites. Radiography (x-ray imaging) can show some of the problems that cause vomiting; ultrasonography is more useful for others. Inflammatory bowel disease and some other intestinal disorders are diagnosed with biopsy of the intestine, which requires general anesthesia.
 
Treatment
The type and duration of treatment depend on the cause. Foreign objects and hairballs that are blocking the intestine are removed surgically. Some problems can be treated with a single course of medication; others require lifelong treatment. If your cat resists oral medication (pills or liquids), tell your veterinarian so you can explore alternatives.
 
Image source: https://unsplash.com/photos/a-gray-cat-sitting-on-top-of-a-rug-ybibgcEcv2w

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