Chronic Vomiting in Cats: Everything Pet Parents Should Know

Chronic vomiting in cats is vomiting that persists for more than three weeks and can be a sign of an underlying health problem.  

Causes can range from hairballs and food intolerances to infections, inflammatory bowel disease (IBD), hyperthyroidism, kidney disease, intestinal blockages, and cancer. 

If your cat is vomiting regularly—especially if they also have weight loss, decreased appetite, increased thirst, dehydration, diarrhea, lethargy, or pain—contact your veterinarian. Identifying the cause of chronic vomiting is important so your cat can receive the appropriate treatment. 

What Is Chronic Vomiting in Cats?

Chronic vomiting in cats is vomiting that persists for more than three weeks and can be a sign of an underlying health condition. 

If your cat is vomiting regularly or has been vomiting for several weeks, they should be evaluated by a veterinarian. 

Vomiting in cats is typically accompanied by signs such as nausea, drooling, excessive swallowing, retching, and decreased appetite. 

An occasional episode of vomiting may occur due to hair buildup in the stomach or as the body’s protective response to something irritating the digestive tract. 

However, frequent or ongoing vomiting is not normal in cats. 

Chronic vomiting can be caused by many different conditions and diseases, some of which may require urgent medical or surgical treatment. 

Contact your veterinarian if your cat is vomiting regularly.  

Seek immediate veterinary care if the vomiting is severe or occurs with other concerning symptoms. 

Symptoms of Chronic Vomiting in Cats

Cats with chronic vomiting often have other symptoms including: 

• Dehydration 
• Lethargy 
• Foul breath 
• Fever 
• Weight loss 
• Decreased appetite 
• Behavioral changes 
• Increased thirst 
• Increased urination 
• Unkempt hair coat 
• Painful abdomen 
• Palpable masses in abdomen 
• Diarrhea (bright red bloody stool or black tarry stools) 

Causes of Chronic Vomiting in Cats

Chronic vomiting in cats can be caused by: 

• Hairballs 
• Infections 
• Food allergies or intolerances 
• Gastrointestinal (GI) disease 
• Intestinal blockages 
• Metabolic or endocrine disorders 
• Toxins 
• Medications 
• Cancer 

Because vomiting can be caused by problems both inside and outside the gastrointestinal (GI) tract, determining the underlying cause often requires a veterinary exam and diagnostic testing. 

Common causes of chronic vomiting in cats include: 

• Hairballs: Medium- and long-haired cats may be more likely to vomit hairballs because they ingest more hair while grooming. Regular brushing can help reduce the amount of hair your cat swallows. 
• Infections: Bacterial, viral, and parasitic infections can cause ongoing vomiting. Cats who spend time outdoors may have greater exposure to some infectious organisms and parasites. 
• Endocrine and metabolic disorders: Conditions such as diabetes, hyperthyroidism, and liver or kidney disease can cause chronic vomiting. 
• Gastrointestinal disorders: Diseases affecting the stomach or intestines can lead to persistent vomiting. 
• Inflammatory bowel disease (IBD): Chronic inflammation of the gastrointestinal tract can cause vomiting and other digestive symptoms. 
• Pancreatitis: Inflammation of the pancreas can cause vomiting, decreased appetite, and other signs of illness. 
• Intestinal obstruction: Swallowed foreign objects, tumors, or other blockages can obstruct the gastrointestinal tract and cause vomiting. 
• Food allergies or intolerances: A reaction to something in a cat’s diet may contribute to chronic vomiting. 
• Medications or toxins: Certain medications and exposure to toxic substances can cause vomiting. 
• Electrolyte disturbances: Abnormal levels of electrolytes in the body may be associated with vomiting. 
• Chronic fear or stress: Behavioral or environmental factors may contribute to vomiting in some cats. 

Do a Cat’s Age and Lifestyle Affect the Cause of Chronic Vomiting? 

Yes—a cat’s age, lifestyle, diet, environment, and medical history can help a veterinarian narrow down possible causes of chronic vomiting. 

For example, curious kittens may swallow string, toys, or other foreign objects that can cause an intestinal blockage. 

Cats who spend time outdoors may have greater exposure to certain bacterial or parasitic infections. 

Older cats may be more likely to develop health conditions that can cause vomiting. 

Because there are many possible causes of chronic vomiting in cats, contact your veterinarian if your cat is vomiting regularly or the vomiting persists. 

Your veterinarian can determine which diagnostic tests are appropriate based on your cat’s symptoms, history, and physical exam. 

How Veterinarians Diagnose Chronic Vomiting in Cats

Veterinarians diagnose chronic vomiting in cats using a physical exam and diagnostic tests to identify the underlying cause.  

Your veterinarian will typically begin with a physical exam to assess your cat’s overall health and determine which diagnostic tests and treatments may be needed. 

