Current:Home > StocksWhy does my cat keep throwing up? Advice from an expert. -ForexStream
Why does my cat keep throwing up? Advice from an expert.
View
Date:2025-04-14 15:13:38
As a pet owner, it can be highly concerning when your furry friend gets sick. Unlike humans, animals cannot verbally communicate how they feel. So, if they have an upset stomach, you might not discover that something is wrong until there's throw up on your floor.
Cats vomit for different reasons, says Dr. Bruce Kornreich, director of the Cornell Feline Health Center − and it's not uncommon.
It is important, however, to understand your pet's behavior because the reason for their sickness could be serious.
Why is my cat throwing up?
A cat may throw up for many reasons, ranging from benign to fatal. According to Kornreich, undigested hair – commonly referred to as hairballs – could be the cause of some cats' vomiting. It is not out of the ordinary for your cat to expel a hairball once every week or two, he says.
In general, cats will vomit if they have an obstruction to their gastrointestinal tract. "Obstructions can be caused by things other than hairballs," says Kornreich. This could include small toys, tinsel, rubber bands or paper clips.
There are also "non-mechanical obstructions" that may cause your cat to vomit.
Antifreeze is one of these hazards. "If you're in an area where it's cold, be very careful about making sure you don't spill any antifreeze," says Kornreich. "Just a drop can cause a problem."
Some plants, such as lavender and tulips, are poisonous to cats and can cause intoxication when ingested, triggering your pet to vomit, he adds. The same goes if your cat eats certain foods, like chocolate or onions.
Having a parasite or suffering from constipation, hyperthyroidism or inflammatory bowel disease may also make your cat throw up, says Kornreich.
You should contact your veterinarian if your cat is vomiting more than once per week or is showing other symptoms, such as:
- Lethargy
- Increased appetite
- Blood in the vomit
- Increased thirst
- Increased urination
- Diarrhea
It is also important to note the difference between vomiting and regurgitating, says Kornreich. In rare cases, cats may regurgitate after eating. Regurgitation is not associated with the heaving noises and abdominal reflexes often seen in vomiting, he adds.
Plants safe for cats:A full list of toxic vs. cat-friendly flowers.
What should I do if my cat is throwing up?
If your cat is vomiting, you should focus on its frequency, other symptoms and if blood is present. From there, contact the veterinarian, says Kornreich.
"The initial steps are to get a rough idea of where the problem might be," says Kornreich. "If the veterinarian feels something, a mass in the abdomen, is that compacted stool? ls the cat constipated?"
Bloodwork will also provide a "roadmap" to see if your cat has any underlying conditions, such as kidney disease or liver disease, he adds.
Other procedures may be done depending on the reason for your cat's vomiting. "As you move along that spectrum of diagnostics, ultimately it may be that a cat has to undergo something that's perhaps a little bit more involved and perhaps invasive," says Kornreich. This may be a biopsy, X-ray or abdominal ultrasound.
Prevention tips
While you can't always stop your cat from vomiting, there are ways to prevent it.
If your cat is throwing up due to a hairball problem, it is important to maintain their coat and keep them well groomed. "If you can remove the hairs, it's less likely that it's going to be kind of bound up in the GI tract," says Kornreich.
Make sure you keep plants and other materials away from your cat to prevent them from ingesting it.
"The more important thing is to be vigilant about what might be causing it," says Kornreich.
Just Curious for more? We've got you covered
USA TODAY is exploring the questions you and others ask every day. From "How often should you take your cat to the vet?" to "What can you give dogs for pain?" to "When do cats stop growing?" − we're striving to find answers to the most common questions you ask every day. Head to our Just Curious section to see what else we can answer.
veryGood! (75286)
Related
- 'Kraven the Hunter' spoilers! Let's dig into that twisty ending, supervillain reveal
- Wholesale prices rose in January, signaling more inflation woes for American consumers
- Oregon TV station KGW issues an apology after showing a racist image during broadcast
- Trump’s legal debts top a half-billion dollars. Will he have to pay?
- The 401(k) millionaires club keeps growing. We'll tell you how to join.
- 30 cremated remains, woman's body found at rental of Colorado funeral home director
- Siesta Key's Madisson Hausburg Welcomes Baby 2 Years After Son's Death
- Who are the past winners of the NBA Slam Dunk contest?
- Costco membership growth 'robust,' even amid fee increase: What to know about earnings release
- WWII Monuments Men weren’t all men. The female members finally move into the spotlight
Ranking
- Angelina Jolie nearly fainted making Maria Callas movie: 'My body wasn’t strong enough'
- Watch Paris Hilton's Son Phoenix Adorably Give Her the Best Birthday Morning Greeting Ever
- A Black author takes a new look at Georgia’s white founder and his failed attempt to ban slavery
- Trump avoids ‘corporate death penalty,’ but his business will still get slammed
- Selena Gomez engaged to Benny Blanco after 1 year together: 'Forever begins now'
- Would Kristin Cavallari Return to Reality TV? The Hills Alum Says…
- Why Ukraine needs U.S. funding, and why NATO says that funding is an investment in U.S. security
- Houston megachurch to have service of ‘healing and restoration’ a week after deadly shooting
Recommendation
Rolling Loud 2024: Lineup, how to stream the world's largest hip hop music festival
2024 NBA All-Star Slam Dunk Contest: Time, how to watch, participants and winners
4.7 magnitude earthquake outside of small Texas city among several recently in area
5-year-old migrant boy who got sick at a temporary Chicago shelter died from sepsis, autopsy shows
Justice Department, Louisville reach deal after probe prompted by Breonna Taylor killing
Kevin Harvick becomes full-time TV analyst, reveals he wants to be 'John Madden of NASCAR'
What does it mean to claim the US is a Christian nation, and what does the Constitution say?
Science experiment gone wrong sends 18 students, teacher to Tennessee hospital