Why House Cats Vomit

Cats vomit for a number of reasons, most often for non-serious reasons. If your cat vomits frequently and seems to establish a pattern, however, a specific problem or condition may be to blame. Before determining why your cat vomits, consider the situation when it occurs. Record the time of day and take note of whether or not the cat has recently eaten, gone outside or finished a long session of self-grooming (licking itself).

  1. Hairballs

    • Because cats lick their fur to stay clean, they often cough up balls of fur or tube-shaped clumps of fur. Sometimes the fur has mucus around it and is mistaken for vomit. If your cat coughs up a hairball occasionally, that's fine. If your cat coughs up hairballs frequently, try brushing your cat daily or every other day to remove excess fur.

    Eating Too Much or Too Fast

    • Sometimes cats eat too fast or too much and then vomit soon after finishing their food. If your cat vomits right after eating, this might be the case. Try feeding your cat twice per day if you only feed it only once per day to see if it helps.

    Parasites

    • Intestinal parasites like tapeworms and roundworms can cause cats to vomit. If this is the case, other symptoms may be present in the cat, including weight loss or weight gain.

    Illness

    • Illness or disease can also make cats vomit. Bacterial or viral infections or more serious medical conditions will cause a cat to vomit and present other symptoms. If your cat is vomiting unexpectedly and frequently and/or exhibits other unusual behaviors, consult a veterinarian.

    Toxins

    • Ingesting toxic chemicals, medications, plants or other substances can cause cats to vomit. Even some grasses or houseplants will cause vomiting in cats. Some toxins like lead paint or antifreeze can cause serious health problems in a cat, so if you suspect your cat vomits as a result of ingesting toxins, consult a veterinarian as soon as possible.