Cat Vomiting Clear Liquid (What to Do)

When it comes to vomiting behavior in cats, vomiting in cats comes to mind, after all, this behavior belongs to one of the most common clinical symptoms in cats.

Vomiting refers to a behavior in which the stomach contents are forcefully expelled from the stomach through the mouth when stimulated by some reason.

In fact, it may be a good thing for cats to produce vomiting behavior.

Because cats are reclusive animals and will instinctively suffer or hide from physical discomfort or pain, it is difficult to determine whether a cat is sick by its behavior and state.

If a cat vomits, we can at least tell if the cat is sick based on the frequency of vomiting/vomit. Similarly, a preliminary diagnosis can be made based on the type of vomit.

Today's article will discuss vomiting in cats with clear liquid vomit.

What Does Clear Vomit Contain in Cats?

• Most of the vomit is a mixture of gastric juice and mucus from the esophagus.
• If the cat has just finished drinking and vomiting, this vomit is the water it just drank and a small amount of gastric juice.

What Causes Cats to Throw Up Clear Liquid?

Parasites

Most internal parasites may cause vomiting symptoms in cats (especially clear vomit). Some of the more common parasites include roundworms, tapeworms, coccidia, nematodes, hookworms, Cryptosporidium, Trichuris fetus, and Giardia lamblia.

Hairballs

One common reason for cats to vomit clear liquid is the expulsion of hairballs. When cats groom themselves, they ingest hair that can accumulate in their stomachs. As a result, they may vomit to eliminate these hairballs. You might notice a cylindrical mass of fur in the vomit.

Read more: How to Help Cats with Hairballs

Foreign objects

Cats may develop pica and swallow non-food objects into their bellies due to curiosity, hunger, anemia, malnutrition, etc. The foreign body will constantly irritate the intestine and cause the cat to vomit. Sometimes food is vomited, and sometimes only clear liquid is vomited. Some of the more common foreign bodies are plastic bags, linear foreign bodies, sausage bags, paper or bones.

Read more: Pica in Cats: What it is, Common Causes, Tips for Treating it

Regurgitation

Cats sometimes regurgitate food or liquid if they eat too quickly or consume excessive amounts. Regurgitation is different from vomiting, as it involves the passive expulsion of material from the esophagus, without the forceful contractions of the stomach associated with vomiting.

Motion sickness

Cats that are prone to motion sickness may vomit clear liquid during or after car rides or other forms of transportation.

Urinary system diseases

The more common diseases include urinary/kidney/bladder stones, spontaneous cystitis, urethritis, and urinary tract obstruction, all of which can cause persistent vomiting symptoms in cats. (I remember that a Siamese male cat at a friend's home had a urinary tract obstruction, producing symptoms of eating and drinking a mouthful of vomit.)

Dietary issues

Abrupt changes in diet or the consumption of spoiled food can lead to gastrointestinal upset in cats. In such cases, cats may vomit clear liquid along with other symptoms like diarrhea, decreased appetite, or lethargy.

Gastrointestinal disorders

Cats can experience various gastrointestinal disorders, such as gastritis, gastroenteritis, or inflammatory bowel disease. These conditions can cause vomiting, including the expulsion of clear liquid.

Read more: Gastritis in Cats

Endocrine diseases

The more common endocrine diseases are hyperthyroidism and diabetes mellitus. Polyhydramnios and polyphagia are typical symptoms, and chronic vomiting is also one of their common symptoms.

When Should I Be Concerned About Cat Vomit?

While occasional vomiting in cats is not uncommon and may not be cause for immediate concern, there are situations where you should be vigilant and consider seeking veterinary attention. Here are some signs that warrant concern:

1. Cats vomit clear material, accompanied by other symptoms:

• Loss of appetite
• Lethargy
• Signs of lameness
• Flexion of the neck or upward bending of the neck
• Diarrhea
• Inflammation of conjunctiva
• Tearing
• Salivation

2. Presence of blood or unusual substances

Vomiting that contains blood (bright red or coffee-ground-like) or unusual substances like bile (yellow or greenish fluid) should be taken seriously. These can indicate potential gastrointestinal bleeding, liver problems, or other conditions that require veterinary evaluation.

