What Makes My Cat Vomit So Much?

If your cat vomits more than hair balls, it may have an underlying illness that needs veterinary treatment. Other times, the underlying cause of vomiting is minor and easy for owners to remedy. Noting the frequency and appearance of vomiting, as well as potential causes, can help you and your cat's veterinarian diagnose your cat and get it back to normal.

  1. What to Watch

    • Veterinarians advise owners to observe their cats carefully if they have vomiting problems, as this will help with the diagnosis. Veterinarian Elaine Wexler-Mitchell at Cat Channel informs cat owners to take note of the frequency of vomiting and whether it occurs after eating. Holly Nash, a veterinarian for the Pet Education website, recommends that owners observe the appearance of vomit, look for traces of blood and accompanying symptoms. These symptoms may include diarrhea, lethargy, weakness and weight loss.

    Household Causes

    • Cats that enjoy treats can get themselves into trouble when they eat inedible objects, such as furry toys or household plants. Several plants are toxic to cats, according to Vet Info, including Easter lily, oleander, English ivy, lily of the valley and asparagus fern. Never give a cat aspirin for pain relief, as aspirin is toxic to cats. Many cats who love milk actually have an intolerance for it, which may cause vomiting. Common food allergens--such as wheat, eggs, beef and fish--also make cats vomit.

    Possible Illnesses

    • When cats vomit frequently and excessively, it may signal a serious illness. Cat World in Australia lists infections such as salmonella and giardia as potential causes of vomiting. More serious diseases include pancreatitis, liver disease, hyperthyroidism and kidney failure. Repeated vomiting requires a visit to the veterinarian, according to Cat World.

    Other Causes

    • Sometimes cats vomit from other health problems. These include heat stroke, parasites and ulcers. Cats that eat too quickly or exercise after eating sometimes regurgitate their food, according to Wexler-Mitchell. When owners change their cat's food too suddenly--without mixing the new food into the old gradually--it wreaks havoc on the cat's stomach and often causes vomiting.

    Treatment

    • Treatment for vomiting cats may include keeping the cat away from food until its stomach settles and administering fluids to combat dehydration. Beyond that, treatment depends on the underlying causes of the vomiting. If your cat vomits from eating too quickly, Wexler-Mitchell recommends feeding smaller portions of large kibbles more frequently to ease the burden on the cat's stomach and aid digestion.