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My cat sprayed yellow-brown liquid after throwing up. What's wrong?

Updated on September 23rd, 2025

Pet's info: Cat | American Shorthair | Female | spayed | 11 years and 5 months old | 10 lbs

I have had this 11 1/2 female tabby for just over a month. Two days ago she had an episode where she threw up and started pooping all over the house. We quarantined her to the bathroom while she was sick and has spent the last night in my bedroom. She has not vomited since then and has just regained her normal poop density. Now I just found out that she sprayed a yellow/brown liquid all along the baseboards of my livingroom. I do not know if this is urine or another liquid.

2 Answers

Most Helpful Answer

Answered By Joy Fuhrman, DVM, MBA, CPA

Veterinarian

Published on June 12th, 2017

If the liquid is urine, then I would be concerned about her kidney function because the brown color could suggest blood in the urine or possibly toxin ingestion. If the liquid is feces then she likely has severe diarrhea that could lead to dehydration. Either way, it is important that you take Willow to a veterinarian to figure out what is going on and to get her treated.

1Pet Parents found this answer helpful

Related Answers from Veterinarians

Answered By Lauren Jones VMD
Veterinarian
Oh dear, that does not sound like a pleasant surprise! I'm glad to hear that Willow has stopped vomiting and seems to have a normal stool quality. My concern in finding a yellow/brown liquid is that Willow may have blood in her urine (sometimes this appears brownish) from a urinary tract infection or bladder stones. It is difficult to say if this is directly related to her vomiting and diarrhea episode from a few days ago, or if the stress from urinary issues may have triggered the vomiting and diarrhea. Regardless, at this point, I recommend taking Willow to her vet for an exam. The vet will be able to perform a urinalysis and any other necessary testing to get to the bottom of this problem. Consider confining Willow back to the bathroom until her vet visit so that you can more closely monitor any eliminations. I hope that she's feeling better soon!
1Pet Parents found this answer helpful

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