Cat Diarrhea & Vomiting: Causes, Emergencies & Care

Cat Diarrhea & Vomiting can worry any pet parent, but understanding why it happens can help you act quickly. Sometimes, it’s as simple as a sudden diet change in cats or harmless hairballs in cats. Other times, it could signal gut parasites in kittens or serious illnesses like pancreatitis in cats. 

Observing signs of diarrhea in cats, such as a dirty or smelly bottom, or noticing signs of vomiting in cats, such as retching or vomiting white foam, is crucial. This guide explains the causes, emergencies, and care steps every cat owner in the USA should know.

✅ Common Causes of Diarrhea and Vomiting in Cats

Cats can get an upset tummy from many things. A sudden diet change can often lead to watery stools. Eating the wrong food can cause food intolerance in cats, making them sick. Some cats swallow fur and cough up hairballs in cats. These may come out through regurgitation or vomiting.

Other times, gut parasites in kittens upset digestion. Young cats pick them up easily. Older cats may suffer from illnesses like hyperthyroidism cats, pancreatitis in cats or inflammatory bowel disease cats. These make them vomit or have diarrhea often. Gastroenteritis cats can lead to vomiting mixed with bile or white foam.

🚨 Warning Signs: When Cat Vomiting or Diarrhea Is an Emergency

If you see blood in vomit or stool, contact an emergency vet. A bloated cat stomach, cat farting / gurgling stomach noises, or a lethargic cat refusing food are red flags. Also, watch for cat vomiting white foam, especially after vomiting on an empty stomach.

Other warning signs include a cat shaking / dribbling/collapsing. Cats exposed to rat poison, lilies toxic to cats, or the wrong flea treatment need help fast. These toxins can show as poisoning/toxin symptoms. Small objects can cause an intestinal obstruction/blockage, leading to repeated vomiting.

🏠 What to Do at Home If Your Cat Has Diarrhea or Vomiting

First, help by keeping cat hydrated. Offer fresh water often. If your cat stops vomiting, feed a bland diet. Small pieces of boiled chicken for sick cats or skinless fish work well. Skip treats and rich foods until your cat recovers.

Monitor signs like cat licking bottom excessively or coughing vs vomiting in cats. Cats may also show retching or hypersalivation before vomiting. Clean your cat’s litter area and track stool changes.

🩺 When to See a Vet for Your Cat’s Vomiting and Diarrhea

If kittens / elderly cats have diarrhea or vomiting longer than a day, call your vet. They risk dehydration in kittens and elderly cats quickly. See a vet if there’s blood in vomit or stool, nausea with no appetite, or if your cat is very tired.

Always act fast when you suspect your cat has swallowed a toy or something sharp, which may cause intestinal blockage cat. Don’t wait for symptoms to worsen.

🔬 How Vets Diagnose Cat Diarrhea and Vomiting

The first question vets will ask is about food scavenging, eating, or dietary changes recently, and toxins. They can carry out diagnostic examination such as stool test, blood examination, ultrasound test or X-rays. All the tests assist in identifying the underlying cause, including gut parasites and gastroenteritis.

Your vet determines whether vomiting is caused by poisoning/toxins, hyperthyroidism, or pancreatitis. With this knowledge of the cause, your vet can make the appropriate treatment.

💊 Treatment Options Your Vet May Recommend

Treatment may include fluids to stop dehydration, or medicine for nausea, hypersalivation, and diarrhea. For gut parasites in kittens, vets may give dewormers.

Cats with inflammatory bowel disease (IBD) or pancreatitis in cats may need special diets. Sometimes, surgery is needed for intestinal obstruction/blockage.

🌐 How Online Vets Can Help With Cat Vomiting and Diarrhea

Online vets can guide you if you’re unsure whether to visit a clinic. They explain vomiting vs coughing in cats, or regurgitating food vs vomiting cats.

If your cat has mild cat diarrhea or cat vomiting, online vets suggest first steps, like giving a bland diet or tracking lethargy.

🛡 Tips to Prevent Vomiting and Diarrhea in Cats

Prevent trouble by changing food slowly to avoid a sudden diet change. Brush your cat to reduce hairballs in cats. Keep harmful items like lilies or painkillers (paracetamol) away from cats.

Take your cat for regular checkups and keep up with parasite treatments. Feed high-quality food to avoid food intolerance in cats.

📊 Table: Quick Facts for Cat Parents

Cats hide pain well. Look out to see indications of diarrhea in cats, indicators of vomiting in cats, or a dirty cat bottom or foul smell. A speedy intervention, clean water, and gentle food, such as boiled chicken in the case of a sick cat, are reliable solutions until your veterinarian appointment. Just remember you have a responsibility to take care of your cat, who will need to be happy and safe.🐾

Conclusion

In a word, both cat diarrhea and cat vomiting are not only very dirty, but they are also indicative of serious trouble. Imminent action, warning signs monitoring, and one-on-one bland diet such as boiled chicken as a nutritious option of food to feed sick cats can go a long way. Whenever you are in doubt, always speak to your vet to ensure that your cat stays safe and healthy.

(FAQs)

What should I do if my cat is vomiting and has diarrhea?

If your cat has vomiting and diarrhea, keep them hydrated, feed a bland diet like boiled chicken for sick cats, and watch closely for worsening signs.

When to go to vet for cat vomiting?

Go to the vet if vomiting lasts over 24 hours, there’s blood in vomit or stool, your cat seems lethargic, or is very young or elderly.

What does concerning cat vomit look like?

Concerning cat vomit includes blood, white foam, bile, or looks like coffee grounds, and if it’s frequent or paired with other symptoms.

How to treat a sick cat without going to the vet? 

To help a sick cat at home, keep them calm, offer small portions of bland food, ensure water is always available, and monitor them closely—but call a vet if symptoms persist.