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My cat keeps throwing up repeatedly. Is it time for an emergency vet?

Updated On September 23rd, 2025

Pet's info: Cat | Mixed Breed | Male | neutered | 1 year and 6 months old | 12 lbs

My cat randomly puked last night, twice, within seconds of each other. I thought "Okay, that's not anything out of the ordinary." But then today I woke up to the sound of him trying to puke, nothing came up. I went out for dinner and came back home to find a good couple globs of throw up all near each other. He's puked four more times since then, and it's only been a couple hours if that. Just now he puked again, but there's nothing left in his stomach to puke up. It's 1am, too.. I'm worried.

4 Answers

Most Helpful Answer

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Answered By Dr. Melanie, BVSc MS

Veterinarian

Published on April 19th, 2017

Poor Baby! I would be worried too, as that is a fair number of times to vomit in such a short period of time. He could have a severe GI illness, may have eaten something toxic, could have a foreign body, or pancreatitis. Given how many times he's been vomiting, I think it's best that he is seen by a vet now. Please take him into an ER vet clinic; if there isn't one in your area, there will be a vet on call for emergencies. The information to reach that vet is found on a clinic's answering machine or website.

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    Answered By Dr. Melanie, BVSc MS

    Veterinarian

    Published on May 8th, 2017

    I'm sorry your kitty has been so unwell! Good on you for reaching out for help, and I hope I can be of some help to you. When a cat has been throwing up more than 24 hours, then that is the time to take them into the vet. Her vomiting could be caused by a GI illness, eating something rotten, a foreign body, or pancreatitis. It's not really true that cats puke a lot, people think that because they can get hairballs leading them to vomit, but it's not normal to vomit up food. I would take your cat into the vet to diagnose what is causing her vomiting so she can be treated.

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    Answered By David Darvishian

    Veterinarian

    Published on November 13th, 2017

    Hi and thanks for using Petco Pet Education Center, formerly Petcoach! Sorry to hear about Whiskey. If the vomiting has stopped and no other signs have developed, I think you are ok to just monitor. But, if the vomiting persists, worsens, or other signs develop, then I would advise that your veterinarian check him out. Vomiting has many causes including intestinal worms, inflammation, infection, dietary problems (including dietary indiscretion or eating things pets are not supposed to eat, food sensitivities/allergies), ingestion of foreign bodies or exposure to toxins, bacterial overgrowth in the gut, problems in the stomach, intestines, or even problems outside of the intestinal tract/stomach including pancreatitis, kidney/liver problems, metabolic disease (diabetes,etc), endocrine diseases (thyroid or other hormone problems), etc. A thorough history and physical exam with resultant diagnostics such as fecal tests, blood tests, urine tests, and imaging studies such as x-rays/ultrasound can be done to try to determine what is going on. Good luck.

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    Answered By Jessica Keay, DVM

    Veterinarian

    Published on March 28th, 2018

    I am sorry to hear about Babygirl. If Babygirl has not thrown up again tonight and her energy level is as usual, and she is not having any abdominal pain or trouble breathing, you could observe her overnight. I would not give her anything else to eat tonight. It is possible she has a mild case of gastritis that will resolve. If, however, she seems weak/lethargic, she continues to vomit, she has a painful belly, or you know of something she has ingested such as a foreign object like string or a toxin, then she should be seen as soon as possible. If tomorrow she vomits again or shows other symptoms, I would call your veterinarian. Unfortunately things inside the body can change and even if she had normal bloodwork two weeks ago it doesn't mean that things cannot change and she cannot become ill shortly after. Best of luck to you and Babygirl!

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