Vomiting is a common problem for cats, and there are a variety of potential causes. Feline vomiting can be caused by diet, disease, parasites, poisoning, cancer, foreign bodies, and more. While occasional vomiting may not be a concern, chronic vomiting requires veterinary attention. Adjusting your cat’s diet is often an effective way to manage feline vomiting. This article will cover determining the cause of vomiting, dietary changes to try, when to seek veterinary care, and tips to prevent vomiting.
We’ll start by discussing how to identify potential causes of your cat’s vomiting. Next, we’ll go over dietary approaches like withholding food, switching to bland or hydrolyzed protein diets, and slowly reintroducing regular food. Later, we’ll cover when you should take your cat to the vet. We’ll also provide some tips on preventing vomiting and considerations for kittens. By the end, you’ll have a better understanding of why cats vomit and how to properly respond.
Determine the Cause
There are several common reasons why a cat may vomit repeatedly:
- Hairballs – Cats groom themselves frequently and swallow loose hair. Over time, the hair can form into a ball that is eventually vomited up. Hairballs are a very common cause of vomiting in cats.
- Eating Too Fast – When cats eat too quickly, they may swallow excess air which can cause vomiting. Eating fast doesn’t allow proper chewing and digestion. This is another prevalent cause of feline vomiting.
- Food Sensitivity or Allergy – Some cats may have sensitivities or allergies to certain ingredients in their food. This can irritate their digestive tract and lead to vomiting. Common triggers include wheat, corn and dairy products.
- Parasites – Intestinal parasites like roundworms or hookworms can cause irritation in a cat’s digestive system, resulting in vomiting. Regular deworming is important to protect against parasites.
- Foreign Object Ingestion – Cats are prone to eating items like string, plastic or small toys which can get lodged in their gastrointestinal tract and cause vomiting.
Other less common causes include infections, inflammatory bowel disease, kidney disease, diabetes and certain cancers. Your veterinarian can help diagnose the underlying cause through lab tests and imaging.
Withhold Food Initially
When a cat is vomiting frequently, it is best to withhold food and water for 12-24 hours to allow the stomach to rest and settle. This fasting period gives the gastrointestinal system a chance to reset and stop spasms and contractions that cause vomiting. According to experts, withholding food can help prevent vomiting from continuing and allow the stomach lining to heal if inflamed [1].
Fasting for 12-24 hours is usually sufficient for short-term vomiting episodes. However, if vomiting persists past 24 hours, you may need to extend the fasting period under the guidance of your veterinarian. It is important not to withhold food for more than 24-48 hours total, as this can lead to serious health issues [2].
During the fasting period, you should continue providing fresh water frequently to prevent dehydration. Water can help rinse the stomach of irritants while preventing electrolyte imbalances. Avoid giving milk or broth, as this may further upset the stomach.
Transition to a Bland Diet
After your cat has gone without food for 12-24 hours and the vomiting seems to have subsided, it’s time to slowly transition them to a bland diet (Source). A bland diet contains foods that are gentle on your cat’s digestive system and do not irritate the stomach. Characteristics of a bland diet include:
- Low fat – Fatty foods are harder to digest.
- Low fiber – Fiber can further irritate the intestinal tract.
- Low lactose – Lactose may cause diarrhea.
- Easy to digest proteins like boiled chicken, turkey, eggs.
- Refined carbohydrates like white rice, pasta, mashed potatoes.
Some bland diet food suggestions include:
– Boiled skinless chicken or turkey
– White rice or pasta
– Scrambled eggs
– Cottage cheese
– Plain canned pumpkin (not pie filling)
– Baby food with meat flavors
It’s important to introduce the bland diet slowly at first. Start with small amounts like 1-2 tablespoons at a time and gradually increase to larger portions over 2-3 days as tolerated. Feed several small meals throughout the day rather than 1 or 2 large meals.
Try a Hydrolyzed Protein Diet
A hydrolyzed protein diet contains proteins that have been broken down into smaller fragments, making them easier for your cat to digest and less likely to trigger allergic reactions or intolerances. According to one study, 1 42% of cats prescribed a hydrolyzed diet for vomiting and/or diarrhea showed improvement.
The hydrolysis process breaks the bonds between amino acids in proteins, creating hydrolyzed protein with a low molecular weight. This allows for better nutrient absorption. Hydrolyzed protein diets are highly digestible and less likely to cause an immune system response in cats with food sensitivities.
