We are here to talk about one of the most less-glamorous aspects of feline ownership – cat vomit. Why do cats vomit? What types of vomiting are there? What should you do about it? All these questions will be answered below.

Cat vomiting is commonly perceived as normal for our household felines. However, it's important to understand that your cat is not feeling well while vomiting, and there may be a serious medical issue involved, so you should stay vigilant. Vomiting is a forceful action triggered by the cat’s brain. Your furry friend is actually commanding their muscles to expel the content of their stomach. In contrast, regurgitation is an involuntary reflex of the body that is supposed to expel irritants affecting the stomach or undigested food.

Why Do Cats Vomit?

The reasons can be divided into two major groups – Gastrointestinal causes (it means a problem with the digestion system) and Extra-Gastrointestinal causes (there are causes outside of the cat’s body).

What Types of Vomiting Are There?

Acute vomiting – that is when a cat is vomiting frequently within 5-7 days. This can be caused by toxins, stress, and motion sickness most of the time. It usually resolves on its own but you may have to make some dietary changes for your feline and you may have to bring them for a full physiological checkup at the veterinarian.

Chronic vomiting – that is when a cat is vomiting frequently for more than one week. This is often caused by organ dysfunction, inflammation of the pancreas, and when the immune system problems. It rarely stops on its own and you will have to consult a veterinarian about the best treatment.

Why Does the Vomit Have Blood?

The blood in your cat’s vomit may be a sign of Inflammatory Bowel Disease (IBD). This is a condition where the immune system attacks the lining of the digestive tract, leading to inflammation and vomiting. It may be also a sign of viruses, bacteria, or parasites that have entered the cat’s body and multiplied beyond what the immune system can handle. This often leads to inflammation of the stomach or intestines, a swollen abdomen, and pain. You may also find that your cat has diarrhea and has lost their appetite. If your paw friend is feeling very sick they may exhibit open mouth breathing, drooling, and restless behavior like pacing and frequent vocalization.

Felines who are struggling with cancer that is affecting their gastrointestinal system may also vomit blood. We should mention that fungal infections very rarely can affect a feline’s stomach and you will need to work with a veterinarian to find the best treatment.

What Should You Do About It?

Dehydration is a major symptom that you need to address if your furry friend is frequently vomiting. Make sure your furry friend has clean and fresh water available at all times and monitor to see if the vomiting persists for longer than one week. Of course, if you see blood in the vomit material then you should take your cat for a full checkup as soon as possible.

If your precious feline is severely dehydrated their kidneys will have a hard time detoxing their body and all of their organs will have an impaired function. Your veterinarian may give you medication to address the nausea associated with the vomiting and the cat may have to spend 24 hours at the vet’s office for hydration and supervision. Additionally, your paw friend may have to be put on a bland diet. This means they will have to be fed food that is very easy to digest. This enables their gastrointestinal system some time to heal. You can buy therapeutic food from most major cat food brands and you will only have to feed that to your cat for about a week or so. Of course, you should consult your veterinarian about when you can stop with the bland diet.

How to Prepare Bland Food at Home?

It is very easy to prepare bland food for your recovering feline. Take chicken breast and boil it thoroughly. Do not use any additives like oil, spices, or anything like that. Also, boil white rice without any additives just like the meat. For the food serving—shred the boiled chicken meat and mix it with the boiled rice in a 50:50 ratio. If your cat is not particularly fond of your homemade meals you will have to probably buy therapeutic food from the store.

We hope this helps you be better prepared in case your feline friend is vomiting and you are not sure what to do.