Why Does My Cat Keep Puking

Why Does My Cat Keep Puking?

1. Hairballs

Cats often groom themselves by licking their fur, which can lead to ingesting hair. This hair accumulates in the stomach, forming hairballs. While occasional vomiting of hairballs is normal, excessive hairball vomiting could indicate overgrooming or digestive issues.

2. Eating Too Quickly

Cats that eat too fast might regurgitate their food shortly after eating. When a cat gulps down food, they can swallow air along with the food, which can lead to vomiting.

3. Dietary Indiscretion or Food Sensitivity

Changes in diet, food allergies, or intolerances to certain ingredients (like dairy or certain proteins) can upset your cat's stomach and lead to vomiting. Feeding poor-quality food or allowing your cat to eat human food may also cause stomach upset.

4. Gastrointestinal Issues

• Gastritis: Inflammation of the stomach lining due to ingesting foreign objects (plants, string, etc.) or toxins can lead to vomiting.
• Inflammatory Bowel Disease (IBD): Chronic inflammation of the digestive tract can result in frequent vomiting, diarrhea, and weight loss.
• Gastrointestinal Obstruction: If your cat swallows something that gets stuck in their intestines (like a toy or string), this can cause vomiting, sometimes along with lethargy and a lack of appetite.
• Hairball gastritis: cats with long hair or during the hair changing season are more likely to suffer from this condition. The hair ingested by the cat when licking the fur forms hairballs in the stomach, which may lead to vomiting. 

5. Chronic Kidney Disease

Cats with kidney disease often experience vomiting due to the buildup of toxins in the bloodstream, as the kidneys can no longer filter waste properly. This condition is more common in older cats.

6. Pancreatitis

Inflammation of the pancreas (pancreatitis) can lead to vomiting, along with symptoms like loss of appetite, lethargy, and abdominal pain. This condition requires prompt veterinary attention.

7. Hyperthyroidism

Cats with hyperthyroidism, a common condition in older cats, often vomit frequently due to increased metabolism and digestive issues. Other symptoms include weight loss, increased appetite, and hyperactivity.

8. Parasites

cats that are not dewormed regularly may vomit due to parasitic infection. 

Also Read: Coccidia in Cats: Understanding the Tiny Yet Troublesome Parasites

9. Toxins or Poisoning

If your cat ingests toxic substances like certain plants (lilies, for example), human medications, or chemicals, vomiting can be a sign of poisoning. Other signs may include drooling, difficulty breathing, or seizures. This is a medical emergency and requires immediate veterinary care.

10. Stress or Anxiety

Stressful situations, such as moving to a new home, the arrival of a new pet, or changes in routine, can trigger vomiting. Cats are sensitive to environmental changes, and stress can manifest in physical symptoms like vomiting.

11. Cancer

Tumors in the gastrointestinal tract or other organs can lead to vomiting, especially in older cats. If vomiting is persistent and accompanied by weight loss or lethargy, it’s important to seek a veterinary exam.

What Ingredients in Cat Food May Cause Your Cat to Vomit?

Cat vomiting may be related to certain ingredients in cat food. Here are some cat food ingredients that may cause your cat to vomit.

• High fat content

A cat's stomach and intestines are more sensitive to high-fat foods, which may trigger vomiting.

• Allergens or intolerances

For example, some cats are intolerant to cow's milk or have an allergic reaction to gluten proteins in grains.

• Contaminated raw materials

Such as mold or toxin-contaminated ingredients, these contaminants may cause your cat to vomit.

• Additives and preservatives

Such as BHA, BHT, etc. These chemicals can be potentially harmful to your cat's health during long-term consumption.

• Ingredients not suitable for cats

Such as vegetables and fruits, especially garlic and onions, these ingredients may cause digestive problems.

If your cat vomits frequently, it is recommended to check the cat food ingredient list to rule out possible allergens or unsuitable ingredients and consider consulting your veterinarian for professional advice. 

How to Adjust Cat's Diet When Vomiting?

It is very important to adjust the diet when the cat vomits, here are some specific dietary adjustment suggestions.

