Petco Text Logo
Petco Pet Logo

Why is my cat throwing up yellow bile? What does it mean and what to do?

Updated On September 23rd, 2025

Pet's info: Cat | British Shorthair | Female | 5 months and 28 days old | 2.51 lbs

My cat vomited a yellow liquid today also yesterday !! No fever no any thing else .. what is that mean ? Any treatment ?

This question includes photos that may contain sensitive content. Click to view.

View more to consider that the photos may include sensitive content.

5 Answers

Most Helpful Answer

Image profile

Answered By Lauren Kennedy, DVM

Veterinarian

Published on July 13th, 2017

There could be several causes of vomiting in your cat - gastritis (inflammation of the stomach wall), pancreatitis, inflammatory bowel disease, intestinal parasites. The vomitus is yellow because it is mostly stomach acid and bile. This is not unusual if the stomach is empty of food when the cat vomits. I would recommend withholding food for 12-24 hours (small amounts of water is ok) and see if the vomiting resolves. If Toffee continues vomiting then I would recommend you take her in to the vet to be checked out.

Vote icon

2Pet Parents found this answer helpful

Related Answers from Veterinarians

  • Image profile

    Answered By Jennifer Summerfield, DVM CPDT-KA

    Veterinarian, Certified Dog Trainer

    Published on March 8th, 2017

    Stomach bile is yellow in color - so yellow fluid is what you will normally see if your pet is vomiting with no food in her stomach. So the yellow color itself is not cause for concern :) Without more information, it's hard to say what might be causing Misty to vomit - this can be due to anything from a minor upset stomach, to a more serious problem such as an intestinal obstruction or pancreatitis. If Misty has been vomiting for less than 24 hours and is acting normal otherwise, you can try withholding food for the next 12 hours to give her stomach a chance to settle - then feed a bland diet of plain boiled chicken or chicken-flavored baby food for the next day or two. If this doesn't help, or if she has been vomiting for several days already or is having any other symptoms such as acting lethargic or not wanting to eat, she needs to be seen by a vet since these can be signs of a more serious problem.

    Vote icon

    1Pet Parents found this answer helpful

  • Image profile

    Answered By Claudia Fioravanti

    Veterinarian

    Published on February 10th, 2017

    It could indicate dehydration or if really yellowish, jaundice and some liver disease. In the second scenario you should also look st the colour of his gums and his skin, you would notice a slightly yellow tinge there too.

    Vote icon

    2Pet Parents found this answer helpful

  • Image profile

    Answered By Ricardo Fernandez, DVM

    Veterinarian, Veterinary Oncology Resident

    Published on June 28th, 2018

    Thanks for using Petco Pet Education Center, formerly Petcoach! Vomiting can be observed with conditions such as gastroenteritis, pancreatitis, dietary indiscretion, gastrointestinal foreign body ingestion and obstruction, among other possibilities. For this reason, I highly recommend that you have Kitty evaluated by a veterinarian for further assessment and treatment as soon as possible as I am afraid he is likely becoming dehydrated. They would be able to check for these possibilities and also check his hydration status and give him medications to make him feel better. Good luck!

    Vote icon

    1Pet Parents found this answer helpful

  • Image profile

    Answered By Lindsey Edwards MVB, BSc, IVCA

    Veterinarian

    Published on January 30th, 2018

    The yellow discoloration indicates jaundice and he needs a full assessment by a vet and blood tests in order to determine the underlying cause - these may include liver damage, toxin exposure, anemia due to breakdown of red blood cells. He also requires a full nutritional assessment and may require assisted/tube feeding in order to maintain calorie intake and prevent further liver damage. Neither eggs nor fish should be regularly fed raw as both can lead to nutritional deficiencies due to breakdown and poor absorption of vitamins

    Vote icon

    1Pet Parents found this answer helpful

See More Answers
image
Have A Vet Question?

Book an appointment with the pros – our expert vets are here to help.

Sponsored