Why Is My Cat Throwing Up? Hairballs vs Signs You Should Call the Vet
How to tell a routine hairball from vomiting that needs attention, what to note for your vet, and the warning signs that mean an emergency visit.
An occasional hairball, or a cat that eats too fast and brings its food back up once, is common and often not serious. But vomiting is a symptom, not a diagnosis, and it can be linked to many conditions. The Cornell Feline Health Center advises that cats who vomit more than once a week, or who vomit and also seem lethargic, weak, eat less, drink or urinate more or less than usual, have diarrhea or bring up blood, should be checked by a veterinarian promptly.
This article helps you decide when to call, and what information to give your vet. It cannot diagnose your cat. If you are unsure, call your veterinarian; they would rather hear from you early.
Go to a vet or emergency clinic right away if
- Your cat vomits repeatedly in a short time, or cannot keep water down
- There is blood in the vomit, or it looks like coffee grounds
- Your cat is lethargic, weak, collapsed or hiding and unresponsive
- Your cat strains in the litter box and produces little or no urine (a possible urinary blockage, which is an emergency, especially in male cats)
- The belly seems painful or swollen
- You know or suspect your cat swallowed string, thread, a hair tie, a toy, a plant such as a lily, medication or a chemical
- Your cat is a young kitten, a senior, or has a known medical condition such as diabetes or kidney disease
- Your cat has stopped eating for more than about a day
If you suspect poisoning in the US, call your vet or ASPCA Animal Poison Control at (888) 426-4435 (a fee may apply). Do not try to make your cat vomit unless a veterinarian tells you to; home methods that are sometimes used on dogs can be dangerous for cats. If you see string hanging from your cat’s mouth or bottom, do not pull it; go to a vet.
Vomiting vs regurgitation vs coughing
It helps your vet if you can describe what you saw.
| What it looks like | Often looks like | |
|---|---|---|
| Vomiting | Heaving, retching, belly contractions, often drooling or lip-licking beforehand | Partly digested food, liquid, foam, bile (yellow), or a hairball |
| Regurgitation | Food comes up passively, with little or no effort, often soon after eating | Undigested food, sometimes tube-shaped |
| Coughing or hacking | Crouched, neck stretched out, hacking sound, often nothing comes up | Sometimes a bit of foam; can be mistaken for a hairball attempt |
Repeated hacking without bringing up a hairball can be a sign of a breathing problem, such as asthma, and should be checked by a vet.
Hairballs: what is normal?
Cats swallow loose hair when they groom, and most of it passes through the gut. Sometimes it collects in the stomach and comes back up as a tube-shaped wad. Long-haired cats and cats that groom a lot are more prone to them.
An occasional hairball in an otherwise bright, eating, normal cat is generally not a concern. Frequent hairballs, or hairballs with any of the warning signs above, are worth discussing with your vet, because they can reflect over-grooming (for example from itchy skin or stress) or a problem with gut movement.
Ways to reduce hairballs:
- Regular brushing removes loose hair before your cat swallows it. See our guide to grooming a long-haired cat.
- Ask your vet whether a hairball-control diet or product is suitable for your cat.
- Keep an eye on over-grooming, such as bald patches, which can point to skin or stress problems.
Other common reasons cats vomit
A veterinarian is the only one who can work out the cause, but it can help to know the range of possibilities so you understand why your vet asks certain questions or recommends tests:
- Eating too fast or eating a large meal at once
- A sudden diet change, or eating something unusual such as grass or spoiled food. Change foods gradually; see our guide on wet vs dry cat food for more on feeding.
- Swallowed objects or toxins, including string, plants and medications. Our list of foods toxic to cats covers common kitchen dangers.
- Intestinal parasites
- Gastrointestinal conditions, including inflammation, blockages and growths
- Whole-body conditions such as kidney disease, hyperthyroidism, diabetes or liver disease, which are more common in older cats
Because some of these are serious and treatable, repeated vomiting should not be dismissed as “just hairballs,” especially in a middle-aged or older cat.
What to note before you call the vet
- How often your cat has vomited, and over what period.
- What it looked like: food, liquid, foam, hair, blood, or anything unusual. A photo can help.
- Timing: right after eating, or hours later.
- Appetite, thirst and litter box habits, including diarrhea, constipation or changes in urine.
- Energy and behavior: hiding, lethargy, or signs of pain.
- Recent changes: new food, treats, plants, toys, cleaning products, medications or household stress.
Things that may help, and things to avoid
For a single episode in a cat that is otherwise acting completely normal, many vets suggest simply watching your cat closely and keeping fresh water available. Ask your vet before withholding food, and never withhold food for long, because cats that stop eating can develop serious liver problems.
- For cats that gulp their food, a slow-feeder bowl or puzzle feeder can help.
- Do not give human anti-nausea or stomach medicines. Many human medications are dangerous to cats.
- Do not change your cat’s diet suddenly in response to vomiting without asking your vet.
Bottom line
An occasional hairball in a healthy, happy cat is usually not a worry. Vomiting more than about once a week, vomiting with other symptoms, or any of the emergency signs above means it is time to call your veterinarian. Keep notes, do not use home remedies or human medicines, and get help quickly for suspected poisoning or swallowed objects.
FAQ
Why does my cat throw up right after eating?
Eating too fast is a common reason. Try smaller, more frequent meals or a slow feeder, and talk to your vet if it keeps happening.
My cat threw up yellow liquid. What does it mean?
Yellow fluid is often bile, sometimes seen when the stomach is empty. It does not tell you the cause on its own. If it happens more than occasionally or with other symptoms, call your vet.
Is it normal for cats to eat grass and vomit?
Some cats nibble grass and then vomit. Make sure any plants your cat can reach are non-toxic, and mention it to your vet if vomiting is frequent.
Can stress make my cat vomit?
Stress can affect cats in many ways, but vomiting should not be assumed to be stress-related until your vet has ruled out medical causes.