It can be concerning when a cat starts throwing up, especially if it’s happening frequently. Vomiting in cats can have several potential causes, including illnesses, eating something disagreeable, or stress and anxiety. Anxiety is often overlooked as a source of vomiting, but it can commonly prompt upset stomach and repeated regurgitation in cats.
When cats get anxious, their digestion slows down and gastrointestinal motility changes. Stress triggers the release of certain hormones that can increase stomach acid production and disrupt normal function. As a result, anxious cats may vomit bile or food contents, especially if feeling stressed around mealtimes.
Recognizing anxiety as an underlying cause is important when a cat is throwing up. While vomiting itself can cause stress, cats may also become sick from pre-existing anxieties in their environment or daily routine. By identifying and reducing sources of stress, you may be able to curb episodes of vomiting resulting from your cat’s anxious disposition.
Causes of Vomiting in Cats
There are several potential causes for vomiting in cats. Some of the most common include:
Hairballs – One of the most frequent causes of vomiting in cats is hairballs. As cats groom themselves, they swallow hair. Over time, this builds up in the digestive tract and is vomited up. Hairballs usually look tubular in shape and may have hair visible in them. They can cause gagging, retching, and vomiting (Vomiting | Cornell University College of Veterinary Medicine).
Eating Too Fast – When cats eat too quickly, they may swallow air which can lead to vomiting. Eating too much food at once can also overwhelm the stomach and cause vomiting (Vomiting in Cats – VCA Animal Hospitals).
Parasites – Parasites like roundworms, hookworms, or giardia can infect the gastrointestinal tract causing inflammation, diarrhea, and vomiting. Cats that go outside are at higher risk for parasitic infections (Cat Vomiting: Types, Causes, and Treatments).
Infections – Bacterial, viral, or fungal infections in the stomach or intestines can lead to irritation, inflammation, and vomiting. Pancreatitis is another common infectious cause.
Diseases – Conditions like diabetes, kidney disease, liver disease, inflammatory bowel disease, food allergies, and cancer can sometimes cause nausea and vomiting in cats.
Poisons – Ingestion of toxic substances like antifreeze, chemicals, plants, or medications can irritate the digestive tract and induce vomiting.
Foreign Objects – Cats may swallow or eat inedible objects which can get stuck in the intestines or stomach leading to vomiting as the body tries to expel them.
Signs of Anxiety in Cats
Anxious cats may exhibit a variety of behavioral changes and symptoms. Some common signs of anxiety in cats include:
- Aggression – An anxious cat may act out with sudden aggression, such as biting, scratching, or hissing, even towards owners or family members.
- Restlessness – Cats may pace, seem unable to get comfortable, and have difficulty settling down when feeling anxious.
- Hiding – It’s common for anxious cats to hide away under furniture, in closets, or other confined spots where they feel safer.
- Inappropriate urination – Urinating outside of the litter box is a common sign of stress in cats.
- Excessive grooming – Overgrooming behaviors like licking, chewing, or pulling out fur are self-soothing mechanisms when a cat feels anxious.
Paying attention to behavioral changes can help clue owners into anxiety issues even before the vomiting begins. If your cat is exhibiting multiple symptoms of anxiety, an underlying stressor may be to blame.
Link Between Anxiety and Vomiting
Stress can cause gastrointestinal issues in cats that may lead to vomiting. When anxious or stressed, a cat’s digestive system can become imbalanced, resulting in nausea and vomiting (Zoetis Pet Care). The reason this occurs is that a cat’s stomach motility changes during times of stress and anxiety. Their digestive system essentially shuts down, causing an accumulation of hairballs, bile, and food that needs to be expelled. This is why cats may vomit when feeling anxious or stressed.
Vomiting is a common symptom of stress and anxiety in cats. The physiological changes associated with stress can directly impact the gastrointestinal tract. According to Catster, the excessive release of stress hormones slows down digestion and gut motility, leading to nausea and vomiting episodes. When a cat is anxious, its body goes into fight-or-flight mode, directing blood flow and energy toward survival responses rather than digestion. This disruption in normal functioning can cause cats to vomit frequently when stressed.
Diagnosing the Cause
If your cat is vomiting frequently, the first step is to take them to the vet for a full examination. The vet will run various tests to rule out any underlying medical conditions that could be causing the vomiting. These may include:
- Bloodwork to check for issues like kidney disease or diabetes
- Imaging tests like x-rays or ultrasound to look for intestinal blockages or masses
- Examining a stool sample for parasites
If all the test results come back normal, then anxiety and stress are likely culprits. The vet will look for behavioral signs during the exam that may indicate anxiety, such as:
- Dilated pupils
- Rapid breathing
- Trembling
- Hiding or seeming fearful
- Excessive grooming
Your vet may also ask about any changes in your cat’s environment or routine that could be triggering stress. Sudden loud noises, introducing a new pet, moving homes, or your absence can all spur anxious behaviors like vomiting in cats. Keeping a log of when vomiting episodes occur can help identify patterns.
