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Do Cats Vomit When Stressed? Cat Behavior Explained

Written by: Christian Adams

Last Updated on February 15, 2024 by Catster Editorial Team

Cat vomiting

Do Cats Vomit When Stressed? Cat Behavior Explained

Cats are sensitive animals and can become easily frustrated or anxious when overwhelmed. Did you ever notice your cat acting strange and then vomiting afterward? If so, there’s no reason to worry.

Vomiting is a normal reaction when your feline becomes overly stressed. That’s why you should know how to recognize stressful behavior in your cat and help them when they’re anxious. We will talk more about the subject to explain why cats vomit when they’re stressed and how to help your cat.

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Why Do Cats Vomit When Stressed?

When a cat is stressed or upset, vomiting can easily occur. The reason vomiting occurs is that a cat’s stomach motility changes when they’re anxious. It’s important to notice all signs of a stressed kitty and try to relieve their anxiety.

Cat vomiting
Image by: Nils Jacobi, Shutterstock

What to Do When My Cat Vomits?

First, you should stay calm and take your pet to the vet. They will examine your cat and check the underlying cause of the issue. If the reason is stress, you can take care of your kitty at home. If there were more significant issues you weren’t aware of, your vet can prescribe the appropriate medications.

Once your cat is taken care of, clean the vomit in your home to ensure the site is disinfected. Try to practice prevention as much as possible and try to reduce and manage your kitty’s stress.

When exposed to too much stress, your cat can quickly become physically and emotionally unwell, leading to severe health issues. Always watch your kitty’s behavior closely and take action whenever you notice alarming signs. The sooner you realize something strange is going on with your cat, the faster you’ll be able to resolve the issue. We’ll explain how to tell when your cat is stressed and which signs can show that your kitty is dealing with anxiety.

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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!

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How to Tell When My Cat Is Stressed?

Cats are very subtle, so sometimes, it can be hard to know if your feline is stressed or not. Still, you can observe their behavioral and physical signs if your cat is annoyed or anxious. Below, you can see some common signs of an upset cat.

Behavioral signs
  • Aggressive behavior
  • Excessive scratching
  • Too much meowing
  • Urinating outside of their usual spot
  • Increased dependency
  • Hiding
  • Too much grooming
  • Pacing
  • A noticeable change in your feline’s typical behavior

Physical signs
  • Vomiting
  • Diarrhea
  • Runny nose
  • Poor appetite
  • Excessive drinking or eating
  • Weight gain or weight loss
  • Not urinating as frequently as usual
  • Sores or bald patches on the skin
persian cat eating dry food
Image Credit: Patrick Foto, Shutterstock

Other than the signs we mentioned, there are other indicators that your cat feels anxious. The most common ones are:

Physical signs
  • Frequent head shaking
  • Staring at one spot for long periods
  • Wide-open eyes with dilated pupils
  • Twitching skin on the back

The best way to help your kitty deal with stress is to anticipate which situations can be stressful and try to prevent them.

What Causes Stress for Cats?

cat lying on the floor hiding behind the curtain
Image Credit: Mantikorra, Shutterstock

Like us, every cat is an individual. Therefore, not all the same situations will make all cats stressed. Still, everyday situations can aggravate cats, so check them out below. We also provided a possible solution for these circumstances.

Stressful situation Solution
Other pets

 

If you have a new pet in your home, introduce them slowly and patiently so that the cat can relax and feel safe.
Moving

 

Since moving can be stressful for cats, if possible, leave your feline with a friend or someone you can trust and then gradually introduce them to your new home.
Change in daily routine

 

Changes can be challenging for cats, so it might be best to try and accommodate their needs as usual. However, even when there are significant changes, try to feed your cat or play with them at a regular time so that they’re less nervous.
Home renovations

 

Home renovations can be very noisy, and your home will have unfamiliar people. To keep your feline happy, try to create a peaceful environment in one room where they can get away when they feel anxious. Put familiar items in the room to help your cat calm down.
Guests

 

Advise your guests to let your cat decide if they will approach them. If your cat likes treats, encourage your guests to give them a snack so that your cat can relax quickly.

Your cat can also become nervous if there are a lot of cats in the neighborhood or if you have other cats they don’t like. It is important to determine what triggers them so that you can react promptly.

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How Do I Relieve My Cat’s Stress?

Since kitties can become aggravated easily, you need to know how to help them relieve their stress. You can do a couple of things to help them cope with stressful situations.

Comfort

Although this seems obvious, ensure your cat has everything they need. That means having a bowl of water, food, a clean kitty litter box, and a scratcher. Create designated areas for food and water, playing, and the kitty bathroom. Your cat will be happy knowing that they have everything they need.


Peaceful mealtime

Your kitty should eat quality food and have peace during mealtimes as much as possible. Ensure that the place where your cat eats is clean, choose a food bowl that’s appropriately sized for your feline, and locate it in a peaceful area that doesn’t have high traffic. Try to place the water bowl nearby so that your kitty can easily drink if they get thirsty.

hepper pod bed nom nom bowl himalayan cat eating


Social interaction

Never push or force your cat to interact. Instead, allow them to do things at their own pace. If you want to hold them but notice that they’re not too thrilled about the idea, let them go. Be patient and allow your kitty to make decisions. You’ll probably notice your cat likes you more when they can decide the course of interactions.


Playtime

Daily playtime has a positive effect on cats, and it reduces stress. To keep your cat stimulated, you can purchase fun toys, set up tunnels, or any other activity your cat might enjoy. Be consistent and try to have playtime at the same time every day to create a healthy routine.

cat playing with owner
Image Credit: Dora Zett, Shutterstock

Less-stressful transitions

Whenever you know there will be a transition or a change in your life, try to help your cat gradually go through everything. Create baby steps that will help your cat adjust to anything new smoothly. Your kitty will be happy knowing you made an effort to make them feel safe and less nervous.


Kitty-adapted environment

Cats love to play, but to do that, they need an environment that’s suitable for their needs. Invest in cat trees, perches, or anything else where your cat can climb and relax. Also, create hiding spots where your cat can unwind if they become nervous.

When cats have all the resources they need and are in a calming environment, they will undoubtedly be less stressed.

sphynx cat in hepper pod 2

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Tips for Keeping Your Cat Healthy

All the methods we mentioned that relieve stress for a cat will also benefit their health. Also, the most important thing for keeping your cat healthy is regular vet checks. It’s best to catch a potential medical problem early so that you can resolve it quickly. Also, ensure that you provide your kitty with good nutrition, regular grooming, and dental and nail checks.

Make vet visits less stressful

Vet visits can be another trigger for your cat, and although you need to do them to keep your cat healthy, you should think of a strategy to make them less stressful. First, you must familiarize your cat with the carrier and make them feel comfortable inside. Then, when you’re at the vet’s, keep the carrier in your lap or next to you and avoid putting it on the floor. If possible, bring a toy or a treat to distract your cat if it starts feeling anxious.

cat is being checked by a vet
Image Credit: Maria Sbytova, Shutterstock

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Conclusion

Although it can be stressful for you to watch your cat vomiting when dealing with stress, you need to stay calm and try to tend to your cat as quickly as possible. To prevent these situations from happening, try to practice prevention and relieve stress when you notice your cat getting upset. Maintaining regular veterinary appointments, providing high-quality food, playing with them every day, and grooming them can minimize the stress your cat experiences.

See also:


Featured Image Credit: Tunatura, Shutterstock

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