Catster is reader-supported. When you buy via links on our site, we may earn an affiliate commission at no cost to you. Learn more.

4 Natural Home Remedies to Treat Cat Vomiting: Vet-Approved Methods

Written by: Christian Adams

Last Updated on February 28, 2024 by Catster Editorial Team

Sad sick young gray cat

4 Natural Home Remedies to Treat Cat Vomiting: Vet-Approved Methods

VET APPROVED

Dr. Paola Cuevas Photo

REVIEWED & FACT-CHECKED BY

Dr. Paola Cuevas

MVZ (Veterinarian)

The information is current and up-to-date in accordance with the latest veterinarian research.

Learn more »

Caring for a cat is usually full of cute and rewarding moments, but it’s another story entirely if they experience vomiting. The underlying cause can be one of a variety of reasons, but no matter what, it’s no fun to clean up, and you’ll want your kitty to feel better as quickly as possible.

If there’s a serious condition, taking your cat to the vet is the best solution. However, sometimes vomiting in cats can be caused by their diet, how quickly they eat, or it can be a side effect of medication. If you and your vet have ruled out major problems, consider one of these natural home remedies to ease your cat’s upset stomach and help reduce vomiting.

3 cat divider

The 4 Best Natural Home Remedies for Cat Vomiting

1. Ginger Tea

Ginger Tea
image credit: Ninetechno, Pixabay

Ginger has been used in traditional human medicine for centuries due to its many health benefits and nutritional properties. Ginger tea helps soothe the stomach lining, improves digestion, and has an antinausea effect. Ginger tea is safe to use for cats, and it is a good and easy to prepare a natural remedy for vomiting.

Ginger Tea Anti-vomit Cat Remedy:

1.    Wash and peel the ginger root.
2.    Finely chop about ¼ of a tablespoon of ginger.
3.    Add the freshly chopped ginger to 1 cup of boiling drinking water and let it simmer for around 15 minutes.
4.    Let it cool down and strain it.
5.    The final product will be less than one cup due to the evaporation, but you will end up having enough treatment for a cat that weighs approximately 9 lbs. Divide the total amount into six equal parts and offer your cat one part every 2 hours using a spoon or a syringe.


2. Fasting

If you suspect that a change in your cat’s diet may be the culprit, allowing your cat to fast for a limited time may help reduce vomiting. This solution is as simple as not feeding your cat their normal breakfast or dinner. You can have your cat fast for 12-24 hours, but, of course, always make sure they have fresh water available at all times.

If you notice that your cat stops vomiting after fasting, you can slowly reintroduce food and monitor them to see if the issue returns. If it does, you may want to consider speaking with your vet about the food you use or changing the food altogether. If you can link vomiting to a new food or flavor of food, it might be that your cat has food allergies and will continue to reject that particular cat food. Swapping to a new food may permanently fix your cat’s issue.

Persistent vomiting or a combination of vomiting and diarrhea can put your cat at risk of dehydration. You should not fast a cat that presents vomit with diarrhea unless prescribed by your cat’s veterinarian.

If you are fasting a cat that has just begun vomiting episodes, please ensure it is drinking enough water. You can add one part of an electrolyte solution, such as unflavored Pedialyte, to every three parts of fresh drinking water on the day your cat will be fasting. If the cat is not drinking and vomiting persists, please bring your cat to its vet.


3. Bland Diet

indoor cat eating
Photo by Manfred Schnell from Pexels

If you aren’t keen on having your cat fast for a day, or you’re looking to ease your kitty back into eating their normal diet following the fast, a bland diet can help continue to reduce vomiting.

Some good, bland additions to your cat’s diet include boiled chicken or hamburger meat without fat and small amounts of white rice. These foods have protein and carbohydrates that will provide your cat with the necessary nutrients and energy. According to bland diet instructions from Two Rivers Vet, these foods are easy to digest and won’t cause additional vomiting.

You can begin with these foods and continue feeding them to your cat over a few days while you slowly work their normal food back into their diet.


4. Petroleum Jelly or Mineral Oil

One common reason for cat vomiting, as you’re likely well aware, is the presence of hairballs. When a cat vomits, they may be trying to get a hairball out that isn’t passing properly.

If you believe a hairball may be the reason for vomiting, you can offer your feline friend some petroleum jelly or mineral oil, which is known to help hairballs pass more smoothly. Some cats accept licking petroleum jelly right off your fingers. You can also try adding a teaspoon of pure mineral oil with no added perfumes or other substances to your cat’s regular food. Never try to force-feed mineral oil to your cat because if they accidentally inhale it, it can be very dangerous.

3 cat face divider

How to Effectively Clean Up Cat Messes, Odors & Stains 

The first part of cat mess prevention is ensuring you are taking the time to properly clean any accidents -  and that starts with investing in the right products! Of course, you'll want to opt for something safe first and foremost, to protect your feline's health, but secondly, you'll need a solution powerful enough to lift the toughest, stinkiest, most set-in stains. After careful consideration, we fell in love with one product and highly recommend it to all pet owners! 

Our Favorite Enzyme Cleaner 

Hepper Advanced Bio-Enzyme Pet Stain & Odor Eliminator Spray
  • ADVANCED ENZYMATIC CLEANER - Penetrates the most stubborn smells and stains at the deepest molecular...
  • FOR ANY MESS, ON ANY SURFACE - This pet odor eliminator cleans your carpets, floors, furniture,...
  • FRESH, NATURAL ODOR - Our unique formulation doesn't rely on dangerous or unpleasant chemical...

There are several reasons we can't get enough of the Hepper Advanced Bio-Enzyme Pet Stain & Odor Eliminator Spray.  It permanently removes the very worst smells and stains, it can be used on a multitude of surfaces and its neutral scented, meaning no odor masking! It comes in a generous 32-oz bottle and comes with 100% satisfaction guarantee. Learn more about this holy grail of a cleaner here!

At Catster, we’ve admired Hepper for many years, and decided to take a controlling ownership interest so that we could benefit from the outstanding products of this cool cat company!

cat paw divider

Final Thoughts 

There are a few causes of vomiting in cats, but, of course, your first goal when yours is sick is to get them feeling better as quickly as possible. If you’ve already ruled out major problems with your vet or if you know that the cause of vomiting isn’t serious, one of these natural home remedies will help to get your cat feeling better as quickly and safely as possible.

Related Reads:


Featured Image Credit By: Ro_ksy, Shutterstock

Get Catster in your inbox!

Stay informed! Get tips and exclusive deals.
Catster Editors Choice Badge
Shopping Cart

Pangolia

© Pangolia Pte. Ltd. All rights reserved.