Kitten Vomiting:
Causes and Treatment

Kitten vomiting can be upsetting to both you and your cat. Fortunately, vomiting in cats is relatively common and is often a benign sign/symptom. Cats can vomit more readily than other animals. Vomiting in cats serves many purposes. Some mom cats will vomit already digested food to feed their kittens. Some cats may vomit hairballs as a way of clearing out their digestive tract.

When a kitten feels the urge to vomit, you may be them excessively drooling, gagging, or coughing profusely. That is because an area in the brain called the medulla has been stimulated and triggered the vomiting response. Then, the muscles in the digestive tract contract and pulsate bringing up partially and fully digested food through the mouth.

Regurgitation vs. Vomiting

The terms vomiting and regurgitation are often confused. And cats can both vomit and regurgitate food. Vomiting involves the cat bringing up digested food. Regurgitation involved food coming up undigested. The food has not yet traversed it way to the stomach or intestines. This is more a sign of a problem with the cat’s esophagus as opposed to vomiting which tends to be a sign of problems with the stomach or intestines.

Regurgitation happens relatively soon after food has been eaten; while, vomiting may not occur for hours or days after food has been digested. Regurgitation requires less effort on the cat’s part as the process does not involve the use of stomach muscles to bring up food.

Top 10 Causes of Kitten Vomiting

The list of causes of vomiting in cats is virtually endless. As kittens are curious and always getting into something, they can easily ingest items that can make them sick. So, to make things simple, I’ve narrowed down the most common causes of vomiting in kittens.

• Overfeeding
• Hairballs
• Intestinal Parasites/Worms
• Eating Too Quickly
• Viral/Bacterial Infections
• Poisons
• Tumors
• Irritable Bowel Syndrome
• Intestinal Obstruction
• Foreign Objects in Digestive Tract

Noting the color, frequency, and quantity of vomit will help you determine the severity of the problem. If kitten vomiting happens occasionally and is not accompanied by any other symptoms, it’s most likely nothing to worry about.

However, if your kitten has blood, bile, or feces in its vomit, a high fever, diarrhea, or persistent projectile vomiting that lasts more than 24 hours, take them to the vet immediately. There could be an underlying medical condition that needs prompt attention. And kittens can also become easily dehydrated with repeated bouts of vomiting. However, occasional minor vomiting, in an otherwise healthy feline, can be treated at home.

Hold food 12 hours to rest the stomach. You may give your kitten chicken broth (with no added onions) to sip or half strength unflavored Pedialyte® solution to drink based upon the kitten’s weight. Gradually reintroduce solid food in the diet. And seen how the kitten tolerates the meal. If they continue to vomit once solid food is given, take your kitten to the vet.

Remember…kitten vomiting could either be a minor nuisance or very serious harbinger underlying medical problems. Keep a close eye on your kitten and watch for additional symptoms.

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