Rest assured that even the healthiest cat might throw up from time to time. There are numerous reasons why a cat may throw up, some of which are harmless and you should not really worry about. Others may be more serious and a cause of necessary concern.
There are a number of factors that you should pay attention to that may help you determine the reason why your cat is vomiting and assist in assessing the seriousness of the situation. Here is an outline of common cat vomiting causes and possible outlying issues that could be ailing your cat.
Common, Non-Threatening Causes of Vomiting
Cats often vomit because of hairballs, eating grass, eating their food too quickly, or sudden changes in diet. Vomiting due to hairballs and ingesting grass is easy to identify because it should be clear with a very distinct ball of hair or whole blades of grass within it.
Brushing a cat regularly can help cut down on hairballs and eating grass is normal behavior. As long as these things do not become persistent and severe, they are generally not a serious issue.
Vomit that is caused by eating too quickly or changing their food will usually be solid and have undigested whole pieces of food in it. Feeding smaller, more frequent meals to your cat and feeding cats in separate rooms in homes with multiple cats can help stop them from eating too quickly.
Also, once you choose a brand of food, try to stick with it throughout the cat’s lifespan so as not to upset their sensitive digestive systems. Most brands will have a kitten formula and an adult formula and many have others like senior or weight control formulas depending on your cat’s individual needs. If you must switch a cat’s food, do so gradually over time, not all at once.
Serious Cases that Require Medical Attention
In the above situations, a feline will most likely just vomit once or twice and then will act completely fine showing no signs of further illness.
However, in any case, if a cat’s vomiting is persistent, sporadic and frequent over a longer period of time, projectile, or appears to contain feces, blood, or worms, it is probably an indication of a more serious problem. These can be indicative of a range of illnesses including intestinal parasites, liver disease, various infectious diseases, ingestion of toxins or obstructions, intestinal tumors, chronic renal failure, inflammatory bowel disease, heartworms, and a whole host of others.
If your cat begins vomiting, withhold food for about 12 to 24 hours. If it continues vomiting even without access to food, you should immediately consult a veterinarian. A trip to the vet may not be necessary in every case, but it is always better to be safe than sorry. In any circumstance, if you have any doubt whatsoever, do not hesitate to consult a vet to ensure the safety of your pet and put your mind at ease.