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Why is my cat vomiting, not eating, and not drinking? Is it serious?

Updated on September 23rd, 2025

Pet's info: Cat | Mixed Breed | Female | unspayed | 3 years old

My cat keeps vomiting and is not eating or drinking anything

3 Answers

Most Helpful Answer

Answered By Dr. Melanie, BVSc MS

Veterinarian

Published on January 18th, 2017

Poor Ellie! I see that she isn't spayed. When cats aren't spayed, they can be prone to a life threatening infection of the uterus called a pyometra. This would cause her to vomit, not eat, and not drink. Other causes include a severe GI illness, eating something rotten, pancreatitis, or a foreign body. Given the risk of a pyometra and the fact that she isn't eating, drinking, and keeps vomiting, my recommendation is to have Ellie seen by a vet immediately. The vet can do a physical exam, blood tests, a urinalysis, and possibly x-rays to diagnose what is causing her symptoms so she can be treated. She likely needs a shot to stop the vomiting, and IV fluids for hydration along with any other treatment the vet deems necessary. If she does have a pyometra, spaying her is one of the recommended treatments. Please take her into a vet ASAP.

1Pet Parents found this answer helpful

Related Answers from Veterinarians

Answered By Dr. Melanie, BVSc MS
Veterinarian
Published on March 2nd, 2018
It's not very common for a human to give a cat the flu, so this may not be the likely cause of her being sick. I see that Mamma isn't spayed, and intact females can develop an infection of the uterus called a pyometra. A pyometra is fatal without treatment and would cause her to not eat. There could be another medical cause behind her not eating and drinking, and I can tell you it's extremely serious she hasn't eaten or drank in two days. When cats do not eat going on 72 hours, they develop a fatty liver which is fatal without treatment. In this case, her symptoms are a medical emergency and she has to see a vet now to avoid developing a fatty liver. The vet can diagnose what is causing her symptoms and the best way to treat her. Please take her into a vet immediately.
1Pet Parents found this answer helpful
Answered By Dr. Melanie, BVSc MS
Veterinarian
Published on July 9th, 2017
I'm sorry Ruby isn't feeling well! While this vomiting could be caused by a GI illness, I see she isn't spay. That makes me concerned she could be suffering from a pyometra, which is a life threatening infection of the uterus. A pyo would cause her to stop eating and vomit, and it is fatal without treatment. Because I can't see her in person to rule out a pyo, and taking into consideration the seriousness of a pyo, Ruby should see a vet immediately. The vet can do a physical exam, blood tests, urinalysis, and x-rays to diagnose what is causing her vomiting. If she does have a pyo, spaying her is part of the recommended treatment. Please take her into an ER vet clinic; if there isn't one in your area, there will be a vet on call for emergencies. The information to reach that vet is found on a clinic's answering machine or website.
2Pet Parents found this answer helpful

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