Many guardians are concerned when they observe that their felines vomit a green or yellowish liquid or foam. And your concern is fully justified: vomiting in cats can occur with some frequency, but it should not be considered normal. If your cat vomits yellow, it could be a symptom of illness, as well as an imbalance in its eating habits.
Before continuing, we must highlight the importance of visiting our veterinarian to confirm the diagnosis and whether or not to apply a treatment. Do you wonder "why does my cat vomit yellow"? Next, in this article on our site we will show you the most common causes and the veterinary treatment to apply according to the diagnosis. Read on and find out why your cat vomits yellow.
What does yellow vomit in cats mean?
Yellow vomit in cats is nothing more than vomiting bile (or gall), a secretion produced by the liver and that sometimes it can also be green or brown. Are you wondering why my cat vomits yellow with foam? Why is my cat not eating and vomiting yellow? Or, why is my cat vomiting green bile?
Bile is a digestive fluid that is stored in the gallbladder. Its action is essential for proper digestion, since it contains certain enzymes that allow the emulsification of fats ingested through food. When necessary in the digestive process, bile must be expelled from the gallbladder towards the small intestine, where its action is essential for the correct assimilation of fat molecules
Why is my cat vomiting bile?
Bile helps "push" food through the entire digestive tract. The body performs a series of natural, involuntary and physiological movements known as "peristalsis". Vomiting occurs when these movements are reversed and expel part of the food bolus through the mouth, instead of leading it to the next stage of the digestive system.
These antiperist altic movements can be caused by the defense mechanisms present in the digestive tract itself, to try to expel toxins and purge the bodyHowever, this reaction can also be triggered by an impulse from the central nervous system.
Vomiting in cats can have various causes, from eating disorders or the formation of cat hairballs in their digestive tract, to gastrointestinal diseases or poisoning in cats. However, when a cat vomits bile, this range of explanations is significantly reduced. Next, we tell you the main causes that can explain why your cat vomits bile.
Prolonged fasting: the main cause of vomiting with bile
When a cat undergoes long fasting periods, bile and other digestive fluids begin to accumulate in its stomach, which has no food to be digested. This accumulation is extremely aggressive for the gastric mucosa, since it generates a highly corrosive effect, which irritates and inflames the stomach walls.
The defense mechanisms of the digestive tract "activate" antiperist altic movements that cause vomiting, as a way to eliminate bile and relieve stomach upset. In general, when a cat vomits bile after spending long hours without eating, we only observe a yellow or somewhat greenish liquid, which should not be accompanied by blood or mucus.
This is the most favorable scenario, since it can be easily reversed, through the adoption of he althier eating habits However Do not hesitate to go to the vet when you notice that your cat vomits bile. At the clinic, the professional will be able to carry out the appropriate analyzes to verify the he alth status of your kitten in order to establish an effective treatment and guide you on how much and how often your cat should eat.
Has your cat ingested a foreign body or toxic substance?
Although these episodes tend to be more frequent in dogs, cats can also ingest foreign and indigestible bodies, such as toys, household objects, decorations of some clothing or some residue that may have escaped us when taking out the garbage or entering the home through the window.
Initially, the body interprets that it is an element that is difficult to digest and increases the production of digestive fluids Therefore, ingestion of foreign bodies usually leads to an increase in the production of bile, causing irritation of the gastric mucosa. Again, vomiting appears as a way to expel the foreign body and decrease the concentration of bile inside the stomach.
In addition, a cat can also vomit bile after a poisoning event. If you suspect that your kitty has ingested toxic plants for cats, pesticides or insecticides, cleaning products or any toxic substance, it will be vital to take him immediately to the veterinary clinic. However, we also recommend learning first aid for cat poisoning.
Are you paying due attention to deworming your kitty?
Internal and external deworming must be carried out periodically to guarantee the good he alth of your kittens. If you have just adopted a puppy or adult cat, it is essential to go to your trusted veterinarian to update its vaccination schedule and deworming.
Infestations by internal parasites can cause your cat to vomit bile, as well as cause diarrhea, abdominal pain and excessive tiredness (or lethargy).). Therefore, it is important to respect the frequency of deworming and opt for products of the highest quality.
My cat vomits bile: pathological causes
In addition to the causes already mentioned, a cat may also vomit bile as a symptom of some diseases. Below, we summarize the main pathological causes that can cause your cat to vomit this yellow-green fluid.
- Hepatic problems: as the liver is the organ that produces bile, any liver dysfunction can affect the normal production of this digestive fluid. When liver problems lead to overproduction of bile, this can result in irritation and inflammation of the gastrointestinal mucosa. To alleviate this accumulation and stop the inflammatory process of the mucous membranes, the bile will be eliminated through vomiting. The most characteristic sign of liver problems is the yellow coloration of the eyes and mucous membranes (jaundice). However, this symptom can appear when the liver damage is already advanced, so we must be attentive to the first changes in the appearance and behavior of our kittens, to allow an early diagnosis.
- Pancreatitis: Cat pancreatitis (inflammation of the pancreas) is diagnosed quite frequently in domestic felines. An affected cat will show loss of appetite and will go on long periods of fasting. As we have mentioned, when the stomach is empty because the individual spends many hours without eating, bile accumulates and vomiting is provoked to alleviate the irritation of the gastric mucosa. Pancreatitis in cats can also cause other symptoms, such as diarrhea, bloating, and abdominal tenderness.
- Inflammatory bowel disease: Intestinal inflammation can comprise a wide range of diseases, such as colitis in cats. When not treated properly, this pathology usually causes frequent vomiting accompanied by bile and diarrhea with the presence of raw or coagulated blood.
What to do if my cat vomits bile?
As we have explained, the color of bile is not exclusively yellow. If you notice that your feline has vomited bile, whether it is accompanied by clear liquid, green liquid, a foamy white or brown substance, the ideal is to go to the vet to rule out any pathology.
Although many cats may vomit after spending many hours fasting, the ideal is to rule out any other cause and confirm that your kitty's body is well balanced. Whenever possible, it is recommended to take a sample of the vomit to take to the vet and facilitate diagnosis. Also, do not forget to observe if your cat has shown other symptoms, such as diarrhea, loss of appetite, tiredness or changes in usual behavior.
In cases of vomiting due to prolonged fasting, as the animal's gastric mucosa is irritated, we should not offer large amounts of food at once, nor offer treats or foods that are difficult to digest. We can offer you small portions of Chicken Boiled Rice to keep you well fed and hydrated, without overloading your digestive system. You can also opt for pate for cats in a gastrointestinal can. However, it will be essential to have the guidance of the veterinarian to regulate your kitten's eating habits and avoid prolonged fasting.
How to prevent my cat from vomiting bile?
As is often the case, prevention is the key to prevent your cat from vomiting bile and suffering from imbalances in its digestive system. To keep your kitten in good he alth, it is essential to pay attention to the following aspects:
- Preventive medicine: make visits to the vet every 6 months, respect the vaccination schedule and regular deworming, and maintain good oral hygiene.
- Balanced nutrition and good eating habits - All cats need complete and balanced nutrition to stay he althy, happy and active. In addition, we must avoid bad eating habits, such as leaving them for long hours without eating. If you have to spend many hours away from home, remember to leave enough food for your cat to consume throughout the day. And don't forget to check if the animal was fed during your absence.
- Physical and mental well-being: The balance between body and mind is essential for the he alth of all species. A cat must be physically and mentally stimulated to maintain good he alth and maintain a balanced behavior. Therefore, remember to enrich your kitty's environment with toys, scratching posts, mazes and other accessories that arouse his curiosity and allow him to exercise his body and mind.
