Why Won't My Cat Stop Throwing Up? Common Causes Revealed

If your cat is frequently throwing up, it’s natural to wonder what’s wrong. When a cat is sick after eating, it can be a sign of various issues, from simple dietary indiscretions to more serious underlying health problems. If your cat is vomiting frequently, lethargic, or losing weight, you should consult your veterinarian immediately. This comprehensive guide will explore the many reasons behind feline vomiting causes, helping you to better understand and address your cat’s health.

Why Won't My Cat Stop Throwing Up
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Deciphering Cat Vomiting: More Than Just a Hairball

Vomiting in cats is a common occurrence, and while many owners may initially blame hairballs, the reality is far more complex. There are numerous reasons why your feline friend might be experiencing cat frequent vomiting. It’s crucial to distinguish between vomiting and regurgitation, as their causes and implications can differ significantly.

Vomiting vs. Regurgitation: Key Differences

Vomiting: This is an active process. Your cat will usually show signs of distress before vomiting, such as nausea, lip-licking, drooling, and abdominal contractions. The expelled material is typically partially digested food mixed with bile or mucus.
Regurgitation: This is a passive process. The food is expelled shortly after eating without any signs of nausea. The expelled food is usually in a tubular shape, often with saliva, and appears undigested. Cat regurgitation reasons can include esophageal issues.

Common Culprits Behind Feline Vomiting

Many factors can lead to your cat throwing up. Identifying the pattern and the appearance of the vomit can provide valuable clues to the underlying cause.

Dietary Indiscretions and Sensitivities

One of the most frequent reasons for cat throwing up food is simply eating too quickly or eating something they shouldn’t have.

Eating Too Fast

Mechanism: When cats gobble their food, they often swallow air along with their kibble. This can distend the stomach, triggering a vomiting reflex.
Symptoms: You might notice your cat eating rapidly, followed by vomiting undigested food shortly after a meal.
Solutions:
- Slow Feeder Bowls: These bowls have built-in obstacles that force your cat to eat more slowly.
- Smaller, More Frequent Meals: Breaking down their daily food intake into smaller portions can reduce the amount of food in the stomach at any one time.
- Puzzle Feeders: These engage your cat mentally and physically while dispensing food, slowing down consumption.

Dietary Changes

Mechanism: A sudden switch in cat food can upset your cat’s sensitive digestive system, leading to vomiting or diarrhea.
Symptoms: Vomiting, sometimes with diarrhea, occurring after introducing a new food.
Solutions:
- Gradual Transition: When changing cat food, mix a small amount of the new food with the old food, gradually increasing the proportion of the new food over 7-10 days.

Food Allergies and Intolerances

Mechanism: Cats can develop allergies or intolerances to specific ingredients in their food, most commonly proteins like chicken, beef, or fish. This is a common factor in feline vomiting causes.
Symptoms: Vomiting, diarrhea, itchy skin, or ear infections.
Solutions:
- Veterinary Consultation: Your vet can help diagnose food allergies through an elimination diet. This involves feeding a novel protein or hydrolyzed protein diet for several weeks to see if symptoms improve.

Hairballs: The Ever-Present Problem

While not the only reason for vomiting, hairballs are a significant contributor to cat throwing up bile and partially digested food.

Why Cats Get Hairballs

Grooming Habits: Cats are meticulous groomers, and as they lick their fur, they ingest loose hair. This hair can accumulate in their stomach.
Digestive Tract: Normally, ingested hair passes through the digestive tract and is eliminated in feces. However, if the hair clumps together, it can form a hairball that is too large to pass easily.

Recognizing Hairballs

Vomiting: The most obvious sign is vomiting, often preceded by gagging or retching. The vomit usually contains hair, along with bile or undigested food.
Constipation: Some cats may experience constipation if a hairball is causing a blockage.
Lethargy: In some cases, a cat with a significant hairball issue might become lethargic.

Managing and Preventing Hairballs

Regular Brushing: This is the most effective way to reduce ingested hair. Brush your cat daily, especially during shedding seasons.
Hairball Remedies: Over-the-counter hairball remedies, often in the form of pastes or treats, can help lubricate the digestive tract and facilitate the passage of hair.
Hairball-Specific Diets: Some cat foods are formulated to help prevent hairballs by including increased fiber content.
Hydration: Ensuring your cat stays well-hydrated can also aid in digestion and the movement of hair through the system.

