Why is My Cat Vomiting? Causes, Remedies, and When to See the Vet

Watching your cat vomit can be both worrying and confusing. One moment, they’re perfectly fine, and the next, they’re crouched over, puking. It’s natural to wonder if it’s just a hairball issue or something more serious. While an occasional incident might not be cause for alarm, persistent vomiting can signal an underlying issue.

Cats are experts at hiding discomfort, which makes it even more important for pet parents to notice subtle signs. Understanding what’s normal and what’s not can help you act quickly and keep your feline feeling their best. 

In this guide, we’ll cover the most common causes of cat vomiting, simple at-home remedies to soothe their stomach, and when it’s time to see the vet.

Common Causes of Cat Vomiting

Vomiting in cats can range from a one-off upset stomach to a signal of serious illness. Here are the most common causes and what they tell you:

• Dietary upsets and eating habits: If your cat eats too fast, gobbles food, or suddenly changes diet, their stomach might rebel with a single bout of vomiting. Spoiled wet food or an abrupt change in brand can also trigger an upset.
  

• Hairballs: In long-haired breeds, swallowed fur can accumulate and irritate the stomach lining. Occasional hairball vomiting is normal, but if it happens frequently, it could lead to discomfort or even blockage. You can help reduce this with Meowsi’s Hairball Control Treats, made with natural fibre to support smoother digestion and minimise hairball formation.

• Ingestion of foreign objects or toxins: Cats are curious and may swallow string, fabric, plants, or other items. These can irritate or obstruct the digestive tract and cause vomiting.

• Food intolerances or allergies: Sometimes vomiting pairs with itching or loose stools. If the issue began after switching food or introducing a treat, allergies or intolerances might be at play.

• Digestive or gastric disorders: Including gastritis, inflammatory bowel disease (IBD), ulcers, or infections. These typically cause recurring vomiting and may also involve other symptoms like weight loss or diarrhoea.
  

• Organ dysfunction or metabolic diseases: Conditions like kidney disease, liver failure, hyperthyroidism or diabetes often cause chronic vomiting, especially in older cats. 

How to Assess & Act at Home

While you monitor and provide comfort, here are some steps to support your cat:

• Observe & record: Note how many times your cat vomits, what it looks like (food, foam, bile, hair, foreign items), and whether your cat is still eating, drinking and moving normally. 

• Adjust mealtime routines: If your cat eats quickly, try smaller meals or a slow-feeder bowl. Let refrigerated wet food come to room temperature before serving. 

• Brush regularly: Especially for long-haired cats, grooming reduces the amount of fur swallowed and lowers hairball occurrence. 

• Dietary transition: If you change food, do so gradually over 7-10 days by mixing new and old food, reducing digestive shock.

• Prevent dehydration: Vomiting can lead to dehydration quickly. Give water, consider wet food, and keep an eye on urination frequency and bright eyes.

• Remove temptations and hazards: Keep toxic plants, human medications, strings, rubber bands, and weird household odds-and-ends out of reach.

Red Flags: When to See the Vet Immediately

When you visit the vet, having records of when vomiting began, diet changes, and vomiting frequency can be very helpful for diagnosis. Some situations need urgent veterinary attention, which include:

• Vomiting more than twice in 24 hours. 

• Vomit shows blood, coffee-grain appearance, or black material.

• Refusal to eat or drink, rapid weight loss, lethargy, and abdominal pain. 

• Suspected ingestion of a toxic substance or foreign body.

• Older cats with chronic organ disease 

Vomiting in cats isn’t always a cause for panic, but when it becomes more than occasional, or your cat shows other signs of discomfort, it’s time to act. Watching the pattern, adjusting diet and habits, and working with your vet can make a big difference in your feline’s long-term well-being.

When it comes to diet, choosing the right food matters. A trusted cat food brand that uses high-quality ingredients and caters to sensitive stomachs can help promote smoother digestion and better nutrient absorption, keeping your feline comfortable and healthy. 

At Heads Up For Tails, our cat-care range is crafted with this in mind: real ingredients, recipes formulated with feline nutrition in focus, and a breadth of varieties to suit different needs. Because when your cat feels comfortable, it shows in their energy, coat and daily life together.

At Heads Up For Tails, our cat-care range is crafted with this in mind: real ingredients, recipes formulated with feline nutrition in focus, and a breadth of varieties to suit different needs. Meowsi by HUFT is a great example - made with love, care, and thoughtfully chosen ingredients to support your cat’s health and happiness. 

Frequently Asked Questions

Can a diet change cause vomiting?

Yes. Switching food too quickly often irritates the gut. Gradual transitions help prevent stomach upset.

How can I reduce hairball-related vomiting?

Brush your cat regularly, offer quality food, keep them hydrated, and consider hairball-control treats or diets if recommended by your vet. 

When is my cat’s vomiting a sign of an emergency?

If vomiting is continuous, contains blood, or your cat won’t eat/drink and is lethargic, seek veterinary care right away.

Why does my cat vomit right after eating?

Sometimes it’s just eating too fast or switching food abruptly. If it’s rare and your cat acts fine, it might resolve on its own. But repeated instances can be a serious concern where you must seek professional help.

What’s the difference between vomiting and regurgitation in cats?

Vomiting involves stomach contractions and expulsion of semi-digested food or fluid. Regurgitation is passive, usually undigested food, and indicates an issue in the oesophagus rather than the stomach.