3. Pre-existing health conditions

Cats with pre-existing health conditions, such as diabetes, kidney disease, or inflammatory bowel disease, may be more prone to vomiting. If your cat has a known medical condition and experiences vomiting, it is advisable to consult with your veterinarian for appropriate guidance.

4. Vomiting after eating or drinking

Vomiting after each meal or drink is an emergency situation with common causes such as urinary tract obstruction of various natures and acute digestive system inflammation.

5. Straining or retching

If your cat appears to be straining or retching forcefully without being able to bring anything up, it could be a sign of an obstruction in the gastrointestinal tract. This is a potentially serious condition that requires immediate veterinary attention.

6. Dehydration

Excessive vomiting can lead to dehydration in cats. If your cat shows signs of dehydration such as sunken eyes, dry gums, decreased skin elasticity, or lethargy, it is essential to seek prompt veterinary care.

How the Veterinarian Will Diagnose and Treat Clear Fluid Vomiting in Cats?

The veterinarian will take information on the cat's recent diet, vomitus, etc. and make a targeted diagnosis through one or more of these diagnostic modalities: oral examination, basic tests (blood, fecal, biochemical and urinalysis), total T4 determination (hyperthyroidism), retroviral testing, abdominal X-ray or ultrasound diagnosis, small bowel biopsy, and histopathological testing.

Treatment protocols are developed according to the cause of the disease and are tailored to the symptoms.

It is broadly divided into five parts:

• antiemetic
• gastrointestinal revision
• treatment of underlying disease
• supportive therapy
• daily care

Anti-emetic: as the name implies, the cat is prevented from vomiting by medication. Note that anti-emetic medication should not be consumed in cases of gastrointestinal obstruction.

Gastrointestinal revision

Cats should not be fed anything via the mouth for 24-48h.
Treatment of underlying disease: If the underlying disease is causing the cat to vomit clear material, control and treatment of the underlying disease is essential.

Supportive therapy

fluid therapy to prevent complications such as dehydration, electrolyte imbalance, hypokalemia and acid-base disorders in cats.

Daily care

Do not take it lightly when the condition has improved and you go home to recuperate. It is necessary to strictly follow the veterinarian's prescription and change the diet, choosing a low-fat, easily digestible diet. If the underlying disease is urinary tract disease, you need to choose a urinary tract prescription diet.

Recommended Cat Food

With Puainta, your feline friend will experience a world of difference. Our team of experts has carefully formulated this easy-to-digest recipe, ensuring that every ingredient is gentle on sensitive stomachs. No more worrying about upset tummies or uncomfortable digestive issues!

What makes Puainta the ultimate choice for cats with sensitive stomachs?

High-Quality Protein: Our recipe features easily digestible, high-quality proteins from sources like tender chicken and fish oil. This ensures that your cat receives the essential amino acids they need without putting a strain on their delicate digestive system.

Digestive Support: Puainta is enriched with beneficial prebiotics and lactobacillus plantarum to promote a healthy gut flora balance. Say goodbye to digestive disturbances and hello to improved digestion and nutrient absorption.

Grain-Free & Fillers-Free: We've left out common allergenic grains and unnecessary fillers that can upset sensitive stomachs. Instead, Puainta contains wholesome, natural ingredients that are gentle on your cat's digestive tract.

Tissues: Cats require essential nutrients like taurine, which is found primarily in animal tissues.

What Questions Might a Vet Ask During an Online Consultation About a Vomiting Cat?

If you have a virtual consultation with a vet about your cat's vomiting because of unavailable hospital services, expect a thorough examination, even from a distance. 

Here's what the vet might ask:

Initial Questions

• Symptom Details: Can you describe how often your cat vomits and the appearance of the vomit?
• Recent Changes: Have there been any recent changes in your cat's diet, like switching to a new brand such as Hill’s Science Diet or Royal Canin?
• Other Symptoms: Is your cat showing any other symptoms, such as lethargy or diarrhea?

Medical History

• Previous Medical Conditions: Does your cat have any existing health issues or a history of gastrointestinal problems?
• Recent Medications: Are there any medications or supplements your cat takes regularly?
• Allergies: Is your cat allergic to any foods or medications?