Parasites: The Internal Invaders

Intestinal parasites can cause a range of digestive issues, including vomiting.

Common Intestinal Parasites

Roundworms: These are common in kittens and can cause vomiting, diarrhea, weight loss, and a pot-bellied appearance.
Tapeworms: While less likely to cause direct vomiting, tapeworm segments in the stool can sometimes be associated with digestive upset.
Giardia and Coccidia: These microscopic parasites can cause severe diarrhea and vomiting, especially in younger cats.

Signs of Parasitic Infestation

Vomiting: Especially after eating.
Diarrhea: Often with mucus or blood.
Weight Loss: Despite a normal or increased appetite.
Dull Coat: The fur may appear unkempt.
Lethargy: Your cat may seem less active.

Prevention and Treatment

Regular Deworming: Consult your veterinarian about a regular deworming schedule for your cat, especially if they go outdoors or interact with other animals.
Fecal Exams: Annual fecal examinations can detect the presence of intestinal parasites.

Ingesting Foreign Objects

Cats are curious creatures and may swallow non-food items, leading to potentially serious health problems.

Common Foreign Objects

String, Yarn, and Dental Floss: These are particularly dangerous as they can cause linear foreign bodies, where the object saws through intestinal tissue.
Small Toys: Small plastic pieces or rubber bands can also be ingested.
Plant Material: While cat eating grass throwing up is often normal, some plants are toxic or can cause obstruction if ingested in large quantities.

Signs of Foreign Body Ingestion

Vomiting: Often occurring repeatedly after eating.
Loss of Appetite: Your cat may refuse food.
Lethargy and Weakness: Indicative of pain or illness.
Abdominal Pain: Your cat may cry out or react negatively when their belly is touched.
Constipation or Diarrhea: Depending on the location and nature of the obstruction.

What to Do

Immediate Veterinary Care: If you suspect your cat has ingested a foreign object, contact your veterinarian immediately. X-rays or ultrasounds may be needed to diagnose the issue.
Surgical Intervention: In many cases, surgical removal of the foreign object is necessary.

Inflammatory Bowel Disease (IBD)

IBD is a chronic condition characterized by inflammation of the digestive tract, leading to intermittent vomiting and other gastrointestinal symptoms.

Characteristics of IBD

Chronic Vomiting: This is often the most prominent symptom.
Diarrhea: Can be present, sometimes with blood or mucus.
Weight Loss: Despite a normal or increased appetite, the cat may lose weight due to malabsorption.
Changes in Appetite: Some cats may have a decreased appetite, while others may be ravenous.

Diagnosis and Management

Veterinary Diagnosis: IBD is typically diagnosed through a process of elimination, ruling out other causes of vomiting and often involving blood tests, fecal tests, and sometimes intestinal biopsies.
Dietary Management: Prescription diets, often limited ingredient or hydrolyzed protein diets, are a cornerstone of IBD management.
Medications: Veterinarians may prescribe medications such as anti-inflammatories, antibiotics, or immunosuppressants.

Pancreatitis

Pancreatitis is the inflammation of the pancreas, an organ that produces digestive enzymes and hormones like insulin.

Causes and Symptoms

Triggers: Pancreatitis can be triggered by dietary indiscretions (e.g., eating fatty foods), certain medications, infections, or underlying medical conditions.
Vomiting: This is a very common sign, often accompanied by nausea and loss of appetite.
Abdominal Pain: Cats with pancreatitis may exhibit signs of pain, such as hunching over, reluctance to move, or hiding.
Lethargy and Weakness: A hallmark of moderate to severe pancreatitis.
Diarrhea: Can also occur.

Veterinary Treatment

Supportive Care: Treatment for pancreatitis is primarily supportive, focusing on managing pain, preventing dehydration with IV fluids, and providing nutritional support.
Anti-nausea Medications: To help control vomiting.
Dietary Modifications: Once the cat is stable, a low-fat, easily digestible diet is usually recommended.

Kidney Disease

Chronic kidney disease (CKD) is common in older cats and can manifest with various symptoms, including vomiting.

