Gastritis in cats – signs and what to do

Updated 2026-09-30 · 1 sources

Based on: PDSA

Contact a vet today

Contact your vet today if you think your cat has this – it can become serious. Gastritis is inflammation of the stomach.

What to do now

What you can do now

  1. Contact your vet today.
  2. Note when it started, how often it happens and what else you see.
  3. Take a photo or short video to show the vet.
  4. Keep fresh water available.

Don't

  • Do not give any human medicine.
  • Do not wait if it gets worse.

What it is

Gastritis is inflammation of the stomach and can cause vomiting and stomach pain.[1] Gastritis can be caused by many different conditions, some minor and some more serious.[1]

Signs

  • Vomiting
  • Eating less than usual
  • Drooling and lip licking
  • Pain
  • Low energy
  • Hiding away

Causes and risk factors

  • A stomach infection (Helicobacter)
  • Pancreatitis
  • Kidney disease
  • A sudden change in food
  • Eating something unusual, such as something spicy or fatty
  • A medicine reaction
  • Liver disease
  • Inflammatory bowel disease (IBD)

How vets treat it

  • Antibiotics
  • Pain relief
  • Fluids or a drip
  • Hospitalisation
  • Diet change
  • Anti-sickness medication

What the experts say

“Overview. Gastritis is inflammation of the stomach that causes vomiting and stomach pain. Gastritis can be caused by many different conditions, some minor and some more serious. Fortunately, most cases of gastritis clear up quickly with treatment from a vet.”

If your pet is struggling to breathe, has collapsed, is having a seizure or can't stand up: go to the nearest vet now.

Not sure how serious it is?

OkPaw asks a few quick questions about your pet and tells you in 30 seconds whether it can wait. Free on Google Play for Android.

Get it on Google Play

OkPaw is on Android now – an iPhone version is on its way.

Common questions

What is gastritis in cats?

Gastritis is inflammation of the stomach that can cause vomiting and stomach pain.[1]

What signs can gastritis cause in cats?

Signs can include vomiting, eating less than usual, drooling and lip licking, pain, low energy and hiding away.[1]

When should I contact a vet?

Contact your vet for an urgent appointment if your cat has been vomiting for more than 24 hours.[1]

Sources

  1. PDSA

How this page was made: written with the help of AI from the sources below, then checked claim by claim against those sources. Urgency levels follow OkPaw’s fixed safety rules. It is guidance, not a diagnosis. How we write our pages

Other conditions in cats

Gut blockageHeart diseaseHeart MurmurHeatstrokeHypertensionHyperthyroidismHypertrophic cardiomyopathyIbuprofen PoisoningInsect bites and stingsLily PoisoningLyme DiseaseLymphoma