Treating Vomiting from Anxiety
If your cat is vomiting due to anxiety, the first step is to treat any underlying medical conditions that may be contributing to the anxiety. Cats can vomit for many reasons, so it’s important to rule out illnesses by taking your cat to the veterinarian for a full checkup.
Once medical causes are ruled out, the focus can shift to treating the anxiety itself. There are several approaches:
- Behavior modification techniques like desensitization and counterconditioning can help reduce triggers that create anxiety for your cat.
- Synthetic pheromones like Feliway can have a calming effect and reduce stress.
- Prescription anti-anxiety medications may be recommended by your veterinarian in severe cases of anxiety. Medications like fluoxetine and clomipramine have been shown to reduce anxiety in cats.
- Making environmental changes like maintaining a predictable routine, keeping litter boxes clean, and minimizing loud noises can help reduce anxiety in the home.
While training and behavior modification take time and effort, they address the root cause of feline anxiety. Medications can provide short-term relief while you identify and modify anxiety triggers over the long-term. With patience and persistence, anxiety and resulting vomiting can be significantly reduced.
Sources: https://vcahospitals.com/know-your-pet/vomiting-in-cats, https://www.catster.com/guides/do-cats-vomit-when-stressed/
Reducing Anxiety Triggers
There are several ways you can reduce anxiety triggers in your cat’s environment to help prevent vomiting episodes:
Limit environmental stressors. Cats can become anxious due to loud noises, changes in their environment, introduction of new people or pets, etc. Try to minimize any sudden changes and make adjustments gradually if needed. Provide your cat with quiet, calm spaces they can retreat to.
Provide enrichment. Make sure your cat has plenty of toys, cat trees/perches, and opportunities for playtime and exercise. Rotate toys to keep them interesting. Food puzzles and treat dispensing toys can also stimulate them mentally and physically. This helps prevent boredom and anxiety buildup.
Maintain a consistent routine. Cats feel most secure when they can predict their daily schedule. Feed them, play with them, and clean their litter at around the same times each day. Consistency and predictability helps lower stress.
By reducing anxiety triggers through limiting stressors, providing enrichment, and sticking to a routine, you can help minimize situations that lead to anxious behaviors like vomiting in cats.
Training to Reduce Anxiety
One of the most effective ways to help an anxious cat is through training techniques like desensitization, counterconditioning, and positive reinforcement. According to How to Help a Cat with Fear and Anxiety, these methods can teach your cat new, positive associations to things that trigger their anxiety.
Desensitization involves gradually exposing your cat to the anxiety-inducing stimulus from a distance, at a low intensity. For example, if your cat is afraid of vacuum cleaners, start by placing the vacuum in the room while it’s off. Reward calm behavior with treats. Slowly move the vacuum closer as your cat remains relaxed. The goal is to increase tolerance to the trigger.
Counterconditioning means pairing the trigger with something positive, like a treat, toy, or affection. This creates positive associations to override fearful responses. For example, when vacuuming, pause frequently to feed your cat treats and praise. With time, your cat will associate vacuums with good things instead of fear.
Always use positive reinforcement in training. Praise, treats, play and affection are powerful motivators for creating new learning. Never punish anxiety responses, as this can make them worse. Consistency and patience are key in helping anxious cats through desensitization and counterconditioning.
When to See the Vet
If your cat’s vomiting persists or seems to worsen over time, it’s important to take them to the vet. The vet can run tests to diagnose any underlying medical issues that may be causing the vomiting.
Some signs that warrant a veterinary visit include: vomiting that lasts more than 24 hours, vomiting after eating or drinking, vomiting along with symptoms like lethargy or diarrhea, vomiting more than 2-3 times in one day, or vomiting with blood present [1].
At the vet appointment, the vet will ask about your cat’s health history and symptoms. They may run diagnostic tests like bloodwork, urinalysis, x-rays, or ultrasound. Treatment will depend on the underlying cause, but may include medications, diet changes, or fluids [2].
Some common issues that cause cat vomiting that the vet can diagnose and treat include: infections, pancreatitis, inflammatory bowel disease, cancer, kidney disease, parasites, and more. It’s important not to ignore persistent vomiting in cats, as early treatment leads to better outcomes.
Summary
In summary, while anxiety can cause vomiting in cats, it’s important to first rule out any underlying medical conditions with your veterinarian. Signs of anxiety include hiding, aggression, urinating outside the litterbox, and obsessively grooming. If anxiety seems to be the root cause, you can take steps to minimize stressors in your cat’s environment, train them to reduce anxious behaviors, and try anti-anxiety medication if prescribed by your vet.
The main points to remember are that anxiety can cause gastrointestinal issues like vomiting, but medical causes should always be investigated first. Treatment for anxiety-related vomiting involves identifying and removing triggers, providing a predictable routine, training with positive reinforcement, and potentially prescription anti-anxiety medication. By being a calming and consistent presence for your cat, as well as working closely with your veterinarian, you can get to the bottom of vomiting issues and help to relieve your cat’s anxiety.