Nobody wants to see their precious cat throw up. However, responsible owners should be aware of what this symptom can actually mean.
Your cat can be throwing up but acting normal, if it had eaten too quickly or too much. In case the cat throws up more than twice a month and giving less food but more frequently didn’t fix the issue, you should pay a visit to the vet.
Why Is My Cat Throwing Up but Acting Normal?
Your cat throwing up is not always something that should immediately become a reason of concern.
If your feline is acting normal, doesn’t throw up often and when it does, the substance is mainly undigested food or hair, then, in the majority of cases, you have nothing to worry about.
The chances are high that the little guy simply ate too fast or too much or hairballs are to blame.
However, that does not mean that if your cat ever experiences a health problem, it will immediately start acting strange. In case the furry ball is throwing up quite frequently or the vomit has an unusual color and consistency, then taking the cat to the vet is advised.
Read: Is It Cruel to Keep a Bengal Cat Indoors?
Is It Normal for Cats to Randomly Throw Up?
It is completely normal for a cat to throw up every once in a while. But if the pet started vomiting more often and there are other behavioral changes, then it might be worth making an appointment with your veterinarian.
Fact: if your cat vomits more than twice a month, then you should be concerned.
In any case, you should keep an eye on your kitty and make sure that the pet did not come in contact with a toxic substance and that it doesn’t have something stuck in the throat.
When Should I Be Concerned About My Cat Throwing Up?
Frequent and severe vomiting is not normal. You should also pay attention to the actual vomit – if it has an unusual color and/or has blood, worms, and other strange things in it, then you should take the cat to the vet as soon as possible.
Other signs besides vomiting to look out for include:
- Lethargy
- Change in eating habits
- Pain in the abdomen
- Weight loss
- Diarrhea/constipation
- Neurological signs
- Dull hair, and so on
Why Is My Cat Throwing Up Undigested Food?
If your cat is throwing up right after it had its meal, then the kitty is, most likely, eating too fast or too much. Regurgitation can be stopped by feeding less at once (if that didn’t help, then it’s vomiting and you might have to be concerned).
One of the following can be to blame:
- Hairballs
- Food allergy
- Ingestion of toxic foods
- Worm infestation
- Low-quality food
- Infection
- Kidney problem
- Upset stomach
- Enzyme deficiency
Read: Are Savannah Cats Hard to Care For?
How Do I Know When My Cat Is Ill?
Ill cats will show a change in their overall behavior, including eating and sleeping patterns. Vomiting can also be a sign of illness.
What Color Should Cat Vomit Be?
Color is not a reliable way to determine why exactly your cat is vomiting.
| Color | Possible Meaning |
| Green | Usually indicates the presence of bile (it can be digested plant matter) |
| Black or brown (looks like coffee grounds) | Might be a sign of bleeding in the digestive tract |
| Pink or red | There can be a presence of blood (the pink can be digested salmon; red practically always means blood) |
Why Do Cats Vomit Yellow Liquid?
In the majority of cases, a yellow, brown, or orange vomit means that there is bile and partially undigested food present in the vomit.
Why Is My Cat Throwing Up White Foam?
Clear or white vomit and white foam might occur when the kitty throws up on an empty stomach or because of the regurgitation of saliva from the esophagus.
What Can I Give My Cat for Vomiting?
Any kind of treatment for your pet should be prescribed by a vet.
What you might be advised to do is remove any food for 2 hours (don’t forget to leave the water) and then offer the little guy a teaspoon of his usual food or bland cooked chicken, for example.
You can keep offering small amounts of food every 2 hours for a whole day. If everything seems to be okay, then you can return to your usual routine.
What Natural Remedy Can I Give My Cat for Vomiting?
Some cat owners recommend mixing your pet’s food with rice and giving the fluffy ball ginger tea.
If hairballs are the issue, then you can try adding a teaspoon of mineral oil to the cat’s food.
Read: Do Bengal Cats Need Special Care?
What Is the Difference Between Cat Vomit and a Hairball?
Vomit is usually a fluid-like substance mixed with undigested food, bile, and sometimes a few hairs.
A real hairball is usually a cigar-shaped tube that consists of densely packed hair.
How Do You Know If Your Cat Has a Hairball Blockage?
A healthy cat should be able to get rid of the hairballs without experiencing any difficulties. However, if you have noticed one of the following symptoms, then you should take the little guy to the vet, as it looks like a hairball has caused a blockage.
- Ongoing vomiting, retching, hacking, and gagging (without a hairball showing up)
- Lethargy
- Lack of appetite
- Constipation
- Diarrhea
Do Cats Get Stomach Viruses?
A stomach virus is yet another thing that can make your cat vomit.
Felines can suffer from gastroenteritis – the inflammation of the stomach and the intestines. Such a condition can be caused by viruses, parasites, bacteria, medications, and even the introduction of new foods.
Read: Do Savannah Cats Need Lots of Attention?
How Long Does Cat Upset Stomach Last?
Gastroenteritis is relatively common in cats and its symptoms (diarrhea and vomiting) should improve in 24-48 hours. If that didn’t happen, then you should call your veterinarian.
Is Vomiting a Symptom of Feline Leukemia?
Some of the most common symptoms related to feline leukemia are diarrhea and vomiting. These are usually the first symptoms that the owner notices if the cat is in the early stages of the disease.
Can Worms Cause Cats to Throw Up?
Worms can have a wide range of negative effects on your kitty, throwing up is just one of them. At times, you might notice worms in the actual vomit.
Can Cats Vomit from Stress?
Another thing that can make your cat throw up is stress. If the kitty is anxious or scared, it might lose its appetite and start suffering from diarrhea and frequent vomiting.
Should I Leave My Cat Alone When Sick?
If your cat wants to be left alone, then you should definitely honor its wish. Do keep an eye on the fluffy ball though and don’t forget to make sure that the little one has enough water.
Tip: a warm bed might help the sick kitty feel more comfortable and safer.
Read: Do Cats Care If You Cry?
Do Cats Feel Better After Vomiting?
If the cause of vomiting is not a serious concern (for example, the cat simply ate too fast), then throwing up would definitely make the kitty feel a bit better.
In all the other cases, the cat won’t really feel good until the underlying issue gets addressed.