Cat vomiting: hairball or time to see the vet?

Many people treat cat vomiting as a normal part of feline life, even as material for funny videos. I read a CNN Brasil article that explains why this idea can get in the way, so I want to summarize it here.

The article points out that this view can delay the diagnosis of serious problems. A real hairball (trichobezoar) is a dark, cylindrical mass of compacted hair, and it is rarely expelled, except in long-haired cats or cats with stomach problems. Vomiting food, bile, or just a few loose strands is a different story. Photos or videos of what the cat brought up help the vet a lot.

One point I found interesting: veterinarian Bruna Oliveira, of Med. Felina, explains that what owners take for vomiting is sometimes coughing, one of the symptoms of feline asthma. A cat may cough dry or with discharge, and the owner only notices the cat swallowing mucus. Her advice is direct: if a cat coughs, investigate, because the sooner it is treated, the better the quality of life.

The article also separates vomiting from regurgitation. According to feline specialist Paty Bastos, regurgitation is passive, with no visible effort, and the food comes back in its original shape without bile. Vomiting usually comes after lip-licking, restlessness, and excessive drooling, together with abdominal contractions. Regurgitating often is not normal, and eating more slowly, in smaller portions, can help.

And when should you worry? If a sick cat vomits several times in a short period, treating the underlying disease may resolve it. But vomiting several days a week for several weeks calls for investigation, even if the cat seems well and the owner is already used to it. The lesson I take from this is: getting used to something does not make it normal.

Source: CNN Brasil