• Viral and bacterial infections
• Parasites
• Ingesting a toxic substance, unusual food, or foreign material
• A food allergy
• A food intolerance
• A serious disease, such as an inflammatory bowel disease, organ dysfunction, or cancer
• A side effect of drug treatment
• Hairballs

So what can you do to help ease your cat’s upset stomach?

If your cat’s vomiting or diarrhea is severe and/or frequent, talk to your veterinarian immediately. Keep in mind that besides occasional vomiting caused by hairballs, it is not normal for cats to vomit.¹ Both vomiting and diarrhea may be symptoms of a range of medical conditions, so it is best to take your cat to the vet to get the all-clear.²

If, however, your cat’s vomiting or diarrhea just started and is not severe or is a rare occurrence, the following 6 remedies may help settle your cat’s upset stomach.

1. Fasting

When your cat is suffering from an upset stomach, one of the best remedies to try is the simplest: fasting. Fasting (that is, withholding food from your cat) will give your cat’s upset stomach a chance to settle.

To put your cat on a fast, you will need to remove their food sources. You can also remove water, but just for a few hours, until it’s clear that their stomach has started to settle. Keep in mind, though, that cats can develop a potentially serious condition called hepatic lipidosis if they don’t eat for even relatively short periods of time.³ Never fast your cat for longer than 12 hours unless told to do so by your veterinarian.

Here is a rough timeline that you can follow to put your cat on a fast:

1. Remove both food and water for 2 hours.
2. After 2 hours, reintroduce water if they are no longer vomiting.
3. After 8 to 12 hours, gradually reintroduce food.

2. Bland Diet

When it comes time to reintroduce food to your cat, it is advisable to put them on a bland diet. A bland diet is recommended by vets when your cat’s digestive tract is upset and needs a rest.⁴ It is designed to provide your cat with some nutrition to help them get on the road to recovery.

So what foods can you feed them on a bland diet? Boiled white meat chicken mixed with a little cooked white rice is a popular option. The length of time you should stick to a bland diet will depend on your cat’s condition. Anywhere from a few days to a week may be necessary. However, many bland diets do not provide all the nutrition a cat needs to stay healthy. Your veterinarian can prescribe a complete and balanced bland diet for long term feeding if that proves necessary.

While they are on the bland diet, be sure to avoid giving your cat treats or any other foods.

3. Sensitive Stomach Cat Food

Photo courtesy: Pixabay Public Domain

As mentioned above, your cat’s upset stomach may be caused by a food intolerance. If this is the case, switching to high-quality sensitive stomach cat food may help to settle your cat’s upset stomach.

Sensitive stomach cat foods are formulated to provide cats with a nutritious diet that won’t aggravate their gastrointestinal (GI) system. This type of cat food is typically highly digestible and may contain ingredients that promote beneficial gut bacteria.

Of course, if switching your cat to a sensitive stomach cat food doesn’t improve their symptoms, you should make an appointment with your veterinarian.

4. Medication

If you take your cat to the vet, they may prescribe medication to help settle your cat’s upset stomach after assessing their condition. The type of medication will depend on the vet’s diagnosis. For example, if the upset stomach is a one-off occurrence, they may prescribe a short course of anti-nausea medication and/or anti-diarrheal agents. Or, if your cat’s symptoms are caused by certain parasites, the doctor will prescribe a deworming medication.

In more severe cases, cats may require hospitalization for monitoring, supportive care, like fluid therapy, and other treatments.

5. Probiotic Supplements

Probiotic supplements may be able to help if your cat’s upset stomach is caused by or leads to changes in their intestinal microbial population.⁵ Probiotics are naturally-occurring live, good bacteria that help to balance a cat’s gut microbiome (the numerous microorganisms that live in their intestinal tract).

When your cat gets sick, it can lead to a die-off of good bacteria and an increase in the bad bacteria in their gut. This imbalance can in turn cause or exasperate your cat’s upset stomach.

Probiotic supplements help to increase the number of good bacteria in your cat’s gut, so taking one may help settle your cat’s stomach or prevent the issue from recurring in the future.

When selecting a probiotic, it is important to select one that has undergone rigorous research.⁶ This is why it is best for your vet to recommend one, rather than choose a product yourself.

6. Hairball Remedies

If your cat’s upset stomach is due to a hairball problem, giving them a hairball remedy may help it pass. A variety of hairball remedies are available. Veterinarians commonly recommend flavored lubricant gels (Laxatone, for example) that are available over the counter. Follow the directions on the label, and be sure to reach out to your veterinarian if you have any questions or concerns.

If your cat’s upset stomach is indeed caused by hairballs, the good news is that there are plenty of things you can do to help prevent hairballs in the future.⁷

Conclusion

The 6 remedies outlined above may be able to help settle your cat’s upset stomach. The suitability and effectiveness of each one will depend on your cat’s overall health and the cause of their upset stomach.

If your cat’s upset stomach appears to be serious or if you are worried that your cat’s stomach issues may be symptomatic of a more serious health concern, remember that it is vital to seek veterinary advice as soon as possible.

If your cat is having other health issues, you may find our guide to what to do if your cat has blood in its stool, whether cats can get colds, and home remedies for a cat vomiting.

Additional Resources

We’ve created a series of posts here on Pet News Daily related to gastro intestinal issues for cats and cat health in general, including:

• Home remedies for cat vomiting
• What to do when your cat is throwing up food?
• What to do if there’s blood in your cat’s stool
• What to do if your cat is vomiting bile
• What to do if your cat is vomiting blood
• What to do if your cat is throwing up white foam
• Over the counter medicine for cat diarrhea
• Cat foaming at the mouth: reasons & what to do
• Home remedies for cat diarrhea

On the other hand, if your cat has just vomited a few times and seems to feel fine or only vomits occasionally, trying a home remedy or two before calling your vet makes sense.

There are many possible causes of vomiting in cats. Some common examples include:

• Hairballs
• Ingesting household products, cosmetics, or medications that are poisonous¹
• Inflammatory bowel disease and other gastrointestinal disorders
• Ingesting unusual foods or foreign material (string, for example)²
• Viral or bacterial infections
• Food intolerance or allergy³
• Diseases related to organ dysfunction such as diabetes,⁴ pancreatitis,⁵ and hyperthyroidism ⁶
• Intestinal parasites⁷
• A side effect of some types of medications, like NSAIDs⁸

Because many of these conditions are potentially very serious, it’s always safest to talk to your veterinarian before trying any of the four following home remedies for cat vomiting.

1. A Very Short Fast

Not offering food for a period of time is often recommended as a home remedy for vomiting, but cats are unique in this regard (and many others!). Cats who do not take in sufficient calories, even for relatively short periods of time, are at increased risk for a disease called hepatic lipidosis.⁹

With that said, it is fine to fast your cat for 8-12 hours. Skipping one meal won’t do any harm and can give your cat’s upset stomach a chance to empty and rest. But leave out fresh, clean water to prevent dehydration. Unlike dogs, cats will rarely overindulge with water. If your cat’s vomiting continues or if your cat is not willing to eat after 24 hours or so, give your veterinarian a call.

2. Bland Food

Feeding your cat bland, easy to digest food is another way to rest their gastrointestinal tract, but wait for at least 3 to 4 hours after their last vomiting episode.¹⁰ Initially, try offering a few small pieces of boiled white meat chicken (no skin or bones). If your cat keeps this down, you can continue to offer small portions every few hours and even mix in a little white rice. Bland cat foods that are easy to digest are also available from your veterinarian.

Slowly switch back to your cat’s regular food or a food for sensitive tummies (see below) once your cat seems to be back to normal. Chicken and rice is not nutritionally complete and balanced so don’t feed it alone for more than a few days. Gradually mix increasing amounts of cat food in with decreasing amounts of chicken and rice until your cat is eating only cat food after 3 to 5 days or so.

3. Feeding Your Cat Sensitive Stomach Cat Food

Photo courtesy: Pixabay Public Domain

Once your cat is ready to start eating regularly again, you may want to consider changing their diet. Switching to food that is specifically formulated to be easy on your cat’s stomach, such as high-quality sensitive stomach cat food, may help ease your cat’s discomfort. If your cat eats dry food, it’s also worth considering a change to an all wet food diet.

If you find that switching to sensitive stomach cat food does the trick, this may indicate that the reason your cat threw up is related to their diet. For example, they may have a dietary intolerance or an allergy to one or more ingredients.¹¹

4. Hairball Remedies

Hairballs are a common cause of long term, intermittent vomiting in cats. If hairballs are the reason your cat is vomiting, a hairball remedy can help. However, if your cat brings up hairballs more than once every week or two, you should discuss the situation with your veterinarian. Frequent hairballs are often associated with health problems affecting the gastrointestinal tract or coat and skin.

