Many tutors are concerned when they notice that their felines vomit a liquid or a foam of green or yellowish color. And his concern is totally justified: vomiting in cats can occur with some frequency, but it should not be considered normal. If your cat vomits yellow, it may be a symptom of illness, as well as an imbalance in their eating habits.

Before proceeding, we must emphasize the importance of visiting our veterinarian to ensure the diagnosis and apply or not a treatment. Do you wonder “why does my cat vomit yellow”? Next, in this article we will show you the most common causes and the veterinary treatment to be applied according to the diagnosis. Keep reading and find out why your cat vomits yellow.

What does yellow vomit mean in cats?

Yellow vomit in cats is nothing other than a bile vomit (or gall), a secretion that the liver produces and that sometimes can also be green or brown. Do you wonder why my cat vomits yellow with foam? Why does not my cat eat and vomit yellow? Or, why does my cat vomit green bile?

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

Why does my cat vomit bile?

Bile helps to “push” food through the entire digestive tract. The organism 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 system.

These antiperistaltic movements can be caused by the defense mechanisms present in the digestive tract itself, to try expel toxins and purge the body. However, this reaction can also be caused by an impulse of the central nervous system.

Vomiting in cats can have various causes, from eating disorders or the formation of cats hairballs in their digestive tract, to gastrointestinal diseases or poisoning pictures in cats. However, when a cat vomits bile, this range of explanations is significantly reduced. Below, we tell you the main causes that may explain why your cat vomits bile.

Prolonged fasting: the main cause of vomiting with bile

When a cat performs long periods of fasting, bile and other digestive fluids begin to accumulate in your stomach, which does not have food to be digested. This cluster is extremely aggressive for the gastric mucous membranes, since it generates a highly corrosive effect, which irritates and inflames the stomach walls.

The defense mechanisms of the digestive tract “activates” the antiperistaltic movements that cause vomiting, as a way of eliminate bile and relieve stomach upset. Usually, when a cat vomits bile after spending long hours without eating, we see only a yellow liquid or something green, which should not be accompanied by blood or mucus.

This is the most favorable picture, since it can be easily reversed, through the adoption of healthier eating habits. However, do not hesitate to go to the veterinarian to see that your cat vomits bile. In the clinic, the professional can perform the appropriate tests to check the health status of your kitten to establish an effective treatment and guide you on how much and how often your cat should eat.

Has your cat ingested a foreign body or toxic substance?

Although these episodes tend to be more frequent in dogs, cats can also ingest foreign and non-digestible bodies, such as toys, household objects, clothing ornaments or some residue that may have escaped us when taking out the garbage or entering to the home through the window.

Initially, the organism interprets that it is an element of difficult digestion and increases the production of digestive fluids. Therefore, the ingestion of foreign bodies usually leads to an increase in the production of bile, causing irritation of the gastric mucosa. Again, vomiting appears as a way to expel the foreign body and decrease the concentration of bile inside the stomach.

In addition, a cat can also vomit bile after a picture of poisoning. If you distrust that your kitten has ingested toxic plants for cats, pesticides or insecticides, cleaning products or any toxic substance, it will be vital to take it immediately to the veterinary clinic. However, we also recommend knowing first aid in case of poisoning in a cat.

Are you paying due attention to the deworming of your pussycat?

The internal and external deworming must be done periodically to ensure the good health of your kittens. If you have recently adopted a puppy cat or adult, it is essential to go to your trusted veterinarian to update your vaccination calendar and deworming.

Infestations by internal parasites You can take your cat to vomit bile, as well as cause diarrhea, abdominal pain and excessive tiredness (or lethargy). Therefore, it is important to respect the frequency of deworming and opt for products of optimum quality.

My cat vomits bile: pathological causes

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

• Liver problemsAs 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 characteristic sign of liver problems is the yellowing of the eyes and mucous membranes (jaundice). However, this symptom can appear when the liver damage is already advanced, so we must be alert to the first alterations in the appearance and behavior of our kittens, to allow an early diagnosis.
• Pancreatitis: Pancreatitis in cats (inflammation in the pancreas) is diagnosed quite frequently in domestic cats. An affected cat will demonstrate loss of appetite and make long periods of fasting. As we have mentioned, when the stomach is empty because the individual spends many hours without eating, the bile accumulates and the vomiting is provoked to relieve the 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 include 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.

What to do if my cat vomits bile?

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, the ideal will be go to the vet to rule out any pathology.

While many cats may vomit for having spent many hours fasting, the ideal is to rule out any other cause and confirm that your pussy is with your body well balanced. Whenever possible, it is recommended take a sample of the vomit to take it to the veterinarian and facilitate the diagnosis. Also, do not forget to see if your pussycat has shown other symptoms, such as diarrhea, loss of appetite, fatigue or changes in usual behavior.

In cases of vomiting due to prolonged fasting, as the animal has an irritated gastric mucosa, we should not offer large quantities of food at one time, nor provide them with treats or foods that are difficult to digest. We can offer you small portions of boiled rice with chicken to keep it well nourished and hydrated, without overloading your digestive system. You can also choose pâté for cats in gastrointestinal can. However, it will be essential to have the guidance of the veterinarian to regulate the eating habits of your kitten and avoid prolonged fasting.

How to prevent my cat from vomiting bile?

As it usually happens, Prevention is the key to avoid that your cat vomits bile and suffer with imbalances in its digestive system. To conserve the good health of your pussycat, it is essential to be aware of the following aspects:

• Preventive medicine: make visits to the veterinarian every 6 months, respect the vaccination schedule and periodic deworming, and maintain good oral hygiene.
• Balanced nutrition and good eating habits: all cats need a complete and balanced nutrition to stay healthy, happy and active. In addition, we must avoid bad eating habits, such as leaving them long hours without eating. If you have to spend many hours outside the home, remember to leave enough food for your pussy 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 to maintain good health and maintain a balanced behavior. Therefore, remember to enrich the environment of your pussycat with toys, scrapers, labyrinths and other accessories that awaken your curiosity and allow you to exercise your body and mind.

This article is merely informative, in .com we do not have the faculty to prescribe veterinary treatments or make any kind of diagnosis. We invite you to take your pet to the veterinarian in case of any type of condition or discomfort.

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