Cat vomiting: causes and when to see a vet

About this guideCompiled from the listed veterinary and health organisations’ guidance; not yet reviewed by a veterinarian.

General information for owners, not a substitute for examination, diagnosis or treatment by a veterinarian. If your animal seems very unwell, in pain, struggling to breathe or may have been poisoned, contact a vet immediately.

Quick answer

Key points

Even healthy cats vomit now and then, but Cornell advises a vet check if a cat vomits more than once a week.
Hairballs, eating too fast and sudden diet changes are common, relatively mild causes.
Vomiting can also signal poisoning, a swallowed object, worms, or kidney, liver, thyroid or diabetic disease.
Vomiting for more than 24 hours, blood in the vomit, or being unable to keep food and water down needs a vet urgently.
Noting how often your cat vomits, what comes up and any other signs helps the vet find the cause.

When should you see a vet?

Contact a vet immediately if your cat has been vomiting for more than 24 hours, cannot keep food or water down, has blood or black specks in its vomit, or may have swallowed a poison, string or thread.
Vomiting with lethargy, pale gums or a painful belly.
Vomiting with diarrhoea, or drinking and urinating more than usual.
Vomiting in a kitten or an elderly cat.
Repeated retching that brings nothing up, or lethargy and refusing food for more than a day.
Vomiting more than once a week, or vomiting with weight loss.

Contact your nearest veterinarian or animal clinic. This site cannot assess your animal’s condition. Choosing a vet

In this guide (10)

Is it normal for a cat to vomit often?

Healthy cats can vomit now and then, but frequent vomiting is not normal; Cornell advises a vet check if a cat vomits more than once a week. According to Cornell, bringing up a hairball once every week or two is usually not a problem. Cats Protection says a cat that vomits once and is otherwise bright and healthy should recover quickly. Even so, any kind of vomit can point to disease, so it is sensible to mention every episode to your vet. PDSA advises watching your cat closely and calling your vet if it vomits again, seems unwell or shows any other signs.

Evidence: Cornell Feline Health Center — Vomiting ↗ · Cats Protection — Vomiting in cats ↗ · PDSA — Vomiting in cats ↗

What commonly makes cats vomit?

Common causes include hairballs, eating too fast or too much, a sudden change of food, mild stomach upsets and worms. Hairballs form because cats swallow hair while grooming; Cornell notes that long-haired breeds such as Persians are at greater risk. The Merck Veterinary Manual says regular brushing can reduce the hair a cat swallows. Cats Protection advises changing food gradually and lists eating too fast as a cause. A cat that gulps its food may regurgitate, meaning food comes back up without effort soon after eating, often in a tube shape. If regurgitation keeps happening, ask your vet for advice.

Evidence: PDSA — Vomiting in cats ↗ · Cornell Feline Health Center — A Hairy Dilemma ↗ · Merck Veterinary Manual (cat owner version) — Vomiting in Cats ↗ · Cats Protection — Vomiting in cats ↗

When is vomiting a sign of something serious?

Vomiting can be a sign of poisoning, a gut blockage from a swallowed object, parasites, inflammatory bowel disease, pancreatitis, or kidney, liver, thyroid or diabetic disease. Cornell notes that cats may vomit after eating leaves of poisonous plants, spoiled food, human medicines, string or yarn, rubber bands, or human foods such as chocolate and onions. The Merck Veterinary Manual adds infections, food allergy and tumours as causes. Long-term vomiting can lead to weakness, weight loss and dehydration. Cornell also warns that repeated hacking mistaken for a hairball may be a sign of a breathing illness such as asthma, which can need emergency treatment.

Evidence: Cornell Feline Health Center — Vomiting ↗ · Merck Veterinary Manual (cat owner version) — Vomiting in Cats ↗ · Cornell Feline Health Center — A Hairy Dilemma ↗

When should a vomiting cat see a vet straight away?

Contact a vet at once if vomiting lasts more than 24 hours, your cat cannot keep food or water down, or there is blood or black specks in the vomit. PDSA also lists lethargy, pale gums, diarrhoea, a painful belly, drinking or urinating more than usual, and possibly having eaten something harmful. Kittens and elderly cats need checking sooner. Cornell advises seeing a vet without delay if a cat is lethargic and refuses food for more than a day, or keeps retching without bringing anything up, because a hairball can block the intestine. Merck adds vomiting more than once or twice a day, fever and weight loss.

What should you tell the vet?

Say when the vomiting started, how often it happens, what the vomit looks like, what your cat last ate and any other signs you have noticed. Cornell explains that diagnosis starts with a thorough history from the owner. Describe whether your cat seemed nauseous and heaved, which suggests vomiting, or whether food simply slid out without effort, which suggests regurgitation. Cats Protection explains that vomit may contain hairballs, undigested food, white froth or worms. Also mention any diet change, access to plants, medicines, string or household chemicals, and changes in appetite, drinking, toileting and weight. Phoning ahead helps the clinic prepare.

In Indonesia, cats can be examined at a veterinary clinic. Some local governments also run a puskeswan (animal health centre) or a government veterinary clinic that treats cats, as the service pages of the Batam city puskeswan and the East Kalimantan livestock and animal health office show. Check the services and opening hours of facilities in your area before you go. Do not give your cat human medicine without a vet's advice, as Cornell notes that various human medicines can make cats vomit.

Evidence: Cornell Feline Health Center — Vomiting ↗ · Merck Veterinary Manual (cat owner version) — Vomiting in Cats ↗ · Cats Protection — Vomiting in cats ↗ · Merck Veterinary Manual (pet owner version) — What to Do in a Dog or Cat Emergency ↗ · Puskeswan Kota Batam — Layanan ↗ · Dinas Peternakan dan Kesehatan Hewan Provinsi Kalimantan Timur — Klinik Hewan ↗

How can you reduce vomiting from hairballs or fast eating?

Brush your cat regularly, change its food gradually and slow down a cat that gulps its meals. Cats Protection suggests daily brushing to cut down on hairballs, especially in long-haired cats. For cats that eat too fast, Cats Protection suggests smaller, more frequent meals or a slow-feeder bowl. Cornell recommends keeping floors clear of thread, paper clips and string, because these are dangerous if swallowed. Also keep toxic plants, medicines and human foods such as chocolate and onions out of reach. If your cat still vomits often, ask your vet to look for the cause.

Evidence: Cats Protection — Vomiting in cats ↗ · Cornell Feline Health Center — A Hairy Dilemma ↗ · Cornell Feline Health Center — Vomiting ↗ · Merck Veterinary Manual (cat owner version) — Vomiting in Cats ↗

Sources & references

References can change. Check dates and context in the original source.

Cite this page

PanduanHewan. (2026, 25 September). Cat vomiting: causes and when to see a vet. PanduanHewan.org. https://panduanhewan.org/en/pet-health/cat-vomiting-when-to-see-a-vet/

Cat vomiting: causes and when to see a vet

Key points

When should you see a vet?

Is it normal for a cat to vomit often?

What commonly makes cats vomit?

When is vomiting a sign of something serious?

When should a vomiting cat see a vet straight away?

What should you tell the vet?

How can you reduce vomiting from hairballs or fast eating?

Sources & references

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