Numerous hairball remedies are available for you to try out. One of the most common types is a hairball control gel that acts as a lubricant. Hairball control gels are flavored so that cats will (sometimes) readily lick them up. Never give your cat mineral oil, butter, lard, grease, or vegetable oils as a home treatment for hairballs. At best, they won’t work. At worst, they can make your cat very sick.

Brushing your cat more frequently and feeding a hairball prevention diet are good preventative measures for reducing hairballs in the future.¹²

When to Take Your Cat to the Vet

Photo courtesy: Pixabay Public Domain

When it comes to your cat vomiting (or exhibiting any health issues whatsoever, for that matter), it’s wise to err on the side of caution. Here is a general guide to help you decide when you should take your vomiting cat to the vet.

• If your cat could have swallowed something poisonous or hazardous contact your vet or the 24/7 Pet Poison Helpline immediately.
• If you have reason to suspect that your cat’s vomiting could be a symptom of a more serious health problem, your cat continues to vomit for several hours, or their vomiting is getting more severe, contact your vet.
• If your cat has been vomiting for more than a day or two, take them to the vet.¹³

Remember, while vomiting is a relatively common problem for cats, it shouldn’t be a regular occurrence. So if you notice your cat vomiting several times a month, take them to the vet, even if their vomiting isn’t severe.

Your vet will be able to evaluate your cat’s condition and give them a proper diagnosis and appropriate treatment.¹⁴

If your cat is having other health issues, you may find our guide to what to do if your cat has blood in its stool, whether cats can get colds, and home remedies for a cat’s upset stomach.

Additional Resources

We’ve created a series of posts here on Pet News Daily related to gastro intestinal issues for cats and cat health in general, including:

• Home remedies that will settle your cat’s stomach
• What to do when your cat is throwing up food?
• What to do if there’s blood in your cat’s stool
• What to do if your cat is vomiting bile
• What to do if your cat is vomiting blood
• What to do if your cat is throwing up white foam
• Over the counter medicine for cat diarrhea
• Cat foaming at the mouth: reasons & what to do
• Home remedies for cat diarrhea

Cats can foam at the mouth for various reasons, including rabies, dental disease, nausea, and poisoning. If it seems like your cat is foaming at the mouth, it could signify a severe health problem. Therefore, it’s essential to take them to the vet immediately to get a diagnosis and treatment.

It’s essential that know why your cat is foaming at the mouth and take quick action to ensure your feline does not get any worse.

Why Do Cats Foam At The Mouth?

Your cat can be foaming at the mouth for many reasons. It could be due to anxiety, poisoning, nausea, dental issues, seizures, or rabies.

1. Your Cat Is Anxious

Anxiety may be the cause of your cat foaming at the mouth. Emotional distress can cause hypersalivation, leading to white foam in your cat’s mouth. You need to determine the reason for your cat’s anxiety. Did you move to a new place? Is it possible your cat has separation anxiety? Your cat may have had a scary experience with another animal or a human.

2. Your Cat Was Poisoned

A cat may start foaming at the mouth if he has been poisoned. If you have given your cat medication lately, perhaps you administered it incorrectly. For example, flea drops – your cat may have licked it off. Your cat may also have ingested harmful household substances such as bleach or soap.

3. Your Cat Is Nauseous

The reason for your cat foaming at the mouth may be nausea, which could be the symptom of an underlying condition. Pregnancy, motion sickness, gastritis, or diabetes could also be the reason.

4. Your Cat Has Dental Issues

A dental problem, like an infection, could be causing your cat to foam at the mouth. Gingivitis or a broken tooth could be the cause of the infection. Foaming at the mouth is usually accompanied by pain, appetite loss, and bad breath.

5. Your Cat Is Having A Seizure

Seizures caused by a neurological disorder could cause foaming of the mouth. For example, if your cat has a seizure, foaming at the mouth will usually be accompanied by loss of consciousness, shaking, and collapsing on the floor.

6. Your Cat Has Rabies

The thought of your cat having rabies is a terrifying experience. But unfortunately, foaming at the mouth can be a symptom of rabies. Rabies is a viral disease that affects the brain and the nervous system. It is usually accompanied by muscle control loss, aggression, and drooling.

Sadly, foaming at the mouth is often the last stage of rabies, and your vet may need to euthanize your cat. However, vaccinating your cat yearly against rabies can prevent it from getting that bad.

What Should You Do If Your Cat Is Foaming At The Mouth?

If it seems like your cat is foaming at the mouth, you must take him to the vet. The reason is to rule out any serious issues like seizures or rabies. Likewise, if your cat has anxiety, you should investigate the trigger. There are also some medications that a vet can prescribe for anxiety.

If you suspect your cat has been poisoned, take your cat to the vet as soon as possible. Luckily, your vet can help if you take your cat promptly. If your cat is nauseous, there may be an underlying condition, and you must take your cat to the vet to investigate the cause.

As mentioned before, dental issues can cause foaming at the mouth. To minimize the risk of dental issues, brush your cat’s teeth to prevent oral infections. Alternatively, you can visit a vet. If it seems your cat is having a seizure, you should need immediate vet care. Luckily, some medications can treat seizures in cats.

If you suspect your cat has rabies, foaming at the mouth is usually the last symptom, and there will be nothing you can do to treat this disease. Sadly, your cat may need to be euthanized at the vet. However, vaccines are crucial and can severely prevent your cat from getting this disease.

It’s essential to see the vet if your cat is foaming at the mouth and you have no idea what is causing it.

Is Your Cat Vomiting White Foam?

If it seems like your cat is coughing up white foam, there may be many reasons for this, which includes:

• You can address this by feeding your cat small, frequent meals. An inconsistent feeding schedule usually causes indigestion.
• Irritable Bowel Syndrome. IBS is usually accompanied by diarrhea. Your vet will do some tests to determine a treatment plan.
• Because cats groom themselves, they are prone to getting hairballs. To address this issue, you can get dietary supplements for your cat and brush your cat regularly.
• Your cat may have eaten something that they shouldn’t have. Other symptoms include vomiting bile or blood and lethargy. Your vet will prescribe the appropriate medication.
• Pancreatitis can be acute or chronic; a vet treats it through fluid therapy and medication. Other symptoms include fever, appetite loss, dehydration, weight loss, and pain in the belly area.
• If you have not dewormed your kitten, he might have parasites. For example, vomiting white foam is usually accompanied by diarrhea.
• Hyperthyroidism is common in older cats, and other symptoms include weight loss, diarrhea, and an increase in urination. Your vet will run tests and prescribe daily medication.
• Chronic kidney disease. Renal insufficiency is common in older cats. Vets cannot cure it, but A vet can treat the symptoms. Other symptoms include dehydration, weakness, increased drinking, loss of appetite, and change in urine.
• Your vet will start your cat on insulin therapy or similar treatment if diagnosed with diabetes. Other symptoms include increased urination and excessive drinking.

Your veterinarian can determine what is ailing your cat. If your cat is regularly coughing up or vomiting white foam, it’s best to take her to the vet to ensure your feline friend has no illnesses.

Final Verdict

Don’t expect the worst if your cat is foaming at the mouth. If you have vaccinated your cat against rabies, there may be another reason for your cat doing this. Taking your cat to the veterinarian immediately is essential to rule out any serious illnesses. Likewise, if your cat frequently vomits white foam, take him to the vet.

Additional Sources & Resources

1) “Foaming at the Mouth in Cats.” VCA Hospitals, www.vcahospitals.com/main/pet-health-information/article/animal-health/foaming-at-the-mouth-in-cats/.

2) Goldstein, Rebecca L., et al. “Mouth Foaming in Cats.” Just Right Pet RX, 25 Apr. 2016, justrightpetrx.com/mouth-foaming-cats/.

3) Sansone, Sharon A., and Nancy L. Downing. “Cat Drooling.” The Merck Veterinary Manual, Merck Sharp & Dohme Corp, 1 Aug. 2017, www.merckvetmanual.com/generalized-conditions/symptoms-and-signs/drooling-in-cats.

4) “Why Is My Cat Drooling?” American Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals, www.aspca.org/pet-care/cat-care/common-cat-behavior-issues/why-my-cat-drooling.

5) “Foaming at the Mouth.” WebMD, www.webmd.com/first-aid/tc/foaming-at-the-mouth-topic-overview.

And finally we’ve created a series of posts here on Pet News Daily related to gastro intestinal issues for cats and cat health in general, including:

• Home remedies that will settle your cat’s stomach
• Home remedies for cat vomiting
• Home remedies for a cat throwing up food
• What to do if there’s blood in your cat’s stool
• What to do if your cat is vomiting bile
• What to do if your cat is vomiting blood
• What to do if your cat is throwing up white foam
• Over the counter medicine for cat diarrhea
• Home remedies for cat diarrhea

¹

So what is a typical growth rate of a kitten? And how do you know if your cat is her optimal size? We put together a cat growth chart for you to better understand how your kitten will age.

