Why Is My Cat Throwing Up? Causes, Solutions & When to See a Vet

Diet tweaks and regular grooming can ease stomach upset and reduce feline vomiting.

By Sneha Tete, Integrated MA, Certified Relationship Coach

Created on Sep 19, 2025

Diet tweaks and regular grooming can ease stomach upset and reduce feline vomiting.

Why Is My Cat Throwing Up?

If you live with a cat, youâve probably encountered that unmistakable sound: the prelude to feline vomiting. Occasional cat vomit is a fact of life for many cat parents, but frequent or severe episodes can be alarming. Itâs important to understand why cats throw up, whatâs normal, which signs require veterinary attention, and how you can help your pet feel better.

Common Causes of Vomiting in Cats

Vomiting in cats is a symptom, not a disease itself. It can be triggered by a number of underlying issues, ranging from mild digestive annoyances to serious health concerns. The most frequent causes include:

Hairballs: Longhaired cats and heavy groomers ingest fur, forming hairballs that may be vomited up.
Dietary indiscretion: Sudden changes in food, consuming something spoiled, human foods, or non-food items.
Eating too quickly: Inhaling food can cause regurgitation or vomiting right after meals.
Gastrointestinal irritation: Stomach upset from infections, parasites, or allergies.
Toxins: Ingesting plants, chemicals, medications, or toxins.
Chronic illnesses: Diseases such as kidney disease, hyperthyroidism, diabetes, or inflammatory bowel disease (IBD).
Obstructions: Foreign objects (string, rubber bands, hair ties) lodged in the digestive tract.
Stress: Anxiety and environmental changes can lead to gastritis.

Understanding Types of Cat Vomit

The appearance of vomit can sometimes provide clues about the cause:

White foam: Often seen with empty stomachs, mild gastritis, or hairball issues.
Yellow or green bile: May indicate bile reflux, prolonged fasting, or gastrointestinal disease.
Undigested food: Usually emerges shortly after eating, could indicate eating too quickly, or esophageal problems.
Hair and mucus: Typical for hairballs.
Blood or coffee grounds appearance: An emergencyâcould point to ulcers, bleeding, or ingestion of toxins.

Tip: If possible, snap a photo of the vomit to show your vet. This can help with diagnosis.

How Much Vomiting is Normal for Cats?

Occasional vomitingâonce every week or twoâcan be considered normal for many cats, especially if they seem healthy otherwise. However, certain patterns of vomiting signal a bigger problem and require attention:

Vomiting more than once a week
Multiple vomiting episodes in a day
Associated symptoms like appetite loss, lethargy, diarrhea, weight loss, or blood in vomit

If your cat is vomiting frequently or shows any of the associated warning signs, contact your veterinarian promptly.

Common Causes Explained in Detail

1. Hairballs

Cats groom themselves meticulously, and in the process, ingest loose fur. Most of this fur passes through the digestive system, but some accumulates in the stomach, forming hairballs. Eventually, cats vomit these hairballs, which can be accompanied by frothy or foamy fluid.

Frequent hairball vomiting can sometimes point to excessive grooming, allergies, or skin problems.
If your cat repeatedly retches without producing anything, it could signal an obstructed hairball and requires prompt veterinary attention.

2. Eating Habits

Some cats eat too fast, which can trigger regurgitation or vomiting immediately after a meal. This can sometimes be managed with a slow feeding bowl or spacing out smaller meals throughout the day.

Food sensitivities and abrupt diet changes can also lead to vomiting. Always transition foods gradually, over 7â10 days.

3. Gastrointestinal Conditions

Gastritis: Inflammation of the stomach lining due to irritants, infections, food allergies.
Intestinal parasites: Worms such as roundworms or tapeworms can cause chronic vomiting.
Inflammatory Bowel Disease (IBD): Causes recurring vomiting, often with diarrhea and weight loss.
Obstructions: Foreign bodies can block the passage of food, causing repeated, unproductive vomiting. This is a true emergency.

4. Chronic and Systemic Diseases

Kidney disease: A common cause of vomiting in older cats, due to toxins building up in the bloodstream.
Hyperthyroidism: Overactive thyroid gland, usually in older cats, often leads to increased appetite, vomiting, and weight loss.
Diabetes: Poorly controlled diabetes results in metabolic imbalances that can cause vomiting.
Cancer: Cancers affecting the stomach or intestines can cause persistent vomiting.

5. Toxins and Dehydration

Swallowing toxic substances (plants like lilies, spoiled food, human medications, chemicals) can cause sudden, severe vomiting.
Dehydration can also cause and perpetuate vomiting, as cats who don’t feel well may avoid food and water, worsening the problem.

When Should You Worry About Your Catâs Vomiting?

