My Cat is Vomiting in Tulsa, OK – Is She Alright?

Cats of all ages and types have been known to vomit. Many may find this worrisome, especially if it seems to be frequently happening. You may be worried if you see your cat vomiting, even if it isn’t frequent. How do you know when your cat’s vomiting is a problem? When should you take her to the vet? In this article, we will look at why a cat may be vomiting and whether it’s something to worry about.

cat vomiting in tulsa, ok

Do All Cats That Vomit Have a Health Problem?

The short answer to this question is no. Some cats vomit even when nothing is wrong with them. Cats have very delicate systems and may often vomit for almost no reason. Most of the time, the reasons cats do vomit are from very simple causes.

What Causes a Cat to Vomit?

When determining why your cat is vomiting, it’s essential first to check the more common causes. There are many causes for a cat to vomit that doesn’t necessarily warrant a trip to the vet.

Eating Too Fast

Often, cats will throw up their food over vomiting anything else. If your cat is vomiting their food, you can watch them and try and determine why.

Sometimes cats eat their food too fast, and their stomach rejects it, causing them to vomit. If you witness your cat eating too quickly, you can try to feed them smaller amounts at a time more often, so they won’t upset their stomach so easily.

Eating Too Much at Once

Some cats will eat too much food at once and make themselves feel sick and vomit because of this. You have to watch your cat to decide if they are eating more than they need at a time. This is especially true if you have multiple cats because one of them may be eating more food than the others. In this case, it’s better to limit their food access to exactly how much they need so they won’t overeat and get sick.

Stomach Upset

Your cat may also be vomiting if the food they eat doesn’t agree with them. If you have a new cat that is vomiting or have recently switched cat food brands, your cat could be vomiting because the food you are giving them isn’t acceptable to their digestive system. There are plenty of cats that only do well with certain brands or types of food. One way to help this type of vomiting is switching to wet food. It has been shown recently that cats can usually digest wet food much easier.

Foreign Objects

Your cat might be vomiting things that might not be only food but other objects as well. This can be concerning in some instances, but they should be alright if it all comes out when they vomit. Cats have been known to vomit up rubber bands or string after trying to eat them, and as long as part of the object isn’t stuck in their throat, they should be fine afterward. If the object is sharp in any way, you should take them to the veterinarian to make sure they did not cut any part of their internal organs.

Hairballs

Cats will also occasionally vomit up hairballs. This is normal unless it is happening too often for your cat. If your cat starts throwing up more hairballs than usual, it may be good to switch their food or take them to the veterinarian to evaluate the problem.

Reasons to Take Your Cat to the Vet Because of Vomiting

Most of the time, when cats vomit, it isn’t a serious issue, but there are some serious reasons your cat may be vomiting as well.

Foreign Object

If a cat swallows a foreign object and can’t pass it, it can cause significant issues, including vomiting. If the object doesn’t come out through vomiting, you may need to take your cat to the veterinarian to remove the object before it causes any damage.

Food Allergies

Cats that vomit food may not only dislike the food but can also be allergic to it. Food allergies can cause many issues in cats, which are worse than vomiting. If your cat is allergic to their food, it is essential to switch to a new food as soon as possible to prevent harm to your cat’s health.

Toxic Plants

If your cat has access to plants either inside or outside your house, they can ingest one toxic to them. It’s important to know what kinds of plants your cat has access to and whether they are poisonous to them because this will cause them to vomit as well.

Parasites

Another serious reason your cat may vomit is due to parasites. Fleas and ticks are external parasites that your cat may bite off and swallow when grooming. This can upset your cat’s stomach and cause them to vomit. Eating fleas can also lead to internal parasites such as worms. Cats with worms may also vomit as a symptom of the issue. It’s important to have your cat treated for parasites if you ever suspect they have them to protect your cat’s health.

Serious Diseases That May Cause Vomiting

Some more serious diseases will cause your cat to vomit. These include:

  • Bowel diseases
  • Diabetes
  • Kidney disease
  • Cancer
  • Hypothyroidism

How Do You Know When to Take Your Cat to the Vet for Vomiting?

If your cat is experiencing any of the following symptoms along with vomiting, you should take them to the veterinarian:

  • Lethargy or extreme tiredness
  • Change in appetite or trouble eating
  • Weight loss
  • Vomiting frequently
  • Blood in vomit
  • Abdomen pain

Before you take your cat to the vet, it’s good to take a video of your cat vomiting if you can. Your vet will be able to watch your cat vomit and determine if it is vomiting, coughing, or regurgitating, which will help with diagnosis.

In Conclusion

Cats vomit for many reasons, even for things that aren’t to be worried about. The best thing you can do is to find out why your cat is vomiting and try to change the situation causing it. Things you can change are their food or access to objects they like to eat but shouldn’t. Be aware that there are times when vomiting is more serious and requires a vet visit and watch your cat for any other serious symptoms.

To talk with a veterinarian about your cat’s vomiting call Animal Emergency Center at 918-665-0508!

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