What is the vomiting condition in cats?

If you're a cat parent, you're bound to have heard the characteristic hacking sound which often signifies that your cat is, or is preparing to throw up. Most cats throw up hairballs, but if your cat is vomiting more often than usual, it might indicate an underlying health concern that is tormenting your fur baby. Cats vomiting frequently is often understood as the onset of an illness, which, if left unchecked, can worsen with time. If you have questions like why cats vomit foam or how to care for your sick cat, this article looks to provide you with information.

Scientific reason for cat vomiting

There are several reasons that can lead to cat vomiting food. Most cats that groom themselves have a tendency of throwing up hairballs, or forcefully ejecting the accumulation of loose hair that is ingested during the grooming process. Another common reason fur kiddos may vomit is a sudden change in their diet. Introducing new food to your fur baby can upset their delicate gastrointestinal system and cause them to throw up. It is best to transition your little munchkin to a new food over at least seven days by mixing their old food with the new food. Start by mixing a small amount of the new food into their regular old food and gradually increase the percentage over a week until they adapt to the new food completely.

Cats can also vomit to release undigested food particles to avoid indigestion. While these reasons are nothing to worry about, your furry pal can also start vomiting from potentially dangerous reasons, such as parasitic or bacterial action, liver and kidney diseases, diabetes, or infections that require veterinary support. If the cat vomited continuously for a prolonged time, it can be an indication of poor health.

How harshly can it affect your cat’s health?

Frequent cat vomiting can negatively impact the cat's health. Cat vomits often leads to a loss of bodily fluids, leaving your cat dehydrated and in a weakened state. Vomiting more frequently than usual can also lead to internal swelling and inflammations, and also lead to a loss of essential nutrients in the cat's body. So, if your cat is vomiting more frequently than is usual, it might be a good idea to plan an appointment with your veterinarian.

Importance of preventing vomiting in cats

The cat vomited hairballs is often seen as a common occurrence, but if your cat starts vomiting more frequently than is normal, it is important to prevent it from vomiting, not just to keep the condition from worsening, but to also make sure your cat isn't weakened, and is able to recover easily. However, if the vomiting persists, it must be time for you to seek professional help from a veterinarian near you.

Why do cats vomit?

There could be multiple reasons for which your cat can vomit. Depending on the type of vomit, a veterinarian can determine the possible reasons for the cat vomiting condition. Types of cat vomit can usually categorised into the following:

• Colour

  Types of cat vomit are most commonly observed as coloured and the colour can often vary depending on the reason behind the vomit. Usually, types of cat vomit are in colours like yellow, orange or black due to the presence of undigested food particles. Clear puke cat is usually indicative of an empty stomach which leads to regurgitation of saliva.

• Foamy

  One of the most common types of cat vomit is foam, which can be a result of bile. An average cat vomits foamy white, a yellowish or greenish colour. The question, of why cats vomit foam, can be understood as a result of the accumulation of bile in the body.

• Blood

  The presence of blood in a cat’s vomit is not a usual scenario, and is often a sign that your cat is ailing or suffering from a condition that requires immediate professional attention.

Coloured vomit

Coloured vomit is often an occurrence in cats, but it does not necessarily mean a health condition to be concerned about. Most cats prefer to keep their coats clean by grooming themselves, often ingesting loose hair and fur, which are accumulated in the cat’s stomach. Large volumes of loose hair are not always naturally digested inside the stomach, resulting in hairballs that your furry little friend can throw up from time to time. To avoid your cat from throwing up hairballs, you can lend a helping hand by grooming their coats frequently to get rid of excess loose hair. If the cat vomited white foam, you can book an appointment with your veterinarian without delay. The cat vomited green must also be brought to the attention of specialist doctors.

However, chronic vomiting in cats is not to be overlooked, as it can be a symptom of an underlying health condition. The cause of cat vomiting can be linked to gastroenteritis, food allergies, or parasitic illnesses. A Red, pink or black coloured puke cat can indicate the presence of blood in your cat’s vomit, and a wise idea would be to seek professional support before the situation worsens.

