Why Does My Cat Throw Up Every Day? 10 Vet-Verified Reasons

Cats throw up occasionally, but if your cat is vomiting every day, they may have a medical condition. It’s also worrisome as a pet parent to see your pet getting sick each day. That leads to the question of why your cat is throwing up every day.

There are several likely reasons for your cat vomiting every day. They range from the not-so-serious to the very severe, and for most owners, they'll need to take their cats to the veterinarian. That doesn’t automatically mean something is wrong since they could just be dealing with a temporary issue.

Below, you’ll find the most common reasons your cat is throwing up every day.

The 10 Reasons Why Your Cat is Throwing Up Everyday

1. Hairballs

Most cats will get a hairball or two during their lifetime, but some, including longhair felines and those who groom excessively, will get them more often. Hairballs might seem like no big deal, but if they aren’t thrown up, they can cause intestinal blockages. So, if your cat is throwing up every day, they could be getting rid of a bunch of hairballs. It’s good that they’re throwing them up, but it’s not so great that they’re doing it every day.

Regularly brushing and grooming your cat should help with hairballs. If it’s more a matter of excessive grooming, look at whether your cat is bored or stressed. Those are common reasons a cat will overgroom. If you don’t suspect either of these causes, speak with a veterinarian to see if there may be another issue.

2. Eating Too Quickly

Another common reason cats throw up often is because they’re eating their food way too fast. If you’ve noticed your kitty scarfing down meals in a matter of seconds or minutes, then find them puking later, it’s a good bet this is the cause.

If you find barely digested food in the vomit, they're probably eating too fast. You can slow your pet’s eating by investing in a slow feeder that will give them food in bits and pieces.

• Looking for a pet-friendly solution for cleaning vomit? Check out our top products here.

3. Food Allergies

Cats can develop food allergies just like humans. If your cat is allergic to an ingredient in their food, it could be why they’re throwing up daily. The most common kitty food allergies include chicken, fish, and beef. If you also notice that your pet is itchy on top of throwing up, food allergies are a likely culprit. In that case, you’ll need to have your vet run tests. A diet change may be required. You can always reach out to a veterinarian and ask them to help you come up with the proper diet for your cat.

4. Foreign Objects In The Digestive Tract

If your cat is constantly eating things they shouldn’t, such as crayons, yarn, rubber bands, and cardboard, they can end up in the digestive tract. To rid the digestive tract of the foreign body, vomiting may occur. If you think your cat has consumed an item they shouldn’t have, contact a veterinarian because it can be life-threatening.

5. Medication

Sometimes, vomiting can be caused by taking medications orally. If your cat is on chemotherapy or taking drugs such as anti-inflammatories or antibiotics, they can get an upset stomach and vomit. It might also be the way the medication is given.

Giving your kittie dry pills (aka without any liquid following) can lead to vomiting. If you suspect your cat is reacting to medication poorly, talk to your vet to see if they can switch them to something different.

6. Poisoning

Vomiting can also be caused by your cat getting into something poisonous. Many substances in our homes can be poisonous to felines, including antifreeze, bug sprays, household cleaners, plants, and rat poison. It might not be just one thing they’re interacting with that’s making them ill.

If you want to know what you should keep out of your home, the ASPCA has a poison control site and center that can tell you what to avoid. If you believe your cat has ingested something poisonous, seek immediate medical attention.

7. Intestinal Issues

If nothing on this list seems to fit your cat, then it’s time to look at their health. Vomiting can occur because of intestinal issues. Irritable bowel syndrome and inflammatory bowel disease are common culprits that can result in vomiting, diarrhea, and stomach pain. Your vet can determine the reason for the excessive vomiting and treat it accordingly.

Other intestinal causes of vomiting may be intestinal parasites. These parasites can inhabit your cat when they eat fleas or ingest larvae or eggs. Luckily, your vet can easily treat parasites with medication, and you can prevent reinfection with basic sanitary measures and medication.

8. Organ Dysfunction

Your cat could be throwing up daily due to one of their organs not working properly. A more severe cause of vomiting could include pancreatitis (when the pancreas becomes inflamed) and chronic kidney disease (more common in older cats).

If an organ dysfunction is why your cat has been sick, you’ll see signs other than vomiting, such as diarrhea, lethargy, and weight loss. If you see a combination of these signs, get your cat to the vet as soon as you can.

9. Endocrinological

Issues with your kitty’s endocrine system can also lead to excessive vomiting. Problems with your pet’s endocrine system can include hyperthyroidism and diabetic ketoacidosis. Hyperthyroidism occurs when the thyroid produces too many hormones and can result in vomiting, weakness, increased thirst and appetite, and weight loss.

Diabetic ketoacidosis occurs when feline diabetes has gone undetected or untreated. When untreated, the disease can cause excessive ketones to develop, which can lead to a coma or even death. A suspected endocrinological issue is another instance where you should see your vet immediately.

10. Cancer

Probably the scariest reason for chronic vomiting on this list is cancer. Cancer of the stomach or intestines can result in several signs, including vomiting, diarrhea, refusal to eat, lethargy, and weight loss. If your vet has eliminated all other possibilities for your cat throwing up every day, it could be time to see if your pet has any tumors.

Additional Information

Conclusion

Having a cat who throws up every day can be frightening, especially since they can’t tell you what’s wrong. There are a few relatively benign reasons your cat could be doing this, but they shouldn’t be throwing up that much overall. Even if you suspect the excessive vomiting is because of something like hairballs, it’s still wise to check with your vet to ensure that everything is indeed okay. In most instances, your vet should be able to help diagnose and treat the reason for so much vomiting.

• See also: Why Is My Cat Throwing Up Brown Liquid? Our Vet Explains 3 Reasons

Featured Image Credit: Nils Jacobi, Shutterstock