How CKD Leads to Vomiting

Toxin Buildup: As kidney function declines, toxins that would normally be filtered out by the kidneys build up in the bloodstream. This buildup can irritate the stomach lining and trigger vomiting.
Electrolyte Imbalances: Kidney disease can also lead to imbalances in electrolytes like potassium and phosphorus, which can affect the digestive system.

Signs of Kidney Disease

Increased Thirst and Urination: A classic sign.
Weight Loss: Despite a good appetite.
Vomiting: Often occurring with or without food.
Lethargy and Weakness: Due to toxin buildup and anemia.
Poor Coat Condition: The fur may become dull and unkempt.
Bad Breath: A metallic or ammonia-like odor (uremic breath).

Management of CKD

Veterinary Diagnosis: Blood and urine tests are essential for diagnosing kidney disease.
Specialized Diets: Prescription kidney diets are formulated to reduce the workload on the kidneys.
Fluid Therapy: To combat dehydration.
Medications: To manage anemia, control blood pressure, and treat nausea.

Hyperthyroidism

Hyperthyroidism is an endocrine disorder where the thyroid gland produces too much thyroid hormone, speeding up metabolism.

Hyperthyroidism and Vomiting

Increased Metabolism: The overactive thyroid gland can cause the digestive system to work too quickly, leading to vomiting.
Other Symptoms: While vomiting is common, other signs include increased appetite, weight loss (despite eating more), hyperactivity, increased vocalization, and sometimes diarrhea.

Diagnosis and Treatment

Blood Tests: Thyroid hormone levels are measured to diagnose hyperthyroidism.
Treatment Options: Medication, radioactive iodine therapy, or surgery are common treatment modalities. Early diagnosis and treatment can significantly improve a cat’s quality of life.

Liver Disease

Liver disease can affect a cat’s overall health and digestive function, leading to vomiting.

Liver Issues and Their Impact

Toxin Accumulation: The liver is responsible for detoxifying the body. When it’s diseased, toxins can build up, causing systemic illness and digestive upset.
Reduced Bile Production: The liver produces bile, which aids in digestion. Impaired liver function can lead to poor digestion.

Symptoms of Liver Disease

Vomiting: Often chronic.
Jaundice: Yellowing of the skin, gums, and eyes.
Lethargy and Weakness: The cat may appear very unwell.
Loss of Appetite: A significant decrease in food intake.
Weight Loss: Due to malabsorption and illness.
Changes in Stool Color: Pale or clay-colored stools.

Veterinary Approach to Liver Disease

Diagnostic Tests: Blood work, imaging (ultrasound, X-rays), and sometimes liver biopsies are used to diagnose liver disease.
Supportive Care: Treatment often involves managing underlying causes, providing supportive care with fluid therapy, medications to protect the liver, and dietary changes.

Cancer

Unfortunately, cancer is a potential cause of persistent vomiting, especially in older cats.

How Cancer Affects Digestion

Obstruction: Tumors in the gastrointestinal tract can physically block the passage of food.
Inflammation and Irritation: Tumors can cause inflammation and irritation of the stomach or intestinal lining.
Metabolic Changes: Some cancers can lead to metabolic disturbances that cause nausea and vomiting.

Recognizing Cancer-Related Vomiting

Chronic and Progressive Vomiting: Vomiting that worsens over time.
Significant Weight Loss: Often a key indicator, leading to cat losing weight vomiting.
Lethargy: A profound lack of energy.
Poor Appetite: The cat may eat very little or refuse food altogether.

Veterinary Diagnosis and Treatment

Thorough Examination: Your vet will conduct a complete physical exam and may recommend blood tests, imaging, and biopsies to diagnose cancer.
Treatment Options: Depending on the type and stage of cancer, treatment may include surgery, chemotherapy, radiation therapy, or palliative care.

Stress and Anxiety

While less common than physical ailments, stress and anxiety can sometimes contribute to vomiting in cats.

Stressors for Cats

Environmental Changes: Moving to a new home, the introduction of a new pet or person, or changes in routine.
Loud Noises: Thunderstorms or fireworks.
Social Stress: Conflicts with other pets in the household.

Manifestation of Stress

Behavioral Changes: Hiding, aggression, or excessive grooming.
Gastrointestinal Upset: Including vomiting or diarrhea.

