SOS: Why Is My Cat Vomiting?!

Some people feel about their cat vomiting like how they feel about the sky being blue. Cat puke is just a fact of life and they don’t worry about it too much. But should they be worried? Is your cat throwing up actually a big deal? And how do you tell the difference between your cat just doing their thing or something being really wrong? Take a deep breath. We’ve got your back. Here is our guide on your cat vomiting!

Is My Cat Vomiting or Coughing Up a Hairball?

Luckily differentiating your cat vomiting versus simply retching up a hairball is pretty easy. Hairballs look just like how one would expect -- they’re just wet balls of fur. Hairballs tend to be tubular in shape and are caused by cats grooming themselves. Cats tend to cough up hairballs shortly after eating, so the tube will also probably contain food. You can help reduce hairballs in several ways:

• Groom your cat regularly (brushing, bathing, and deshedding them really helps)
• Feed your cat special food and treats formulated to reduce hairballs
• Use a hairball product (usually a laxative) to aid in digestion
• Excessive or over-grooming can be caused by stress - interacting more with your cat, playing games, as well as a spray pheromone can help reduce their stress

Not sure if the vomit is a hairball? Call your vet. They’ll let you know if there’s reason for concern!

How Can I Tell if My Cat Is Actually Sick?

Let’s face it: Hairballs are gross and can be a little disturbing if you don’t know if they’re benign or not. Here are a few ways to tell if your cat is actually ill and requires a veterinarian:

• Retching or gagging and nothing coming out
• Decrease in appetite
• Unusual fatigue
• Constipation
• Diarrhea
• Vomiting more than once per week
• Vomiting after every meal
• Vomit that doesn’t contain food
• Dehydration
• Fever
• Throwing up a foreign object (something that isn’t food or fur)

Why Is My Cat Throwing Up Foam?

Your cat throwing up foam could be a sign of serious illness or it could be nothing — including just simply having missed a recent meal. But because it could indicate that your cat is sick, we recommend calling your veterinarian no matter what. They’ll ask you to come into their office or assure you that your kitty is okay and you don’t have to worry about it.

Why Is My Cat Throwing Up Blood?

Your cat throwing up blood is almost always an indication that something is seriously wrong! Without exception, call your vet immediately!!