Get

In Your Inbox

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.

Why Did My Cat Throw Up? 8 Vet-Reviewed Likely Reasons

a cat that feels sick and seems to vomit

When your cat throws up, it can send your mind into overdrive: What’s going on? Do I need to take them to the vet? What can I do for them? The solution starts with identifying why your cat is vomiting in the first place. There are a few different reasons that they could be throwing up, and not all of them warrant a trip to the vet.

So, keep reading, and we’ll help you figure out what’s going on and get your cat feeling better in no time.

divider cat faces 2 oct 2024

The 8 Reasons Why Cats Throw Up

1. Hairballs

Seriousness Low
Likelihood Common

Hairballs are normal occurrences for your cat, and while it can be uncomfortable to watch, there’s typically not much to worry about. Cats do this to clear out any hair or other materials that they ingest while licking themselves. While most of this hair will pass through their digestive tract, sometimes there’s just too much, and your cat’s body regurgitates it as a hairball.

However, while some hairballs are normal, if your cat is vomiting up more than one hairball a week, you should consider changing their diet or taking them to a vet to see what’s going on.

Pros
  • Normal occurrence
  • Usually doesn’t make much of a mess
  • Can be managed with regular grooming
Cons
  • You can’t stop it completely

2. Eating Too Much Too Quickly

cat eating food from the bowl
Image Credit: Roman Samsonov, Shutterstock
Seriousness Low
Likelihood Common

Cats can be just like us, and sometimes they’re just too quick to scarf up their food. If this sounds like your cat, there’s a good chance it’s what is causing them to vomit. Try slowing down their food intake by giving them less at a time and spreading out their meals throughout the day. You can also try a unique pet food bowl that forces them to slow down while they’re eating.

Either way, if this is what your cat is going through, it’s a preventable problem and not something that you should have to deal with for too long!

Pros
  • Treatable
  • Not a serious condition
Cons
  • Can be frustrating to deal with

3. Food Allergies

Seriousness Medium
Likelihood Common

Some cats can’t tolerate different foods, and if you just switched your cat’s food and they’re acting up, that’s likely what’s going on. It’s a treatable condition because all you need to do is change their diet, but it can be frustrating trying to find something that works for them.

Also, sometimes the special diets that they need to avoid their allergies can be expensive, and it’s a lifelong condition that they’ll have to deal with. If you can’t figure out the specific food allergy that is irritating your cat, you might need to take them to the vet to figure out what’s going on.

Pros
  • Treatable
  • Usually not a serious problem
Cons
  • Special diets can get expensive
  • May require a visit to the vet

4. Ate Something That They Shouldn’t Have

tired or sick cat
Image Credit: Kginger, Shutterstock
Seriousness Medium to severe
Likelihood Common

It doesn’t matter how often we shoo our cats away, sometimes they start chowing down on things that they should avoid. If you have a cat that likes to eat non-food items, it could easily cause vomiting.

The seriousness of the situation entirely depends on what they ate. Something like grass isn’t a huge concern, though it will induce vomiting, while other objects can block their digestive tract or lead to more severe side effects.

Pros
  • Preventable condition
Cons
  • Must hide all the things that they might eat
  • Serious if they eat the wrong thing

5. Intestinal Parasites

Seriousness Severe
Likelihood Common

If you have an outdoor cat or if your cat ate raw meat, they might have an intestinal parasite problem. This is a frequent occurrence for outdoor cats, but it’s rare for indoor ones.

Either way, it’s a treatable condition, but they will need a vet visit and the right medication. It can quickly escalate into a far more serious condition without treatment.

Pros
  • Treatable condition
  • Once treated, it doesn’t come back often
Cons
  • Requires medical treatment

6. Inflammatory Bowel Disease

ginger cat being examined by a vet
Image Credit: Andy Gin, Shutterstock
Seriousness Medium to severe
Likelihood Uncommon

Inflammatory bowel disease, also known as IBS, is a condition that can lead to your cat vomiting and having diarrhea throughout the day because they can’t handle the food that they’re consuming.