Foamy Vomit

To see your little munchkin throw up can cause distress, and to see the cat vomited foam must be alarming for most cat parents. However, without a proper diagnosis, it might be too early to start worrying. Hairballs can often lead to your cat vomits foamy white, but just to be certain, it is always a good idea to visit a veterinarian and get your cat checked for any health concerns. White, cat vomiting foam is also often a result of your cat being on an empty stomach for a long time, which results in a regurgitation of excess bile and saliva. However, if the cat vomited foam for a longer period of time and is accompanied by other symptoms, like cat diarrhoea or increased shedding, it can be caused by dietary indiscretion, inflammatory bowel diseases, gastrointestinal infections, or liver or kidney diseases, which require immediate attention from a professional. If the cat vomited foam, an early diagnosis can be effective in getting the appropriate treatment started at the right time and preventing the condition from deteriorating. The cat vomited white foam can also be seen as a health condition that requires sufficient diagnosis and treatment.

Bloody vomit

Your cat puking blood is never a good sign. Haematemesis, or vomiting blood, is a possible condition that often indicates serious health concerns in your cat. Depending on the cause, your cat can throw up fresh, bright red blood, or partially digested blood, which has a darker appearance. The latter is most often associated with intestinal bleeding, a condition that might require professional help. Cat puking fresh blood is usually associated with serious health conditions, which might include viral or bacterial infestations, like feline panleukopenia virus, and traumatic injuries caused by ingesting something sharp or toxic. The cause of kitten vomiting can also be intestinal parasites like roundworm and even cancer.

If your cat is showing symptoms like blood in vomit or stool, it is always the best idea to seek veterinary care without delay to make sure your kitty gets the best treatment there is. If your cat has already lost too much blood, the veterinarian may suggest a blood transfusion. Furthermore, an early diagnosis can be immensely helpful in getting the treatment started and avoiding any severe condition.

How to take care of a cat that vomits?

Whether the cat vomited hairballs or showed signs of distress, there is no need to be worried just yet. Here are some of the ways through which you can ensure your little furball gets the best treatment it deserves for a speedy recovery.

Care

Your cat deserves all the extra love and care during its sick days. And to help your little furry friend in these moments of distress, what could be better than to ensure it has all your love and prayers? You can care for your cat that vomits with:

• Relocating the cat temporarily to somewhere quiet and comfortable. Your cat has a higher chance of getting better soon with the rest it needs, free from all disturbances. If the cat vomited green, it might be understood that your cat needs some time to rest and shake off its weaknesses.
• Make sure it has easy access to food, water and its litter box. With proper cat food and hydration, your cat will get better in no time!
• Grooming your cat during its sick days will not just allow the cat to feel loved and comforted by your presence, it will also make sure your cat is clean and foster a deeper bond between you.
• Finally, if your cat is sick, make sure to consult your veterinarian about ways you can treat it. Medicating your cat appropriately gives them a better fighting chance and recover quickly.

Diet plans

• If your cat is vomiting more frequently than usual or if your cat vomiting food, it is a good idea to remove food for some time, as food allergies and indigestion can lead to vomiting.
• Change your cat’s water bowl frequently. Access to fresh water ensures your cat is well-hydrated.
• You can also try to feed your cat by offering their usual food in smaller quantities or providing bland low cooked food like white fish, or chicken.
• If your cat is able to ingest its usual food, you can offer the same in smaller quantities every few hours.
• Keep your cat under observation for a few days before returning to its usual schedule.

Frequency to visit the vet

If the cat vomited more frequently than usual, it is a good idea to visit the veterinarian without much delay. If your cat has difficulty digesting food and because the cat vomited green more than three times throughout the course of the day, a visit to the vet is a wise decision. An early diagnosis will allow you to take better care of your cat, and depending on the severity of your cat’s health, plan any further visits if needed.

Precautions and treatment

• If your cat is showing symptoms like vomiting, it is better to temporarily isolate it from other pets in the house to avoid any contamination.
• Avoid getting your cat excited. Make sure they are relaxed and comfortable, helping them to recover quickly.
• Make sure there are no toxic chemicals or objects near your cat that might be harmful if ingested.

How Whiskas products can help in preventing vomiting issues in cats

Whiskas offers a premium range of dry and wet foods to choose from for your little munchkin, which is not just flavourful, but are made keeping in mind the requirements for a vomiting cat. They also prevent any distress in your pets, preventing cat vomiting food or kitten vomiting foam. Whiskas food products are easy to digest and rich in all nutrients that your friendly feline needs to get better soon!