Reasons your kitten might be vomiting

As any pet parent knows, at some point you’re going to be cleaning up some not-so-nice things, including vomit. Vomiting in kittens is fairly common and it’s usually not serious. Here are the four main reasons why your kitten is vomiting and how you can help them.

1. They’ve eaten something they shouldn’t

One of the most common reasons for your kitten vomiting is that they’ve eaten something they shouldn’t. Think of your kitten as a tiny human baby: how do they explore? By putting everything they can into their mouths. Curious and unafraid, kittens learn about the world using their senses and built-in behaviour, especially their hunting instincts. This means moving objects are particularly attractive to kittens.

Normally if your kitten eats something inedible, they’ll soon vomit it straight back up. Although your carpet might suffer from some stomach juices, your kitten will be fine. Sometimes, the object can get stuck in their digestive system. If this happens, your kitten will vomit every few minutes or hours as their body tries to get rid of it. Anything they try to eat or drink will come straight back up and they’ll get weaker and weaker. Take them to the vet straightaway. They’ll x-ray them and surgery might be needed.

2. They’ve eaten a plant

As well as inedible objects, some kittens can’t resist tucking into plants and grass. When a kitten touches or bats a plant or grass, it naturally moves and appears to ‘fight back’. This triggers your kitten’s hunting instincts. As they attack the plant or grass with their teeth, it’s common for them to swallow stems and leaves.

Plant parts, especially grass stems, are really difficult for your kitten to digest. Plus, they can irritate the sensitive stomach lining and kittens don’t need the carbs these parts provide. Normally, a kitten will vomit up these parts only a few minutes after swallowing them.

Sometimes a kitten eats a plant that’s toxic to cats. These include common plants like lilies, birds of paradise, daffodils, jasmine and tulips. A kitten who eats a toxic plant can quickly go into kidney failure and the water they need gets vomited back up again. Prompt vet treatment can save a kitten that’s eaten a toxic plant, otherwise it can be fatal.

It’s good to know what plants you have at home and in your garden so you can tell the vet you suspect your kitten has been poisoned.

3. They’ve got a virus

There are a few viruses that can cause vomiting in kittens. These are:

• Panleukopenia. This virus is common in environments where there are lots of kittens and cats, like adoption centres. Very contagious and often fatal, take your kitten to the vet if they’re vomiting a lot and you got your kitten from a multi-cat environment a few days ago. The good news is that panleukopenia is easily avoided, thanks to an effective vaccine which should be part of your kitten’s vaccination programme.
• Feline leukaemia virus (FeLV). This virus is easily transmitted from mothers to their kittens. Although kittens seem fine the first few weeks after infection, they soon stop eating and growing properly. They can become listless and uninterested in their siblings and you. A kitten with FeLV may vomit if their digestive system is affected by the virus. A vaccine for it is available upon request - ask your vet.

4. They’re infected with worms

Worms can cause kittens to vomit, especially roundworm and tapeworm. Roundworms are quite common in kittens. They’re passed from mother to kitten and should live in the small intestine. But if there are too many of them, they can move into the stomach where they cause vomiting. This is what happens with tapeworms too.

Worms can be easily prevented by regularly using worming treatments. Tapeworms are transmitted through fleas so it’s important you keep up with flea treatments too. Set up an AutoDeliver and save 16% with every repeat order, plus you'll never forget your pet's flea and worm treatment.

We hope this article helps your cat become calmer and less anxious. If you need any further help or have a question we haven’t answered, contact our friendly Pet Direct Customer Care team on 0800 200 240 or email support@petdirect.co.nz.

Shop cat