• Provide easily digestible food

After vomiting, cats should be given easily digestible food, such as boiled chicken breast or fish, cut into small pieces or mashed to reduce the burden on the stomach and intestines. 

• Choose hypoallergenic formula cat food

If your cat is intolerant to the ingredients of the existing cat food, consider replacing it with a hypoallergenic formula and adopt a gradual food change method to help your cat's intestines adapt. 

• Increase water intake

Vomiting may lead to dehydration, so after the cat stops vomiting, provide sufficient water, which can be replenished by giving the cat warm water or adding some electrolytes. 

• Feeding thin porridge or soft cat food

Thin porridge or soft cat food can be used as a temporary food after your cat has vomited, they are usually easier to digest and help your cat recover. 

• Avoid dairy products

Many cats are lactose intolerant, so avoid feeding your cat milk or other dairy products during vomiting. 

• Feed probiotics

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Probiotics can help restore the balance of your cat's intestinal flora and relieve gastrointestinal problems such as vomiting and diarrhea. 

• Monitor food intake

During the cat's recovery period, the amount of food intake should be controlled to avoid overfeeding at one time, which may aggravate the gastrointestinal burden. 

How to Prevent Cat Vomiting?

Cat vomiting can be caused by a variety of reasons, including poor diet, hairball disease, food allergies, and parasitic infections. To prevent cat vomiting, the following measures can be taken.

Manage eating habits

To avoid your cat eating too fast or too much, you can control the speed of eating by feeding in small portions over several times. At the same time, ensure the quality of the cat's food and avoid feeding human food that is harmful to the cat.

Regular deworming

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Regularly deworm your cat both internally and externally to prevent vomiting caused by parasites. 

Provide hair-chemical products

Cats swallow hair when they lick their fur. Hair melting cream or cat grass can help cats expel hairballs and reduce vomiting caused by hairballs. 

Reduce stress

Cats are prone to vomiting under stress, so provide a quiet and comfortable environment with enough love and interaction. 

Avoid foreign body ingestion

Make sure there are no small objects in the home that can be easily ingested by cats to prevent vomiting caused by foreign objects. 

Monitoring health conditions

Take your cat for regular medical checkups to detect and deal with health problems in time. 

Through the above measures, you can effectively reduce the risk of cat vomiting and keep your cat healthy. If the cat still vomits frequently, consult your veterinarian for professional examination and treatment.

Related: Cat Throwing Up White Foam

When to See a Vet

• Frequency and amount of vomiting

If your cat vomits more than 2-3 times in a short period of time, or for several days in a row, this may indicate a serious health problem.

• Nature of the vomit

Seek immediate medical attention if the vomit contains bright red blood, coffee grounds-like material (which may be digested blood), green bile or undigested food particles. These may be signs of internal bleeding, obstruction of the digestive tract or other serious illness.

• Overall condition of the cat

If your cat is accompanied by signs of dehydration (e.g., loss of skin elasticity, dry gums), lethargy, loss of appetite, or behavioral changes, seek veterinary help immediately.

• Known health problems

If the cat has a chronic medical condition such as diabetes, kidney disease, hyperthyroidism, etc., vomiting may be a sign of an aggravated condition that requires urgent medical intervention.

• Age and vaccination status

Kittens and under-vaccinated cats are more likely to have serious health problems and should therefore be more cautious when vomiting.

If your cat is experiencing any of the above, please do not hesitate to contact your veterinarian or visit the nearest animal hospital for examination and treatment. 

FAQs

Summary

Frequent vomiting in cats can be caused by several factors, including hairballs, eating too quickly, food allergies, or underlying health conditions like kidney disease, gastrointestinal issues, or parasites. Occasional vomiting is normal, but if it's frequent or accompanied by other symptoms like lethargy or weight loss, a vet visit is essential to rule out more serious problems. Proper diet, hydration, and regular grooming can help reduce vomiting in many cases.

Also Read:  Understanding Cat Throwing Up and Diarrhea: Causes, Treatment, and Prevention