Addressing Stress

Identify and Remove Stressors: If possible, remove or minimize the cause of stress.
Provide Safe Spaces: Ensure your cat has quiet, secure areas to retreat to.
Enrichment: Provide plenty of toys, scratching posts, and opportunities for play.
Feliway Diffusers: These can help create a calming environment.
Veterinary Consultation: In severe cases, your vet may recommend anti-anxiety medication.

When to Seek Veterinary Attention

It’s essential to know when your cat’s vomiting warrants a trip to the vet. While occasional vomiting might not be an emergency, certain signs indicate a serious problem.

Red Flags to Watch For

Sudden cat vomiting: Any abrupt onset of vomiting, especially if it’s frequent or severe.
Cat lethargic vomiting: If your cat is vomiting and also appears weak, tired, or unresponsive.
Vomiting blood: This is always a medical emergency.
Vomiting accompanied by diarrhea: Especially if the diarrhea is bloody or severe.
Inability to keep any food or water down: This can lead to rapid dehydration.
Signs of pain: Crying, hunching, or guarding the abdomen.
Weight loss: Any unexplained decrease in body weight.
Changes in appetite or thirst: Significant increases or decreases.
Dehydration: Sunken eyes, dry gums, or loss of skin elasticity.
Suspected ingestion of foreign objects or toxins: Don’t delay seeking help.

The Importance of a Veterinary Diagnosis

Self-diagnosing can be dangerous for your cat. A veterinarian has the tools and expertise to accurately identify the cause of vomiting and recommend the appropriate treatment. They will perform:

Physical Examination: To assess your cat’s overall health, check for pain, and feel for any abnormalities.
Medical History: Gathering detailed information about your cat’s diet, lifestyle, and any changes that may have occurred.
Diagnostic Tests: This may include:
- Bloodwork: To check organ function, blood cell counts, and electrolyte levels.
- Urinalysis: To assess kidney function and detect infections.
- Fecal Examination: To check for parasites.
- X-rays or Ultrasound: To visualize internal organs, detect foreign objects, or identify tumors.
- Endoscopy: To visualize the gastrointestinal tract and obtain biopsies.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)

Q1: My cat is throwing up yellow liquid. What does this mean?
A1: Yellow liquid is typically bile, which is produced by the liver and stored in the gallbladder. When a cat’s stomach is empty or irritated, bile can be regurgitated. This can happen if your cat hasn’t eaten for a while, or it can be a sign of gastrointestinal upset, pancreatitis, or other digestive issues. If it occurs frequently, it warrants a veterinary visit.

Q2: My cat is throwing up white foam. What could be the cause?
A2: White foam is often a sign of irritation in the upper digestive tract or throat. It can be caused by ingesting something irritating, an empty stomach, or it might be related to a hairball. Like vomiting bile, if it happens often, it’s best to consult your vet.

Q3: Can stress make my cat throw up?
A3: Yes, in some cases, stress and anxiety can manifest as gastrointestinal upset, including vomiting, in cats. Identifying and reducing the source of stress is important.

Q4: My kitten is throwing up. Should I be more concerned?
A4: Yes, kittens are more vulnerable to illness. Frequent vomiting in kittens can quickly lead to dehydration and can be a sign of more serious issues like parasites or infections. It’s crucial to contact your veterinarian promptly if your kitten is vomiting.

Q5: Is it normal for my cat to eat grass and then throw up?
A5: While some cats do this, it’s not necessarily “normal” for all cats, and it can be a sign that they are trying to relieve gastrointestinal discomfort. The grass itself can irritate the stomach, leading to vomiting. If your cat is frequently eating grass and vomiting, it might be worth investigating the underlying reason for their discomfort.

Conclusion

Witnessing your cat throw up repeatedly can be distressing. By understanding the various feline vomiting causes, from dietary issues and hairballs to more serious conditions like kidney disease or cancer, you can better support your feline companion’s health. Always observe your cat’s behavior, the frequency and nature of the vomit, and any accompanying symptoms. When in doubt, or if you notice any of the red flags mentioned, never hesitate to seek professional veterinary advice. Early diagnosis and appropriate treatment are key to ensuring your cat lives a long, healthy, and comfortable life.