Cats throw up—it’s a normal part of life. But if your cat is vomiting every day, that’s less normal. It’s also worrisome as a pet parent to see your fur baby being ill each day. That leads to the question of why is your cat throwing up every day?
There are several likely reasons for your cat vomiting every day. They range from the not-so-serious to the very serious, and for most, you’re going to want to take your cat in for a vet visit. This doesn’t automatically mean something is wrong, they could just be dealing with a temporary issue.
Below you’ll find the most common reasons your cat is throwing up every day.
The 10 Reasons Why Your Cat is Throwing Up Everyday
1. Hairballs
Most cats will get a hairball or two during their lifetime, but some will get them more often – mostly longhairs and those that groom excessively. Hairballs might seem like no big deal, but if they aren’t thrown up, they can cause intestinal blockages. So, if your cat is throwing up every day, it could be that they’re getting rid of a bunch of hairballs. It’s a good thing that they’re throwing them up, but it’s not so great that they’re doing it every day.
Regularly brushing and grooming your cat should help with hairballs. If it’s more a matter of excessive grooming, take a good look at whether your cat is bored or stressed. Those are common reasons a cat will overgroom. If you don’t suspect either of these causes, speak with your veterinarian to see if there may be another issue.
2. Eating Too Quickly
Another common reason cats throw up often is because they’re eating their food way too fast. If you’ve noticed your kitty scarfing down meals in a matter of seconds or minutes, then find them puking later, it’s a good bet this is the cause. If you find barely digested food in the vomit, then this is a likely cause. You can slow your pet’s eating by investing in a feeder that will give them food in bits and pieces.
3. Food Allergies
Cats can develop food allergies just like humans. If your cat is allergic to an ingredient in their food, it could be the reason they’re throwing up every day. The most common kitty food allergies include chicken, fish, and beef (basically the most used protein ingredients in cat food). If you also notice that your pet is itchy on top of throwing up, food allergies are a likely culprit. In that case, you’ll need to have your vet run tests. A diet change may be needed.
4. Foreign Objects In The Digestive Tract
If your cat is constantly eating things they shouldn’t, such as crayons, yarn, rubber bands, and the like, these objects will end up in the digestive tract. In an effort to rid the digestive tract of the foreign body, vomiting may occur. If you think your cat has consumed an item they shouldn’t have, contact a veterinarian because this can be potentially life-threatening.
5. Medication
Sometimes vomiting can be caused by taking medications orally. If your cat is on chemotherapy or taking drugs such as anti-inflammatories or antibiotics, it is possible for them to get an upset stomach and vomit. It might also be the way the medication is given. Giving your kittie dry pills (aka without any liquid following) can lead to vomiting. If you suspect your cat is reacting to medication poorly, talk to your vet to see if they can switch them to something different.
6. Poisoning
Vomiting may also be caused by your cat getting into something poisonous. Many things in our homes can be poisonous to felines, including antifreeze, bug sprays, household cleaners, plants, and rat poison. It might not be just one thing they’re interacting with that’s making them ill. If you want to know what you should keep out of your home, the ASPCA has a poison control site and center that can tell you what to avoid. If you do believe your cat has ingested something poisonous, seek immediate medical attention.
7. Intestinal Issues
If nothing on this list so far seems to fit your cat, then it’s time to look at their health. Vomiting can occur because of intestinal issues, just like it would with us. Irritable bowel syndrome and inflammatory bowel disease are common culprits that can result in vomiting, diarrhea, and stomach pain. Your vet can determine if something like this is the issue for the excessive throwing up and treat it accordingly.
Other intestinal causes of vomiting may be intestinal parasites. These parasites can inhabit your cat through various ways involving eating fleas or ingesting larvae or eggs. Luckily, your vet can easily treat parasites with medication, and you can prevent reinfection with basic sanitary measures and prevention medication.
8. Organ Dysfunction
Your cat could be throwing up every day due to one of its organs not working properly. A more severe cause of vomiting, organ dysfunction could include pancreatitis (when the pancreas becomes inflamed) and chronic kidney disease (more common in older cats). If organ dysfunction is the reason your cat has been sick, you’ll see signs other than vomiting such as diarrhea, lethargy, and weight loss. If you see a combination of these symptoms, get your cat to the vet as soon as you can.
9. Endocrinological
Issues with your kitty’s endocrine system can also lead to excessive vomiting. Problems with your pet’s endocrine system can include hyperthyroidism and diabetic ketoacidosis. Hyperthyroidism occurs when the thyroid produces too many hormones and can result in vomiting, weakness, increased thirst and appetite, and weight loss. Diabetic ketoacidosis occurs when feline diabetes has gone undetected and/or untreated. When untreated, this disease can cause excessive ketones to develop, which can lead to a coma or even death. A suspected endocrinological issue is another instance where you should see your vet as soon as possible.
10. Cancer
Probably the scariest reason for chronic vomiting on this list is cancer. Cancer of the stomach or intestines can result in several symptoms, including vomiting, diarrhea, refusal to eat, lethargy, and weight loss. If your vet has eliminated all other possibilities for your cat throwing up every day, it could be time to explore seeing if your pet has any tumors.
Additional Information
Conclusion
Having a cat who throws up every day can be frightening, especially since they can’t tell you what’s wrong. There are a few relatively benign reasons your cat could be doing this, but overall, they shouldn’t be throwing up that much. Even if you suspect the excessive vomiting is because of something like hairballs, it’s still a smart idea to check with your vet to ensure that everything is indeed okay. In most instances, your vet should be able to help with diagnosing and treating the reason for so much vomiting.
Featured Image: Nils Jacobi, Shutterstock
