The Top 7 Causes of Cat Vomiting! Precautions for Cleaning After Being Sick
It is widely known that cats, despite their reputation for cleanliness and constant grooming, vomit more frequently than other animals. While vomiting is normal for dogs, the owner may become worried if the behavior seems excessive. What are the possible causes of a cat’s chronic vomiting? This article aims to not only discuss the causes of vomiting, but also the vomiting that requires special attention, as well as cleaning techniques.
✨Can you tell me how frequently cats vomit?
A cat’s energy level may increase after vomiting even if it is otherwise healthy, but owners still want to know what caused the vomiting.
In the wild, where cats evolved, they seem to have swallowed large amounts of prey at once to avoid having it stolen by other animals. Therefore, it is not surprising that they may vomit after a meal.
The cat’s health and nutrition may be at risk if it has a history of frequent vomiting.
✨Why Does My Cat Keep Vomiting?
The following are potential reasons for your cat’s vomiting:
❂ Reason 1: Vomiting Hairballs
Hairballs, formed internally from the cat’s grooming habits of licking and rubbing its body, are the most common cause of vomiting in otherwise healthy cats. This problem is exacerbated in long-haired cats and during shedding season in general.
As long as the cat is acting normally and eating normally after vomiting the felted or ball-like clumps, there should not be any cause for concern.
However, “hairball disease” occurs when a cat is unable to successfully vomit hairballs, which then disrupts the normal functioning of its stomach and intestines. The owner can help prevent hairballs by regularly brushing and bathing the pet.
❂ Reason 2: Nausea after consuming catnip
Catnip is commonly found in many cat owners’ homes.
Consuming catnip can result in the cat vomiting hairballs, as it stimulates the digestive system. This is a common occurrence and there is no cause for concern.
Although catnip may seem like a must-have for felines, it is not actually a necessary item. If the cat struggles to expel hairballs, additional measures such as brushing may be necessary.
❂ Reason 3: Vomiting from rapid eating
Cats with a wild background may have formed the habit of rapidly consuming large amounts of food as a defense against predators. Be cautious if you observe the cat moving around after eating quickly, as this often triggers vomiting.
If your cat has a history of vomiting after eating, it may be helpful to try feeding it smaller portions more frequently, as this is a common issue among previously homeless cats.
❂ Reason 4: Nausea from constipation
Cats that are constipated may become sluggish and even vomit due to discomfort.
Constipation lasting less than two days is generally not a cause for concern, but prolonged constipation accompanied by vomiting is a severe medical emergency that requires immediate veterinary attention.
If the cat has a history of constipation, a laxative supplement prescription can be obtained from the veterinarian.
❂ Reason 5: Vomiting caused by inappropriate food
Some cats may vomit when introduced to a new food or when their regular diet is changed. It is important to proceed with caution when switching food brands, as some cats with allergies may have a reaction and vomit.
If the cat starts vomiting soon after switching, reverting back to the old food may be an option.
If a switch is necessary, a small amount of the old food can be blended with the new food and gradually increased over time.
❂ Reason 6: Regurgitation due to foreign objects
If a cat ingests an object that triggers an immune response, they may experience vomiting. If the foreign object is expelled during the vomiting, there is no cause for concern, but if it occurs repeatedly, it is important to take the cat to the veterinarian.
Additionally, ensure that the cat does not have access to any objects that they may accidentally ingest. To further prevent accidental ingestion and vomiting, keep all cleaning supplies and medications out of the cat’s reach.
❂ Reason 7: Vomiting caused by illness
When a cat is ill, they may experience vomiting. Possible causes include parasite-related infections, gastritis, and illnesses affecting the kidneys, liver, and pancreas.
It may be difficult for non-experts to determine if a cat’s vomiting is a symptom of an underlying illness. If any additional abnormalities, such as a decrease in energy or appetite, are observed, the cat should be taken to the veterinarian immediately.
✨ Pay attention to this type of vomiting!
For those without expertise, it may be challenging to determine whether to wait and observe the vomiting or to take the cat to the veterinarian immediately.
If the cause of the vomiting is unclear, it is important to closely examine what the cat is regurgitating.
Take extra precautions if your cat experiences any of the following symptoms associated with vomiting:
❂ Recurrent vomiting
If the cat is vomiting multiple times a day, there is a risk of dehydration, and it is important to take the cat to the veterinarian as soon as possible.
If the cause of the vomiting is clear, it may not be a cause for concern, but if it continues without a clear reason, the cat may have ingested something poisonous or be suffering from pancreatitis.
