At a glance
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Why do kittens throw up?
Medically known as emesis, vomiting in kittens is a common occurrence. Kittens can vomit for almost all the same reasons as adult cats but can be more prone to certain conditions. Vomiting (and diarrhea) in kittens should be taken seriously, as due to their size, they are more vulnerable to dehydration and low blood sugar, which can quickly become fatal in the young cat. If your cat is both vomiting & has diarrhea, read our article: “Vomiting & Diarrhea in Cats“
Vomiting may be acute (sudden onset) or intermittent (coming and going). It may contain blood (hematemesis), which is indicative of bleeding somewhere inside the gastrointestinal tract, have the appearance of coffee grounds, contain long, white worms (roundworms), mucus, foreign objects, or be mostly pre-digested food.
The most common causes of vomiting in kittens are worms, dietary indiscretion, and infection.
Intestinal parasites
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| Parasitic worms, particularly roundworms. They are passed on from the mother to her kittens via the milk or in utero. Left untreated, large numbers of worms can build up in the stomach and intestines, which can result in vomiting. A kitten with worms may have a bloated belly, dull coat, diarrhea, weight loss, increased appetite, visible worms in stool or vomit, or may appear lethargic.
Treatment: Worming medications to treat parasitic worms. All cats should be wormed regularly, even those who do not go outside. View our vet’s kitten deworming schedule. |
Dietary indiscretion |
| Kittens are curious, and it is not uncommon for them to eat things they shouldn’t, including human foods, strings, plants, and medications. A kitten vomiting due to dietary indiscretion may appear otherwise healthy but could show signs of nausea, such as drooling or lip licking. Indiscriminate eating can cause a stomach upset and can even result in poisoning or intestinal blockage, both of which can cause acute vomiting.
Treatment: For those with an upset stomach who have eaten e.g. spoiled food, the treatment is supportive care. This can include fluids, anti nausea medicine and ant acids, as well as plenty of rest and a bland diet. Gastric decontamination may be needed to remove the substance eaten if it is toxic or indigestible. In more serious cases, surgery may be required to remove an intestinal blockage. Also, supportive care may be necessary in cases of poisoning, which can include fluid support. |
Snakebite |
| Cats are hunters by nature and unfortunately not able to discriminate between harmful prey and non-harmful prey. Many cats and kittens will think nothing of chasing down and attacking a snake, not realizing how much danger they are putting themselves in.
Treatment: Once the type of snakebite has been determined, your veterinarian will administer the appropriate antivenom. Some cats will need multiple vials of antivenom during treatment. Occasionally a cat will have an allergic reaction to the antivenom although this appears to be more common in dogs than cats. Your veterinarian may also administer intravenous fluids. antihistamines, steroids, or other medications, depending on the situation, so make sure you call your vet! |
Poisoning |
| A kitten vomiting due to poisoning may appear weak, disoriented, or lethargic, and may exhibit symptoms like drooling, tremors, or seizures along with the vomit. Cases of toxicity can be unintentional (owner giving medications such as aspirin), dietary indiscretion (antifreeze, snail bait, lily, or other poisonous plants, plus many more possible poisons), or ingested after licking a poison off the coat (lead poisoning, plus much more) or deliberate (laced food for example).
Treatment: If ingestion was recent, your vet can induce vomiting or perform gastric lavage to remove the toxin, and provide activated charcoal to bind to any remaining toxins. Where available, they will administer an antidote. Your kitty will need supportive care, which can include fluid therapy, ant acids, assisted feeding and/or anti-seizure medications. |
Eating too fast |
| Some kittens (particularly older ones) can guzzle too much food too quickly which can lead to discomfort and regurgitation. A kitten regurgitating food after eating too fast will typically expel undigested, tube-shaped food shortly after eating, often without any warning signs like retching or drooling. Your kitten may also continue to act normally afterward and may even eat what they’ve brought up!
Treatment: Switch from one or two large meals a day to several smaller meals. Purchase a slow-feed food bowl that forces the cat to eat slower. Ensure the food is a high quality diet that is easily digestible. Note: Ongoing regurgitation, or regurgitation alongside symptoms such as weight loss or lethargy, can be a sign of a medical issue such as a megaesophagus. |
Sudden change in diet |
| Cats can be quite sensitive to changes in diet, particularly kittens or older cats. When I adopt a new kitten, I always ask what he has been eating, and try to stick to that, slowly switching him over to the food I prefer to feed over a few days, which can help prevent tummy upset.
