Unfortunately, the diagnosis is not that simple. Pet parents often want to try to diagnose the cause of their cat’s vomiting based on the color or consistency of the vomit. Identifying which of these two processes your cat is experiencing can help you and your veterinarian narrow down the possible causes of the problem. The cat is typically fine one minute, then suddenly “spits up” without retching or heaving. Regurgitation, on the other hand, happens quickly and often without warning. Vomiting is an active process, often lasting several minutes, during which the cat may look unwell, drool, retch, display abdominal heaving, and finally vomit. Vomiting is the forceful expulsion of stomach and upper intestinal contents, while regurgitation is the expulsion of the contents from the mouth, throat, and esophagus.

It can also be helpful for pet parents to be aware of the differences between vomiting and regurgitation. The frequency, timing, and appearance of the vomit are all important factors to discuss with your veterinarian. Vomit from other, more serious causes may include blood, bile, mucus, or partially digested food. This hair cannot be digested and may be vomited back out of the digestive tract. Most cat owners are familiar with hairballs, which occur when the cat ingests large quantities of hair during normal grooming. Cats can vomit due to a wide variety of different causes and the appearance of the vomit may vary depending on the cause.

Sbart vomit