While not the most comfortable topic in the world, every cat owner knows that a cat vomiting can be scary but is prevalent in cats of all ages. Sometimes it’s a hairball, other times it’s food, and perhaps once in a blue moon you’ll find a foreign object in there, but the fact remains that just because your cat has vomited doesn’t always mean you need to rush to the veterinary hospital.
Common Causes of cat Vomiting
There are plenty of different reasons your cat might vomit, and knowing what caused your cat to regurgitate is the first step to understanding whether or not a trip to the vet is in order. Some of the most common reasons cats vomit are:
• Hairballs: Cats are known for grooming themselves rather frequently. Their tongues have small, hook-like features that catch dead, loose hair when they are grooming and licking their fur. The hair is often digested with no issues, but sometimes the fur collects in the stomach and forms into a ball.
• Foreign Objects: Cats are also known for their curious nature, and will sometimes get into things they’re not supposed to. If your cat tries to digest certain human foods, plants, string, or any objects that are not meant for kitty consumption, vomiting can take place.
• Medical Conditions: If your cat has a medical condition, it could be the cause of vomiting. The most common health problems in cats that are known to cause vomiting are:
• Inflammatory Bowel Disease (IBD)
• Hyperthyroidism
• Cat Diabetes
• Kidney Disease
• Gastrointestinal Growths
• Internal Parasites
When Your Cat Should Be Seen By a Vet
If you notice your cat has thrown up a hairball or two over the course of a week, it’s likely that they’ve just been grooming themselves a bit more than usual and isn’t often a cause for concern. However, if you notice a strangeness in the circumstances surrounding the vomiting, or in the vomit itself, it’s always your best bet to at least make a call to your vet. Make note of any other symptoms that are present in order to give your veterinarian as much information as possible so that their diagnosis can be as specific as possible. This will help them provide the individualized care and treatment your cat needs to heal.