Contrary to popular belief, cat vomiting is not mostly related to the regurgitation of hairballs. What might appear as a hair ball often contains food or other stomach contents mixed with hair.

While cats will often run from a more easily cleaned location in the home to vomit onto a rug or furniture, it is not done out of obstinance or to address a perceived insult from the owner. They will run not only from panic, but also to alert their owner of an illness. 

It is as natural for cats to vomit as for humans, so if your cat vomits excessively or with regularity, it is time to see a vet. 

What causes a cat to vomit?

Ingesting inedible items

Although cats do occasionally regurgitate pure hairballs, it is not natural for them to do so on a frequent basis. Poor grooming or skin conditions that cause cats to tear out and swallow portions of their fur should be addressed if a cat is regularly vomiting hair balls.

When cats eat prey, such as birds or rodents, they will often eat indigestible parts of their prey, such as bones, feathers, and the contents of their preys' stomachs. The stomachs may be filled with food that is easily digestible by birds or rats, but not by cats.

Cats that hunt will often may experience a heightened frequency of vomiting as the body attempts to expel these indigestible byproducts of the consumption of their prey.

This can be a serious problem for urban cats who have a greater chance of eating a rodent that has ingested rat poison. While the dose of poison ingested may not be enough to kill a cat outright, it can cause serious weight loss from loss of appetite as well as neurological disturbances that can affect movement and causes seizures.

Suspected poisoning must be diagnosed and treated immediately by a veterinarian.

Vomiting and illnesses

Frequent vomiting should be a matter of concern, because cats can suffer from some of the same gastrointestinal issues, organ failures and inflammations, and other maladies as the human owners.

If your cat eats grass on a frequent basis and subsequently vomits, you should consult with a vet to look for potential underlying issues. Cats, being carnivores, cannot digest grass, and eat it to induce vomiting. 

While an occasional episode is generally not a cause for alarm, regular episodes indicate an uncomfortable kitty, and should be diagnosed and treated. To learn more, speak with someone like Chester Valley Veterinary Hospital.