Why Is My Cat Vomiting Yellow?

When a cat vomits yellow, it means that they are vomiting bile, a secretion produced by the liver that can sometimes also appear as green or brown.

Bile is a digestive fluid that is stored in the gallbladder. Its action is essential for proper digestion, as it contains certain enzymes that allow for the emulsifying of fats ingested through food. During the digestive process bile is expelled from the vesicle towards the small intestine, where its action is essential for the correct assimilation of fat molecules.

Bile helps to "push" food through the digestive tract. The body performs a series of natural, involuntary and physiological movements known as "peristalsis". Vomiting occurs when these movements reverse and expel part of the food bolus through the mouth, rather than leading to the next stage of the digestive tract.

These anti-peristaltic movements can be caused by defense mechanisms present in the digestive tract, which are trying to expel toxins and purge the organism. However, this reaction can also be caused by an impulse from the central nervous system.

Vomiting in cats can be causes by various things, such as: eating disorders or the formation of cats' hairballs in their digestive tract, gastrointestinal diseases or poisoning . However, when a cat vomits bile specifically, the reason for this impulse is easier to identify. Here are the main causes that may explain why your cat is vomiting bile.

When a cat fasts for long periods of time, bile and other digestive fluids begin to accumulate in its stomach. As there is no food in the stomach there is nothing to be digested and these fluids then accumulate. This cluster of accumulation can be extremely aggressive to the gastric mucous membranes, since it generates a highly corrosive effect, which irritates and inflames the stomach walls.

The defense mechanism of the digestive tract "activates" anti-peristaltic movements that cause vomiting. This takes places as a way to eliminate bile and relieve discomfort stomach. Usually, when a cat vomits bile after long hours without eating, we should only notice yellow or sometimes, green liquid. It should not be accompanied by blood or mucus.

This nausea can be easily reversed through adoption of healthier eating habits. However, do not hesitate to go to the veterinarian to make sure that your animal is healthy. In a clinic a professional can perform appropriate tests to check the health status of your cat and establish an effective treatment and to guide you on how much and how often your cat should eat.

Although more frequent in dogs, cats can also ingest foreign and non-digestible objects, such as toys, household objects, clothing ornaments or unknown residues.

Initially, the intestinal tract will note the difficulty in digesting this object and will in turn increase its production of digestive fluids. Therefore, the ingestion of foreign bodies usually leads to an increase bile production as it causes irritation of the gastric mucosa. Vomiting takes place as a way of expelling the foreign body and decreasing the concentration of bile in the stomach.

In addition, a cat can also vomit bile after poisoning. If you feel that your cat has ingested pesticides or insecticides, cleaning products or any toxic substance, it is vital to take go to your veterinarian immediately.

Internal and external deworming must be done periodically to ensure your cat remains in good health. If you have recently adopted cat, adult or kitten, it is essential to go to your veterinarian to update its vaccination and deworming schedule.

Infestations by internal parasites can lead to your cat vomiting bile. It can also cause diarrhea, abdominal pain and excessive tiredness (or lethargy). Therefore, it is incredibly important to keep up to date with your animal’s deworming schedule.

In addition to the already mentioned causes, a cat can also vomit bile as a symptom of a disease. Below, we summarize the main pathologies that can cause your cat to vomit this yellow-green fluid:

• Liver problems: as the liver is the organ that produces bile, any liver dysfunction can affect the normal production of this digestive fluid. When liver problems lead to overproduction of bile, this can result in irritation and inflammation of the gastrointestinal mucosae. To relieve this cluster and stop the inflammatory process of the mucous membranes, bile will be eliminated through vomiting. The most common characteristic sign of liver problems is the yellowing of the eyes and mucous membranes (jaundice). However, this symptom will appear when liver damage is quite advanced, so we must be alert to the first changes in the appearance and behavior of our cats, to allow for an early diagnosis.

• Pancreatitis: Pancreatitis in cats (inflammation in the pancreas) is often diagnosed in domestic cats. An affected cat will demonstrate a loss of appetite and spend long periods fasting. As we have mentioned, when the stomach is empty as a result of hours without food, bile accumulates and the vomiting is provoked to relieve irritation of the gastric mucous membranes. Pancreatitis in cats can also cause other symptoms, such as diarrhea, bloating and abdominal tenderness.

• Inflammatory bowel disease: intestinal inflammations can be comprise of a wide range of diseases, such as colitis in cats. When not treated properly, this pathology usually causes frequent vomiting accompanied by bile and diarrhea with the presence of raw or coagulated blood.

As we have explained, the color of bile is not exclusively yellow. If you notice that your cat has vomited bile, whether accompanied by clear liquid, green liquid, a foamy white or brown substance, we recommend going to vet to rule out any pathology.

While many cats may vomit from having spent many hours fasting, you should still see you veterinarian to make sure the cat is healthy. Whenever possible, it is recommended to take a sample of the vomit to the veterinarian to help facilitate the diagnosis. Also, do not forget to see if your cat has shown other symptoms, such as diarrhea, loss of appetite, fatigue or changes in behavior.

In cases of vomiting due to prolonged fasting, as the animal will likely experience an irritated gastric mucosa, we should not offer it large quantities of food, nor provide them with treats or foods that are difficult to digest. You should offer your animal small portions of boiled rice with chicken to keep it well nourished and hydrated, without overloading its digestive system. You can also opt for pâté for cats in a gastrointestinal can. However, it is essential to take guidance from a veterinarian to regulate the eating habits of your cat and avoid prolonged fasting.

In order to make sure your cat doesn’t vomit bile, you need to prevent it suffering from imbalances in its digestive system. To conserve the good health of your cat, it is essential to remain aware of these following points:

• Preventive medicine: make visits to the veterinarian every 6 months, respect your cat’s vaccination schedule and periodic deworming and maintain good oral hygiene.

• Balanced nutrition and a good diet : all cats need a complete and balanced diet to stay healthy, happy and active. In addition, avoid bad eating habits, such as leaving them for long hours without food. If you have to spend many hours outside of home, remember to leave enough food for your cat to consume throughout the day. And do not forget to check if the animal was fed during your absence.

• Physical and mental well-being: the balance between body and mind is essential for the health of all species. A cat must be physically and mentally stimulated in order to maintain good health and balanced behavior. Therefore, remember to enrich the environment of your cat with toys, scrapers, labyrinths and other accessories that arouse its curiosity and allow it to exercise its body and mind.

This article is purely informative. AnimalWised does not have the authority to prescribe any veterinary treatment or create a diagnosis. We invite you to take your pet to the veterinarian if they are suffering from any condition or pain.

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