There are many different things that can lead to an upset stomach in cats. Did your pet have a new type of treat or food? Maybe they found their way into inappropriate items, such as lilies, hair ties or rubber bands or something outside? It is helpful to think about what the root cause of your pet’s stomach issues may be so that you can determine how concerned to be and how to appropriately treat their symptoms. 

If you know what may have led to the symptoms, call your veterinarian and ask them for advice. Better yet, schedule an appointment. With Thrive Plus membership, visits like this are covered with our unlimited FREE exams. 

Investigating why a pet might be vomiting should always be taken seriously. When you talk to your veterinarian, they will ask you several questions about your pet’s vomiting. Being prepared with pictures or descriptive notes on the following can help your veterinarian determine the most likely cause: 

Use the charts below as a guide for explaining the characteristics of your pet’s vomiting symptoms to your veterinarian. Different types of vomit also indicate varying levels of severity so use these charts to help determine whether your pet’s vomiting requires emergency care, urgent care, or a sick visit with your primary care veterinarian. 

If your pet consumed a toxic food like lilies or is vomiting frequently with high volumes, please bring them to an urgent care or emergency hospital. 

If your pet has occasional diarrhea, it could be simply due to something they ate, or a lack of fiber in their diet. For these one-off loose bowel movements, you can wait to discuss it with your veterinarian during your pet’s next wellness visit.  

Similar to vomiting, if your pet’s diarrhea is frequent and/ or occurring in large quantities, it is a good idea to book a sick appointment with your family vet.   

If your pet seems to lose control of their bowel movements or the diarrhea is related to a toxic food consumption, please take them to your local emergency pet hospital.    

It’s important to know what to expect as far as the resolution of upset stomach symptoms in cats. If your cat is vomiting or not eating, do not go more than 24 hours without seeking care from your veterinarian. Diarrhea usually takes longer to resolve: 3-5 days is typical and should be improving over that time.   

Just like in humans, short-term mild stomach issues typically will not require a trip to the emergency room unless accompanied by other symptoms. We recommend calling your local primary care vet to discuss your pet’s stomach issues; depending on the severity and likely cause of symptoms, your vet may recommend booking a check-up visit or suggest at-home care, watching for any changes. 

Giving your pet the wrong thing to help combat upset stomach/diarrhea can potentially make the problem worse and in some cases be very dangerous. Always contact your veterinarian to ensure at-home care is appropriate given your dog’s cat’s stomach symptoms. 

1. Keep Your Cat Hydrated 

Hydration is very important for pets with GI symptoms, especially diarrhea and/or vomiting. Make sure your pet has access to plenty of fresh water. If they seem reluctant to drink, you can also offer ice cubes or low-sodium broth.  or Pedialyte. 

2. Give Bland, Easily Digestible Food 

If your cat is vomiting, it is usually best to withhold food for a few hours. If your cat has diarrhea only, feeding a bland and easily digestible diet in small amounts may aid in their recovery. Boiled chicken and rice or bland meat-based baby food are good options for short-term stomach upset. 

Your vet can also recommend a special prescription diet or even over-the-counter diets that are made specifically for cats with sensitive stomachs. 

3. Temporarily Eliminate Treats & Table Food 

Human food can be more difficult for cats to digest and lead to worsening vomiting and/or diarrhea symptoms. Treats may also cause irritation of the stomach due to the different flavors and ingredients. Stick to bland, unseasoned food until your pet’s stomach symptoms have subsided. 

4. Provide A Quiet Space to Rest 

When suffering from any type of sickness or injury, it is important that cats have ample opportunity to rest and recover. With diarrhea and vomiting symptoms, it may be helpful to keep your pet confined to a space where any messes can be easily cleaned. Keep any other household pets separated in case something contagious is the cause of your dog’s cat’s upset stomach. 

5. Do Not Give Anti-Diarrheal/ Upset Stomach Medications Without Consulting Your Vet 

Do NOT give over-the-counter human anti-diarrheal drugs or home remedies without being directed to do so by your veterinarian. Some of these medications may have drastically different dosages than their veterinary-use counterparts and some are very toxic to cats.

6. Additional Fiber & Probiotics Can Be Helpful 

Your veterinarian may be able to recommend a fiber supplement and/or probiotic, which can help return the gut to normal health. 

Canned pumpkin has been commonly recommended as an at-home remedy for cats with stomach issues, however, it does not have sufficient fiber to be effective in most cases (the volume of canned pumpkin that would be necessary for even a small dog or cat is excessive!). 

If your pet’s stomach is still upset or symptoms worsen over these timelines, please call your veterinarian, visit your local urgent care, or find your nearest pet emergency hospital.