by Alex Bramwell

Created on: September 23, 2010

Both indoor and outdoor cats are prone to vomiting and diarrhea. In most cases, these are nothing to worry about; there are a number of causes of vomiting and diarrhea that are not dangerous to your cat. It is important to keep a close watch as soon as symptoms present themselves, especially if diarrhea and vomiting occur at the same time. The longer the symptoms last, the more attention you need to pay.

Simple Causes

Vomiting and diarrhea are signs that your cat may have gastroenteritis (an upset stomach). Your cat might have ingested rough vegetation or is suffering from hairballs. If your cat has started to shed, it will be swallowing more hair than normal. A change in diet can upset your cat's stomach, and a shock, like being chased by a dog or children, can do the same. White foam can be a sign that your cat has nothing left in its stomach to vomit up, but still feels nauseated..

Serious Causes

Vomit may be a byproduct of a substance that your cat has ingested. Together with diarrhea, it could be a sign that your cat has swallowed something poisonous or been exposed to noxious chemicals. Eating a poisonous animal like a toad will make your cat foam at the mouth.

Diarrhea and vomiting together are symptomatic of feline panleukopenia (feline distemper). If your cat has recently been in contact with other cats, at a boarding facility for example, distemper is a serious consideration. Another potential cause of vomiting and diarrhea is inflammatory bowel disease (IBD), especially in older cats. Hyperthyroidism, caused by an overactive thyroid gland, also causes diarrhea and vomiting in cats.

Diagnosis

Watch your cat carefully if it is vomiting and has diarrhea. Find out if anyone nearby has been using pesticides or strong household chemicals. Look around for any half eaten small animals like toads or salamanders. Ask yourself if anything has recently changed in the cat’s environment. Have you recently planted new plants in the garden or bought a new houseplant? Have you changed your cat's food? Has your pet been behaving differently recently or received a shock? Has it just started to molt?

Treatment

Withdraw free access to food and water for six hours to allow your cat's stomach to settle. Provide it with a quiet, dark place to rest. During this period offer a small amount of water regularly. If your cat chooses to drink then you do not have to worry about dehydration. If your cat gets better during the next 24 hours simply monitor it for a few days.

Call the Vet

If your cat has had diarrhea and been vomiting for twelve hours without drinking it is likely to be dehydrated and you should call your vet. If it has been losing weight before these new symptoms or they are getting more serious also call a vet. Other reasons that merit a call to your vet include any blood in the diarrhea or vomit, signs of seizure, a tense or painful abdomen and fever. A full list of symptoms that your vet should know about is included on the Pet Education website.

Preventing Recurrences

Check all houseplants for signs of chewing. Look on line for a list of cat friendly-house plants. The Cat Fancier's Association has a list of species safe for cats. Keep your pet indoors if you have sprayed your garden with chemicals and out of rooms that have been treated with insecticides. Groom twice a day during the molting season, especially with long-haired breeds. Treat hairballs with an oral, non-petroleum based laxative. After a bout of diarrhea change your cat's litter to prevent any chance of the problem spreading to other animals or recurring.

Pet Education: Diarrhea & Vomiting in Cats

Catpert: Cat Poisoning

Professor House: Cat Vomiting

Cat Fanciers' Association: Non Toxic Plants

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