Our kitten to cat growth chart is a guide. Your kitten will grow at a different rate than other kittens due to genetics, breed, and other factors, such as health at the time of birth or abnormalities in growth. The best way to tell if your cat is at an ideal weight, and therefore size, is to use the Body Condition System, developed by Purina and used by veterinarians everywhere.

²

Always consult with your veterinarian when it comes to the health of your kitty.

Kitten (or Cat) Growth Chart

Stages of Kitten Growth

The stages of kitten growth range from birth to adulthood and include multiple phases, from opening their eyes to socializing. Kittens begin their life deaf and blind but are able to make small sounds to alert their mother. The majority of growing happens in the first two months.

³

In the first month, your kitty will:

• Open their eyes at about two weeks. During the third week, a kitten’s eyes may change color.
• Become more vocal and begin to purr during the third week of their life. This is also about the time they try to walk, and their teeth come in.
• Begin to play and explore somewhere around the third and fourth week. Kittens will interact with litter mates, other animals, and humans.
• Eat solid food and use the litter box. At about three to four weeks old, kittens can be introduced to wet food and be trained to use the litter box.

In the second month, your kitty will:

• Be full of energy and mischief. Around the fifth week your kitty will start to show some spunk and personality as he grows into his full cat self.
• Need as much socializing as possible. The second month is critical to your kitty’s socialization skills.
• Be more stable on their feet. Your kitty will be less wobbly in the second month as she explores, plays, and socializes. This is also a good time to take to her your veterinarian for her first checkup.
• Begin to exhibit prey behavior. As your kitten explores and plays, he’ll start to stalk, hide, and pounce, as though hunting prey.

When Is a Cat Fully Grown

So at what age is a cat fully grown? At 8 weeks old, or 2 months, your kitten is ready to be fully weaned from mom. Two-month-old kittens weigh roughly 2 pounds and can be neutered or spayed. After two months, your kitten will begin to look more like an adult cat. By the third month, they’re showing behavior similar to adult cats, having learned adult cat skills from socialization with litter mates and mom.

Most cats are fully grown around 1 year old. But like most stages of growth development, cats also go through what is considered adolescence. This phase lasts roughly up to 18 months old.

⁴

How Can You Tell How Big a Cat Will Get?

While different breeds of cats grow at different rates, your cat’s breed and sex will be the best determining factors as to how big your cat will get. Some breeds, like the Maine Coon or Ragdoll can weigh 15 pounds or more when they’re adults. Other breeds, like the LaPerm or Singapura, weigh about 4 to 8 pounds. Monitor your kitten’s growth with the help of your veterinarian.

Cat Growth Chart Weight

Text Transcript of Cat or Kitten Growth Chart

Kittens grow and mature according to their own timeline. Though there are averages to help guide you along the way, always consult with your veterinarian to know whether or not your kitten is growing at a healthy rate. We put together a cat growth chart by weight for you to understand the natural development of your kitten.

Most newborn kittens weigh roughly 2 to 6 ounces. Kittens gain about 2 to 4 ounces per week. So your 3-week-old kitten will probably weigh about a pound. At two months old, your kitten should be about 2 to 3 pounds. And when she reaches six months old, she’ll be close to her adult size at about 6 to 10 pounds.

Frequently Asked Questions

Additional Sources & Resources

• American Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals. “Kitten Development Stages with Growth Charts and Week by Week Guide.” (n.d.). Retrieved from https://www.aspca.org/pet-care/animal-health/kitten-development-stages-growth-charts-week-week-guide
• The Humane Society of the United States. “Growth and Development of Kittens.” (2017). Retrieved from https://www.humanesociety.org/resources/growth-and-development-kittens
• PetMD. “Kitten Development.” (2018). Retrieved from https://www.petmd.com/cat/centers/kitten/evr_ct_kitten_developmentWebMD. “Kitten Development Calendar.” (2011). Retrieved from https://pets.webmd.com/cats/kitten-development-calendar#1

We also have a series of dog growth charts if you’re interested in how K9s are likely to grow:

• Great Dane Growth Chart
• Goldendoodle Growth Chart
• Chihuahua Growth Chart
• Golden Retriever Growth Chart
• Labrador Growth Chart
• Dog Growth Chart
• Mixed Breed Growth Chart
• Rottweiler Growth Chart
• Pit Bull Growth Chart
• Australian Shepherd Growth Chart
• French Bulldog Growth Chart
• Great Pyrenees Growth Chart
• Standard Poodle Growth Chart
• Bernedoodle Growth Chart
• Husky Growth Chart

But do not try treating your cat at home if any of the following applies. Call your veterinarian for advice instead.

• The cat is very young, very old, or has underlying health problems
• The cat is vomiting frequently
• Vomiting has been present for more than a day or two
• The vomit contains blood
• The cat also has diarrhea
• The cat is weak, in pain, or seems mentally out of it
• The cat can’t hold down water

Easy-to-Treat Reasons for a Cat Throwing Up Food

Some relatively simple problems can make cats throw up food. Here are some of the most common and home remedies that may help.

Eating Too Quickly

Cats who throw up food may be eating too fast. This can happen when a cat is very hungry because they are going too long between meals. Cats are designed to eat multiple small meals throughout the day, but this schedule can be hard to maintain if you’re busy, out of the house, or while you are sleeping. An automatic pet feeder will let your cat eat multiple small meals overnight or when you’re not home. Puzzle feeders like the Lickimat or a slow feeder bowl can also help cats eat more slowly.

A Mild Upset Stomach

Cats can develop a mild upset stomach for simple reasons like eating something new or unusual. Sometimes all that is needed is to give the cat’s digestive tract a break by not offering food for a short period of time.

Healthy adult cats can safely skip a meal or two, which will give their stomach a chance to empty and rest, but be sure to leave out fresh, clean water to prevent dehydration. Make an appointment with your veterinarian if your cat’s vomiting continues or if your cat is not willing to eat after 24 hours or so. Cats who don’t take in sufficient calories, even for relatively short periods, can develop a serious disease called hepatic lipidosis.

Hairballs

Hairballs are a common reason for cats to throw up and their vomit may contain food. Laxatone is a safe and effective, veterinarian-recommended flavored hairball control gel. Never give your cat mineral oil, butter, lard, grease, or vegetable oils as a home remedy for hairballs. At best, they won’t work. At worst, they can make your cat sick. Diets like Hill’s Science Diet Adult Hairball Control Canned Cat Food and brushing your cat more frequently can help prevent hairballs.

Talk to your veterinarian if your cat vomits hairballs more than a couple of times a month. Frequent hairballs can be caused by diseases affecting the digestive tract or skin.

An Adverse Food Reaction

Cats can react poorly to certain ingredients in food. What’s safe for one cat may cause another to vomit. Switching to a different diet may help when a cat is throwing up food. Wet cat foods tend to be a better option than dry because they are usually higher in protein and lower in carbohydrates, which is a better match for a cat’s nutritional needs. Wet cat foods also contain more water and fewer (or no) artificial preservatives in comparison to dry. The following options are all highly rated:

• Purina Pro Plan Gravy, High Protein Wet Cat Food
• Blue Buffalo Tastefuls Natural Flaked Wet Cat Food
• Hill’s Science Diet Wet Cat Food, Sensitive Stomach & Skin

If you have to feed dry cat food, look for a high-quality, high-protein option like ORIJEN® Dry Original Cat Food Premium.

Motion Sickness

Cats can vomit due to motion sickness! If your cat only throws up food while in the car, try not feeding them for a few hours before the trip. If that doesn’t work, talk to your veterinarian. They can prescribe medications that will help ease nausea associated with motion sickness in cats.

What to Do When Home Remedies Don’t Work

Of course, these aren’t the only reasons why a cat might throw up food. If your cat has severe or chronic vomiting, your veterinarian will need to determine its underlying cause. They will start by taking a thorough health history and performing a physical examination, which is often followed up with some diagnostic tests. This can include some combination of fecal examinations, blood work, urinalysis, x-rays, ultrasound studies, specialized laboratory tests, and even exploratory surgery or endoscopy and tissue biopsies

Your veterinarian can recommend appropriate treatment once they have identified the likely reason why your cat is throwing up food.

