What to Do When Cats Throw Up

by Alex Kountry
Updated on

If your cat is throwing up hairballs, there are a few things you can do to help. First, try to reduce the amount of hair your cat ingests by brushing them regularly. You can also give them special food or supplements to help them pass hairballs more easily. If the problem persists, talk to your veterinarian.

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Causes of Vomiting in Cats

There are a number of reasons why your cat may vomit, and it’s important to take note of any other accompanying symptoms to help determine the cause. Some causes of vomiting are benign and will resolve on their own, while others may require treatment from your veterinarian.

Food intolerance or allergies

One of the most common causes of vomiting in cats is food intolerance or allergies. Certain ingredients in your cat’s food may not agree with them and cause digestive upset. If you notice that your cat is vomiting soon after eating, it’s worth looking into whether they have any allergies or sensitivities.

There are a few other less common causes of vomiting in cats, such as:

-Infections: Upper respiratory infections, intestinal parasites, and infections of the liver or pancreas can all cause vomiting.

-Hairballs: While hairballs are not technically vomit, they can cause similar symptoms. Hairballs happen when your cat swallows too much hair while grooming themselves. They can be dangerous if they get stuck in your cat’s digestive system, so it’s important to take them to the vet if this happens.

-Kidney disease: Kidney disease is a common health problem in older cats. It can cause vomiting because the kidneys are responsible for filtering toxins out of the blood. If your cat has kidney disease, they will likely have other symptoms such as weight loss, increased thirst, and lethargy.

If your cat is vomiting frequently or seems to be in pain, it’s important to take them to the vet so that they can rule out any serious medical conditions.

Infectious diseases

Many viral and bacterial infections can cause vomiting in cats. Feline calicivirus, feline panleukopenia virus, and feline herpesvirus are common viruses that may cause anorexia, fever, and vomiting in infected cats. These viruses are highly contagious and often cause outbreaks in multi-cat households and shelters. Treatment of these conditions is typically supportive care and involves aggressive therapy to prevent dehydration.

Bacterial infections are also a common cause of vomiting in cats. Common bacteria that may infect the gastrointestinal tract and lead to vomiting include Bordetella bronchiseptica, Clostridium perfringens, Staphylococcus aureus, and Streptococcus canis. Bacterial infections often occur secondary to another condition that has caused vomiting or diarrhea and may be difficult to treat. Treatment typically requires antibiotics and aggressive supportive care.

Foreign bodies

Although not as common as other causes, vomiting can occasionally be caused by foreign bodies, such as plants, strings, hair ties, or small toys. If you think your cat may have swallowed something they shouldn’t have, watch for the following symptoms:

-Vomiting
-Lethargy
-Loss of appetite
-Abdominal pain
-Drooling
– pawing at the mouth or face

If you suspect your cat has swallowed a foreign body, take them to the vet right away. They may need surgery to remove the object.

Parasites

There are many different types of parasites that can infect cats, and many of them can cause vomiting. The most common type of parasites that cause vomiting in cats are worms. These can include roundworms, tapeworms, and hookworms.

Other parasites that can infect cats and cause vomiting include Giardia and Isospora. These are protozoans, which are single-celled organisms. Cats can also be infected with coccidia, which are another type of protozoan.

All of these parasites live in the intestines of the cat and feed off of the food that the cat eats. This can cause irritation and inflammation in the intestines, which leads to vomiting. In some cases, the parasite infection can be so severe that it leads to dehydration and weight loss.

What to Do When Your Cat Vomits

If your cat vomits occasionally, there is usually no cause for concern. However, if your cat is vomiting more than usual, it could be a sign of a health problem. In this article, we will talk about what to do when your cat vomits.

Remove any food or water

If your cat has just vomited, remove any food or water from its reach. Giving your cat anything to eat or drink too soon after it has vomited can make the problem worse and cause your cat to vomit again. If your cat does not have access to food or water, it will be less likely to vomit.

Take your cat to the vet

If your cat is vomiting more than once, if there is blood in the vomit, if your cat is showing any other signs of illness, or if you are at all concerned, it is always best to take your cat to the vet.

Try home remedies

##There are several things you can do at home to help your cat feel better and stop vomiting.

-Offer small meals of dry food or canned food that has been heated to body temperature.
-Add water or broth to dry food to make it more palatable.
-Encourage your cat to drink water by adding ice cubes, putting a little bit of tuna juice in the water, or using a pet water fountain.
-Withhold food for 24 hours if your cat continues to vomit. After 24 hours, offer small meals every few hours.
-Give probiotics designed for cats to help restore the balance of good bacteria in the digestive tract.
-Ask your veterinarian about giving over-the-counter antiemetics such as Dramamine or Meclizine.

How to Prevent Your Cat from Vomiting

Vomiting is a common problem in cats, and can have many causes. The good news is that there are a few things you can do to help prevent your cat from vomiting. Let’s take a look at a few of the most effective methods.

Feed your cat a healthy diet

A healthy diet is important for preventing vomiting in cats. Cats are obligate carnivores, which means that they require animal-based proteins to survive. Fill your cat’s diet with high-quality, meat-based proteins, and avoid processed foods, grains, and other fillers. Your cat’s diet should also be high in moisture to keep them hydrated. Feeding your cat wet food or adding water to their dry food can help increase their water intake.

Keep your cat’s litter box clean

One of the best ways to keep your cat from vomiting is to keep their litter box clean. A dirty litter box can cause your cat to develop an upset stomach, which can lead to them vomiting. If you have more than one cat, make sure you have enough litter boxes for each cat, and that they are scooped at least once a day. You should also clean the litter boxes with hot water and soap every week to remove any build-up of bacteria.

Another way to keep your cat from vomiting is to feed them high-quality food. Some brands of cat food are more likely to cause vomiting than others, so it’s important to do your research and find a brand that is less likely to upset your cat’s stomach. You should also make sure that your cat is getting enough water, as dehydration can also lead to vomiting.

Get your cat vaccinated

Vomiting is a common problem in cats, and can have many different causes. The good news is that there are some simple things you can do to help prevent your cat from vomiting. One of the most important is to make sure your cat is up-to-date on all its vaccinations.

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About the author

Alex Kountry

Alex Kountry is the founder of HayFarmGuy and has been a backyard farmer for over 10 years. Since then he has decided to write helpful articles that will help you become a better backyard farmer and know what to do. He also loves to play tennis and read books

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