- Home
- Cat Symptoms
- Dry Heaving in Cats
Dry Heaving in Cats
Written By Grace Park
Published: 05/23/2017Updated: 07/07/2021
Veterinary reviewed by Michele K.
What is Dry Heaving?
Dry heaving (or retching) in cats can sound like a minor cough or a major episode of gagging and stomach contractions. In some cases, it may just be a simple case of a hairball or tickle in the throat or it could be a serious issue such as intestinal blockage or organ disease.
If your cat is just eating too fast and spitting up the food he just ate, this is not usually a medical problem; it is more of a portion control issue that you may be able to fix by giving your cat smaller portions, more frequently. However, there are some types of dry heaving that could mean something else. If you notice your cat dry heaving more than once, it could be a sign of one of these health issues:
If your cat is just eating too fast and spitting up the food he just ate, this is not usually a medical problem; it is more of a portion control issue that you may be able to fix by giving your cat smaller portions, more frequently. However, there are some types of dry heaving that could mean something else. If you notice your cat dry heaving more than once, it could be a sign of one of these health issues:
- Hairballs
- Nausea
- Gastroenteritis
- Foreign body in throat or stomach
- Kidney disease
- Liver disease
- Heart disease
- Systemic disease
It is a good idea to take your cat to the veterinarian if you notice him dry heaving continually, to find out what the cause might be.
Why Dry Heaving Occurs in Cats
While occasional dry heaving may be nothing to worry about, it is always best to check with a veterinary professional if you are concerned. Here are some of the more common reasons why this may occur in your cat:
Hairballs
All cats can get hairballs once in awhile because they are constantly grooming themselves and ingesting hair. This is usually nothing to worry about as your cat will sometimes dry heave a few times before coughing up a big ball of hair. However, if your cat is constantly trying to cough up the hair and cannot seem to do so, or if the hairballs are frequent, you should take him to see your veterinary care provider.
Nausea
Similar to humans, cats can feel nauseous once in a while. It might be just from eating too much, acid in the stomach, or may even be from eating spoiled food. This can be serious and may need veterinary attention, especially if it is accompanied by appetite loss, vomiting, and lethargy.
Gastroenteritis
Cats with gastroenteritis will likely have bouts of diarrhea and vomiting along with dry heaving. At times, the vomit may be yellow or white foam, which is caused by trying to vomit after the stomach is empty. It can be caused by infections from parasites, viruses, bacteria, or reactions to a new food or medication, or systemic disease. Other signs might include depression, lack of appetite, and sleepiness.
Foreign Body in Throat or Stomach
Cats will sometimes eat things that they should not be eating such as string, bugs, plastic, and foam. They can be just like toddlers, putting everything they find in their mouth to see what it is. Sometimes this can cause a blockage in the intestinal tract, esophagus, or throat. If your cat is suddenly vomiting, dry heaving, has abdominal pain and swelling, and will not eat or drink, you need to take him to a veterinary care center immediately. This may be a sign of obstruction caused by foreign items, hairballs, tumors, or even intestinal twisting. It is essential that you get it checked out right away to prevent dehydration or complete blockage, which can be fatal.
Kidney Disease
Kidney disease in cats is more common as they get older and can cause nausea and vomiting with dry heaves at times. Other signs of kidney disease include increased thirst and urination, lethargy, depression, pale gums, itchiness, and weakness. There are many causes of kidney disease such as:
- Obesity
- Repeated kidney infections
- Toxic substances
- Dental diseases
- Urinary tract obstruction or infection
- Injury to the kidney
- Birth defects
- Genetic (British Shorthairs, Himalayans, and Persians)
- Age related changes to the kidneys
Liver Disease
The liver is an essential organ in the body that is needed for filtering toxins, storing vitamins, and digesting nutrients. Because it has so many functions, the liver is more susceptible to damage and disease. Some of the other signs besides dry heaving are weight loss, appetite loss, head pressing, circling, jaundice (yellow skin and eyes), pale gums, extreme thirst, distended abdomen, and depression.
Heart Disease
Heart disease can occur in cats as well. The two types of heart disease are congenital (present at birth) or acquired (caused by something). Some causes for heart diseases in cats include heartworm infection, blood vessel (vascular) disease, arrhythmia, and myocardial disease. In addition to dry heaving, heart disease can cause coughing, breathing difficulty, growth failure, weakness, irregular heart rate, and swollen abdomen.