Additional Resources On Cat Vomiting

If you’re looking for more information about your cat vomiting, this is a good video overview from Dr. Sarah Wooten on cat vomiting:

You can also check out these sources:

• Mayo Clinic Staff. (2017). Gastrointestinal disorders in cats: Common causes and treatments. Retrieved from https://www.mayoclinic.org/diseases-conditions/gi-disorders-in-cats/symptoms-causes/syc-20354649
• WebMD Veterinary Reference from the ASPCA. (2017). Vomiting in Cats. Retrieved from https://pets.webmd.com/vomiting-cats#1
• VCA Hospitals. (n.d.). Vomiting in Cats. Retrieved from https://vcahospitals.com/know-your-pet/vomiting-in-cats

And finally we’ve created a series of posts here on Pet News Daily related to gastro intestinal issues for cats and cat health in general, including:

• Home remedies that will settle your cat’s stomach
• Home remedies for cat vomiting
• What to do if there’s blood in your cat’s stool
• What to do if your cat is vomiting bile
• What to do if your cat is vomiting blood
• What to do if your cat is throwing up white foam
• Over the counter medicine for cat diarrhea
• Cat foaming at the mouth: reasons & what to do
• Home remedies for cat diarrhea

Here are four possible home remedies for a cat that’s vomiting bile:

1. Leave food out
2. Feed multiple times throughout the day
3. Use an automatic cat feeder
4. Switch cat foods

What is Bilious Vomiting Syndrome?

Cats who vomit on an empty stomach but are otherwise healthy (no diarrhea, weight loss, etc.) are often diagnosed with bilious vomiting syndrome. Veterinarians don’t know the exact cause of the condition, but a common theory is that gastric acid, bile, or other digestive fluids irritate the lining of the empty stomach leading to vomiting.

If your cat is vomiting bile but seems to feel just fine, bilious vomiting is a likely culprit. Thankfully, home treatment is relatively straightforward.

Treatment for Bilious Vomiting Syndrome

Cats who have bilious vomiting syndrome need to eat more frequently. Since the trigger for vomiting is an empty stomach, you want to minimize the amount of time your cat’s stomach is empty.

1. Leave Food Out

One option is to simply leave food out all the time. However, this can easily lead to unhealthy weight gain.

2. Feed Multiple Times Throughout the Day

Feeding multiple small meals throughout the day, particularly right before bedtime, is ideal but the schedule can be hard to maintain if you’re busy or away from home for long periods of time.

3. Automatic Cat Feeder

An automatic pet feeder that allows you to preschedule frequent small meals can be a sanity saver. You can even set them to offer a meal or two in the middle of the night.

4. Switch Cat Foods

When feeding multiple small meals does stop your cat from vomiting bile but they are gaining weight, either cut back on your cat’s meal size or switch to a different cat food. Wet cat foods tend to be the best choice because they are high in protein, low in carbohydrates, and contain a lot of water, all of which can help with weight maintenance and support overall health. Good options for weight management include Purina Pro Plan Weight Control Pate Wet Cat Food and Blue Buffalo True Solutions Fit & Healthy Natural Weight Control Adult Wet Cat Food. If you have to feed dry cat food, look for a high-protein option like ORIJEN Fit and Trim Recipe.

What If Home Remedies for a Cat Vomiting Bile Don’t Work?

If you try feeding your cat multiple small meals throughout the day and night but they continue to vomit bile, it’s time to see your veterinarian. First, they will want to confirm that your cat does indeed have bilious vomiting syndrome. They will ask you a lot of questions about your cat’s health, lifestyle, and environment; perform a physical examination, and then possibly run some diagnostic tests like a fecal exam, a panel of blood work, and a urinalysis. If they’re very concerned that something else might be going on they might also recommend x-rays, ultrasound exams, endoscopy, surgery, and tissue biopsies. Almost any cause of vomiting can make a cat vomit bile, so it’s important to get to the bottom of things.

But what happens when the doctor has diagnosed a cat with bilious vomiting syndrome and feeding more frequent meals hasn’t helped? In these cases, your veterinarian can prescribe medications that should reduce or eliminate the vomiting. Options include:

• Famotidine, omeprazole, or other medications to reduce stomach acid production
• Metoclopramide to increase the frequency of contractions within the small intestines
• Maropitant, which is a broad-spectrum anti-vomiting drug

Talk to your veterinarian if your cat is vomiting bile and your home remedies haven’t worked. They can help you figure out what is going on and recommend appropriate options for treatment.

Additional Resources On Cat Vomiting

If you’re looking for more information about your cat vomiting, this is a good video overview from Dr. Sarah Wooten on cat vomiting:

You can also check out these sources:

• Mayo Clinic Staff. (2017). Gastrointestinal disorders in cats: Common causes and treatments. Retrieved from https://www.mayoclinic.org/diseases-conditions/gi-disorders-in-cats/symptoms-causes/syc-20354649
• WebMD Veterinary Reference from the ASPCA. (2017). Vomiting in Cats. Retrieved from https://pets.webmd.com/vomiting-cats#1
• VCA Hospitals. (n.d.). Vomiting in Cats. Retrieved from https://vcahospitals.com/know-your-pet/vomiting-in-cats

And finally we’ve created a series of posts here on Pet News Daily related to gastro intestinal issues for cats and cat health in general, including:

• Home remedies that will settle your cat’s stomach
• Home remedies for cat vomiting
• What to do when your cat is throwing up food?
• What to do if there’s blood in your cat’s stool
• What to do if your cat is vomiting blood
• What to do if your cat is throwing up white foam
• Over the counter medicine for cat diarrhea
• Cat foaming at the mouth: reasons & what to do
• Home remedies for cat diarrhea

If your cat is vomiting blood, CALL YOUR VETERINARIAN! Depending on your cat’s overall condition, the doctor may recommend that you bring your cat in for an evaluation right away or they might set up an appointment in the not-too-distant future. Signs that your cat’s vomiting could be an emergency include:

• The presence of large amounts of blood
• Frequent vomiting
• Vomiting combined with diarrhea
• Abdominal pain
• Weakness, lethargy, or depression
• An inability to hold down water or food
• Your cat is very young, very old, or has underlying health problems

What Makes Cats Throw Up Blood

Blood in cat vomit is usually pretty obvious, but sometimes it doesn’t look exactly like the bright red blood you’d expect. Partially digested blood in vomit can be dark and granular, looking a little bit like coffee grounds. Blood may also be mixed with mucus, white foam, food, or bile. Regardless of its appearance, blood in cat vomit can have many different causes:

• Severe or chronic vomiting – Anything that causes severe or chronic vomiting can irritate the lining of the digestive tract and cause bleeding.
• Trauma – Swallowing bones or other foreign material, surgery, or traumatic injuries can damage the digestive tract.
• Inflammatory bowel disease – Severe inflammation can result in bleeding.
• Cancer – Certain types of cancer can lead to bleeding within the digestive tract.
• Kidney disease – Vomiting is a common symptom of kidney disease. Ulcers that may bleed can also occur.
• Liver disease – Cats with liver disease frequently vomit and may develop blood clotting abnormalities that result in bleeding.
• Blood clotting disorders – Cats who are exposed to anticoagulant rodenticides or who have diseases that alter the ability of their blood to clot may vomit blood.
• Infections – Viral, bacterial, and fungal infections affecting the digestive tract or other parts of the body may lead to vomiting and blood in a cat’s vomit.
• Corrosives – Certain types of cleaning solutions and other caustic materials can cause bleeding in a cat’s digestive tract when they are swallowed.
• Adverse drug reactions – Nonsteroidal anti-inflammatories, corticosteroids, and other drugs can cause gastrointestinal ulcers that may bleed.
• Shock – All types of shock can damage the digestive tract and lead to bleeding.
• Swallowed blood – Injuries to the mouth, nose bleeds, or coughing up and swallowing blood may lead to bloody vomit.

How Is Bloody Cat Vomit Treated?

To come up with a treatment plan, a veterinarian will first need to determine why a cat is vomiting blood. They will start the diagnostic work-up by taking a thorough health history and performing a physical examination. This is usually followed by diagnostic testing, which may include fecal examinations, blood work, a urinalysis, x-rays, ultrasound exams, specialized laboratory tests, and even exploratory surgery or endoscopy and tissue biopsies.

Supportive care for a cat who is vomiting blood can include:

• IV fluids
• Blood transfusions
• Nutritional support
• Anti-nausea medications
• Medications to reduce the secretion of gastric acid or to coat ulcers

Further treatment will be focused on the underlying problem. For example, the veterinarian might prescribe an antibiotic for a bacterial infection or a special diet and immunosuppressant medications for inflammatory bowel disease.

Bloody cat vomit isn’t always an emergency, but a cat’s condition can go downhill quickly so don’t wait to get your cat the care they need. Early treatment can save money, and even more importantly, your cat’s life.

