Cat Vomiting Yellow Liquid: Causes and Treatment

Pet parents aren’t the only ones who can feel squeamish when discussing cat vomit. Veterinarians do, too!

When I was in veterinary school, my gastroenterology class — in which I learned about the digestive tract — was at 8 am. Let’s just say that seeing pictures of vomit, among other less-than-pleasant digestive issues, was not a fun way to start the morning.

As much as we’d rather not talk about it, vomiting is common in cats. It’s not always a medical emergency, but it should not be taken lightly, either.

In this article, we’ll explain why cats vomit yellow liquid, when to see your veterinarian about it, and how to treat it.

Cat Vomiting Yellow Liquid: Should You Worry?

If your cat is vomiting yellow liquid, you’re probably already worried, and that’s okay. Like many cat parents, you’re concerned about your feline friend and want to help them feel better.

The first thing to do is monitor your cat. Take note of when your cat vomits yellow liquid (e.g., first thing in the morning) and if they have other symptoms besides vomiting. Monitoring your cat will help you determine if you need to bring them to the vet or do at-home treatment according to your veterinarian’s recommendations.

The fact that your cat is vomiting yellow liquid does not automatically mean you have to seek professional help right away. However, some indications are worrisome and warrant a vet visit, including:

• Vomiting more than once per week
• Signs of systemic illness: lethargy, weight loss, not eating
• Behavior changes: less social, less playful, more withdrawn

Types of Yellow Cat Vomit

You’re probably not keen to look at your cat’s vomit, but its consistency is a helpful detail you can share with your veterinarian.

Yellow vomit gets its color from bile, a liquid produced and secreted by the liver to help digestion. The bile leaves the liver and enters the stomach when a cat eats.

The liquid consistency of yellow vomit comes from a mixture of bile and stomach acids. Yellow vomit can sometimes also be foamy.

Causes of Yellow Vomit

Here are the common causes of yellow vomit in cats:

Empty Stomach

If a cat misses or skips a meal, the bile in their stomach can irritate the stomach lining, causing vomiting. Vomiting because of an empty stomach in the morning is commonly called Bilious Vomiting Syndrome.

Gastritis

Gastritis is inflammation of the stomach lining. It can occur if your cat has eaten something they shouldn’t have, such as a toxic plant or food in the trash. Cats can also get gastritis from a bacterial or viral infection. When the stomach lining gets irritated, cats may vomit bright yellow liquid.

Pancreatitis

Pancreatitis is inflammation of the pancreas. When the pancreas becomes inflamed, the digestive enzymes it produces seep out, wreaking havoc on other parts of the digestive system. Cats with pancreatitis may vomit yellow liquid and have other symptoms like diarrhea and nausea. Pancreatitis makes cats very ill and requires veterinary treatment.

Kidney Disease

The kidneys filter out toxins from the blood, among many other functions. With kidney disease, the kidneys stop functioning well, making cats extremely sick. Cats with kidney disease may vomit yellow liquid and have other signs of illness, like weight loss and reduced appetite.

Hyperthyroidism

Hyperthyroidism, the overactivity of the thyroid glands, occurs commonly in older cats. Some thyroid hormones play a role in bile production. Therefore, an overactive thyroid gland can result in an overproduction of bile, possibly leading to a cat vomiting yellow liquid.

Diabetes

Cats can vomit yellow liquid if their blood sugar levels are too high because of diabetes. Diabetes in cats causes other signs as well, including weight loss and excessive drinking and urinating.

Intestinal blockage

Sometimes cats eat foreign objects that get stuck in their intestines. This intestinal blockage can cause yellow vomiting and other symptoms such as diarrhea and abdominal pain. An intestinal blockage is a life-threatening medical emergency that requires immediate surgery.

Hairballs

When cats groom, they swallow some of the excess hair. Cats cannot digest this hair, so it can accumulate in the stomach and form a hairball. When a cat vomits up a hairball, there may also be some yellow liquid along with it.

Treatment

Although not all causes of vomiting yellow liquid indicate a medical emergency, don’t hesitate to call your veterinarian if you’re concerned about your cat’s vomiting.

When you bring your cat in for an appointment, your vet will perform a physical exam and take a complete history, including when the vomiting started, what the vomit looks like, and if your cat has other symptoms.

Next, they will conduct some diagnostic testing to try to determine what’s causing the yellow vomit. Tests may include:

• Bloodwork
• Urinalysis
• Fecal exam
• Thyroid testing
• Abdominal X-ray
• Abdominal ultrasound

Treating cats for vomiting yellow liquid generally involves supportive care and managing the underlying cause. Examples of supportive care include:

• Anti-nausea and anti-vomiting medications
• Fluid therapy
• Bland diet

Cats with severe symptoms can require hospitalization to help them recover and regain their strength.

Managing the underlying cause will depend on the specific health condition. For example, administering thyroid medication for hyperthyroidism or insulin for diabetes.

My Take on Yellow Cat Vomit

Yellow cat vomit isn’t pleasant, but it is treatable. Figuring out why your cat is vomiting yellow liquid will help you start treatment sooner and help your cat feel better that much more quickly.

If my cat were vomiting yellow liquid, I would watch them at home to see when it’s occurring and if they have other symptoms of illness. I would also contact my veterinarian and take my cat in for diagnosis and treatment if they looked unwell.

It’s understandable to be worried about your cat vomiting yellow liquid. Do your best to figure out why and get them the treatment they need sooner rather than later.