Why Does My Cat Keep Throwing Up? When to Call the Vet

A blissful seafoam kitten gets brushed by a hand holding a pet brush, loose fur curls floating off beside a fluffy fur pile.

In this guide

Call too if she is tired or weak, eating less, has blood in the vomit or diarrhea, or is drinking or peeing differently. Otherwise: brush weekly, ask your vet about hairball food, and keep a cleanup kit by the door.

Pepper left another one on the rug. First, when it is a vet call. Then three habits for fewer hairballs.

When to call the vet

A hairball every week or two is common, says the Cornell Feline Health Center. Cornell also says to have your cat seen promptly if she throws up more than once a week, or if the vomiting comes with any of these:

tired or weak
eating less
blood in the vomit
diarrhea at the same time
drinking more, or peeing more or less

Snap a photo of the mess before you clean it, and note how long it has been going on. Your vet will ask. Why she is throwing up is your vet's call.

Vet says it's hairballs? 3 habits for the rug

If your vet agrees it is just hairballs, these three habits cut the rug work.

1. Brush her weekly

Back to our top pickFURminator Small Cat deShedding Tool

Every loose hair in the brush is one less she swallows while grooming. FURminator says deShedding helps reduce hairball formation. Pick your size: FURminator Small Cat (under 10 lb) or FURminator Medium to Large Cat (over 10 lb). Long-haired cat? These two are made for short hair.

The catch: some cats will not hold still for it. Cat bolts when the brush comes out? Deshedding gloves turn petting time into a brushing pass. They suit short to medium coats. See CAIBAO gloves at Amazon

2. Ask your vet about hairball food

Hill's Science Diet Adult 1-6 Hairball Control Dry Cat Food

Best for: Adult cats ages 1 to 6

The catch: A change of food should be gradual. Follow the bag.

Skip it if: Your cat is 7 or older. Hill's makes an Adult 7+ formula.

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Read the Hill's Science Diet Adult 1-6 review

Both hairball formulas lean on fiber. Hill's says Science Diet Adult Hairball Control is made with natural fibers for hairball control. See Hill's at Amazon. Purina lists natural fiber in Pro Plan Hairball Management, with turkey as the first ingredient. See Purina at Amazon. Ask your vet if either suits your cat, and how to switch her over gradually.

Hairball gels: a vet call too. Ask before you start one.

3. Keep a cleanup kit by the door

Biokleen Bac-Out Pet Stain & Odor Remover

Best for: Fresh pet accidents, plus laundry and household messes

The catch: Enzymes keep working after you spray, so give old stains a soak

Skip it if: The stain is old and set in, and needs a longer soak.

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Read the Biokleen Bac-Out Pet Stain review

A hairball on the carpet is easier at 7 a.m. when the kit is ready: an enzyme cleaner, a spoon, a white cloth and a towel. See Biokleen Bac-Out at Amazon. The full routine is in How to clean cat vomit from carpet, and the couch and mattress are in Cat vomit on the couch, mattress or bed.

Your next move

Questions people ask

How often is it normal for a cat to throw up a hairball?

Cornell's Feline Health Center says a hairball every week or two is common. Vomiting more than once a week is a reason to call your vet.

Should I give my cat a hairball gel?

Ask your vet first. A vet can tell you if a gel fits your cat, and which one.

Does hairball food work?

Both are built around fiber for hairball control, Hill's and Purina say. Whether one suits your cat is your vet's call. Ask, then switch gradually.

My cat throws up right after eating. Is that a hairball?

Only your vet can say. Bring a photo of the vomit. If it happens more than once a week, or with any sign on the list above, call.

How do I get the smell out of the carpet?

Enzyme cleaner, cold water and patience. The five steps are in How to clean cat vomit from carpet.

Still deciding? Get this one.

FURminator Medium to Large Cat deShedding Tool for Short Hair

Best for: Short-hair cats over 10 lb

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Read the FURminator Medium to Large Cat review

Why does my cat keep throwing up? When to call the vet

When to call the vet