Additional Resources On Cat Vomiting

If you’re looking for more information about your cat vomiting, this is a good video overview from Dr. Sarah Wooten on cat vomiting:

You can also check out these sources:

• Mayo Clinic Staff. (2017). Gastrointestinal disorders in cats: Common causes and treatments. Retrieved from https://www.mayoclinic.org/diseases-conditions/gi-disorders-in-cats/symptoms-causes/syc-20354649
• WebMD Veterinary Reference from the ASPCA. (2017). Vomiting in Cats. Retrieved from https://pets.webmd.com/vomiting-cats#1
• VCA Hospitals. (n.d.). Vomiting in Cats. Retrieved from https://vcahospitals.com/know-your-pet/vomiting-in-cats

And finally we’ve created a series of posts here on Pet News Daily related to gastro intestinal issues for cats and cat health in general, including:

• Home remedies that will settle your cat’s stomach
• Home remedies for cat vomiting
• What to do when your cat is throwing up food?
• What to do if there’s blood in your cat’s stool
• What to do if your cat is vomiting bile
• What to do if your cat is throwing up white foam
• Over the counter medicine for cat diarrhea
• Cat foaming at the mouth: reasons & what to do
• Home remedies for cat diarrhea

There are four things you can do if your cat is throwing up white foam:

1. Feed your cat more frequently
2. Try a different food
3. Hairball medicines
4. Talk to your vet

What Causes Cats to Throw Up White Foam

Cats can throw up white foam for many different reasons including:

• Hairballs
• Eating a new food or something unusual
• Intestinal parasites
• Inflammatory bowel disease
• Motion sickness
• Swallowing something that can’t be digested like string or bones
• Viral, bacterial, or fungal infections
• Kidney disease
• Liver failure
• Heartworm disease
• Pancreatitis
• Hyperthyroidism
• Diabetes
• Food allergies and other adverse food reactions
• Exposure to some types of toxins
• Drug side effects
• Cancer
• and more

Some of these health problems are very serious, but others can resolve with a little treatment at home.

Home Treatments for Cats Throwing Up White Foam

If your cat has just vomited once or twice but seems to feel fine otherwise, you can try some home treatment.

1. Feed Your Cat More Frequently

Cats who vomit on an empty stomach may simply need to eat more frequently. Leaving food out all the time is one option, but this can lead to unhealthy weight gain. Feeding multiple small meals is a better option, but the schedule can be hard to maintain if you’re busy, out of the house, or asleep. An automatic pet feeder will let your cat eat multiple small meals overnight or when you’re not home.

2. Try a Different Food

Cats can have adverse reactions to different ingredients in food. Switching to a different diet may help when a cat is vomiting. Wet cat foods tend to be the best choice because, in comparison to kibble, they are usually higher in protein and lower in carbohydrates, which is a better match for a cat’s nutritional needs. Wet cat foods also contain more water and fewer (or no) artificial preservatives than dry foods.

You can even start with an easy-to-digest food like Royal Canin Feline Care Nutrition Digest Sensitive. Once your cat’s vomiting has stopped, slowly switch back to their regular food by mixing increasing amounts of their regular food in with decreasing amounts of the easy-to-digest food. If you have to feed dry cat food, look for a high-quality, high-protein option like ORIJEN® Dry Original Cat Food Premium.

3. Hairball Medicines

Hairballs are a common reason for cats to vomit. It often takes several attempts to bring up a hairball, and during those first few episodes, cats may just throw up white foam.

There are many different types of hairball remedies on the market, but veterinarians frequently recommend Laxatone, a flavored hairball control gel. Never give your cat mineral oil, butter, lard, grease, or vegetable oils as a home treatment for hairballs. At best, they won’t work. At worst, they can make your cat very sick. Brushing your cat more frequently and feeding a hairball prevention diet like Hill’s Science Diet Adult Hairball Control Canned Cat Food can help too.

Talk to your veterinarian if your cat vomits hairballs more than a couple of times a month. Frequent hairballs can be caused by diseases affecting the digestive tract or skin.

4. What If Home Remedies for a Cat Throwing Up White Foam Don’t Work? Talk to Your Vet

Talk to your veterinarian if your cat continues to vomit white foam for more than a day or two or if their condition worsens at any time.

The doctor will need to figure out the cause of your cat’s vomiting, or at least rule out some of the more serious ones, before they can recommend good options for treatment. First, they will ask you a lot of questions about your cat’s health, lifestyle, and environment; perform a physical examination; and then possibly run some diagnostic tests like a fecal exam, a panel of blood work, and a urinalysis. Depending on the results of these initial tests, they might also recommend x-rays, ultrasound exams, endoscopy, surgery, and tissue biopsies, particularly if your cat appears to be very sick.

Whenever possible, treatment for cat vomiting will focus on the cat’s underlying health problem. For example, cats with intestinal parasites will need to be given medications to help them eliminate those parasites. Sometimes symptomatic care is also required when a cat is throwing up white foam, and this can include therapeutic diets, anti-nausea medications, and fluid therapy.

Don’t wait too long to get your cat the care they need. In the end, early diagnosis and treatment are almost always more successful and less expensive than delaying a trip to a veterinarian’s office.

Additional Resources On Cat Vomiting

If you’re looking for more information about your cat vomiting, this is a good video overview from Dr. Sarah Wooten on cat vomiting:

You can also check out these sources:

• Mayo Clinic Staff. (2017). Gastrointestinal disorders in cats: Common causes and treatments. Retrieved from https://www.mayoclinic.org/diseases-conditions/gi-disorders-in-cats/symptoms-causes/syc-20354649
• WebMD Veterinary Reference from the ASPCA. (2017). Vomiting in Cats. Retrieved from https://pets.webmd.com/vomiting-cats#1
• VCA Hospitals. (n.d.). Vomiting in Cats. Retrieved from https://vcahospitals.com/know-your-pet/vomiting-in-cats

And finally we’ve created a series of posts here on Pet News Daily related to gastro intestinal issues for cats and cat health in general, including:

• Home remedies that will settle your cat’s stomach
• Home remedies for cat vomiting
• What to do when your cat is throwing up food?
• What to do if there’s blood in your cat’s stool
• What to do if your cat is vomiting bile
• What to do if your cat is vomiting blood
• Over the counter medicine for cat diarrhea
• Cat foaming at the mouth: reasons & what to do
• Home remedies for cat diarrhea

If over the counter medication is an option, the four main options are:

1. Anti-bacterial medications
2. Probiotics
3. Diet
4. Hydration Supplements

If your cat has had just a few episodes of diarrhea but seems to feel fine otherwise, you can try some over the counter medicine. However, if your cat is very young, very old, or has a health condition that makes even mild diarrhea risky, home treatment is NOT a good idea.

Cat Diarrhea: When to Call Your Veterinarian

Symptoms that tell you it’s time to call the veterinarian include:

• Severe diarrhea
• Diarrhea that has been present for more than a day or two
• Bloody diarrhea (partially digested blood looks dark and tarry)
• Diarrhea combined with vomiting
• Abdominal pain
• Weakness
• Changes in a cat’s behavior or level of awareness
• A poor appetite
• A loss of interest in drinking water

What Causes Diarrhea in Cats?

Cats can develop diarrhea for many different reasons, including:

• Eating a new food or something unusual
• Intestinal parasites
• Inflammatory bowel disease
• Swallowing something that can’t be digested like string or bones
• Viral, bacterial, or fungal infections
• Kidney disease
• Liver failure
• Pancreatitis
• Hyperthyroidism
• Heart failure
• Diabetes
• Food allergies and other adverse food reactions
• Exposure to some types of toxins
• Drug side effects
• Cancer
• and more

If your cat has severe or chronic diarrhea, your veterinarian will need to determine its underlying cause. They will start the diagnostic work-up by taking a thorough health history and performing a physical examination. This is usually followed by diagnostic testing, which may include fecal examinations, blood work, a urinalysis, x-rays, abdominal ultrasound, specialized laboratory tests, and even exploratory surgery or endoscopy and tissue biopsies.

Over the Counter Medicine for Cat Diarrhea: The 4 Types

But if your cat has just had diarrhea for a day or two and seems to feel fine otherwise, you can try some home treatment. The following over the counter options are safe for cats.

1. Anti-Diarrheal Medications

Kaolin-pectin is the safest over the counter anti-diarrheal medication for cats.  Many others, like loperamide (Imodium) and bismuth subsalicylate (Pepto Bismol) can be very dangerous. Some human anti-diarrheal medications that look like they should contain kaolin-pectin (Kaopectate, for example) actually are made with other ingredients that are dangerous for cats. To be safe, only give your cat an anti-diarrheal medication that is specifically labeled for use in cats. One cat-friendly product, Pro-Pectalin, contains both kaolin-pectin and probiotics.

