Why do cats vomit and should I be concerned?

Witnessing your cat get into a crouched posture, make retching sounds and then vomit undigested food or bile usually on a hard-to-clean surface like your carpet or your bedroom pillow is not pleasant for you and certainly not fun for your cat.

Why do cats vomit? As I discovered during a medical lecture presented at the Western Veterinary Conference in Las Vegas, the reasons can be many and complex. And when it is considered “normal” and when should you be taking your cat to your veterinarian – pronto?

Providing the answers at the WVC was Dr. Frederic Gaschen, board-certified in internal medicine and associate professor at Louisiana State University. He is also president of the Comparative Gastroenterology Society. In other words, his credentials qualify him to be an expert on the digestion habits of cats – and dogs.

Unlike dogs, cats are more discriminate eaters and less likely to eat something they shouldn’t. That’s the good news. But also unlike dogs, cats tend to mask their pain so you don’t know they are in a serious health situation until the condition escalates. That’s the bad news.

“In assessing a cat, it is important to not forget the basics when taking the history and performing the physical exam,” said Dr. Gaschen. “You need to take a systematic approach to addressing vomiting in cats so you can rule out possible causes.”

Pinpointing the cause of vomiting requires the skills of a detective. Vomiting can be linked to:

Stomach infectionsForeign body obstructions (Some cats chew wool and other inedible materials – a condition known as pica.)Adverse reaction to certain medications or accidentally ingesting aspirin or poisonous plantsFood intolerance or allergiesDiseases, including irritable bowel disease (IBD), lymphoma or liver diseaseNeurological causes like motion sicknessSevere constipation

Dr. Gaschen said lab tests, including urinalysis and blood work, are advised if the cat displays other clinical signs besides vomiting – such as dehydration, weight loss, lethargy or a weakened appetite. The age of the cat needs to be considered. Vomiting in younger cats may be due to parasites, bacterial infections, ingesting a foreign object or food allergy. In older cats, vomiting may be associated with hyperthyroidism, chronic renal disease, liver disease, lymphoma or pancreatitis.

Depending on the severity of symptoms, X rays, ultrasound, endoscopy and even exploratory surgery may be warranted.

As you can see, pinpointing the cause of vomiting so the right treatment plan can be provided can be challenging. And as for frequency, Dr. Gaschen said the occasional regurgitation – say once or twice a month – should not be cause for alarm, providing your cat appears healthy, has a good energy level and is eating properly.

Bottom line: know what’s normal behavior in your cat and weigh her weekly (down to the ounce, if at all possible), so you can provide your veterinarian with specific details to aid in the diagnosis and treatment of her vomiting episodes.

Photo credit: IStock

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