Current:Home > FinanceWhy does my cat keep throwing up? Advice from an expert. -VitalWealth Strategies
Why does my cat keep throwing up? Advice from an expert.
View
Date:2025-04-12 10:31:16
As a pet owner, it can be highly concerning when your furry friend gets sick. Unlike humans, animals cannot verbally communicate how they feel. So, if they have an upset stomach, you might not discover that something is wrong until there's throw up on your floor.
Cats vomit for different reasons, says Dr. Bruce Kornreich, director of the Cornell Feline Health Center − and it's not uncommon.
It is important, however, to understand your pet's behavior because the reason for their sickness could be serious.
Why is my cat throwing up?
A cat may throw up for many reasons, ranging from benign to fatal. According to Kornreich, undigested hair – commonly referred to as hairballs – could be the cause of some cats' vomiting. It is not out of the ordinary for your cat to expel a hairball once every week or two, he says.
In general, cats will vomit if they have an obstruction to their gastrointestinal tract. "Obstructions can be caused by things other than hairballs," says Kornreich. This could include small toys, tinsel, rubber bands or paper clips.
There are also "non-mechanical obstructions" that may cause your cat to vomit.
Antifreeze is one of these hazards. "If you're in an area where it's cold, be very careful about making sure you don't spill any antifreeze," says Kornreich. "Just a drop can cause a problem."
Some plants, such as lavender and tulips, are poisonous to cats and can cause intoxication when ingested, triggering your pet to vomit, he adds. The same goes if your cat eats certain foods, like chocolate or onions.
Having a parasite or suffering from constipation, hyperthyroidism or inflammatory bowel disease may also make your cat throw up, says Kornreich.
You should contact your veterinarian if your cat is vomiting more than once per week or is showing other symptoms, such as:
- Lethargy
- Increased appetite
- Blood in the vomit
- Increased thirst
- Increased urination
- Diarrhea
It is also important to note the difference between vomiting and regurgitating, says Kornreich. In rare cases, cats may regurgitate after eating. Regurgitation is not associated with the heaving noises and abdominal reflexes often seen in vomiting, he adds.
Plants safe for cats:A full list of toxic vs. cat-friendly flowers.
What should I do if my cat is throwing up?
If your cat is vomiting, you should focus on its frequency, other symptoms and if blood is present. From there, contact the veterinarian, says Kornreich.
"The initial steps are to get a rough idea of where the problem might be," says Kornreich. "If the veterinarian feels something, a mass in the abdomen, is that compacted stool? ls the cat constipated?"
Bloodwork will also provide a "roadmap" to see if your cat has any underlying conditions, such as kidney disease or liver disease, he adds.
Other procedures may be done depending on the reason for your cat's vomiting. "As you move along that spectrum of diagnostics, ultimately it may be that a cat has to undergo something that's perhaps a little bit more involved and perhaps invasive," says Kornreich. This may be a biopsy, X-ray or abdominal ultrasound.
Prevention tips
While you can't always stop your cat from vomiting, there are ways to prevent it.
If your cat is throwing up due to a hairball problem, it is important to maintain their coat and keep them well groomed. "If you can remove the hairs, it's less likely that it's going to be kind of bound up in the GI tract," says Kornreich.
Make sure you keep plants and other materials away from your cat to prevent them from ingesting it.
"The more important thing is to be vigilant about what might be causing it," says Kornreich.
Just Curious for more? We've got you covered
USA TODAY is exploring the questions you and others ask every day. From "How often should you take your cat to the vet?" to "What can you give dogs for pain?" to "When do cats stop growing?" − we're striving to find answers to the most common questions you ask every day. Head to our Just Curious section to see what else we can answer.
veryGood! (34)
Related
- Matt Damon remembers pal Robin Williams: 'He was a very deep, deep river'
- Sea Level Rise Will Rapidly Worsen Coastal Flooding in Coming Decades, NOAA Warns
- California Attorney General Sues Gas Company for Methane Leak, Federal Action Urged
- Dolphins QB Tua Tagovailoa's injury sparks concern over the NFL's concussion policies
- FACT FOCUS: Inspector general’s Jan. 6 report misrepresented as proof of FBI setup
- Why childbirth is so dangerous for many young teens
- Trump’s FEMA Ignores Climate Change in Strategic Plan for Disaster Response
- Sea Level Rise Will Rapidly Worsen Coastal Flooding in Coming Decades, NOAA Warns
- Meet 11-year-old skateboarder Zheng Haohao, the youngest Olympian competing in Paris
- New Mexico’s Biggest Power Plant Sticks with Coal. Partly. For Now.
Ranking
- Elon Musk's skyrocketing net worth: He's the first person with over $400 billion
- Barnard College will offer abortion pills for students
- Sea Level Rise Threatens to Wipe Out West Coast Wetlands
- Prince Harry Absent From Royal Family Balcony Moment at King Charles III’s Coronation
- A Mississippi company is sentenced for mislabeling cheap seafood as premium local fish
- What Will Be the Health Impact of 100+ Days of Exposure to California’s Methane Leak?
- New York business owner charged with attacking police with insecticide at the Capitol on Jan. 6
- Alaska’s Bering Sea Lost a Third of Its Ice in Just 8 Days
Recommendation
Paige Bueckers vs. Hannah Hidalgo highlights women's basketball games to watch
Wisconsin mothers search for solutions to child care deserts
Major hotel chain abandons San Francisco, blaming city's clouded future
Red Cross Turns to Climate Attribution Science to Prepare for Disasters Ahead
Small twin
New Federal Gas Storage Regulations Likely to Mimic Industry’s Guidelines
Debate’s Attempt to Show Candidates Divided on Climate Change Finds Unity Instead
New Federal Rules Target Methane Leaks, Flaring and Venting