2. Probiotics

Probiotics are microorganisms that are normally found in a cat’s digestive tract. Probiotic bacteria and yeast promote gut health and function. Whatever the cause of a cat’s diarrhea, giving a probiotic can help get things back to normal. Look for probiotics that are designed specifically for pets and that are made by companies that have a good reputation for quality control. Fortiflora has been used successfully for years.

3. Diet

Sometimes food is the best medicine. Keep feeding your cat even if they have diarrhea. Food will actually help their gut to heal, but switching to a different diet can be beneficial. Certain changes will work better than others based on the underlying cause of a cat’s diarrhea. If possible, feed canned food only because this will help keep cats hydrated.

• Highly digestible diets, like Royal Canin Feline Care Nutrition Digest Sensitive, tend to work best when a cat is producing large amounts of poop every time they have diarrhea.
• Fiber supplementation can be helpful when a cat is producing small amounts of diarrhea frequently. Soluble prebiotic fibers like psyllium, chicory, inulin, fructooligosaccharides, pectins, or beet pulp are food for beneficial intestinal microorganisms, support the health of the cells that line the large intestine, and absorb extra water from within the digestive tract. Unflavored psyllium (Metamucil) is a good source of soluble prebiotic fiber. Some probiotic supplements, like Proviable-DC, also contain prebiotics.
• Combination diets are available that are made with highly digestible ingredients but are also supplemented with prebiotic fiber. Blue Buffalo True Solutions Blissful Belly Natural Digestive Care Formula is a good example.
• Limited ingredient foods that are made with novel protein sources can help cats that have food allergies or other adverse food reactions. Some, like Instinct Limited Ingredient Wet Cat Food, are available over the counter but your veterinarian can also prescribe other cat foods that are even more hypoallergenic.

4. Hydration Supplements

Water is even more important than food when cats have diarrhea. Cats with diarrhea can easily become dehydrated, so make sure to keep fresh, clean water available at all times. Feeding canned food mixed with a tablespoon or two of warm water is another good way to prevent dehydration when a cat has diarrhea. Oral hydration supplements, like Purina Hydra Care, have also been shown to increase a cat’s water intake.

If despite your home treatment, your cat’s condition fails to improve in a day or two or gets worse at any time, stop giving over the counter medicines for diarrhea and make an appointment with your veterinarian.

Additional Resources On Cat Diarrhea

If you’re looking for more information about your cat’s diarrhea, this is a good video overview from Dr. Sarah Wooten on diarrhea in cats:

You can also check out these sources:

• WebMD Pets: Diarrhea in Cats http://pets.webmd.com/cats/diarrhea-in-cats
• VCA Hospitals: Cat Diarrhea https://vcahospitals.com/know-your-pet/cat-diarrhea
• The Merck Veterinary Manual: Diarrhea http://www.merckvetmanual.com/pethealth/dog_disorders_and_diseases/gastrointestinal_disorders_of_dogs/diarrhea.html
• WebMD Veterinary Reference from the ASPCA: Diarrhea in Dogs and Cats http://pets.webmd.com/dogs-cats-diarrhea-causes-treatments?page=2

And finally we’ve created a series of posts here on Pet News Daily related to gastro intestinal issues for cats and cat health in general, including:

• Home remedies that will settle your cat’s stomach
• Home remedies for cat vomiting
• What to do when your cat is throwing up food?
• What to do if there’s blood in your cat’s stool
• What to do if your cat is vomiting bile
• What to do if your cat is vomiting blood
• What to do if your cat is throwing up white foam
• Cat foaming at the mouth: reasons & what to do
• Home remedies for cat diarrhea

The four home remedies for treating your cat’s diarrhea are:

1. Change in Diet
2. Probiotics
3. Anti-Diarrheal Medications
4. Oral Hydration

When Are Home Remedies Appropriate?

First off: you want to make sure that a home remedy is appropriate.

Healthy adult cats who have mild to moderate diarrhea and no other symptoms are ideal candidates for home treatment. As long as your cat continues to eat and drink well, they should be able to compensate for the dehydrating effects of a day or two of diarrhea.

If, however, any of the following apply to your cat, DO NOT try any home remedies.

Cat Diarrhea: When to Call Your Veterinarian

Call your veterinarian if:

• Your cat is a young kitten, is a feline senior citizen, or has health problems.
• Your cat’s diarrhea is severe or contains blood. Diarrhea containing partially digested blood looks dark and tarry.
• Your cat has other serious symptoms like vomiting, weakness, a poor appetite, or pain.

4 Home Remedies for Cat Diarrhea

1. Change In Diet

So, your otherwise healthy adult cat seems to feel pretty good, is continuing to eat and drink well, and has only mild to moderate diarrhea. Your next step is to determine what type of diarrhea your cat has because that will affect your treatment options.

• Cats with large bowel diarrhea poop frequently but only produce small amounts of diarrhea each time. The diarrhea may contain mucus or red blood.
• Cats with small bowel diarrhea usually produce a large amount of poop whenever they go but they only have to poop a few times a day.

If you think your cat has large bowel diarrhea, try a cat food that is supplemented with soluble, prebiotic fibers like chicory, inulin, fructooligosaccharides, pectins, psyllium, plant gum, or beet pulp. This type of fiber absorbs water from the intestinal tract, supports populations of good intestinal bacteria, and provides energy to the cells that line the large intestine, all of which can help resolve diarrhea. If you can’t change your cat’s diet, try adding unflavored psyllium (Metamucil) to your cat’s current food instead.

When a cat’s symptoms fit better with small bowel diarrhea, a highly digestible cat food is usually a better option. Highly digestible ingredients will decrease the amount of poop cats produce.

Some types of cat food like Blue Buffalo True Solutions Blissful Belly Natural Digestive Care Formula contain added prebiotic fiber but are otherwise highly digestible. They are a great option if you’re unsure of what type of diarrhea your cat has or if they have symptoms that fit with both large and small bowel diarrhea. Canned foods are better than dry because they help cats stay hydrated.

2. Probiotics

In addition to diet, a few other over-the-counter remedies are also appropriate for home treatment of cat diarrhea as well, with the first being probiotics.

When a cat has diarrhea, their normal populations of gut bacteria can get out of whack. Giving cats a probiotic, a supplement that contains “good” gut microorganisms, for a few days can restore their healthy intestinal microbiome. The best probiotics for cats are made by reputable companies and designed specifically for pets. Fortiflora and Proviable-DC are two good options. Follow the label instructions for dosing.

3. Anti-Diarrheal Medications

Many of the anti-diarrheal medications that are safe for use in people should not be given to cats unless a veterinarian has told you to do so. One over-the-counter option that is safe for cats is kaolin-pectin, but pet parents need to be very careful! Some medications that look like they should contain kaolin-pectin (Kaopectate, for example) are actually made with other ingredients that are dangerous for cats. Kaolin-pectin products made specifically for pets are a better option. Some, like Pro-Pectalin, also contain probiotics, which makes treating cat diarrhea at home as simple as possible.

4. Oral Hydration

Cats with diarrhea need to stay hydrated. The easiest way to encourage good hydration is to keep fresh, clean water available at all times and to feed canned food only. You can even boost your cat’s water intake a little more by mixing an extra tablespoon or two of warm water in with your cat’s canned food. Oral hydration supplements, like Purina Hydra Care, also encourage cats to drink more than they might otherwise.

Of course, home remedies for cat diarrhea don’t always work. It’s time to make an appointment with your veterinarian if your cat’s diarrhea gets worse, if they develop new, worrisome symptoms, or if their diarrhea doesn’t get better after a few days of home treatment. Your veterinarian can diagnose the underlying cause of the diarrhea and figure out the best treatment options based on what they find.

Additional Resources On Cat Diarrhea

If you’re looking for more information about your cat’s diarrhea, this is a good video overview from Dr. Sarah Wooten on diarrhea in cats:

You can also check out these sources:

• WebMD Pets: Diarrhea in Cats http://pets.webmd.com/cats/diarrhea-in-cats
• VCA Hospitals: Cat Diarrhea https://vcahospitals.com/know-your-pet/cat-diarrhea
• The Merck Veterinary Manual: Diarrhea http://www.merckvetmanual.com/pethealth/dog_disorders_and_diseases/gastrointestinal_disorders_of_dogs/diarrhea.html
• WebMD Veterinary Reference from the ASPCA: Diarrhea in Dogs and Cats http://pets.webmd.com/dogs-cats-diarrhea-causes-treatments?page=2

And finally we’ve created a series of posts here on Pet News Daily related to gastro intestinal issues for cats and cat health in general, including:

• Home remedies that will settle your cat’s stomach
• Home remedies for cat vomiting
• What to do when your cat is throwing up food?
• What to do if there’s blood in your cat’s stool
• What to do if your cat is vomiting bile
• What to do if your cat is vomiting blood
• What to do if your cat is throwing up white foam
• Over the counter medicine for cat diarrhea
• Cat foaming at the mouth: reasons & what to do
• Home remedies for cat diarrhea

We’ve all had a hoarse voice after a day of cheering our favorite team or when cold season strikes. We typically pop in a throat lozenge or brew some tea with honey to soothe our vocal woes. Keep reading to learn some reasons why your cat’s meow may sound raspy, and what you can do to help when your tabby is not so gabby.

