Why Is Your Cat Vomiting?

We know that most cats throw up furballs when they ingest their fur and tend to get rid of them right away. And our cats will vomit now and then when they eat their food too quickly or something didn’t agree with them.  But, if your cat vomits more than once on a daily basis, there are many other reasons why your cat is vomiting.

If your cat’s vomiting is sudden and persistent, take your cat to the vet. 

Below are some reasons that your cat might be vomiting and will need immediate attention:

Daily vomiting: 

If your cat throws up daily, this isn’t normal, and you should take your cat to the vet.

Diarrhea:

Sickness with diarrhea is a combination which quickly leads to dehydration and can become dangerous quickly.

Taking medications:

If your cat is on new medication and is throwing up, she could be having a reaction, and your vet should know about it.

Blood in the vomit:

At no time is blood in vomitus normal, so see the vet right away.

Pain:

If your kitty seems in pain or distressed, make sure to see the vet.

Below are some other reasons that might be why your cat is vomiting, some are more serious than others:

Eating too quickly

A cat who tends to eat their food quickly might end up throwing it up. This tends to be problematic in a home that has more than one cat and the kitties feel as if it is a competition for the food bowl. Vomiting can also be caused from an abrupt diet change, such as switching to a new food or supplement.

Consuming something indigestible

When a cat consumes any indigestible substance, such as a toy, a bite of a houseplant and/or even their fur, you cat’s body tends to reject the material and it is often vomited up in the form of bile. If you saw your cat ingest something like this and it’s minor, your cat will either throw it up or poop it out.

Parasites

Internal parasites, such as hookworms, roundworms, tapeworms, and whipworms, can cause a cat to vomit, often excessively.

Poisonous items

If your cat eats something poisonous, your kitty will tend to get rid of the item as their body’s protective mechanisms will automatically get rid of the poison and this is usually through vomiting. Some of the common poisonous items include the following: some human food, our medication, some plants can be toxic, most chemicals and even insecticides. If you think your cat ate something poisonous, you should head to the vet right away.

Food allergies

Food allergies are common in cats too. A cat who is allergic or intolerant to one or more ingredients in their food may throw up. The most common cat food allergens are wheat, milk or eggs or a combination of them all. Even if your cat has been eating the same brand of food for a long time without any problems, food allergies can still develop. Sometimes you just need to shake it up and change your kitties’ food to a new type of food.

Infection

Some viral and bacterial infections such as salmonella and giardia can cause your cat to vomit. Some of these diseases are potentially life-threatening so be especially cautious if your cat isn’t vaccinated. In the most serious cases, your vet might offer more serious treatment to support your cats kidneys or immune system. Antibiotics, intravenous fluids, antibiotics, and anti-sickness medication might be required.

Some diseases

Vomiting is a symptom of a number of diseases. Among them are some of the following:  kidney disease, irritable bowel disease, gastritis, liver failure, hyperthyroidism, cancer, diabetes and even adrenal gland disease.

If you are worried about your cat, make sure to see your veterinarian right away or at least give your vet a call. Under some circumstances vomiting is normal and nothing to worry about, but if you are in doubt, it’s important to have your cat checked out.