Environmental Factors

• Current Environment: Can you show the areas where your cat spends most of its time? This might include their eating and sleeping spots.
• Toxins and Hazards: Are there any plants, chemicals, or other potential toxins in your home environment?

Interactive Checks

• Perform Simple Checks: They might guide you to check for dehydration by lightly pinching the skin or suggest you monitor your cat's gum color.

Through these targeted questions and observations, the vet aims to get a comprehensive understanding of your cat's health, allowing them to offer the best advice and possible treatment options.

What Can I Do to Prevent My Cats Throwing Up Clear Liquid?

Although vomiting in cats is sometimes normal, we should be vigilant, after all, vomiting behavior is also a typical symptom of disease.

To prevent abnormal vomiting in cats, we can achieve through these small details of cat ownership:

• Regularly feed hair chemistry cream, cat grass, and other foods that help to discharge hair to prevent hairball disease.
• Keep the cat bowl clean, especially in the summer more frequently wash the cat bowl and replace the food.
• Deworm regularly to prevent vomiting in cats due to parasitic infections. Once in three months for internal deworming and once in June for external deworming. If the cat is on a raw meat-based diet, it needs to be dewormed once in 45-60 days.
• Feed a nutritionally balanced food, or choose wet food, canned food, cat meal, freeze-dried food, etc. as the main food.

Finally, there are very important details: put away small objects at home, such as linear foreign objects, paper towels, leftovers (especially meals containing bones), small screws, and fine needles to prevent cats from swallowing foreign objects due to curiosity and pica, causing intestinal obstruction!

FAQs

How can I settle my cat’s stomach?

Provide your cat with a brief period of fasting, usually 12 to 24 hours, to allow their stomach to settle. Ensure they have access to fresh water during this time to prevent dehydration.
After the fasting period, gradually reintroduce small, easily digestible meals to your cat. Feed them smaller portions more frequently throughout the day. You can try feeding them a bland diet such as boiled chicken (without bones or skin) or boiled white fish (without seasoning). These foods are gentle on the stomach and can be a good option during the recovery phase.

What To Do If My Diabetic Cat Vomits?

If your diabetic cat is vomiting, it's important to take action to ensure its health and well-being. Here's what you can do:
The first thing to do is check your cat's blood glucose levels to ensure they are within a safe range. 
Temporarily withhold food and water for a few hours to allow your cat's stomach to settle. This helps prevent further irritation and gives their digestive system a chance to recover. After the fasting period, slowly reintroduce small, frequent meals of an easily digestible and appropriate diabetic diet. Follow your veterinarian's recommendations regarding the timing and composition of the meals to maintain stable blood glucose levels.

Is It Bad for Cats to Eat Their Own Vomit?

It's generally not harmful for cats to eat their own vomit, as long as the vomit doesn't contain any toxic substances.
Cats have a natural instinct to clean themselves and their surroundings, and this can include cleaning up their vomit. While it may seem unpleasant to us, it's a behavior deeply ingrained in our instincts.

To discourage your cat from eating their vomit, you can take the following steps:

• Clean up the vomit promptly to remove the temptation.
• Ensure your cat has access to fresh water to stay hydrated.
• Monitor their eating habits and consider adjusting their feeding routine if they tend to eat too quickly.

If the vomiting persists or is accompanied by other concerning symptoms, consult with your veterinarian for a proper diagnosis and appropriate treatment.
Remember, while occasional instances of a cat eating its vomit may not be harmful, it's important to address any underlying health issues that may be causing the vomiting. If the behavior is persistent or accompanied by other concerning symptoms, it's best to consult with a veterinarian for further guidance.

What Does Blood in Cat Vomit Look Like?

When blood is present in a cat's vomit, it can vary in appearance depending on the amount and source of bleeding. The appearance of blood in cat vomit can range from:

• Fresh, bright red blood: If the blood is fresh and bright red, it may indicate bleeding closer to the mouth, esophagus, or upper gastrointestinal tract. It may appear as streaks or spots within the vomit.
• Dark, coffee-ground-like material: If the blood has been partially digested, it can appear as dark, coffee-ground-like material. This suggests that the bleeding is occurring higher in the gastrointestinal tract and has undergone some digestion.
• Mixed with food or mucus: Blood in vomit can sometimes be mixed with food particles or mucus, giving the vomit a pink or reddish tinge.