If you have a cat with IBS, you should take them to a vet for specific guidance on how to get your cat’s condition under control. Chances are that they’ll need a specific diet, and it’s likely to cost more than regular cat food.

Pros
  • Treatable condition
Cons
  • Lifelong condition
  • May require an expensive diet
  • May require extensive diagnostic testing
  • May require medication during flare-ups

7. Poisoning

Seriousness Severe
Likelihood Rare

While intentional poisoning of a cat is rare, it can happen. However, what’s more likely is that your cat ate something poisonous to them. These can be items like chocolate or household plants.

If you suspect that your cat has ingested something poisonous, you need to take them to a vet as soon as possible for treatment. However, the good news is that once you treat it, it shouldn’t happen again!

Pros
  • Usually a one-off condition
Cons
  • Serious condition
  • Requires immediate medical attention

8. Cancer

vet using tablet
Image Credit: PeopleImages.com – Yuri A, Shutterstock
Seriousness Severe
Likelihood Rare

There’s no doubt that cancer is the worst-case scenario among the reasons that your cat is vomiting, but you can take solace in the fact that it’s a condition that typically only affects older cats. Still, there’s no denying that it’s a potential cause.

For a proper diagnosis, you’ll need to take them to a vet, who will go over all the possible treatment options.

Pros
  • None
Cons
  • Serious condition
  • Requires expensive medical treatment

divider single cat paw oct 2024

When Should I Be Concerned About My Cat Vomiting?

You are free to use this image but we do require you to link back to Catster.com for credit

Anytime that your cat is throwing up repeatedly is a cause for concern. If they only vomit once, twice, or even three times, you’re probably fine. However, if it happens any more than that, you should reach out to a vet.

In addition to repeated vomiting, if any of these symptoms are present, you should take your cat to the vet immediately:

  • Vomiting blood
  • Pain or distress
  • Blood in stool
  • Fever
  • Weakness or lethargy

divider cat faces oct 2024

How Can I Treat My Cat for Vomiting at Home?

The first thing that you need to do if your cat is vomiting is to remove their food source for about 12 hours. During this time, only give them access to about 1 tablespoon of water every 30 minutes, or provide them with access to an ice cube.

For the next 12 hours, only give them small amounts of bland cat food. Slowly up the amount until they’re back to their regular feeding schedule. If they resume vomiting after eating, you should take them to a vet for further evaluation.

Call your vet so they can give you more advice and tips on how to help your cat.

If you need to speak with a vet but can't get to one, head over to PangoVet. It's an online service where you can talk to a vet online and get the advice you need for your pet — all at an affordable price!

PangoVet_Mention-in-Content for PangoVet2 save money

What Does Hairball Vomit Look Like?

If your cat is vomiting and you’re unsure if it’s a hairball or something else, the easiest way to figure it out is to look at it. While it’s a bit unpleasant, it’s usually easy to tell the difference.

Hairball vomit looks like a wad of fur tightly bunched into a cylinder-type shape due to traveling up through their throat, but other shapes are fine too. Keep in mind that while it’s mostly hair, it’s still going to be wet.

Our Favorite Enzyme Cleaner 

The Hepper Advanced Bio-Enzyme Pet Stain & Odor Eliminator Spray is our favorite enzyme cleaner out there. It permanently removes even the very worst kitty stains and smells, leaving your home fresh and clean! Click here to learn more about this amazing product and get yourself a bottle.

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...

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!

divider cat paw scratch oct 2024

Conclusion

Nobody likes to see their furry friends get sick, but if you own a cat, it’s only a matter of time until you see them vomit. Now that you know what to look for and common causes, you’ll know if you can treat the problem yourself or take them to the vet!

See also:


Featured Image Credit: chie hidaka, Shutterstock

How useful was this post?

Click on a star to rate (you can leave written feedback after clicking submit)

Help us improve Catster for pet parents!

Your feedback really matters.

What did you like about this post? Also how can we improve it?

Join the conversation

Leave a Reply

You’re very welcome to leave a comment or question. Please know that all comments must meet our community guidelines, and your email address will NOT be published. Let’s have a positive and constructive conversation.

Talk With A Vet Online

Peace of mind,
anywhere, anytime

Affordable vet advice

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...

