There is almost nothing worse than the sound of our beloved felines puking up a puddle of grossness on our living room carpet. If you’re anything like me, it makes you cringe every time it happens.
And the worst part about it is having to clean up every pile before our cat decides to come back and eat their own puke.
Fortunately, for both us and our precious furbabies, puking tends to be a pretty common experience. But it still can be alarming for those of us that aren’t used to their cats throwing up.
It makes you wonder why cats puke in the first place, what can we do about it, and when is it time to take our four-legged friend to see our local veterinarian?
The most common causes of feline vomiting are hairballs, eating too much and too fast, eating something toxic, and parasites, just to name a few.
So, let’s take a moment and narrow the causes down. You just might be able to figure out why “Fluffy” is vomiting on your brand new shoes.
Table of Contents
Your Cat Is Puking Up Hairballs
The most common reason that a cat will throw up is because of hairballs. Hairballs usually occur as a result of your cat compulsively grooming itself.
Hairballs occur the most in long-haired breeds, but other feline breeds can still get them. Cats that shed a lot are also prone to get hairballs. Hairballs look like small tubular rolls, so they definitely look a little different than the average cat vomit.
There are various hairball remedies that you can use to help minimize them from happening. One product that I would definitely recommend is the Temptations Hairball Treats. You can buy them online in bulk so you always have some on hand.
I find that my local store runs out of these quite often, as they seem to be out of stock a lot.
They’re crunchy on the outside and soft on the inside which makes cats go crazy for them. My cats love the whole product line of Temptations treats.
Another thing you can try is Greenies Feline SMARTBITES Hairball Control. I’ve never actually tried this product on my own cats, but I’ve read nothing but great reviews for this product. It is something I may try in the future though.
It’s All About That Cat Food
Your cat may also vomit because it has eaten too much or too fast. When this happens, it is actually not vomiting, but regurgitation that is happening.
Basically, what is happening when your cat eats too much is that their stomach lining expands faster than normal. This is what causes regurgitation.
If you have more than one cat, you may notice them eating the freshly regurgitated food. That’s because it is basically chewed up food, not puke.
My cats tend to regurgitate mostly when they are fed wet food. They mow that stuff down quickly like it’s the best thing to ever happen to them.
If you’ve ever given a cat wet food, you definitely know what I am talking about. This is why I don’t give my cats wet food every single day.
Also, if you’ve recently changed the type or brand of food that your cat eats, that may be causing your beloved feline to vomit. This is a pretty normal reaction if you’ve just recently changed their diet.
Your Cat May Have a Parasite
Another reason your feline furbaby may be vomiting is because they have parasites in their stomach such as parasitic worms. This is the most common type of parasite that occurs in cats.
The worms will usually attach themselves to the inner lining of the stomach where they lay eggs. Chronic vomiting is a common sign with parasitic worms.
If you suspect that your cat has parasitic worms living in their stomach, please bring them into the veterinarian so they can get the treatment they need.
You Cat May Have Ingested Something Toxic
Your cat may have eaten something they shouldn’t have. Did you know that cats can get horribly sick from raisins, grapes, chocolate, and many other types of human foods that are toxic to cats?
In fact, I won’t even bring grapes or raisins home, period. It’d be way too easy for me to accidentally drop a raisin on the floor and not even notice it.
And if you have a cat, you obviously know that it will put the oddest things into its mouth and attempt to eat it.
There are also several plants that are toxic to cats including Daffodils, Daisies, and Azaleas just to name a few. If you have plants in the home and you notice your cats eat the leaves, you should definitely make sure it’s a plant that is safe to have around your feline furbabies.
What Can You Do To Help?
If your cat seems to be puking a lot, you should monitor their grooming habits and food intake. These are the most common reasons that cats vomit.
Try to feed your cat at the same time every day if possible, and make sure they have plenty of water as well.
If you suspect hairballs, try using a hairball treatment. You can also help them with their grooming by brushing their fur coat with a cat brush found in most pet stores, retail outlets, or online.
When To Take Your Cat To a Veterinarian
If your cat is constantly vomiting, you should bring them into the vet as soon as possible. Are they showing any other signs in addition to vomiting such as lethargy, loss of appetite, or listlessness?
These symptoms are definitely a cause for concern and should be brought to a veterinarian’s attention immediately. If you are able to, bring in a sample of your cat’s puke. It may seem gross, but it might also help your vet determine the cause of your beloved feline’s illness.
Never gamble when it comes to your cat’s health. It’s always better to be safe than sorry, so take them to see your veterinarian whenever you are in doubt.
