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My cat threw up a hairball, then yellow bile and spit. Should I worry?

Updated On September 23rd, 2025

Pet's info: Cat | American Shorthair | Male | neutered | 14.2 lbs

My cat vomited a hairball, then yellow stuff, then spit. His name is Sushi, and he’s 9 years old. He is fat and lazy.

4 Answers

Most Helpful Answer

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Answered By Dr. Strydom, DVM

Veterinarian

Published on March 4th, 2023

Hello, thank you for using PetCoach. Usually with hairballs they will vomit up one or two of them and then be fine. The yellow stuff is bile (stomach acid) and the spit is normal after vomiting. I suggest you get some hairball remedy like the one I have linked below and give it to him twice daily for the next week or so. If he continues to vomit up hairballs or stops eating you need to get him to your vet for an exam. ( https://www.amazon.com/Vetoquinol-Laxatone-Hairball-Lubricant-Tuna-Flavored/dp/B003YUYFZO/ ) Hope this helps. Best wishes.

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Other Answers

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    Answered By Laura Johnson VMD

    Veterinarian

    Published on July 21st, 2017

    Hi, thanks for using Petco Pet Education Center, formerly Petcoach! Its hard to tell in the picture but the longer white-yellow things may be worms. Toffee is young so parasites are possible. Vomiting hairballs in cats happens but it should be infrequent, about once every 3 months. Anything more often than that is abnormal. Toffee vomiting twice in a row, a day apart is ok as long as it stops. You can try giving her laxatone which can help break up hairballs or change her to a hairball formula cat food. I recommend dropping off a stool sample at your Vet to check for intestinal parasite in case that is what we are seeing in her vomit. If she continues to vomit I'd have her looked at. Good luck!

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    Answered By Dr. Elizabeth

    Veterinarian

    Published on November 16th, 2017

    There could be a few things going on Harbor. Vomiting can be due to many things: food she ate that is not setting well with her, an inedible object she ate that is causing an intestinal blockage, a toxin, pancreatitis, parasites, food allergy or less likely would be kidney/liver disease. Hairballs do not cause continuous vomiting. They vomit once or twice and once the hair ball comes up, then its over. Also, you would expect the see hair in the vomit if it is a hairball. If you are not seeing this, then I'm less inclined to think its a hairball. You did not mention if you ran any diagnostics to get an idea of what is happening internally. In general, I would recommend to run blood work and a fecal parasite exam to determine if any of these test show the reason for the vomiting. If nothing is found, radiographs or an ultrasound is the next step to look for signs of a blockage. Ultrasound is my preference as it gives more information. I would recommend to try feeding Harbor boiled chicken and white rice. You want something bland to help settle her tummy. There are also special prescription diets that are designed to also be bland (Hills makes one called I/D). If Harbor is not getting better, I would be worried something more serious is going on and I would recommend to take Harbor back to the vet tomorrow to discuss the next steps. There are medications that Harbor can take that can help to make her feel better as well. I hope this helps Harbor.

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    Answered By Dr. Melanie, BVSc MS

    Veterinarian

    Published on April 28th, 2020

    Poor Sophie! It could be she has a hairball but she may have a stomach illness. The yellow color is likely due to bile acids. I can give you a home remedy for her to see if that helps. Feed her a bland diet of boiled white meat chicken (no bones) in small amounts several times a day for a couple of days. Then slowly add back in her normal diet. If she refuses to eat the bland diet, she vomits the bland diet, develops diarrhea, stops drinking water, starts vomiting water, or becomes very lethargic, she will need to see a vet right away. I hope this helps!

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