Why Does My Cat’s Meow Sound Weak and Raspy?

There are six main reasons your cat’s meow may sound weak and raspy:

1. Over use
2. Infectious laryngitis
3. Air pollution
4. Trauma or Foreign Material
5. Tumors
6. A few less common causes (laryngeal paralysis, recent intubation for surgery or dental procedures, congenital abnormalities, surgical complications, or neuromuscular and Autoimmune disorders)

Read on to learn more about each possible cause for your cat’s hoarseness, as well as what you should do if your cat’s meow changes.

1. Over-use

If you’ve ever been to a sporting event, concert, or party where you cheered, sang, or gossiped with gusto, you know that our vocals have limits. Your voice may become raspy and weak by bedtime. The same can occur with cats. Usually the circumstances are more distressing than fun. A cat stuck under a porch, injured, or lost may repeatedly vocalize due to fear, pain, or to call for help.³ If you find your kitty stuck in a tree after hours of searching, don’t be surprised if she temporarily loses the gift of gab.

2. Infectious Laryngitis

Cats with infectious laryngitis usually have more than a raspy voice. Nasal congestion, sneezing, discharge from the eyes and nose, poor appetite, and lethargy may accompany a weak voice.⁴ Affected cats may have difficulty breathing and emit a high-pitched sound on inhalation.⁵ Just as we hide under the covers and turn away food when illness strikes, so do cats.

Feline herpes virus and calicivirus are two potential causes of infectious laryngitis.⁶ Your veterinarian vaccinates kittens and cats for these viruses, but often cats have already been exposed in shelters or by their mothers.⁷ Some viruses can hide in the body until a cat becomes emotionally or physically stressed.⁸⁹ Luckily there are treatments to target infections, speed up recovery, and reduce frequency of recurrence. Stress management through pheromones, enrichment, and even cat towers all may help reduce recurrence of viral infections.

3. Air Pollution

Smoke, construction particles, dust, and molds can all lead to irritant-induced laryngitis.¹⁰ If your kitty’s meow has changed since your roommate started smoking, it’s time to enforce some clean air ground rules. Even an adventure roaming through the attic of an old home can cause a case of the whispers. Removing either the irritant or your cat from the environment should lead to a return of the normal purr.

4. Trauma or Foreign Material

Traumatic injuries to the neck can impact the larynx, leading to a voice change.¹¹ There may be no external sign of trauma such as an open wound. Cats that go outside are more susceptible to injury through fights with neighborhood pets or wild animals, or even being hit by a car.¹²

Cats may sustain injury from normal predatory activity. For example, if they snack on a bird or mouse, the hard bits can cause trauma to the larynx, leading to swelling or an abscess. Sometimes objects such as bones, parts of toys, or hairballs¹³ can become lodged in the upper airway, causing pain, voice change, and difficulty breathing and swallowing.¹⁴ A veterinarian will be able to identify signs of trauma, foreign material, or abscesses with a laryngoscope, endoscope, and X-rays.

4. Tumors

Tumors, both benign and malignant, can affect the larynx. Voice changes may be the first clue. Cancers of the surrounding nerves may also be to blame. Your vet will need to take X-rays and run lab tests to diagnose cancer. Chemotherapy can often improve quality of life and lifespan.¹⁵

6. Less Frequent Causes

Additional reasons why a cat may have a raspy or weak voice are much less common, but important to consider.¹⁶¹⁷

• Laryngeal paralysis
• Recent intubation for surgery or dental procedures
• Congenital abnormalities
• Surgical complications
• Neuromuscular and Autoimmune disorders

What Should You Do If Your Cat’s Meow Changes?

If your cat’s meow comes out sounding like she just gargled her kitty litter, it’s time to call your veterinarian. Be sure to tell them when the voice change began, if there has been exposure to other cats, and whether or not there are potential irritants in the home. These may include second-hand cigarette smoke, fireplace smoke, dust from a renovation, or even strong cleaning fluid fumes.

Recently adopted, stressed, or young cats are more likely to have an upper respiratory infection.¹⁸ Older cats are more prone to tumors.¹⁹ Your veterinarian will consider your cat’s age, history, and other clinical signs when diagnosing the cause for a weak voice. Often sedation is required to perform a laryngeal exam and X-rays. They may swab the nasal cavity and run bloodwork. Once a diagnosis is made, medication, surgery, or other therapy can often lead to recovery.

Remember that when your chatty companion clams up, a trip to the vet may be needed to distinguish minor irritation from a major meow malfunction. In most cases, a few days of soft food, water, and low stress can help your kitty regain her full vocal repertoire.

1. Know What Is Normal

Dyschezia, meaning painful or difficult defecation, may or may not be associated with blood in the stool.  Hematochezia refers to the passage of fresh blood from the anus, usually associated with stool.  The appearance may vary from red or pink streaks or specks on the feces to blood throughout the stool or passed alone. Black or tarry stools, called melena, indicate bleeding in the upper portion of the GI tract.¹

Cat feces should be malleable, formed, and tube-shaped.  Feces should not be so soft that it does not hold form; it should not be too hard or in numerous small balls or pellets.  Feces should be a medium to dark brown.²  Keep in mind that food dyes may discolor the stool.

2. Pay Attention to What Your Cat Is Doing in the Litter Box

The frequency of defecation and the appearance of stools may vary from cat to cat, pay attention to any change in frequency or appearance of stools.

Blood in the feces can occur if your cat is straining, either due to diarrhea or constipation, resulting in rupturing rectal blood vessels.  This usually looks like a normal stool with streaks of blood on the surface.³  In this case, the streaks of blood aren’t problematic, but the causes of the staining may be.

Remember that straining in the litterbox is often assumed to be due to constipation, but can be due to other problems including a urinary blockage, which is a life-threatening emergency.⁴ Therefore, veterinary care should be sought immediately if your cat is straining in the litter box.

3. Collect a Stool Sample

About a teaspoon of stool is usually required for testing, but the more stool, the better.  It is okay if there is cat litter on the stool sample.  Wear gloves and double bag the feces in zippered storage bags.  If the sample is collected overnight, place the baggie in the refrigerator away from food.⁵  Stool cannot be processed if it has dried out, or if it has soaked into a cloth or paper towel.

4. Is This an Emergency?

Your cat should be examined by your veterinarian if you are seeing blood in the stool, but this is usually not an emergency.

Indications that your cat should be seen immediately include⁶⁷:

• Excessive bleeding from the rectum.
• Straining in the litter box.
• Your cat seems also seems to act sick, for example not eating, not drinking, or lethargy.
• Blood is coming from more than one source.  For example, you see blood in the stool and vomitus or urine, or your cat is coughing or sneezing blood.
• Unexplained contusions (bruising) or petechia, which looks like pinpoint blood spots on the skin.
• Any history of exposure to rodent control products.

If you are seeing small amounts of blood in the stool and your cat otherwise seems normal, call your veterinarian for an appointment.  Keep your cat isolated from sources of stress.  If you have multiple cats, keep this cat separated in a room with an individual cat box.  This may help to reduce stress and allow you to closely monitor stool and overall behavior.  Keep your cat away from other pets in case this is contagious.  Always wash your hands after contact with your cat, or cat feces.

5. What to Expect at the Veterinarian

Your veterinarian will do a thorough physical exam, including an exam of the rectum, anal sacs, and anal area.

Your veterinarian may need to do blood work, fecal testing, and may send samples to a diagnostic laboratory. Imaging of the intestinal tract including radiographs or ultrasound may be recommended.

Causes include:

• Straining due to diarrhea or constipation causing ruptured blood vessels.
• Trauma to the anus or anal area, including bite wounds from other cats.
• Anal sac inflammation, impaction, infection, or cancer.⁸
• Viral, bacterial, or parasitic infections in the GI tract.⁹¹⁰
• Inflammatory bowel disease.
• Intestinal or rectal cancer, including intestinal lymphoma.
• Physical irritation to the inside of intestines causing bleeding from ingestion of foreign objects such as string, plastic, or excessive amounts of hair.¹¹
• Stress may be due to a change in the household including a new person or pet.
• Anticoagulants contained in some rat poisons inhibit vitamin K, which is required for blood clotting.  Rodenticide ingestion can occur directly from eating rat bait.  In cats, exposure can also be secondary to the predation of a rodent who has ingested the product.¹²

6. What Can You Do to Prevent Blood in the Stool?

While some causes of blood in the stool cannot be avoided, there are certain things that you can do for the preventable causes.

