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My cat is coughing and vomiting. What should I do immediately?

Updated on September 23rd, 2025

Pet's info: Cat | Domestic Shorthair | Male | neutered

My cat is coughing and vomiting what can I do?

2 Answers

Most Helpful Answer

Answered By Dr. Melanie, BVSc MS

Veterinarian

Published on September 28th, 2017

Poor Oliver! He could be vomiting due to eating something rotten, a foreign body, a GI illness, a respiratory disease that's causing him to cough so hard he vomits, or heart disease. I'm not sure how many time he's been vomiting, but if it's not multiple times in a short period of time, I can give you a home remedy to see if that helps. Should Oliver be vomiting multiple times, then he needs to see a vet as soon as possible. I hope this helps!

Home remedy:

I recommend withholding food for 12-24 hours, then feeding a bland diet of boiled white meat chicken (no bones) in small amounts several times a day for a couple of days. Then slowly add back in his normal diet. If the vomiting continues in the absence of food, he vomits the bland diet, develops diarrhea, stops drinking water, starts vomiting water, or becomes very lethargic, he will need to see a vet right away.

1Pet Parents found this answer helpful

Related Answers from Veterinarians

Answered By Dr. Macartney, BVet Med, MRCVS
Veterinarian
Published on September 8th, 2017
I am very sorry to hear that Oliver is experiencing these problems, I am sure it is very unsettling for you both. There are a number of potential causes of such clinical signs, including dietary indiscretion, pancreatitis, parasite infestation, infection, and ingestion of a toxin or poison.

Because you have only noticed these signs over the course of a few days I would continue to monitor Oliver at home.

Rest Oliver's gastrointestinal tract by holding back food for a few hours. Then you can continue with a bland and easily digested food of the boiled chicken breast, and provide plenty of fresh water. You can also try a dose of Pepcid a/c to help calm his gastritis.

If Oliver does not improve by this evening, he does not pass any feces, has profuse vomiting or diarrhoea, you notice fresh blood, Oliver seems lethargic, in pain or depressed I would advise a trip to the veterinarian.

I hope that answer was helpful and more importantly that Oliver feels better soon. Warmest regards to you both. please post any further questions you may have, we are here to help you!
1Pet Parents found this answer helpful

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