What Causes Wobbling & Vomiting in Cats?

Cats make good pets and often seem to become part of the family. Some cats are healthier than others, and require only a yearly veterinarian checkup and vaccination boosters. Certain illnesses cause cats to show symptoms such as wobbling and vomiting. Knowing how to recognize these symptoms and what they might mean could help save your cat's life one day.

  1. Dracaena Poisoning

    • Dracaena refers to a group of plants which are toxic to cats, according to Cat Health. Common names of plants in this group are striped dracaena, margined dracaena and Florida beauty. If ingested the plants cause drooling, vomiting, unsteadiness or wobbliness, weakness, breathing difficulties, loss of appetite, fast heartbeat and pupil dilation in cats. A cat showing these signs should see a veterinarian as soon as possible.

    Ear Infection

    • A middle or inner ear infection can cause dizziness, head shaking, pawing at the ear, wobbliness, vomiting, circling, depression, leaning to one side, stumbling, discharge from the external ear canal and pain when the head is touched or mouth is opened, according to veterinarians at the Pet Place website. Causes of middle or inner ear infections in cats include bacteria, fungi, yeast, parasites, trauma, foreign objects, polyps and cancer. Treatment depends on the cause of the infection, but many infections clear up with antibiotics and/or ear medication.

    Heatstroke

    • Cats need to drink more water during the summer months to stay hydrated. If a cat becomes dehydrated, it can often lead to heatstroke. The Hill's Pet website reports the symptoms of heatstroke include heavy panting, unsteadiness or wobbliness, staggering, vomiting, glazed over eyes and a dark red or purple tongue. Heatstroke can be fatal if left untreated, so immediately take a cat with these symptoms to a veterinarian. Allowing the cat to drink small amounts of cool water, applying cool water to its body and allowing it to lick ice cubes helps lower the cat's body temperature on the way to the veterinary clinic.