Wondering, "Why does my cat keep throwing up?"
Nausea in cats is a very common condition. It can occur on its own or just prior to the act of vomiting. In humans, nausea is also referred to as queasiness, having an upset stomach, or “feeling sick to your stomach,” and is associated with a feeling of discomfort in the stomach.
Nausea is harder to define in cats, since animals can’t tell you that they feel unwell. In many instances, it is unclear that there is an issue until your cat vomits.
The most common symptoms of nausea in cats are lack of appetite, licking, excessive chewing, hypervocalization (excessive meowing), restlessness, and drooling. Nausea can make cats feel uncomfortable and restless. Some cats will pace around while meowing, while others will lie in the same spot drooling.
Overview of Feline Nausea
Nausea is a nonspecific symptom, which means there are many different possible causes. These causes can include an upset stomach, changes in diet, eating something indigestible (such as plastic or articles of clothing), eating too fast, overeating, eating something that is spoiled or unpleasant, licking something with an unpleasant taste (such as topical flea prevention products), motion sickness, allergies, hairballs, and certain medications. Cleaning chemicals and biological substances not only taste bad, but can cause caustic oral burns.
A number of diseases or conditions can also cause nausea in cats, especially disorders of the gastrointestinal system (stomach and/or intestines). Nausea can be secondary to a disease from a different system such as cancer, acute or chronic kidney failure, diabetes, liver problems, or various infectious diseases. This is why diagnosing nausea can be such a challenge.
At one time or another, your pet may have a bout of vomiting following a period of nausea. Vomiting may be a sign of a very minor problem or it may indicate something more serious.
An occasional, infrequent, isolated episode of nausea with or without vomiting is usually normal and not a reason for major concern.
The severity or concurrence of other signs will determine the specific diagnostic tests your vet will recommend. Important considerations include the duration and frequency of the nausea. If your cat vomits once then eats normally with no further vomiting, has a normal bowel movement, and behaves in a playful manner, the problem may resolve on its own. If nausea and vomiting continue after your cat eats and your pet also acts lethargic or doesn’t want to eat, then medical attention is warranted.
Common Signs of Nausea in Cats
Signs of cat nausea often include:
- Excessive drooling, licking, or chewing
- Anorexia (lack of appetite)
Other signs or symptoms that can be associated with feline nausea may include:
- Vomiting
- Dry heaving
- Dehydration due to fluid losses from persistent vomiting, anorexia, and/or diarrhea
- Diarrhea caused by a gastrointestinal problem
- Abnormal behavior or physical abnormalities associated with prolonged vomiting, like lethargy (reluctance to move), weakness, abdominal pain, weight loss, blood in the vomit, or other unexpected physical changes. These signs can indicate your pet is having a potentially life-threatening emergency.
- In humans, some odors can invoke nauseous sensations. The smell of some foods can invoke immediate drooling and nausea in some cats. However, this appears to be less common in animals.
Diagnosis of Cat Nausea
Administering the optimal therapy for any serious or persistent medical condition depends on establishing the correct diagnosis. There are numerous potential causes of nausea and subsequent vomiting and, before any treatment can be recommended, it is important to identify the underlying cause and direct the initial therapy toward resolving it. Some problems are minor, while others can be caused by severe medical conditions.
Diagnostic measures and tests for cat nausea may include:
Physical Examination
Thorough physical examination by a veterinarian, including abdominal palpation (feeling the abdomen), may be necessary. Your vet will look for signs of pain or an abnormal size or texture to the abdominal organs. They may also do a rectal exam that consists of putting on a glove and gently inserting a finger into the rectum to evaluate for abnormalities, such as mass or evidence of diarrhea.
They will likely also do an oral exam by looking in the mouth for any signs of infection, infected teeth, or other abnormalities. Temperature, pulse (heart rate), and respiratory rate will also be collected to look for any signs of a fever or other irregularities.
Review of Medical History
A review of your cat’s complete medical history will also be conducted. This assessment will most likely include questions regarding vaccination history, diet, appetite, general health, presence and character of vomitus (frequency, progression, presence of blood, duration of vomiting), weight loss, past medical problems, medication history, and presence of other gastrointestinal signs, such as vomiting and/or diarrhea.
Treatment of Nausea in Cats
Common treatments for cat nausea may include one or more of the following:
- Eliminating the predisposing cause, such as a change in diet, like eating plants, overeating, eating too fast, ingesting chemicals including flea prevention medications, etc. Patients who eat too quickly or overeat can be treated by feeding smaller portions, sometimes with the use of feeders designed to slow eating.
- Subcutaneous fluids, injectable drugs used to control nausea and vomiting (antiemetics), and a follow-up appointment are used to treat episodes of nausea without other physical abnormalities. An anti-nausea medication for cats is Maropitant (commonly known by the brand name Cerenia®). This drug comes in both injectable and oral forms. Often, a cat is given an injection and sent home with the oral pills.
- Severe symptoms, such as abdominal pain, vomiting, diarrhea, or lethargy, may be treated with hospitalization. This therapy may include intravenous (IV) fluids with electrolytes for dehydration, 24-hour monitoring, and drug therapy. Treatment is often combined with diagnostic testing to determine the cause of the vomiting.
- Sick cats may require referral to an emergency or 24-hour hospital that offers around-the-clock care. Read about specific instructions in Home Care for the Vomiting Cat.
Home Care for Nausea in Cats
Follow up with your veterinarian for re-examination of your cat as recommended and administer any prescribed medications. If your cat experiences an inadequate response to prior measures, further workup may be necessary to determine the underlying cause of the nausea.
