Seeing your cat throw up is stressful — and messy. While occasional vomiting can be normal, frequent or repeated episodes usually signal a deeper issue. Cats vomit for many reasons, ranging from harmless hairballs to serious medical conditions that require urgent attention.
Understanding the difference can help you protect your cat’s health and know when it’s time to contact your veterinarian.
Here are the 7 most common reasons cats throw up — and the warning signs you shouldn’t ignore.
1. Hairballs
Hairballs are the most common cause of vomiting in cats, especially long-haired breeds like Persians, Ragdolls, and Maine Coons.
Why it happens:
Cats swallow hair when grooming. When too much hair collects in the stomach, they vomit to expel it. (BUY HAIRBALL TREATMENT HERE)
What the vomit looks like:
A long, tubular clump of fur — not food.
When to worry:
• Hairballs more than once per week
• Signs of obstruction (no stool, repeated gagging, lack of appetite)
How to reduce hairballs:
• Daily brushing
• Hairball gels
• High-fiber cat foods
• Omega-3 supplements
2. Eating Too Fast
Some cats inhale food like they’re in a race. When they eat too quickly, they often regurgitate immediately afterward.
What to look for:
• Vomit appears soon after eating
• It contains whole pieces of kibble
• Your cat seems otherwise normal
Solutions:
• Use a slow feeder bowl
• Try smaller, more frequent meals
• Separate cats during mealtime if one is a food hog
3. Food Allergies or Sensitivities
Cats can develop allergies or intolerances to ingredients like chicken, beef, dairy, or grains.
Symptoms:
• Itchy skin
• Diarrhea
• Gassy stomach
• Chronic vomiting
• Hair loss
Fix:
Switch to a limited-ingredient diet, ideally after consulting with your veterinarian. Novel proteins like duck or venison often help.
4. Gastritis (Stomach Irritation)
If your cat ate something they shouldn’t — plants, plastic, spoiled food, string — vomiting may follow.
Warning signs:
• Yellow bile
• Loss of appetite
• Lethargy
• Drooling
If symptoms persist more than 24 hours, call your vet.
5. Intestinal Parasites
Worms are far more common than most owners realize.
Signs of parasite-related vomiting:
• Weight loss
• Worms or eggs visible in stool
• Swollen belly
• Diarrhea
Regular deworming prevents this entirely.
6. Kidney Disease
Senior cats are especially prone to chronic kidney disease, which causes nausea and vomiting.
Symptoms:
• Drinking more
• Urinating more
• Weight loss
• Poor appetite
• Bad breath (ammonia smell)
This condition requires long-term veterinary management.
7. Serious Illness: When Vomiting Is an Emergency
Call your vet immediately if your cat is vomiting more than twice in a day, or if vomit is accompanied by:
• Blood
• Severe lethargy
• Collapsing
• No appetite for 24+ hours
• No water intake
• Sudden weight loss
• Abdominal pain
• Difficulty breathing
Cats hide pain — so vomiting is often your only clue something is wrong.
When to Call a Vet
You should call a vet if:
• Vomiting happens more than once a week
• Vomit contains blood or worms
• Your cat stops eating or drinking
• Your cat becomes lethargic or hides
• There’s diarrhea, drooling, or weight loss
• Your senior cat vomits repeatedly
It’s always better to be safe — cats decline quickly.