Why Do Cats and Dogs Vomit

1 Overview

Common Causes

I. Most serious in young pets is viral infection (distemper, parvovirus, coronavirus; feline panleukopenia, coronavirus). If unvaccinated or unconfirmed antibodies, get a professional viral test to avoid delaying treatment.

II. Ingesting foreign objects: unclean, indigestible, non-degradable toxic substances (rodenticide, grapes/raisins, chocolate, xylitol foods, onions, unsuitable fruits/veggies; cats are sensitive to citrus oils, tobacco nicotine, moldy food, high-lactose sweets).

III. Unsuitable dog/cat food: choose young pets’ food with a pet professional’s advice after understanding the pet, or it may cause GI burden, indigestion, stress vomiting.

IV. Intestinal parasites cause vomiting (roundworms, hookworms, gnathostoma, physaloptera, anisakis, tapeworms, flukes, coccidia). Young pets need frequent deworming with efficient, low-toxic, broad-spectrum products; consult professionals on plan and dosage.

V. Vomiting in more adult pets is often from bad feeding habits and owner neglect (various poisonings, heatstroke, pancreatitis, superficial gastritis, severe liver disease, kidney disease, pyometra in females, intestinal obstruction, encephalitis).

VI. Some congenital or acquired structural diseases (PRAA, megaesophagus); cats’ hairball syndrome from grooming habits.

All the above are possibilities; once they happen, don’t dither — take the pet to the vet promptly.