Treatment: Switch back to the diet the kitten has been used to eating. If you want to make changes to the diet, do so slowly by adding a small amount of the new food and mixing it in with the kitten’s regular food, over a few days, increase the new food while you decrease the old food. |
Giving your kitten cow’s milk |
| Most older kittens are lactose intolerant and do not need milk. Cow’s milk can cause an upset tummy in all cats, resulting in bloating, diarrhea and vomiting.
Treatment: If you find your kitten develops flatulence, loose stools, and vomits after drinking cow’s milk, avoid it. Cats do not need to be fed milk, and just require water. |
Infections |
| A kitten with an infection may appear lethargic, have a poor coat condition, exhibit loss of appetite, and possibly show signs of fever or unusual discharge from the eyes, nose, or mouth. Viral (such as panleukopenia, which is seen most often in kittens, rotavirus), bacterial (Salmonella, Camylobacter, E. coli etc.), and protozoal (Giardia, Coccidia) infections can all result in vomiting in kittens. Transmission occurs via infected cats, the environment, or contaminated food and water.
Treatment: This will depend on the type of infection your kitten has. Antibiotics can be prescribed to treat bacterial infections. Viral infections are usually treated with supportive care such as fluids and nutritional support, while your cat’s immune system fights the infection. |
Fading kitten syndrome |
| This condition occurs in kittens from birth to two weeks of age. There are several causes including infection, congenital defects, environmental temperature (too hot/too cold), maternal neglect, and blood type incompatibility. Symptoms other than vomiting may include crying excessively, sleeping away from mother and siblings, weight loss and diarrhea.
Treatment:
Even with aggressive treatment, often kittens are too weak to pull through. It is incredibly important to seek veterinary attention the moment you see a kitten acting out of sorts. If several kittens die, it may be worth having a necropsy performed to see if a cause can be determined, especially if you plan to mate the mother again. |
Gastroenteritis |
| When a kitten vomits due to gastroenteritis, it may produce frequent, often bile-stained vomit, and show additional signs like diarrhea, lethargy, and a decreased appetite. Inflammation of the gastrointestinal tract can be due to infection, medications, and a range of other causes.
Treatment: Where possible, find and treat the underlying cause. Supportive care such as fluids to treat dehydration and a bland diet such as boiled chicken to rest the gastrointestinal tract. |
Intussusception (telescoping of the intestine) |
| A life-threatening condition where a portion of the intestine folds in on itself. Seen more frequently in kittens although cats of any age can be affected. Causes include heavy worm infestations, gastroenteritis, a linear foreign body such as a piece of string, and tumors. As well as vomiting and diarrhea, owners may notice bloody stool, lethargy and food refusal.
Treatment: Surgery to either slide intussuscepted intestines apart or remove of the affected area (if beyond saving) under general anesthetic is performed. The sooner surgery is done, the better the prognosis. |
Heatstroke |
| Heatstroke occurs when a cat (or kitten) is exposed to high temperatures. Kittens and senior cats are at greater risk, but it can occur in cats of any age. Cats should never be left unattended in a car, even in winter, internal temperatures can quickly rise. Signs of heatstroke include red gums, panting, muscle tremors, bleeding from the nose, vomiting (often with blood), and diarrhea. Immediate veterinary attention is vital for a cat with heatstroke.
Treatment:
Volume (fluid) replacement
Manage secondary complications
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Food allergy |
| This is a more uncommon cause of vomiting in kittens. Cats typically become allergic to foods they have eaten for an extended period (usually many months or more). Food allergies are the third most common type of allergy in cats (behind flea allergy, and inhalant allergy). The most common food triggers are fish, beef, chicken, and eggs.
Treatment: Corticosteroids or antihistamines may be prescribed to control itching until symptoms resolve. Switch to a different protein source or feed a commercial hypoallergenic diet. Unfortunately, some cats can develop allergies to new food. Owners can feed a hydrolyzed diet, which contains proteins that are completely broken down, and that should not be recognised by the immune system as ‘enemies’. |
What is the color of your kitten’s vomit?
Owners should not get too focused on the color of the vomit, as it is not always especially significant and doesn’t determine the underlying issue. However, it is one piece of the puzzle, and it is sensible to keep an eye on what your kitten is bringing up.
