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 was at 8 a.m. 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 shouldn’t go overlooked, either. Cats can vomit different colors, including yellow.

In this article, we’ll explore some of the common causes of yellow cat vomit. Plus, we’ll share advice on when to see your veterinarian about a cat vomiting yellow liquid — and how to treat it.

Cat Vomiting Yellow Liquid: Should You Worry?

If your cat is throwing up 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 is puking yellow liquid, 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 if at-home treatment is ok.

The fact that your cat is vomiting yellow liquid does not automatically mean you have to seek professional help right away. But 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• Behavior changes: less social, less playful, more withdrawn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 cat vomit gets its color from bile, a liquid produced and secreted by the liver and stored to help with digestion. The bile leaves the liver and enters the stomach when a cat eats. Sometimes, a cat throwing up bile can also make cat vomit appear green.

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

Why Is My Cat Throwing Up Yellow Liquid? 8 Common Causes

If your cat threw up yellow liquid, here are some common causes of yellow cat vomit you should know about:

Empty Stomach

If a cat misses or skips a meal, the bile in their stomach can irritate the stomach lining. This can lead to a cat vomiting bile. 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. An overactive thyroid gland can result in an overproduction of bile, which may lead to a cat throwing up yellow vomit.

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. An intestinal blockage can cause yellow vomiting and other symptoms like 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 for a Cat Vomiting Yellow Liquid

While not all causes of a cat vomiting yellow liquid signal a medical emergency, don’t hesitate to call your vet if you’re concerned.

When you bring your cat in for an appointment, your vet will perform a physical exam and take a complete history. This will include 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 making your cat vomit yellow. Tests may include:

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

Treatment for a cat puking yellow liquid generally involves supportive care and managing the underlying cause. Examples of supportive care for a cat throwing up yellow include:

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

Cats with severe symptoms may need 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 vomited 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.