What to Do if Your Cat Is Throwing Up Brown Liquid

Cats vomit brown liquid for various reasons that can be health-related. Brown vomit typically contains bile or partially digested food and can be due to minor issues like hairballs or more serious concerns like intestinal obstructions or pancreatitis. Learn what might cause your cat to vomit brown liquid, how to help your cat at home, and when to contact a veterinarian.

Why Do Cats Throw Up Brown Liquid?

When cats vomit brown liquid, it may contain food, bile, stomach acids, or blood. The vomit's color and consistency can help determine the cause, so taking a photo for your veterinarian can be helpful. Brown liquid vomit could be related to various health concerns. Some common causes include:

Hairballs

Many cats occasionally vomit hairballs, sometimes along with brown liquid. This liquid may contain a mix of food particles and stomach acids, giving it a brownish color. Occasional hairballs are normal and can be managed through diet changes, supplements, and regular brushing. Contact your veterinarian if hairballs occur frequently or if your cat shows other signs of illness.

Food-Related Issues

Most cat food, whether dry kibble or canned, is brown. If your cat eats too quickly or has a sensitive stomach, they may vomit partially digested food due to indigestion. Food allergies can also cause this. Additionally, a recent diet change may lead to vomiting if made too quickly, as your cat's digestive system may need time to adjust. Moreover, some human foods are unhealthy for cats and may cause vomiting.

Gastrointestinal Obstruction

If a cat eats something indigestible, like a string or toy, it may become lodged in the GI tract. This blockage prevents normal digestion and can cause vomiting, which can vary in color and consistency depending on the stomach contents.

Organ Disease

Sometimes brown liquid vomit can be bile, which comes from your cat's liver. Vomited bile is usually yellow in color, but it can appear brown when mixed with food or stomach acids. Vomiting of any kind, including brown liquid, could mean there's a problem with your cat's internal organs, such as liver or kidney disease.

Bleeding in the Gastrointestinal Tract

Reddish-brown vomit may contain blood mixed with digestive juices or food. This often means the cat is bleeding somewhere in the gastrointestinal tract. GI bleeding is often caused by inflammation or an injury to the GI tract due to issues such as inflammatory bowel disease, poisoning, medication side effects, or tumors. These cats may also have blood in the stool.

If you are unsure whether the vomit has a red tinge, use a white paper towel to clean it up. You should be able to see the color better this way, especially if you add a little water to it. Contact your veterinarian immediately if you think your cat is vomiting blood.

What To Do if Your Cat is Vomiting Brown Liquid

If your cat has vomited once and is otherwise acting normal, then withhold food until the next mealtime (no more than 12 hours) and observe your cat. Contact your veterinarian if the vomiting continues or your cat shows other signs of illness, such as poor appetite, weight loss, lethargy, or diarrhea. Regular or frequent vomiting is never normal for a cat and always requires veterinary intervention.

Treatment for Vomiting in Cats

Your veterinarian will discuss your cat's history and perform a physical exam, which includes palpating your cat's abdomen. After a thorough examination, your vet may also want to run some tests, including blood work and X-rays. Blood work will check your cat's organ function, making sure that there are no signs of liver disease or kidney disease, as well as your cat's red blood cell and platelet levels. An X-ray study will check for any fluid in the abdomen that could potentially be blood and it may also show intestinal gas patterns that could be indicative of a blockage. In some cases, abdominal ultrasound may be recommended for further imaging.

Depending on what your doctor finds, your cat may require hospitalization for fluid therapy and supportive care. Some cats are able to go home with medications after receiving outpatient treatments. If your vet suspects your cat has an intestinal blockage your cat may require surgery to remove whatever the blockage is. 

Eating Too Quickly

If your cat is eating too quickly, food puzzles or slow feeders can help. Food puzzles are a great source of both play and enrichment for your cat because they stimulate both your cat's predatory and foraging instincts. If your cat routinely eats out of food puzzles or slow feeders and is still vomiting food, talk to your vet about the next steps.

Food Allergies and Sensitivities

If your vet has ruled out other medical issues and thinks your cat has a sensitive stomach or food allergy, they may recommend a special diet for your cat. Be sure to feed the diet exactly as instructed. Offer no other food or treats unless your vet has recommended it.

How to Prevent Vomiting in Cats

You can't always prevent illnesses that cause vomiting in cats, but there are steps you can take to reduce the chances of vomiting.

• Bring your cat to the veterinarian for routine wellness exams (once or twice per year)
• Contact your vet at the first sign of illness
• If your cat scarfs down food, try a slow feeder or food puzzle
• Keep toxic items out of your cat's reach (this includes some foods, medicines, plants, and chemicals)
• When changing food, be sure to transition slowly so your cat's digestive system can adjust.

If you're struggling with a vomiting cat, call your veterinarian to see if they can help you determine what is ailing your cat can how you can help them feel better.