Cats vomit for a variety of reasons, ranging from relatively harmless causes like hairballs or eating too quickly to more serious underlying health issues such as infections, ingestion of toxins or foreign objects, inflammatory bowel disease, systemic diseases like diabetes or hyperthyroidism, and parasites. Vomiting can also be triggered by sudden diet changes, food intolerances or allergies, constipation, or ingestion of toxic plants or chemicals. If vomiting is frequent, accompanied by other symptoms like lethargy or loss of appetite, or if there is suspicion of toxin ingestion or foreign objects, it is important to seek veterinary care promptly for diagnosis and treatment.
Common specific causes include:
- Hairballs from grooming
- Eating too fast or overfeeding
- Food intolerance or allergies
- Ingesting toxic materials such as lilies or chemicals
- Foreign object ingestion causing obstruction
- Infectious diseases
- Inflammatory bowel disease
- Systemic illnesses (kidney, liver, thyroid problems)
- Parasites
- Constipation
A vet may use physical exams, blood tests, imaging, and stool exams to pinpoint the cause, and treatment depends on the diagnosis, ranging from dietary changes and medications to emergency interventions.
If a cat vomits once or twice occasionally without other signs, it may not need emergency care, but persistent or severe vomiting always requires veterinary assessment.
