It can happen that cats vomit, especially if they have eaten too quickly or if they have stuck hairballs that they must expel. But the causes of vomiting can be many and a cat that vomits foam should preferably bring a visit to the veterinarian if it is a recurring symptom.
We will see together in this article the different causes of a cat vomiting foam, and above all, everything you can do to stop it from vomiting foam.
Cat vomiting foam: The main causes
Some problems cause vomiting similar to foam, as a precaution, a visit to the veterinarian is highly recommended whatever the causes, here are the main ones with for each the different actions to put in place before the visit to the veterinarian .
Gastritis
The main cause of this type of foamy vomiting in cats occurs when there is inflammation of the stomach, whether acute or chronic. The underlying reason is ingesting something toxic, like plants or chemicals.
Once the cat is no longer exposed to it, then everything returns to normal.
Pay close attention to all the elements that he can swallow, especially if he has access to the outside or if he is in contact with household products, especially if he knows how to open the doors himself.
Don’t force him to eat either, and make the food easy to swallow, preferring it moist and preferably pre-chewed.
Also make sure he can drink easily.
Pancreatitis
The pancreas is an organ necessary for proper digestion and inflammation can cause this type of vomiting in cats. Usually other symptoms are present along with the white foam, such as weight loss, diarrhea, and general lethargy.
Do not give him anything yourself to avoid aggravating the situation and above all make an appointment with the veterinarian as soon as possible.
Hairballs
Stuck hairballs often make cats vomit. If you see a cat ball stuck in the back of the cat’s throat then avoid touching it as it may be snagged and you could injure your cat.
The vet will know how to remove it.
A foreign body
If your cat has access to the outside, it can ingest many things that its stomach cannot assimilate. But it’s very rare, because cats don’t eat things they don’t know.
Check all the same if there is not something within his reach that he could have swallowed, especially if it is a cat that nibbles everything he finds.
Liver failure
The function of the liver is to release bile to break down fats in the stomach. In addition, it is also in charge of eliminating harmful substances. A problem at this level can cause the cat to vomit foamy.
If your cat is thinner, lacks appetite, or has yellowish mucous membranes, then this problem is most likely.
Also, go straight to the vet.
Systemic diseases
Like diabetes and hyperthyroidism, systemic diseases often cause cats to vomit foam.
When it is reached by this type of disease, the cat is often very thirsty, with apathy and a very cold behavior.
In older cats, these diseases often appear, and only medical treatment can help.
Indigestion
Cats like to eat very regularly and foods they are used to. Their stomach is very fragile and they can vomit foam if they have indigestion.
Irritable bowel syndrome
This intestinal disease often causes frothy vomiting in cats and usually, cats that suffer from it also experience episodes of diarrhea. Only a laboratory can confirm the diagnosis of the veterinarian and put a treatment to alleviate the symptoms.
Parasites
Your cat may have fleas or nits that create a parasitic infection causing her to vomit. It is vital to deworm it, especially if it is an outdoor cat.
When to worry?
If your cat vomits foam, two situations are of particular concern:
If the vomiting is acute
If your cat was healthy and suddenly starts vomiting foam very often and usually vomits several times in a row, this is an alarming sign.
If the vomiting is chronic
In this case, if the duration is more than 3 months, chronic vomiting, even spaced out, must be taken very seriously.
The veterinarian: A safe option
For safety, we advise you to go to the veterinarian so that he can treat it and avoid any risk of aggravation.
He will be the only one who can determine the cause and can provide appropriate treatment. Make an appointment to have everything sorted out.
What to do while waiting for the vet?
While waiting for your medical appointment, here are the things you can put in place to make life easier without taking the risk of making things worse.
Offer him quality rations
Offer him high quality food, you can even give him fish, vegetables and meat, if he really doesn’t want to eat anything else. Avoid very dry foods such as non-moistened kibble that he will not be able to digest properly.
You can check the nutritional values on the pouches to get the best food possible.
Prevent access to certain substances
If your cat rummages in the cupboards or goes to potentially unhealthy outdoor areas, keep him from going there until your feline’s medical examination.
Brush the cat well
By brushing him well, you can eliminate substances that he may ingest while bathing. If possible, wash it, although we know it’s a big challenge.
My cat vomits foam: Special cases
There are several specific cases of this type of vomiting, here are the most common, with our explanations:
Cat vomiting white foam
The white color generally corresponds to mucus containing gastric juice. Your cat has an empty stomach, hence the crisp white color.
Cat vomiting pink foam
This is clotted blood, which comes from the stomach lining or from an ulcer, following an inflammation.
Cat vomiting yellow foam
Yellow is the color of bile, and is probably related to gastritis.
Cat vomiting white foam and not eating
These are two clear signs that he has an empty stomach and doesn’t want to fill it up and he probably has pain when he eats. Try to make it easier for her to eat with good, easy-to-swallow food.
But go quickly to the vet because cats are not able to fast as long as us.
Cat vomiting water and foam
In fact, it is not really water but a liquid from the stomach called gastric juice which is very similar to it and which the cat rejects when something that it has swallowed is rejected by its stomach.
My cat vomits foam: The final word
A visit to the veterinarian will treat your cat who vomits foam. Do not wait if the vomiting is regular because the problem could get worse.