#3. 🐾 Should I Be Worried If My Cat Vomits?
What Happened with Chu: Vomiting and a Possible Hairball
Yesterday… and again this morning, Chu threw up.
When I first started living with a cat,
that deep retching sound and the way they hunch down before vomiting was…
honestly kind of scary and unfamiliar.
Now? When I hear it or see her posture change,
I usually just quietly watch and let it happen.
Yesterday, I saw her preparing to vomit—
today, I simply found the result.
Heads up: the photo below may be a bit gross!
I added a black-and-white filter just in case 😂
And no—it’s not poop. It’s a combo of kibble and a hairball.
🐈 What It Looked Like
The first vomit I witnessed happened about 30 minutes after she had some dry kibble.
She didn’t eat too fast, and it wasn’t immediately after feeding either.
The vomit was a thick clump—about finger-width and 1.5 times the length of my index finger.
It looked like a dense, paste-like mash of chewed kibble,
though I could spot one or two whole pieces that hadn’t been broken down.
No fur, and the color was basically identical to her food.
(That’s the first photo above ☝️)
This morning, though? I didn’t see or hear it happen— It must’ve happened early this morning…. maybe even around dawn, I guess.
but the clear presence of fur told me it was probably a hairball situation.
Maybe she had been trying to get it out yesterday, and finally managed it today.
🧶 Hairballs: One of the Most Common Causes of Vomiting in Cats
Hairballs are a very common reason why cats vomit—especially during shedding season.
📌 Shedding season in cats:
- Spring (March–May)
- Autumn (September–November)
During these months, cats shed more fur, and as they groom themselves,
they swallow hair that can accumulate and be vomited out later.
| Aspect | Hairball Vomiting Characteristics |
|---|---|
| Appearance | A sticky mass often mixed with hair |
| Seasonality | More frequent during shedding or if grooming is lacking |
| Frequency | Once every 2 weeks or so is considered normal |
| Prevention | Brushing, hairball-control food/treats, hydration, gut health support |
🧼 What Cat Parents Can Do to Prevent Hairballs
1. Regular brushing
Reduces the amount of hair your cat swallows.
Even short-haired cats benefit from daily brushing—especially during shedding season.
2. Hairball-control food or treats
High-fiber diets can help pass hair through stool instead of vomiting.
3. Hydration
Dehydration can slow digestion.
Try water fountains or include wet food in meals.
4. Encourage exercise
Movement helps stimulate healthy digestion and prevents hair accumulation in the gut.
5. Monitor stool
Even if your cat doesn’t vomit, frequent hair in poop can be a sign of buildup.
🔍 Common Causes of Cat Vomiting (Non-Hairball)
| Cause | Description |
|---|---|
| Stomach irritation | From specific ingredients or rich food |
| Stress | Environmental change, loud noises, grooming, guests |
| Eating too fast or too much | Leads to indigestion or regurgitation |
| Empty stomach + sudden feeding | Can trigger acid-induced vomiting |
| Chronic condition | If vomiting persists, consider vet check-up (e.g., IBD, kidney issues) |
🧘♀️ Chu’s Mood?
Still cheerful. Still playing.
She napped, she stretched, she had more food… all business as usual.
And for that, I’m relieved.
🤔 So… What Do I Do When She Vomits?
Honestly? I don’t panic anymore.
When Chu starts that familiar movement—
arching her back, lowering her body, tensing her belly—
it looks like the kind of moment where you should pet her, comfort her…
But actually, it’s best to let her be.
Trying to stop or touch a cat mid-vomit can stress them out even more.
So these days, I just let her finish, clean it up, and check two things:
- What came out
- How she’s acting afterward
As long as she’s behaving normally, I usually don’t worry.
✅ When Vomiting May Be Normal
- Only once in a day
- Your cat eats and plays normally afterward
- Vomit contains food or hair only
- No repetition for several days
⚠️ When to See a Vet
| Sign | Possible Concern |
|---|---|
| Vomiting more than twice a day | Could indicate irritation or infection |
| Lethargy or food refusal after vomiting | Systemic problem |
| Blood, yellow foam, or foul odor | Serious internal issue |
| Ongoing vomiting over several days | Needs professional attention |
🐾 What About Your Cat?
Has your cat ever vomited like this?
If you’ve had similar experiences or tips that helped,
please feel free to share them in the comments.
You never know who else it might help 🐱
