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#FelineHealth: Chronic Vomiting in Cats—Is It Really Just "Hairballs"or eating too fast?

By Dr. Ryan Chuang

Chronic Vomiting in Cats

"My cat has been vomiting for years, but he eats and acts fine. It’s just because of hairballs or eating too fast, right?" This is one of the most common misconceptions among cat owners. Many cats suffer from chronic vomiting for months or even years, but because a small amount of hair is found in the vomit, owners dismiss it as a normal biological process or because of eating too fast, missing the signs of underlying gastrointestinal issues.



1. Hairballs vs. Chronic Vomiting

  • Normal Hairballs: A healthy cat should only vomit actual "clumps" or "sausages" of matted fur. It often should just happen to long hair cats but not short hair cats.

  • Pathological Vomiting: If your cat is vomiting food, liquid, or bile—even if it contains a few strands of hair—this usually indicates an underlying medical issue or sometimes diet intolerance. The hair was simply present in the stomach at the time of vomiting. Ignoring these signs can lead to further complications and long-term health decline.


2. How Often is "Normal" for a Cat to Vomit?

Ideally, a healthy cat should rarely vomit.

  • The Rule of Thumb: If your cat vomits more than once a month, then the cause should be investigated. We strongly recommend consulting with a veterinarian to identify the cause and manage the symptoms.


3. Potential Causes of Chronic Vomiting

The list of underlying causes for chronic vomiting is extensive and includes:

  • Food Allergy or Intolerance: this is the most common cause but many owner is not aware of it because the cat still behave normally

  • Inflammatory Bowel Disease (IBD)

  • Chronic Pancreatitis

  • Alimentary Lymphoma (Intestinal Cancer)

  • Gastrointestinal Motility Disorders

  • Hyperthyroidism

  • Chronic Kidney Disease (CKD)

  • Liver or Gallbladder Disease


4. What Diagnostic Tests are Necessary?

To determine the cause of chronic vomiting, your vet may suggest:

  1. Blood Tests: To rule out organ dysfunction and hormonal issues (like hyperthyroidism).

  2. Abdominal Ultrasound: To evaluate the thickness of the intestinal walls and inspect the pancreas, liver, and lymph nodes.

  3. Dietary Trials: Using hypoallergenic or specialized prescription diets to determine if food sensitivity is the trigger.

  4. Biopsy: If IBD or Lymphoma is suspected, a surgical or endoscopic biopsy of the intestinal tissue is often required for a definitive diagnosis.

💡 Vet’s Advice

Please stop assuming that regular vomiting is a "normal cat thing." Chronic vomiting is a signal of distress from the body. Early diagnosis is key to providing your feline companion with a comfortable and healthy life.


(Article by Dr. Ryan Chuang. Reproduction without permission is prohibited; sharing with original attribution is welcomed.)


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