Contact your veterinarian right away if your cat:

Vomits several times in a single day, or daily for more than a day or two
Has blood in the vomit (red or dark, coffee-ground appearance)
Shows signs of lethargy, weakness, fever, or pain
Is not able to keep water or food down
Has additional symptoms such as diarrhea, weight loss, dehydration, or significant behavioral changes
Belongs to a high-risk group (kittens, elderly cats, or cats with known chronic illness)

Prompt veterinary care is crucial to diagnose the underlying cause and prevent dangerous complications such as dehydration or organ failure.

What Can You Do at Home If Your Cat Throws Up?

Withhold food for 8â12 hours if your cat is otherwise healthy, has just vomited once, and doesn’t show additional symptoms. This can give the stomach time to settle.
Encourage water intake but do not force your cat to drink. Offer small amounts frequently. Try enticing with a bit of tuna juice or pet-safe electrolyte solution.
Gradually reintroduce bland food if no further vomiting occurs after several hours. Offer small, frequent meals of cooked chicken (no skin, seasoning, or bones) or a prescription gastrointestinal diet.
Groom regularly to reduce hair ingestion. For long-haired cats, daily brushing is often needed.
Keep your environment calm and avoid sudden changes to minimize stress that could upset your catâs stomach.

When to Avoid Home Care

Do not try at-home remedies if your cat:

Is lethargic or showing signs of distress
Cannot keep water down
Is a kitten, elderly, or chronically ill
May have been exposed to toxins, foreign objects, or is showing blood in vomit

These situations demand immediate professional care.

Diagnosing Vomiting: What to Expect at the Vet

Your veterinarian will take a detailed history and perform a physical exam. You might be asked:

When the vomiting began and how often it occurs
The appearance of the vomit
Any changes in appetite, litter box use, behavior, or weight
Exposure to new foods, plants, toxins, or medications

Diagnostics might include:

Blood tests (to check for metabolic or organ diseases)
Fecal examination (to detect parasites)
X-rays or ultrasound (to view the digestive tract, spot obstructions or tumors)
Endoscopy or biopsy (for chronic or unexplained vomiting)

Veterinary Treatments for Vomiting Cats

Fluid therapy: Dehydrated or sick cats may receive fluids under the skin or intravenously to restore hydration and electrolyte balance.
Anti-nausea medications: Drugs may be prescribed to calm the stomach and prevent further vomiting.
Diet modification: Prescription diets may be used temporarily or long-term for food allergies or sensitive stomachs.
Treatment for underlying causes: Dewormers for parasites, antibiotics for infection, or surgery for obstructions/tumors.

Preventing Cat Vomiting: Practical Tips

Prevention Step	Purpose
Regular grooming	Reduces hairball formation
Slow feeder bowls	Prevents gorging and regurgitation
Gradual diet transitions	Avoids food-related stomach upset
Keep toxic items out of reach	Prevents accidental ingestion of harmful substances
Regular veterinary check-ups	Early detection of chronic disease
Monitor for stressors	Reduces vomiting from anxiety or environmental changes

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

Is it normal for cats to throw up hairballs?

Occasional hairballs are normal, especially in longhaired breeds, but frequent vomiting of hair or difficulty passing hairballs is not and should prompt a veterinarian checkup.

Can dry food cause vomiting in cats?

Some cats may eat dry food too quickly or develop sensitivities to certain ingredients, both of which can lead to vomiting. Using a puzzle feeder and offering higher moisture food can help.

Should I worry if my cat only vomits foam?

Occasional vomiting of white or yellow foam isn’t always alarming, particularly if your cat is behaving normally. However, repeated foamy vomit, especially with lethargy or appetite loss, requires veterinary assessment.

Whatâs the difference between vomiting and regurgitation?

Vomiting involves abdominal contractions and often contains digested food or bile. Regurgitation is passive, without effort, and usually involves undigested food soon after eating.

How can I tell if my catâs vomiting is an emergency?

Emergencies include repeated vomiting within a short period, blood in vomit, signs of severe pain or distress, inability to keep down food or water, or suspected poisoning or foreign body ingestion.

Takeaway

While a single episode of vomiting isn’t typically a cause for panic, repeated vomiting or associated symptoms like appetite loss, lethargy, or blood require prompt veterinary attention. Staying alert to patterns and acting quickly can prevent minor issues from becoming major health emergencies for your feline companion.

References

Author

Sneha TeteBeauty & Lifestyle Writer

Sneha is a relationships and lifestyle writer with a strong foundation in applied linguistics and certified training in relationship coaching. She brings over five years of writing experience to thebridalbox, crafting thoughtful, research-driven content that empowers readers to build healthier relationships, boost emotional well-being, and embrace holistic living.

Read full bio of Sneha Tete