Why Is My Young Cat Throwing Up?

Kittens vomit for a variety of reasons, both benign and serious. Vomiting in and of itself isn't necessarily cause for alarm, as most occurrences are isolated events and usually leave the kitten feeling better afterward. Cats as a species have an easier time vomiting than other animals as they use it as a way to clear out their digestive tract or rid their bodies of toxins. Symptoms of a soon-to-vomit kitten include excessive drool, gagging and intense and persistent coughing.

  1. Vomiting Versus Regurgitation

    • Despite similar results, vomiting and regurgitation are two different behaviors. Both result in the expulsion of stomach contents, but the difference lies in the degree of digestion. Vomiting brings up food that has been---or is in the process of being---digested, while regurgitation expels food that has not gone through the stomach or intestines yet. Esophagus problems are usually the culprit in regurgitation, while stomach or intestinal irritants are usually to blame for vomiting.

    Nonmedical Reasons

    • Not every instance of vomiting is cause for alarm, especially if the episodes happen infrequently. Some reasons are mundane and nonmedical in nature, such as diet changes or hairballs. Stress can make a kitten vomit, as can eating too quickly or the occasional foreign object. Vomiting can occur some time after the event that triggers it, such as a sensitivity to a new food, so the cause of infrequent vomiting may never be discovered.

    Medical Reasons

    • Persistent or chronic vomiting in a kitten may be a sign of a more serious medical condition, especially if it is accompanied by additional symptoms such as diarrhea, lethargy and weight loss. Frequent vomiting may be a symptom of such conditions and diseases as parasitic infestation, poisons or kidney disease. Blood or mucus in the vomit may point to problems of the stomach or intestines, respectively, while food may indicate poison or digestive troubles.

    Diagnosis

    • If your kitten is experiencing long periods of vomiting, a trip to the veterinarian may pinpoint the cause and offer a solution. Your veterinarian will take a full record of your kitten's medical history and perform a full physical exam. Additional diagnostic tests may be conducted, such as blood tests or urinalysis to search for infectious agents or ultrasounds to check for signs of blockage, injury or the presence of tumors.

    Treatment and Prevention

    • Treatment will vary depending upon the underlying cause of your kitten's vomiting. In cases of diseases or infection, medications will be prescribed. Surgery may be necessary to remove any large foreign objects your kitten may have swallowed or to remove any tumors present. You can help keep your kitten healthy by providing a balanced and healthy diet and keeping it up to date on its vaccinations. Constant parasite prevention is necessary to reduce the risk of flea, tick and parasitic worm infestations.