Why Cats Vomit: From Minor Irritants to Serious Medical Conditions

Vomiting is a common occurrence in cats, and it can be caused by a wide range of factors, from minor dietary indiscretions to serious medical conditions. Understanding the underlying cause of your cat's vomiting is crucial for determining the appropriate treatment and preventing future episodes.

Common Causes of Cat Vomiting

1. Dietary Factors

• Eating too quickly: Cats are notorious for scarfing down their food, which can lead to vomiting as the stomach struggles to digest the large amount of food at once.
• Food allergies: Some cats may be allergic to certain ingredients in their food, which can trigger vomiting and other digestive issues.
• Spoiled or contaminated food: Eating spoiled or contaminated food can cause vomiting, diarrhea, and other digestive problems.
• Dietary indiscretion: Cats may vomit after ingesting non-food items, such as plants, plastic, or fabric.

2. Hairballs

Cats groom themselves regularly, and they often ingest loose hair during this process. Hair can accumulate in the stomach and form hairballs, which can irritate the stomach lining and cause vomiting.

3. Gastrointestinal Diseases

• Inflammatory bowel disease (IBD): IBD is a chronic inflammation of the digestive tract that can cause vomiting, diarrhea, weight loss, and other digestive problems.
• Gastritis: Gastritis is an inflammation of the stomach lining that can be caused by various factors, such as toxins, drugs, or stress.
• Pancreatitis: Pancreatitis is an inflammation of the pancreas that can cause vomiting, abdominal pain, and weight loss.
• Stomach ulcers: Stomach ulcers are sores that develop in the stomach lining and can cause vomiting, abdominal pain, and decreased appetite.

4. Systemic Diseases

• Kidney disease: Kidney disease can lead to vomiting as a result of urea buildup in the blood.
• Liver disease: Liver disease can cause vomiting due to impaired liver function.
• Diabetes mellitus: Diabetes mellitus is a hormonal disorder that can cause vomiting due to electrolyte imbalances and dehydration.
• Hyperthyroidism: Hyperthyroidism is a thyroid gland disorder that can cause vomiting, weight loss, and increased thirst.

5. Toxins and Poisons

Cats can vomit after ingesting toxins or poisons, such as household cleaners, insecticides, rodenticides, and plants.

6. Parasites

• Roundworms: Roundworms are intestinal parasites that can cause vomiting, diarrhea, and weight loss in cats.
• Hookworms: Hookworms are intestinal parasites that can cause vomiting, anemia, and weight loss in cats.
• Giardia: Giardia is a protozoan parasite that can cause vomiting, diarrhea, and abdominal pain in cats.

Signs and Symptoms of Vomiting in Cats

• Vomiting up undigested food or liquid
• Frequent or repeated vomiting
• Projectile vomiting
• Vomiting blood
• Vomiting with abdominal pain
• Lethargy and loss of appetite
• Weight loss
• Dehydration

When to Seek Veterinary Attention

Vomiting in cats is generally not a cause for immediate alarm, but there are some situations where you should seek veterinary attention promptly:

• If your cat is vomiting frequently or repeatedly
• If your cat is vomiting blood or bile
• If your cat is vomiting and has abdominal pain
• If your cat is vomiting and has a fever
• If your cat is vomiting and is lethargic or has lost its appetite
• If your cat is vomiting after ingesting a known toxin or poison

Diagnosis and Treatment

The diagnosis of vomiting in cats is based on a thorough physical examination, a detailed history of your cat's symptoms, and laboratory tests, such as bloodwork and abdominal X-rays.

Treatment for vomiting in cats will vary depending on the underlying cause. Some common treatments include:

• Dietary changes
• Anti-nausea medication
• Antibiotics (if a bacterial infection is present)
• Parasite treatment
• Surgery (in some cases)

Prevention

While not all causes of vomiting in cats are preventable, there are some steps you can take to reduce the risk:

• Feed your cat a high-quality diet and avoid sudden changes in diet.
• Prevent your cat from eating non-food items.
• Keep your cat up to date on vaccines and parasite prevention.
• Supervise your cat around potential toxins and poisons.

Case Studies

Case 1: Hairball Vomiting

A 5-year-old female cat presented to the clinic with a history of vomiting hairballs. The cat had no other symptoms and was otherwise healthy. The veterinarian recommended regular brushing and hairball control products to prevent future hairball formation.

Case 2: Dietary Indiscretion

A 1-year-old male cat presented to the clinic after vomiting up a piece of plastic. The cat was otherwise healthy and had no other symptoms. The veterinarian recommended removing the plastic piece from the cat's stomach and advised the owners to prevent the cat from accessing non-food items.

Case 3: Pancreatitis

A 7-year-old female cat presented to the clinic with a history of vomiting, abdominal pain, and weight loss. The cat had been diagnosed with pancreatitis in the past. The veterinarian recommended a prescription diet for pancreatitis and medication to reduce inflammation and pain.

Step-by-Step Approach

If your cat vomits:

1. Observe the vomit and note any unusual contents, such as blood, bile, or parasites.
2. Keep your cat hydrated by offering small amounts of water frequently.
3. Withhold food for a period of 12-24 hours, depending on the severity of the vomiting.
4. If your cat continues to vomit, call your veterinarian for advice.

Pros and Cons of Different Treatment Options

FAQs

Q: Why do cats vomit bile?

A: Vomiting bile can be a sign of a stomach or intestinal problem, such as gastritis, IBD, or pancreatitis. It can also be caused by hunger or dehydration.

Q: Can vomiting in cats be a sign of serious illness?

A: Yes, vomiting in cats can be a sign of serious illness, such as kidney disease, liver disease, or diabetes mellitus. If your cat is vomiting frequently or repeatedly, it is important to seek veterinary attention.

Q: How can I prevent my cat from vomiting?

A: There are a few steps you can take to prevent vomiting in your cat, such as feeding your cat a high-quality diet, preventing your cat from eating non-food items, and keeping your cat up to date on vaccines and parasite prevention.

Resources

• ASPCA: Vomiting in Cats
• Cornell University College of Veterinary Medicine: Vomiting in Cats
• National Animal Poison Control Center: Vomiting in Cats

Table 1: Common Causes of Vomiting in Cats

Table 2: Signs and Symptoms of Vomiting in Cats

Table 3: Treatment Options for Vomiting in Cats