Why Is My Cat Vomiting Foam? Potential Causes, Concerns, and When to Call the Vet

Finding your cat vomiting foam can be scary and immediately make you wonder if something is wrong. In general, when a cat vomits foam, it is a sign of an empty stomach, and it can be caused by a number of things, including hairballs, eating too fast, or more serious issues like kidney disease or infections.

That said, while vomiting isn’t uncommon, if your cat is vomiting foam frequently or if it is happening alongside other symptoms, it’s time to call the vet for a proper diagnosis and treatment plan.

Our research into the causes of foam vomiting in cats is based on a wide range of veterinary studies and expert insights. We cover the physiological, dietary, and behavioral reasons your cat may be experiencing foam vomiting and look at the diagnostic and treatment options available.

Throughout, we’ve included information from respected veterinarians to ensure you have accurate information that will help you better understand your cat’s health and know when to take them to the vet.

Causes of Vomiting Foam in Cats

There are many reasons why a cat might vomit foam, and not all of them are cause for concern. According to The Dodo, some of the more harmless reasons why a cat might vomit foam include hairballs, eating too fast, or exercising too soon after eating.

However, if a cat is vomiting foam regularly, there are some more serious health issues that may be to blame. These issues range from gastrointestinal problems like gastritis and intestinal blockages to systemic diseases like diabetes, hyperthyroidism, and chronic kidney disease, according to Cats.com.

Vomiting foam can also be a symptom of parasitic infections like hookworms, as well as bacterial and viral infections. It can also be caused by food intolerance or allergies that lead to an upset stomach.

While the occasional hairball or rare episode of foamy vomit isn’t usually anything to worry about, PetsRadar notes that if vomiting is happening regularly, especially if it’s happening alongside other symptoms like lethargy or a loss of appetite, it’s time to see a vet.

How Is Vomiting Foam in Cats Diagnosed?

The diagnostic process for vomiting foam in cats starts with a detailed history and physical examination, according to VCA Animal Hospitals. During the physical examination, the veterinarian will note the duration of vomiting, the cat’s appetite, and the cat’s general health. If the physical examination shows a painful abdomen or fever, this could indicate pancreatitis or an infection.

Basic screening tests, including a complete blood count (CBC), serum biochemistry profile, and urinalysis, are commonly recommended by veterinarians. These tests can provide information about the cat’s overall health and any secondary issues that may have arisen from vomiting, such as dehydration, according to Drs. Ryan Llera, Krista Williams, and colleagues at VCA Animal Hospitals.

Fecal examinations for parasites and imaging studies, including radiographs and ultrasounds, can help identify issues that may not have been found during the physical examination. If a systemic disease is suspected, veterinarians will recommend specific tests to help identify the problem. To avoid misdiagnosis, it’s important to differentiate between vomiting, which is the active expulsion of stomach contents, and regurgitation, which is the passive return of undigested food, according to dvm360.

If the results of basic tests aren’t helpful, veterinarians may recommend advanced diagnostic tests, including endoscopy and biopsy samples, to directly examine the gastrointestinal tract and look for systemic diseases. By following this diagnostic process, veterinarians can identify the cause of vomiting foam, which will help them develop a treatment plan that may include dietary changes and other treatments.

Diet and Vomiting Foam

A cat’s diet is one of the most important components of its overall health, and there are several diet-related reasons why a cat may vomit foam. According to VCA Animal Hospitals, when a cat eats something that it is intolerant to, it can cause a non-immune-mediated reaction in the gastrointestinal tract.

On the other hand, food allergies are immune-mediated and require repeated exposure to the allergen to cause a reaction. Both intolerance and allergy can cause similar symptoms, including vomiting foam, because cats have limited ways to show that they are experiencing gastrointestinal distress.

How a cat is fed can also contribute to the problem. Cats that eat too quickly or are fed infrequently and in large amounts may vomit up undigested food that looks foamy.

A study in the Journal of Small Animal Practice found that the use of hydrolyzed diets, which break down proteins to reduce their allergenicity, in the treatment of chronic vomiting in cats has had mixed results. Meanwhile, a study based on the VetCompass database found that cats treated with hydrolyzed diets alone had better outcomes than those treated with hydrolyzed diets and other medications.

Veterinarians may recommend a novel diet, which is made up of ingredients that the cat has never eaten before, to help identify specific allergens. This and other dietary changes, including the addition of supplements, can help identify intolerances and prevent vomiting. Cat owners should understand the ins and outs of a cat’s diet and how it can affect their health in order to effectively address their cats’ gastrointestinal problems.

