Regurgitation is a common occurrence in cats, but vomiting is not. When cats vomit, it can be a sign of a serious health problem and should be investigated by a veterinarian. Knowing the causes of cats vomiting can help pet owners determine when to seek medical attention for their feline friends.
What Is Vomiting in Cats?
Cat vomiting occurs when a cat’s stomach contracts forcefully and expels the contents of its stomach through the mouth. It is distinguished from regurgitation when food and liquid are expelled from the esophagus without effort or stomach contractions. Vomiting can range from mild to severe and may include undigested food, foam, bile, or blood.
Common Causes of Cats Vomiting
There are many potential causes of vomiting in cats, including diet issues, infection or disease, foreign bodies in the digestive tract, metabolic disturbances, or other health problems. Some of the most common causes include:
Gastrointestinal Disease and Infections
Gastrointestinal pathologies such as IBD or tainting can provoke cats to disgorge due to annoyance of the digestive system. These disorders can likewise prompt other manifestations, for example, weight reduction, looseness of the bowels, and lack of hunger. Treatment for these conditions will rely upon the hidden driver and seriousness.
Food Intolerance or Food Allergies
Cats that endure nutrition insensitivity or food hypersensitivities may endure disgorgement due to an unfavorable response to certain fixings in their nourishment. Habitual transgressors incorporate dairy items, maize, and wheat gluten. Changing to a hypoallergenic eating regimen may help diminish the side effects of food hypersensitivities or insensitivity.
Hairballs
Hairballs are another common cause of vomiting in cats. As cats groom themselves with their tongues, they ingest small amounts of hair, which can accumulate in their digestive tract over time.
When enough hair has accumulated, it can form a hairball which may be expelled through vomiting. Therefore, regular brushing sessions are robust recommendations for cats with long hair coats to reduce the risk of hairballs developing.
Intestinal Parasites
Intestinal parasites such as roundworms and tapeworms can irritate the digestive tract leading to vomiting in some cases. These parasites are often contracted through contact with soil or other infected animals and can be diagnosed via fecal examination by a veterinarian. Treatment typically involves deworming medications, which a vet should administer due to potential drug interactions with other medications your cat may be taking.
Pancreatitis
Pancreatitis is an agitating of the pancreas which can sometimes prompt stomach torment and spew. Different side effects, for example, languor and loss of craving, may likewise happen if pancreatitis is available.
A veterinarian typically diagnoses based on laboratory tests, including blood work and imaging tests such as ultrasound or X-ray examination. Treatment typically involves dietary changes and medications that should only be administered under veterinary supervision due to potential drug interactions with other medications your cat may be taking for existing conditions.
Kidney Disease
Kidney malady may furthermore bring about retching because of electrolyte irregularities brought about by renal disappointment or desiccation caused by decreased water admission due to sickness related to kidney disease side effects, for example, anorexia (absence of craving).
The analysis is ordinarily founded on research center tests, including blood work and imaging tests, for example, ultrasound or X-beam assessment by a veterinarian. Simultaneously, treatment will rely upon the hidden cause and seriousness.
Still, it may involve dietary changes and medications that should only be administered under veterinary supervision due to potential drug interactions with other medications your cat may be taking for existing conditions.
Liver Disease
Liver sickness may also provoke regurgitation due to electrolyte disparities caused by liver breakdown or desiccation brought about by decreased hydration stemming from nausea connected with liver disease indications like anorexia (lack of hunger). Diagnosis is typically settled on research facility tests, incorporating blood work and imaging tests, for example, ultrasound or X-ray examination by a veterinarian.
Simultaneously, treatment will rely upon the fundamental driver and seriousness. Still, it may involve dietary changes and medications that should only be administered under veterinary supervision. It is due to potential drug interactions with other medications your cat may be taking for existing conditions.
Stress
Stressful situations such as changes in the environment, the introduction of new pets into the home, or loud noises can trigger episodes of vomiting in some cats due to anxiety-related nausea caused by stress hormones released during these situations. Treatment involves reducing stress levels through environmental enrichment activities such as providing toys, hiding places, scratching posts, play sessions, etc. Additionally, pheromone diffusers may help reduce stress levels during stressful situations.
Ingestion of Toxic Substances
The consumption of harmful elements, such as antifreeze, chocolate, grapes/raisins, onions/garlic, and so forth, can also result in bouts of retching. If you have reason to believe your feline has taken in something unhealthy, instantly contact your vet for counsel on what to do next.
Other Causes
Other less common causes include metabolic disorders, intestinal blockages, tumors, foreign bodies ingested accidentally (such as a string ), etc. Your veterinarian will perform a thorough physical examination along with laboratory tests, including blood work and imaging tests (such as ultrasound ) if necessary, to diagnose any underlying condition that could be causing your cat’s vomiting episodes.
When Should You Seek Veterinary Attention?
Although mild episodes of occasional vomiting are normal behavior for cats. Still, you must seek veterinary attention if you observe any signs that indicate something more serious might be going on :
- Persistent episodes (lasting more than 24 hours)
- Blood present in vomitus
- Recurrent episodes
- Lethargy/weakness
- Loss of appetite
- Dehydration
- Abdominal pain
- Yellowish-tinted gums
- Unusual behavior changes
Conclusion
Vomiting is not considered normal behavior for cats, so pet owners must investigate any episodes thoroughly. Hence, they know when to seek medical attention from their veterinarian. In addition, knowing some common causes behind why cats vomit helps pet owners determine what steps must be taken next if their feline friends experience any episodes.