Some popular veterinary prescription brands that make hydrolyzed protein cat food formulas include Purina Pro Plan Veterinary Diets HA Hydrolyzed, Royal Canin Veterinary Diet Hydrolyzed Protein, and Hill’s Prescription Diet z/d. These foods are only available with a veterinarian’s prescription. You can purchase them through your veterinarian’s office or an online pet pharmacy with a valid prescription from your vet.
Reintroduce Regular Food Slowly
After your cat has gone at least 24 hours without vomiting on the bland diet, you can start the process of gradually transitioning back to regular cat food. This should be done slowly over the course of 3-5 days, to give your cat’s digestive system time to adjust.
Start by mixing a small amount of the regular food in with the bland diet, at a ratio of 25% regular food and 75% bland food. Slowly increase the amount of regular food each day, until you are feeding 100% regular food after about 5 days.
If your cat has sensitivities to certain ingredients, consider switching to a limited ingredient diet. This can help identify problematic ingredients your cat may be reacting to.
Monitor your cat closely during the transition period. If vomiting recurs, you may need to slow down the switch or try a different food. Contact your vet if symptoms persist despite the diet change.
Visit the Veterinarian
If your cat’s vomiting persists for more than a day or two, or is accompanied by concerning symptoms like lethargy, weight loss, or diarrhea, it’s important to visit the veterinarian (Texas A&M College of Veterinary Medicine & Biomedical Sciences). The vet will perform a physical exam and ask about your cat’s health history. They may run diagnostic tests like bloodwork, urinalysis, or imaging to check for issues like kidney disease, pancreatitis, intestinal blockages, or cancer.
Treatment will depend on the cause of the vomiting. The vet may prescribe anti-nausea medication, antibiotics, steroids, or other drugs. They may also recommend diet changes, administer fluids, or hospitalize your cat for more intensive treatment. Catching the issue early can help get your cat back on track to feeling better sooner.
Preventative Tips
There are some steps you can take to help prevent your cat from throwing up as much. These include:
Feed smaller, more frequent meals. Feeding cats smaller portions more often can help prevent vomiting by not overloading their stomachs. Breaking their daily intake into 3-4 smaller meals allows for better digestion.
Place food and water bowls far apart. Keeping your cat’s food and water bowls in separate areas can help prevent vomiting. Eating and then drinking a lot of water right after may lead to vomiting.
Use slow feeders. Special bowls called slow feeders have ridges, mazes, or obstacles that force a cat to eat slowly. This slower pace allows for better food digestion and helps prevent vomiting.
Maintain proper dental hygiene. Ensuring your cat’s teeth and gums stay healthy through regular teeth brushing and professional dental cleanings helps them chew food properly for better digestion, reducing vomiting episodes.
Kitten Considerations
Kittens have some specific dietary needs and health concerns that differ from adult cats. According to Chewy, kittens need a high-calorie diet to support their rapid growth and brain development. They also require more frequent feedings than adult cats. Overfeeding can lead to vomiting, so it’s important to follow portion guidelines.
Kittens are at higher risk for parasites like roundworms and hookworms, which can cause gastrointestinal upset and vomiting. According to Colorado Animal Rescue, parasite infestations are one of the most common causes of vomiting in kittens. Following a proper deworming schedule with a veterinarian is crucial.
Kittens also require a series of vaccinations to protect against dangerous viruses. The vaccination schedule should start at 6-8 weeks and continue every 2-4 weeks until 16 weeks old, per most vets. If a kitten is vomiting, timely vaccination is important to avoid secondary infections.
When to Worry
While occasional vomiting is normal for cats, certain symptoms warrant greater concern and potentially an emergency vet visit. According to the Cornell University College of Veterinary Medicine, you should contact your vet promptly if vomiting persists more than 1-2 days, if you notice signs of lethargy, diarrhea, weakness, or decreased appetite (source).
Signs of dehydration are also cause for concern. These include dry gums, sunken eyes, inelastic skin, and rapid breathing. Dehydration can occur after frequent vomiting and diarrhea. According to VCA Animal Hospitals, if you notice these dehydration symptoms along with lethargy, take your cat to an emergency vet immediately (source).
In general, you should seek emergency care if your cat is extremely lethargic, has bloody vomit or diarrhea, is crying in pain, or seems unable to comfortably rest. A veterinarian can assess your cat’s condition, provide IV fluids if dehydrated, and determine if hospitalization is required.