Follow your veterinarian’s dietary recommendations, this may include a high-fiber, bland, hypoallergenic, or hairball control diet.

Pick up any items that your cat may potentially eat.  Cats, especially kittens, may consume anything they find, including string, hair ties, ribbon, or plastic toys.  Pick up any free items in the household and store them out of reach of your cat.

Many cats enjoy drinking running water.  A recirculating water fountain can help increase water intake, this will help to reduce constipation, which can cause blood in the stool.

If stress is believed to be associated with blood in the stool, your veterinarian may recommend a pheromone product to help your kitty feel calm and relaxed.  Feliway Spray and Feliway Diffusers are products that mimic the happy pheromones of cats and can reduce stress-associated behaviors and problems.¹³

While blood in the stool is alarming, it may or may not be a simple fix.  Be sure to collect a representative stool sample and call your veterinarian if you see blood in your cat’s stool.

If your cat is having other health issues, you may find our guides to  whether cats can get colds, home remedies for a cat vomiting, and home remedies for a cat’s upset stomach helpful.

Additional Resources

If you have other concerns about your cat’s stool, this is a great video overview about your cat’s poop from veterinarian Dr. Sarah Wooten:

Here are some additional resources and sources:

• VCA Hospitals: https://vcahospitals.com/know-your-pet/blood-in-cats-stools-or-on-the-fur
• WebMD: https://pets.webmd.com/cats/guide/bloody-stool-cats#1

We’ve created a series of posts here on Pet News Daily related to gastro intestinal issues for cats and cat health in general, including:

• Home remedies that will settle your cat’s stomach
• Home remedies for cat vomiting
• What to do when your cat is throwing up food?
• What to do if your cat is vomiting bile
• What to do if your cat is vomiting blood
• What to do if your cat is throwing up white foam
• Over the counter medicine for cat diarrhea
• Cat foaming at the mouth: reasons & what to do
• Home remedies for cat diarrhea

What Is a Sebaceous Cyst?

The term “sebaceous cyst” may sound scary, but, it’s not. Let’s start at the beginning and discuss what constitutes a cyst. According to Tammy Hunter, DVM and Debbie Stoewen DVM, MSW, RSW, PhD of VCA, cysts are “hollow spaces within tissues that contain either liquid or solidified materials; the contents may be made up of natural bodily secretions (e.g., sebum – the oily waxy substance secreted by the sebaceous glands – or sweat) or abnormal breakdown products such as dead cells or keratin.”¹

What Do Sebaceous Cysts Look Like?

Sebaceous cysts are associated with the sebaceous glands surrounding hair follicles and are filled with sebum. While a common finding in dogs, they are uncommon in cats except for the condition known as “stud tail.”² This condition affects intact, male cats on the upper side of the tail resulting in a buildup of hair, scaly skin, and crusting.

In layman’s terms, sebaceous cysts are nothing more than very large pimples.³ These cysts are enclosed bumps anywhere on the skin that are often whitish in color. They occur when a hair follicle is damaged or becomes clogged, causing the immune system to create a small pocket that fills with keratin. Sometimes, the mere filling of the pocket will cause the cyst to stop growing. Other times, the cyst will grow until it ruptures and fluid leaks out.

Diagnosing a Sebaceous Cyst

Ideally, this should be done by a licensed veterinarian. While a sebaceous cyst is benign, they can sometimes be indistinguishable from other more worrisome masses based on looks alone (e.g., cancerous masses).⁴⁵ Therefore, your veterinarian may take a fine needle aspirate, a small sample of the mass to be looked at under the microscope and/or a biopsy of the mass.

Treating a Sebaceous Cyst

Sebaceous cysts can either be treated conservatively or aggressively.⁶ Most of the time, a sebaceous cyst won’t bother your pet in any way, shape, or form so benign neglect is often the treatment of choice. If the cyst remains the same size, your veterinarian will often elect to leave the cyst intact, especially considering that many cats are not comfortable being at the vet’s office.

Sometimes, your veterinarian will choose to drain the cyst, especially if the aspirate or biopsy results came back as non-cancerous. This involves placing a needle in the cyst and drawing the fluid out and the sample is looked at under a microscope. This usually does not require sedation in cooperative cats. In other cases, such as when the fluid inside is too thick to be drawn out with a needle, lancing the cyst is an option. In this case, your cat will most likely be sedated and a small, sharp blade will be used to make a tiny incision in the skin to allow the contents of the cyst to drain out. In order to allow the cyst’s contents to continue to drain, stitches are usually not necessary in this scenario.

Sometimes despite trying one of the aforementioned procedures, a cyst will continue to recur and grow. More involved surgical procedures are often necessary at this point where the veterinarian ensures that the hair follicle and cyst wall are completely removed. Your cat will need to be placed under general anesthesia for this procedure. Bloodwork may be performed ahead of time to ensure that anesthesia can be safely administered to your pet. Stitches will be placed to draw the skin back together over the area where the cyst was excised.

Special Care at Home

Many people ask if they can remove the sebaceous cyst or “pop” it at home. If the cyst were to rupture on its own, it’s perfectly fine to wipe away the material that comes out with a damp, clean cloth, and some mild soap. However, it is not recommended to drain the sebaceous cyst yourself at home because it may not be a sebaceous cyst at all. Draining a cyst at home can cause inflammation, infection, bleeding, and irritation for your cat.

Something you can do at home is to prevent your cat from licking, chewing, or otherwise traumatizing the area of the cyst. If your veterinarian has had to drain the cyst or remove it entirely, it is imperative to keep the area clean and dry. Any bleeding, swelling, oozing, loss of sutures, etc. should be reported to your veterinarian so they can take appropriate action.

Prevention

When it comes to sebaceous cysts, simply taking care of your cat’s skin as directed by a veterinarian can help reduce the chances of one forming. Be sure to discuss the right type of shampoo and other skin/coat care items with your veterinarian as overbathing can be a problem. Regular brushing can also help with hair follicle health as well.

Prognosis

Whether treated conservatively or aggressively with surgery, the prognosis for your cat having a sebaceous cyst is generally excellent. Since they are benign masses, they are not expected to spread or grow quickly. Continue to monitor any cysts in regards to size, shape, and color and be sure to notify your veterinarian of any changes.

Symptoms of Colds in Cats: How to Know Your Cat Caught a Cold

There are a few symptoms of colds in cats – generally speaking these are pretty similar to the symptoms you’d see in a person:

• Runny nose
• Sneezing & coughing
• A fever (this is typically mild)
• Congestion
• Open mouth breathing
• Loss of appetite
• Dehydration

Generally any time your cat is lethargic and not eating and drinking regularly that’s a sign to take them to your vet.

How Do Cats Catch Colds?

Cats catch colds in much the same way humans do, although cats can’t catch or pass a cold to a human. Feline Upper Respiratory Infection is viral and bacterial, and is commonly passed between cats through the droplets spread by sneezing.

For that reason, outdoor cats tend to be more susceptible to colds, as they have more contact with other cats.

What Can You Do When Your Cat Catches a Cold?

Cat colds or Feline Upper Respiratory Infection is typically not serious, but some can be and can lead to pneumonia. There are a few things to look for in determining if you should bring your cat to the vet:

• If your cat is senior, a puppy, or immuno-compromised you should contact a vet
• If your cat has shown no signs of improvement in 4 days you should contact a vet
• If discharge on your cats eyes is yellow, green or thick you should contact a vet
• If any of the above symptoms seem particularly severe you should contact a vet

Short of going to the vet, there are a few things you can do to make your cat feel better to help treat the cold (as you would with other illnesses like a sebaceous cyst):

• Use a humidifier or vaporizer to increase the humidity in your house
• Keep the heat high and add blankets to your cats resting spots to make sure your cat doesn’t get too cold
• For a stuffy nose use a clean damp cloth or some cotton balls soaked in warm water to gently wipe their nose.
• Your cat may lose taste or smell during a cold. You can warm up cat food or buy wet cat food to help your cat to eat.
• You can apply a saline solution with gauze pads to your cats eyes if they are red and inflamed and the discharge is clear
• If your cats eyes are red and inflamed and the discharge is clear you can cleanse and soothe your cat’s watery eyes by applying a saline solution with gauze pads. You should contact your vet if the discharge becomes yellow, green or thick.

You can learn more about cats & COVID in the infographic below, as well:

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If your cat is having other health issues, you may find our guide to what to do if your cat has blood in its stool, home remedies for a cat vomiting, and home remedies for a cat’s upset stomach.