Cat vomiting

Why Is My Cat Throwing Up After Having Vaccines? 3 Possible Reasons (Vet Answer)

Routine physical examinations are an integral part of preventative pet care. It is at these appointments that vaccinations are typically administered to our...

sick cat vomiting the food on a white background

Why Is My Cat Throwing Up Pink Liquid? Our Vet Explains 10 Reasons

It’s a noise that can’t be unheard. It will wake you up in the middle of the night and rattle your bones. Your...

sick-cat-vomits

My Cat Coughs After Drinking Water, What Should I Do? Our Vet Answers

If your cat coughs once or a few times after drinking water, it is possible that they drank water too quickly or were...

cat coughing

More related

cat coughing

My Cat Coughs After Drinking Water, What Should I Do? Our Vet Answers

If your cat coughs once or a few times after drinking water, it is possible that they drank water too quickly or were...

mistletoe with ribbon hanging on the door

9 Holiday Plants That Pose a Danger to Cats (With Pictures)

Other than the baking and gift-purchasing aspects, part of gearing up for the holidays is decorating. Some decorating involves trees and plants, but...

Cat with red, swollen an inflamed gums or resorption of teeth in felines and gingivitis showing teeth

Why Are My Cat’s Gums Red and Swollen? 8 Possible Reasons & What to Do

Owning a cat has its ups and downs, and unfortunately, most of the downs occur when our pets are sick. When your cat...

curled cat's tail close up

Why Is My Cat Chasing Their Tail? 8 Vet-Approved Reasons

It’s normal to see a dog chasing their tail, but do cats chase their tails as well? While many kittens and adult cats...

Keep reading

Is My Cat Fat or Pregnant? 4 Vet-Approved Signs to Look For

You might have started to notice that your female cat is looking a little plumper than she usually does. It might immediately make you think that you need to start cutting back on her treats, or you could be facing...

Pregnant White Cat

When Can I Let My Kitten Roam the House? Vet-Approved Info & 4 Safety Tips

Kittens are curious creatures that like to explore and get into mischief. Letting a kitten roam free in the house can be a dangerous proposition. They are tiny and unaware of lurking dangers. Their ability to hide in small spaces...

siamese kitten playing

Why Do Cats Rub Against Your Legs? 3 Vet-Verified Reasons for This Behavior

Trying to understand any aspect of your cat’s behavior can be frustrating, and as all cat owners know, cats have a wide array of behaviors! Usually, a cat rubbing up against your legs is a good sign, and there is...

Cat,Rubbing,Against,Owners,Legs.

10 Surprising Facts About Cat Urination (Vet-Verified)

This article has been reviewed by a qualified veterinarian using information available at the time of review. It is designed to provide general information only. The knowledge of feline medicine is continually evolving. This article is not intended to replace...

cat-peeing-on-the-floor

Are Forget-Me-Nots Toxic to Cats? Vet-Reviewed Houseplants Examined

If you’re a flower fanatic, you have undoubtedly seen and adored the lovely forget-me-not. Woodland forget-me-nots (Myosotis sylvatica) are a species of perennial plants with stunning blue flowers. Fans of forget-me-nots prize the delicate flowers with white or yellow eyes....

Catster_Are Forget-Me-Nots Toxic to Cats

Why Do Cats Shed So Much? 8 Possible Causes & When to Be Concerned

Shedding is a shared experience among cat owners. All cats with fur shed, even if they’re regarded as low-shedding or hypoallergenic breeds. So, it’s perfectly normal to find cat hair around your house. However, shedding does become concerning if you...

shedding cat lying on the gray sofa

Is Free Feeding Cats the Best Method? Vet-Verified Pros & Cons

How and when you feed your cat is almost as important as what you feed them. Indeed, your cat relies on you to determine when, what, and how they eat, which impacts their well-being and health on many levels. For...

cat eating food from the bowl

Why Is My Cat in Heat So Much? Vet Approved Facts & FAQ

If this is your first time living with a queen, or a non-spayed cat, it might surprise you how often they go into heat. How much is normal, and when should you worry? We break down everything for you here....

cat in heat