Tests for Chronic Vomiting in Cats 

Diagnostic tests may include: 

• Stool testing to look for certain parasites or infectious organisms, like PCR panels, fecal floats or stool cultures. 
• Urinalysis to evaluate urine and help identify underlying health problems 
• Blood work to look for abnormalities that could help identify the cause of vomiting 
• X-rays and ultrasound to evaluate the gastrointestinal tract and other organs and look for abnormalities such as foreign objects or masses 
• Biopsy of the gastrointestinal tract or a mass, which may be performed through endoscopy, laparoscopy, or exploratory surgery. Endoscopy involves inserting a thin, flexible camera through a hole that already exists in the cat’s body (like the mouth) to collect the biopsy.  
• While laparoscopy involves making a small incision (like in the abdominal wall) to insert a scope to get the biopsy. Finally, an exploratory surgery involves opening the cat's abdomen so that you can see everything and then collecting the biopsy tissue. 

Your veterinarian may also recommend additional specialized testing. 

Can a Food Trial Help Diagnose Chronic Vomiting in Cats? 

Yes. If your veterinarian suspects a food intolerance or food allergy, they may recommend a controlled food trial as part of the diagnostic and treatment process. 

A food trial may involve: 

• A novel-protein diet, like Hills d/d, containing a protein source your cat has not previously eaten, which may include less-common proteins such as duck, rabbit, venison, or kangaroo 

• A hydrolyzed diet, in which proteins are broken into smaller pieces to make them less likely to trigger an immune response 
• A high fiber diet (like Hill's Prescription Diet Gastrointestinal Biome Stress Digestive/Fiber Care with Chicken Dry Cat Food) to help promote good gut motility. 

For some cats, dietary changes may also be effective as the primary treatment, depending on the underlying cause of the chronic vomiting. 

Treatment of Chronic Vomiting in Cats

Treatment for chronic vomiting in cats depends on the underlying cause.  

Your veterinarian will first work to identify why your cat is vomiting, then recommend targeted treatment along with supportive care to control nausea, prevent dehydration, and help your cat feel better. 

For example, treatment for hyperthyroidism in cats may include medication, dietary management, radioactive iodine therapy, or surgery. 

Surgery may also be necessary if your cat has swallowed a foreign object, has an intestinal obstruction, or has certain types of cancer. 

Supportive Care for Chronic Vomiting in Cats 

Depending on your cat’s condition, supportive treatment may include: 

• IV fluids to treat or prevent dehydration 
• Anti-nausea and anti-vomiting medications, such as maropitant citrate or ondansetron 

• Metoclopramide to help control vomiting and improve gastrointestinal motility 

• Pain medications when needed 
• Appetite stimulants, such as mirtazapine or capromorelin 

• Vitamin B12 injections when appropriate 

• Deworming medications if parasites are suspected or diagnosed 

Some cats with chronic vomiting may need a combination of treatments.  

Always follow your veterinarian’s instructions and give medications exactly as prescribed.  

Because chronic vomiting can have many different causes, there’s no single treatment that’s appropriate for every cat. 

Recovery and Management of Chronic Vomiting in Cats

Recovery from chronic vomiting in cats depends on the underlying cause, how severe the condition is, and how well your cat responds to treatment.  

Once the cause is identified, your veterinarian can recommend treatment to help control vomiting, improve comfort, and address the underlying condition. 

Cats with infections or gastrointestinal foreign-body obstructions may have a good prognosis when the problem is identified and treated promptly. 

Depending on the cause, these cats may need only short-term medication, supportive care, or surgery followed by a period of recovery. 

Chronic conditions may require ongoing treatment and monitoring. 

Endocrine diseases such as hyperthyroidism and diabetes, for example, can often be managed, but treatment may be lifelong. 

The prognosis for cats with cancer varies depending on the type, location, and stage of cancer. 

Some cancers may respond to treatment, while others may require ongoing care focused on managing symptoms and maintaining your cat’s quality of life. 

Your veterinarian can help you understand your cat’s prognosis and discuss treatment and quality-of-life considerations. 

Prevention of Chronic Vomiting in Cats

While there is no single way to prevent chronic vomiting in cats, you can reduce your cat’s risk with regular wellness and preventative care. 

If your cat does any hunting or goes outdoors, use regular prevention products, like Nexgard Combo or Revolution Plus, that keep them safe from common intestinal parasites that may lead to chronic vomiting. 

Maintain your cat at a healthy body weight as obesity increases their risk of developing diabetes, liver disease and other underlying health problems that can result in chronic vomiting. 

Consider routine blood work to screen for healthy organ function. Intervening early with chronic aging changes can help your cat live a long, healthy life. 

Be sure to keep strings and other small foreign materials up and off the ground so that your cat cannot eat them. 

Routine dental care can reduce circulating bacteria from the blood stream that can seed the heart and kidneys increasing your cat’s risk of chronic kidney disease.