Cat Throwing Up? Symptoms, Causes and Best Treatments

Key points

• A mild tummy upset could be managed at home through a bland diet
• Keep an eye out for warning signs like blood in the vomit, changes in appetite, and lethargy
• Your veterinarian may need to perform further tests to get a diagnosis
• Treatment will depend on the underlying cause of their vomiting

Common in

Any age or breed of cat, with some conditions more common in certain age groups.

Symptoms & types

Cats that are throwing up can do so to varying degrees. Some cats will vomit just once or twice, whereas others can be sick multiple times. Diarrhea can sometimes accompany vomiting, along with other symptoms such as appetite changes, lethargy, and abdominal pain.

Many cases are sick because of a simple case of gastritis (mild tummy upset).

Understanding the diagnostics

Your veterinarian will start by examining your cat, checking things like their hydration, heart rate, and temperature. They will also feel your cat’s abdomen to check for anything unusual, including discomfort.
If they have concerns about your cat, then they may suggest some additional diagnostics. The next steps could include blood tests. Biochemistry panels look at things like your cat’s liver, kidneys, and blood sugar levels. Hematology can look for any signs of anemia and markers of infection. Sometimes more specific blood tests are needed, for example, if there are suspicions about pancreatitis.
X-rays may be needed to look for abnormalities like foreign bodies or areas of gas buildup. Ultrasound can look at individual organs in more detail. Endoscopy may be recommended to assess the inside of the stomach with a small camera, removing foreign bodies or taking tissue samples for analysis.
Sometimes exploratory abdominal surgery is required, to properly look at the organs and take biopsy samples for laboratory analysis.
Your vet will talk you through which tests are most appropriate for your cat.

Learning about the causes

There are many different reasons why your cat might throw up. Sometimes it could be something straightforward like a hairball, a sudden change of diet, or eating grass. But other possible causes include –

Foreign body

If your cat eats something indigestible, this could cause a blockage in their digestive tract. Cats may play with and accidentally ingest small toys, hair bands, tinsel, and elastic bands, causing serious problems. 

Toxicity

If your cat eats something poisonous such as lilies, antifreeze, or chocolate it could cause vomiting. 

Parasites

A high number of worms could cause vomiting in cats, as well as diarrhea. 

Food intolerance

Some animals can have food intolerances or allergies to certain ingredients. Inflammatory bowel disease can be seen in cats too.

Medication side-effects

Some medications could cause upset tummies as a negative side-effect.

Pancreatitis

Pancreatitis occurs when the pancreas (a small organ that helps with the digestion of fats), becomes inflamed. This causes abdominal pain, vomiting, diarrhea, lethargy, and lack of appetite. 

Kidney disease

Acute kidney injury usually occurs due to sudden damage to the kidneys, from toxins or injury. Chronic kidney failure is commonly seen in elderly cats, where the kidneys become shrunken and scarred. 

Hyperthyroidism

A benign overgrowth of the thyroid gland can cause an increase in metabolism, leading to weight loss and vomiting, despite an increased appetite. 

Cancer

Certain cancers or tumors, such as lymphoma, could cause your cat to vomit. You may see other symptoms too like weight loss and diarrhea.

Best treatment options

The treatment option for your cat will depend on the underlying cause of their illness. In mild cases, medications like anti-nausea injections can be given, alongside bland food, to help limit further vomiting.
In more severe cases intravenous fluids and a hospital stay could be required if your cat has become dehydrated. Painkillers will be given to animals with abdominal pain. In some cases, surgery could be required if something is obstructing your cat’s digestive tract.

In mild cases of tummy upset then bland, easy-to-digest food can be helpful. Feed very small amounts at a time, little and often.

Home remedies & their effectiveness

You might choose to monitor your cat at home if they have only been sick once or twice. This is usually ok if they are otherwise bright with no other signs of ill health. Make sure your cat has access to plenty of fresh water and try feeding them small amounts of bland, easy-to-digest food for a couple of days. Lean cooked chicken (no fatty skin), white fish, and boiled rice are all good choices, or a commercial sensitivity diet. 

When to see a vet

Many cats are sick because of a simple case of gastritis (mild tummy upset). But if you notice any of the following more serious symptoms then you should always take your cat to the vet as soon as possible –

• Vomiting multiple times 
• Vomit that has blood in it
• Loss of appetite
• Pale pink or white gums
• Changes in drinking and urination
• Lethargy or depression
• Other symptoms such as breathing difficulties, wobbliness, or seizures

It is always best to take your cat to the vet sooner rather than later if you have any concerns about them.