Yellow: Vomit containing bile or semi-digested food material. If your kitten has vomited more than 2-3 times, please seek veterinary attention
Red/blood: This indicated a source of bleeding is present. Seek veterinary care right away. Red blood is fresh, so usually means bleeding in the upper GI tract, such as the stomach.
White foam/clear: Vomit contains mucus or water. This is typically seen when the kitten has an empty stomach.
Brown: Digested food can be brown or even bile can be dark in color. Dark brown or coffee grounds vomit may indicate old or digested blood. See your vet ASAP.
Green: Bile and plant material will cause green-colored vomit. If your kitten has vomited more than 2-3 times, please seek veterinary attention.
View 7 pictures of cat vomit and what they mean.
It’s important to keep an eye on a kitten who has just vomited to spot any additional symptoms.Â
These additional symptoms could point to a more serious health problem. Noting these signs helps the veterinarian diagnose and treat the issue more effectively:
- Repeat vomiting (more than 3 times)
- Lethargy or weakness
- Loss of appetite (anorexia)
- Diarrhea
- Pot-bellied appearanceÂ
- Crying
- Fever
- Drooling
- Abdominal pain or tension
- Wobbly gait/drunken appearanceÂ
- Pale or yellow mucous membranes (jaundice)
- Any other signs of illness or discomfort.
Signs you should call your veterinarian
Kittens can become quickly dehydrated or suffer from low blood sugar if they are vomiting and not eating. Any kitten vomiting more than 2-3 times should be assessed by a veterinarian as soon as possible. Any kitten who is not eating for greater than 4 hours in young kittens or 8 hours in older kittens should seek veterinary care immediately. Any sign of weakness, lethargy, or change in awareness needs to be addressed ASAP.
Diagnosis
Your veterinarian will perform a complete physical examination of your cat and obtain a medical history from you including the age of the kitten, his diet, where he came from, his worming schedule, how often he is vomiting, is it random or after eating, and are there any other symptoms?Â
Most kittens are treated symptomatically, and no tests are needed. However, if vomiting persists or the kitten is very unwell, diagnostic tests may be advised.
Your vet may need to perform some tests to determine the cause of the vomiting and evaluate the overall health of your cat. Some of which include:
- Baseline tests: Biochemical profile, complete blood count, and urinalysis to assess the overall health of the kitten and to check for dehydration.
- Fecal examination, flotation and culture: To check for infections, protozoa and worms
- Abdominal ultrasound or x-rays: To assess organ appearance and see if there are any blockages or intussusception
- Endoscopy: A plastic tube with a camera is inserted into the mouth to examine the gastrointestinal tract under general anesthetic.
Aftercare
Give your kitten all medications prescribed by your veterinarian. The kitten may be prescribed a bland diet to rest the gastrointestinal tract, and should be fed to schedule.
Keep your kitty well hydrated with plenty of water, and your vet may also discuss a rehdyration solution.
Tips to prevent kitten vomiting
- Don’t give kittens dairy milk, once they have weaned from their mother; they only require fresh tap water.
- Avoid feeding kittens food which can upset their tummy, such as greasy meat, spicy foods or confectionery.
- Stick to the same diet the breeder was offering for a little while, and slowly change over to the one you’d prefer.
- Never give your kitten any medications unless told to do so by a veterinarian.
- Never give a kitten human medication such as aspirin or Tylenol.
- A kitten is the same as a toddler; they can and will put anything in their mouth. So make sure your home is kitten proofed with any small objects that could potentially be swallowed kept out of the way.
- Keep all medications and poisons locked away.
- Ensure any plants or flowers inside the home are cat friendly.
- Use a slow feeder bowl and offer smaller but more regular meals, if your kitty gulps their food too quickly.
- Ensure your kitty is up to date with their vaccines and wormer.
Frequently asked questions
How frequent is vomiting in kittens?
Kittens are not naturally prone to vomiting and this can be a sign that something is amiss. A single episode of vomiting is not overly concerning if your kitten is otherwise happy, eating well, and no other clinical signs are noted. Vomiting several times is more concerning, and would warrant a call to the vet.
When can I feed my kitten again after they’ve thrown up?
Give your kitten a minimum of 1-2 hours to let their tummies settle. Reintroduce a small amount of food and give them another 1-2 hours to see if they can keep the food down. If so, gradually increase their feeding amount. If your kitten vomits after reintroduction of food, seek veterinary advice.
Consider feeding a bland diet such as boiled chicken and rice if your kitten’s stomach is upset.
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