Cat vomits: hairball, food or emergency?

Vomiting once in an otherwise lively cat is usually no reason to panic. But if she vomits more than once a week, if there is blood, if she chokes without results or if she appears weak, she should be taken to the vet's office.This sums up the recommendation from the Cornell Feline Health Center. There's a gray area in between, and that's exactly what we're looking at here: hairballs, eating too quickly, food and the cases in which you shouldn't wait.

Immediately go to the practice or to the emergency service if

• Blood in the vomitis (Cornell, MSD Veterinary Manual).
• your cat is choking but nothing comes out.According to Texas A&M University veterinarian Lori Teller, this may indicate a blockage in the digestive tract. Cornell also recommends rapid examination if you experience repeated unsuccessful choking.
• she vomits more than once or twice a dayor additionally shows abdominal pain, fever, weakness or lethargy (MSD Veterinary Manual).
• She also doesn't eat, especially longer than a day. Cornell specifically cites refusal of food for more than a day or two as a reason for immediate investigation. Why starvation itself is dangerous is explained inCat doesn't eat.
• a string, a thread, a rubber bandor might have swallowed a piece of toy. According to Texas A&M, such foreign bodies can partially or completely block the intestines.
• a poison comes into question, for example lilies, antifreeze, human medicines, chocolate or onions (Cornell, International Cat Care).

If poisoning is suspected, go to a veterinarian or emergency veterinary service immediately.

Vomiting or vomiting?

This distinction is important for the vet and you can observe it at home:

• Vomitis an active process. According to the MSD Veterinary Manual, it is preceded by increased salivation, frequent swallowing, gagging and forceful movements of the abdominal muscles. The stomach contents are often already digested.
• Choking up(Regurgitation) happens more passively, without tensing the stomach. The food is usually undigested and can have the sausage shape of the esophagus.

According to Texas A&M, a common reason for regurgitation is simply eating too quickly. This is usually nothing to worry about and can be managed with feeding toys or an anti-gobbling bowl. If it still happens often, get it clarified.

Hairballs: normal or not?

When cleaning, every cat swallows loose hair. Most of it comes out in the feces. Some of it can collect in the stomach and is then regurgitated as a moist, usually elongated sausage, often greenish or brownish in color. The Cornell Feline Health Center describes a regurgitated hairball every one to two weeks as not uncommon and without lasting consequences.

Not all experts see it so calmly. Two veterinarians specializing in cats write for the Canadian Veterinary Association CVMA under the titleHairballs are not normal: Cats that vomit more frequently than every two weeks are significantly more likely to have an underlying gastrointestinal disease, according to a study. It's worth taking a closer look, especially if you have regular hairballs.

What you can do:

• Brush daily,especially when changing fur. Cornell recommends this because then less hair ends up in your stomach. Long-haired breeds likePersianorMaine Coonsare at greater risk, according to Cornell. You can read more about changing fur inShedding in autumn.
• Keep calendar:The CVMA authors recommend writing down vomiting and hairballs if you're unsure about the frequency. This helps enormously in practice.
• No laxatives without a vet.Cornell specifically warns against giving laxatives or special hairball products if an obstruction is suspected without veterinary supervision.
• Watch out for excessive brushing.According to Cornell, if your cat is constantly licking itself, it could be due to a skin problem, such as a food allergy.

A hairball becomes dangerous when it becomes too large to leave the stomach or gets stuck in the small intestine. This is rare, according to Cornell, but can be fatal without surgery.

Food as a cause

Cornell cites spoiled cat food as one of the common causes of vomiting. You should therefore put away wet food that has been left in a warm room for hours. According to Cornell, opened cans belong in the refrigerator. A sudden change in food can also irritate the stomach, so change gradually.

Some foods on the table are problematic or poisonous. Typical candidates areOnions,Chocolateand for many adult cats tooMilk. Many cats enjoy nibbling on grass, but according to International Cat Care, any plant, including grass, can irritate the stomach and intestines.Cat grassis still a better choice than poisonous houseplants.

Other causes that are clarified in practice

Many illnesses can be behind frequent vomiting. Cornell and the MSD Veterinary Manual list worms and other parasites, inflammatory bowel disease, constipation, foreign bodies, tumors, kidney and liver disease, pancreatitis, diabetes and hyperthyroidism, among others. The practice usually begins with questions, examination, blood and feces samples. Depending on the findings, x-rays, ultrasounds or mirroring follow.

Regardless of the cause, a cat who vomits for a long time often needs supportive care, Cornell says: fluids by vein or under the skin, followed by easily digestible bland foods once the vomiting has stopped. The actual therapy depends on the diagnosis. A swallowed foreign body can sometimes be removed using an endoscope under anesthesia, but in many cases surgery is necessary. The sooner the cause is identified, the easier the path is usually.

What you can do until the appointment

• Don't take away water.According to the MSD Veterinary Manual, water deprivation worsens fluid loss. Withdrawing water should only be done by a veterinarian if fluid is given via infusion at the same time.
• Do not extend your feeding break on your own.A short break sometimes dictates the practice. Long periods of fasting are dangerous for cats because of fatty liver disease.
• Observe and note:How often, what does it look like, hair, food, foam, blood? Does she eat, drink, and defecate? A photo of the vomit often helps the vet.
• No medicine from the medicine cabinet.The practice prescribes anti-nausea remedies to suit the cause.

According to the veterinary fee schedule, the practice may charge two to four times the fee rate plus a 50 euro emergency service fee for emergency services at night and on weekends. How you plan for this is statedHow much does a cat cost per month?

Frequently asked questions

Read more

• Cat won't eat: When it's harmless and when it's dangerous
• Are lilies poisonous to cats?
• What can cats eat? The overview
• Cat food calculator

A well-brushed, shiny coat is also an eye-catcher in pictures. If you would like to have your cat painted, you can find ours hereCat portraits based on your photo.

Quellen, abgerufen am 05.11.2026: Cornell Feline Health Center: Vomiting; Cornell Feline Health Center: The Danger of Hairballs (mit Richard Goldstein, DVM); Canadian Veterinary Medical Association: Hairballs are not normal. A practical approach to the vomiting cat (Kelly A. St. Denis, DVM; Liz O'Brien, DVM); MSD Veterinary Manual, Cat Owners: Vomiting in Cats (Craig B. Webb, DVM, Colorado State University); Texas A&M College of Veterinary Medicine: When To Be Concerned About Feline Vomiting (Dr. Lori Teller); International Cat Care: Poisonous plants; Cornell Feline Health Center: Feeding Your Cat; Cornell Feline Health Center: Hepatic Lipidosis (mit Sharon Center, DVM); Bundesministerium der Justiz: Gebührenordnung für Tierärztinnen und Tierärzte (GOT) mit Gebührenverzeichnis, Stand Änderung vom 15.03.2023