If the cat is only vomiting gastric juice, it is important to take them to the veterinarian immediately.
If any suspicion of illness arises, it is important to take the cat to the veterinarian immediately, as a delay could potentially be a matter of life and death.
❂ Difficulty in vomiting
Even if there is just a feeling of nausea, it can be dangerous as it can indicate a stomach disturbance that could result in vomiting. It is highly probable that any ingested item cannot be expelled at this point.
Expulsion of bodily waste such as feces or vomit from the body resolves the issue, but in severe cases, surgery may be necessary to remove the ingested object.
If you or your pet have ingested something accidentally, immediately contact your veterinarian and provide a description of the object’s size, shape, and color.
❂ Blood in vomit
The presence of blood in vomit is a clear indication of a digestive illness.
A wound in the mouth or esophageal bleeding would result in bright red blood.
Darker colors may suggest internal bleeding, specifically from the intestines or stomach.
This is a critical condition that must be treated promptly at an animal hospital as it cannot be diagnosed on one’s own.
❂ Parasites in vomit
Vomit may also contain parasites. Deworming treatment is necessary if even one parasite is confirmed, as there is a high likelihood that others also have worms in their small intestine.
If parasites are left untreated, they will drain the body of essential nutrients, causing illness and possibly introducing new infections.
If your cat has not received recent deworming treatment, it is crucial to take it to the nearest animal hospital immediately.
✨ Cleaning up cat vomit
When your cherished cat vomits, you have to not only worry about the cause but also clean it up. Cats do not have control over where they vomit, so cleaning it up can be a hassle.
However, the most challenging part is dealing with the cat’s vomiting. If it vomits, do not scold it; just clean it up promptly.
❂ When it is vomited on the flooring
Cleaning up vomit that has fallen on the flooring is a straightforward task. In fact, you may find yourself wishing for the cat to vomit on the floor every time because of how easy it is to clean up.
Use paper towels or tissues to pick up the vomit, and then clean the area with floor cleaner or pet waste bags. Be sure to remove all traces of detergent, as the cat may walk on the area.
To properly dispose of the removed vomit, place it in a plastic bag and then flush it down the toilet or throw it in the city’s garbage disposal.
❂ When it is vomited on the carpet
Cleaning up vomit from a carpet or rug is a minor inconvenience. If the stain can be removed and washed, do so. If not, it must be thoroughly cleaned to remove all traces of the stain.
The procedure for cleaning up vomit is the same as when it is on the floor, but extra care must be taken to avoid leaving a stain when wiping it up.
If a carpet stain remover is not available, soak the stained area in laundry detergent or oxygen bleach, then repeatedly wipe it with a tightly wrung damp cloth.
If the odor is a problem, an odor-eliminating and sterilizing spray should be evenly applied.
❂ When it is vomited on tatami
To clean up vomit that has been spilled on tatami, first remove any large pieces of debris. Then, place several layers of paper towels on top of the moist area and allow them to absorb the moisture. The absorbed material can then be swept up or vacuumed.
Afterwards, use a cloth dampened with warm water and a drop or two of vinegar to wipe along the lines of the tatami while applying firm pressure.
❂ Exercise Caution with Robot Vacuums!
Many cat owners have already adopted, or are considering adopting, a robot vacuum cleaner as a solution for dealing with cat dander. These vacuum cleaners are highly beneficial as they can clean the entire house without the owner having to do any manual labor, effectively getting rid of a significant amount of cat hair and reducing the risk of ingestion of human hair or dust. They also serve as a useful tool for cleaning the house when the owner is not present.
Unfortunately, incidents involving robot vacuums are not uncommon. The cause of these accidents is usually cat vomit.
If a cat has an accident and the owner is not at home to clean it up, the robot vacuum may spread the vomit throughout the house, which can be a terrifying experience for the homeowner.
Although some high-end robot vacuums claim to be able to avoid vomit, it is unlikely that they can avoid pet feces.
A malfunction of the vacuum cleaner could occur if it steps on or sucks in cat vomit, so it is recommended that the owner check the floor before leaving the house to make sure there are no signs of vomit.
✨ Conclusion
Cats are more prone to vomiting than other animals, and the reasons behind it can vary widely.
Checking the vomit after a cat has thrown up is not a pleasant task for the owner, but it is necessary to determine if the vomit is abnormal.
The owner should also clean up the vomit immediately as some cats may ingest it if left unattended.
If the cat has recently vomited, it is advisable to provide it with some clean water to drink.
