Cat vomiting – when should I see a vet?

Updated 2026-09-30 · 1 sources

Based on: PDSA

Contact a vet today

This can have a serious cause – contact your vet today if any of the warning signs below apply, or if you are unsure. In cats, vomiting can be linked to a mild stomach upset, worms, fur balls, travel sickness, a change in diet or eating something unusual, or illnesses such as pancreatitis, triaditis, food allergies, hyperthyroidism or kidney disease.

When to contact a vet What to do now

Contact a vet if you see any of this

Low energy or lethargy
Eating something they shouldn’t have
Pale gums
Diarrhoea
A painful abdomen
Blood or black dots in the vomit
Drinking or peeing more than usual
Vomiting for more than 24 hours
Unable to keep food or water down

What you can do now

Contact your vet
Note when it started, how often it happens and what else you see
Take a photo or short video to show the vet
Keep fresh water available
Let your cat rest somewhere calm

Don't

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

What it can mean

Vomiting can be a symptom of many different conditions, some mild and some serious.^[1] Possible causes include a mild stomach upset, worms, fur balls, travel sickness, a change in diet or eating something unusual, pancreatitis, triaditis, food allergies, hyperthyroidism or kidney disease.^[1] It is not always necessary to see your vet the first time your cat vomits, but you should monitor your cat closely.^[1]

Possible causes

Mild stomach upset
Worms
Fur balls
Travel sickness
Change in diet or eating something unusual
Pancreatitis
Triaditis
Food allergies
Hyperthyroidism
Kidney disease

What the experts say

“Contact your vet straight away if your cat has been vomiting for more than 24 hours, is unable to keep food or water down, is very young or old, is otherwise unwell, or has any of the following symptoms: Has low energy (is lethargic).”
— PDSA [1]

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.

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

Common questions

What can vomiting mean in a cat?

It can be a symptom of many different conditions, some mild and some serious.^[1]

Is it always necessary to see a vet the first time my cat vomits?

It is not always necessary to see your vet the first time your cat vomits, but monitor your cat closely and call your vet for advice if they vomit again, seem unwell or have any warning signs.^[1]

When should I contact a vet about my cat’s vomiting?

Contact your vet straight away if your cat has been vomiting for more than 24 hours, is unable to keep food or water down, is very young or old, is otherwise unwell, or has low energy, has eaten something they shouldn’t have, pale gums, diarrhoea, a painful abdomen, blood or black dots in their vomit, or is drinking or peeing more than usual.^[1]

Sources

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

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