Why Is My Cat Throwing Up?

A Guide for Concerned Cat Parents

Vomiting in cats can be alarming — and messy! Whether it's a one-time incident or a recurring problem, understanding the why behind your cat’s throw-up can help you respond quickly and appropriately.

If you keep asking yourself: Why does my cat keep throwing up? Why is my cat puking?

If you're wondering why your cat keeps throwing up, this article is for you.

In this post, we’ll walk you through the common causes, when to worry, and what different types and colors of cat vomit might mean. Plus, we’ll include helpful images so you can compare what you’re seeing at home.

🐱 Why is my Cat Throwing Up?

Is It Normal for Cats to Throw Up?

Occasional hairballs or stomach upset can be perfectly normal, especially in long-haired breeds like Ragdolls. But if your cat vomits frequently, seems lethargic, loses weight, or stops eating — it’s time to dig deeper.

Understanding Vomit Types: Hairball, Bile, Regurgitated Food, and Blood – What Do They Indicate?

🧪 Common Reasons Cats Throw Up

1. Hairballs

Cats groom themselves constantly, and sometimes that fur builds up in the stomach. Hairballs are often coughed up with a gagging sound and may look like a slimy, sausage-shaped wad of fur.

2. Eating Too Fast

Some cats scarf their food, which leads to regurgitation — undigested food usually comes up within 15–30 minutes of eating.

3. Dietary Intolerance or Food Allergy

Switching foods too fast, or feeding ingredients your cat can’t tolerate, can cause vomiting. Common culprits include dairy, certain proteins, or artificial additives.

4. Ingesting Foreign Objects

Rubber bands, string, plastic, or even houseplants can trigger vomiting. If you suspect your cat swallowed something they shouldn’t have — call your vet immediately.

5. Parasites, Infections, or Underlying Illness

Vomiting can be a symptom of:

• Intestinal parasites

• Bacterial or viral infections

• Kidney or liver disease

• Hyperthyroidism

• Diabetes

• Cancer

A vet visit is crucial if vomiting is accompanied by lethargy, weight loss, diarrhea, or behavior changes.

🎨 What Does the Color of Vomit Mean?

Cat Vomit Color Chart: A useful guide from Kitten Around Ragdolls explaining the meanings behind different colors of cat vomit, including yellow for bile, green for grass, and brown for food.

Understanding the color and texture of your cat’s vomit can give clues to what’s going on. Here's a handy visual guide:

Vomit Color	Possible Cause
🟤 Brown	Hairball, digested food, internal bleeding
🟡 Yellow/Green	Bile from an empty stomach
🔴 Red (or pink)	Blood in vomit, possible emergency
⚫ Black/Tarry	Internal bleeding or toxins
🟠 Orange/Light Brown	Undigested food, fast eating
⚪ White Foam	Empty stomach, stress, reflux

According to the UC Davis School of Veterinary Medicine, blood in vomit or stool is a medical emergency. The content of the vomit also matters (e.g., foreign objects).

Dr. Lori Teller, associate professor at Texas A&M College of Veterinary Medicine says, “Almost all cats will vomit on occasion, so it’s pretty common. If a cat vomits now and then and is otherwise healthy—with a normal appetite, water consumption, activity level, and bowel movements—then generally we are not too worried about it."

🚨 When to Call the Vet

Call your vet if your cat:

• Vomits more than 1–2x a week

• Has blood in their vomit

• Shows signs of pain or distress

• Isn’t eating or drinking

• Seems lethargic or weak

• Has concurrent diarrhea or constipation

📌 Tip for Pet Parents:

If you're unsure which one you're seeing, record a video to show your vet. It helps immensely in diagnosing the cause.

🏠 At-Home Care Tips

• Switch foods gradually over 7–10 days

• Use slow-feeder bowls to prevent scarfing

• Regular grooming to reduce hairball formation

• Keep toxic plants and string-like items out of reach

• Add fiber or hairball control treats to your routine

When Vomiting Is Not Vomiting

Cats sometimes cough, regurgitate, or have hairball episodes that look like vomiting but aren’t. Clarifying the differences helps educate your readers:

• Coughing = hacking without expelling food

• Regurgitation = passive, often right after eating

• Vomiting = active, heaving motion with abdominal effort

🤔 Is It Vomiting, Regurgitation, or Coughing?

Behavior	Description	Timing	Effort Level	Common Causes	What It Looks Like
Vomiting	Forceful expulsion of stomach contents via the mouth	After eating or anytime	Active (heaving, retching)	Hairballs, food intolerance, illness	Chunky food, bile, foam, or hairball
Regurgitation	Passive return of undigested food from the esophagus	Right after eating	Passive (no retching)	Eating too fast, esophageal issues	Whole kibble or sausage-like food pile
Coughing	Sharp expulsion of air from the lungs	Random	Moderate (hacking sound)	Asthma, respiratory infections, inhaled irritants	Dry hacking, sometimes mistaken for gagging

❤️ Final Thoughts

Occasional vomiting isn’t always a cause for panic, but chronic or severe vomiting is your cat’s way of saying something’s wrong. Trust your instincts, keep an eye on the details, and when in doubt — call your vet.

If you're a Ragdoll owner and unsure what’s normal for your kitten, feel free to reach out to us here at Kitten Around Ragdolls. We're happy to offer advice or connect you with a trusted vet.

If you have comments or questions, please share them below.