The Mind-Body Connection: Psychological Factors Influencing Cat Vomiting Foam

Just like people, cats can experience physical symptoms as a result of psychological issues. Stress and anxiety are common causes of gastrointestinal problems in cats, including vomiting foam.

Because cats are creatures of habit, changes in their environment such as moving or changes in the home can lead to stress-induced vomiting. It’s important to note that routine is key, and a change in routine can cause stress and anxiety that results in vomiting foam as a way to physically show their discomfort.

In fact, a review article in the Journal of Veterinary Internal Medicine, “Mechanisms, causes, investigation and management of vomiting disorders in cats: a literature review, 2013,” notes that central nervous system stimuli, including stress, are involved in the emetic response in cats.

To help create a stress-free environment, it’s important to make sure that you’re providing a consistent daily routine, quiet spaces for them to retreat to, and familiar items to help reduce anxiety.

This is an important part of cat care and can help reduce stress-induced vomiting. Paying attention to a cat’s mental health is just as important as their physical health and can help ensure that you’re taking a well-rounded approach to preventing stress and its physical symptoms.

How Hydration Can Help Prevent Vomiting Foam

In addition to maintaining overall health, proper hydration is essential for a healthy digestive system and can help prevent issues like vomiting foam. Water is essential to many important bodily processes, including digestion and the absorption of nutrients, and dehydration can impair these processes. It is important to know the signs of dehydration, including lethargy, dry mucous membranes, and sunken eyes, as these can be clear signs that your cat needs more fluids.

There are also some simple but effective ways to increase your cat’s water intake. For example, you can try adding water fountains to your home to encourage your cat to drink from running water, or you can add flavors like tuna water to your cat’s water to make it more appealing.

Chronic kidney disease, diabetes, and hyperthyroidism, which are all mentioned by the Cornell Feline Health Center, are all common causes of dehydration and, in turn, vomiting foam, so it’s important to be mindful of your cat’s water intake and overall health.

If you suspect dehydration, especially if it is accompanied by symptoms like vomiting foam, it’s important to get your cat to the vet right away. This can help prevent more serious health problems and ensure that your cat’s hydration levels are supporting their digestive health and overall health.

Household Hazards: How to Identify and Avoid Cat Poisoning

There are many things that can make a home that is safe for cats a dangerous place. For example, as outlined by Preventive Vet, many common household plants are toxic to cats. Lilies, for example, can cause kidney failure in cats when they are eaten. Other plants that are toxic to cats, like azaleas, tulips, and oleander, can cause symptoms like vomiting foam and more severe reactions in cats.

There are also many other household products that can be dangerous to cats. According to The Spruce, these include cleaning supplies, medications, and even some essential oils. If cats are exposed to these products, they may exhibit symptoms like vomiting foam, lethargy, or a sudden loss of appetite. AKC Pet Insurance also warns against the dangers of small batteries and rubber bands, which can cause gastrointestinal blockages or chemical burns if they are ingested.

To avoid these kinds of accidents, remove toxic plants from your home and make sure that medications, chemicals, and small items are stored securely. If you think your cat has been exposed to a toxic substance, make sure to take them to the vet immediately, as this is very important. The sooner you can get your cat treatment, the better the outcome is likely to be.

In Conclusion: What to Know About Cat Vomiting Foam

We’ve covered a lot of ground in this article, from the relatively harmless hairballs to the more serious chronic kidney disease.

The important thing to remember is that the first step in the process is always a thorough examination by a vet, which may include a number of tests to get to the bottom of what’s causing your cat to vomit foam.

We’ve also learned that dietary issues, including food intolerance and allergies, can be a big part of the problem, as can psychological issues like stress and changes in behavior. Making sure your cat stays hydrated is important, as is making sure your home is free of toxins and that your cat is eating a balanced diet.

As a cat owner, it’s important to know your cat and to know when something is wrong. If your cat is vomiting foam frequently, it’s time to take them to the vet to make sure that you can catch and prevent any more serious issues from developing. While some of the issues that cause cats to vomit foam can be easily treated with changes in diet or environment, others will require a vet’s intervention.

In the end, it’s up to us to make sure that our cats are healthy and happy. That means taking preventive measures and making sure to go to the vet when we notice that something is wrong. That way, we can make sure that our cats are living their best lives without having to deal with the discomfort of vomiting foam.