What to do if your Cat is Dry Heaving
Hairballs can be treated or prevented by giving your cat hairball treatment. It is important to talk to your veterinarian first to be sure it is safe for your cat.
Uncomplicated nausea may resolve within a short time. If it persists for longer than 24 hours or is accompanied by fever or other symptoms, you should call your veterinary care provider.
Gastroenteritis should be checked out by your veterinarian, who will be able to perform laboratory and diagnostic tests as well as a physical examination.
A foreign body in throat or stomach has to be evaluated by your veterinarian to see what the options for treatment are.
Kidney, liver, and heart disease all need to be checked by your veterinary care provider right away.
Prevention of Dry Heaving
Hairballs can be prevented by brushing your cat daily and providing a nutritious diet with plenty of fiber.
Nausea may be prevented by keeping your pet’s food fresh and making sure the portions are right for his age and breed.
Preventing gastroenteritis includes keeping your cat up to date on their shots and other preventive medication. Also, be sure to keep your cat away from other animals that may be sick.
Preventing your cat from getting a foreign body in his throat or stomach is as simple as keeping any dangerous items away from your cat.
Kidney, liver, and heart disease are not usually preventable but preventing the cause as best you can is recommended. For example, damage to the heart caused by heartworm can be prevented by a following a veterinary advised regimen of heartworm medication. In addition, to prevent all of these and other issues, you should bring your cat to see the veterinarian at least once per year for a good physical examination, as subtle changes may be detected early.
Dry heaving in cats can be expensive to treat. If you suspect your cat has dry heaving, or is at risk, start searching for the right pet insurance plan today.
Cost of Dry Heaving
The cost of dry heaving can run about $75 for an office visit and medication to treat difficult hairballs, and about $100 to $00 for tests to determine the cause of nausea or gastroenteritis. A foreign object may cost a bit more for test or as much as a few thousand to remove the object surgically if necessary. Kidney, liver, and heart disease can all be expensive, from $200 up to $35,000 for transplant, if needed. On average, the cost of dry heaving in cats is about $2,000.
Worried about the cost of treating your pet's symptoms?
Pet Insurance covers the cost of many common pet health conditions. Prepare for the unexpected by getting a quote from top pet insurance providers.
Dry Heaving Questions and Advice from Veterinary Professionals
Bi Color
5 months
5 found this helpful
5 found this helpful
My pet has the following symptoms:
Dry Heaving With Tongue Out
My cat just had a vet appointment 6 days ago but today he was dry heaving with his tongue out. Is this normal? I am a first time cat owner.
Sept. 27, 2020
Answered by Dr. Michele K. DVM
5 Recommendations
Thank you for your question.
He may have had a hairball, and if that is the case, should be fine by now. If he is continuing to have this problem, that is not normal, and It would be best to have your pet seen by a veterinarian, as they can examine them and see what might be going on, and get treatment if needed.
Oct. 12, 2020
Was this question and answer helpful?
Domestic short hair cat
Eleven Months
0 found this helpful
0 found this helpful
My pet has the following symptoms:
Dry Heaving
My cat has been dry heaving as if he wants to spit up a fur ball but nothing comes out. He is still eating and drinking normally and is energetic as usual. Some context: my roommate got a kitten recently and she had a URI. We also recently started trying to switch his food so it’s currently a mix of meow mix kitten and purina kitten
Sept. 27, 2020
Answered by Dr. Michele K. DVM
0 Recommendations
Thank you for your question. I apologize for the delay in my response, this venue is not set up for urgent emails.
If he is still having this problem, Since I cannot see your pet, it would be best to have them seen by a veterinarian, as they can examine them, see what might be causing this, and get treatment if needed.
Oct. 13, 2020
Was this question and answer helpful?
American short hair
Four Months
0 found this helpful
0 found this helpful
My pet has the following symptoms:
Gagging, Dry Heaving
my cat just got spayed 3 days ago and now she's gagging randomly and nearly dry heaving. Should I be concerned?
Sept. 25, 2020
Answered by Dr. Michele K. DVM
0 Recommendations
Thank you for your question. I apologize for the delay, this venue is not set up for urgent emails.
I hope that your pet is feeling better. If they are still having problems, It would be best to have your pet seen by a veterinarian, as they can examine them, see what might be going on, and get any testing or treatment taken care of that might be needed.
Oct. 22, 2020
Was this question and answer helpful?
mixed cat
Fifteen Weeks
0 found this helpful
0 found this helpful
My pet has the following symptoms:
Noisy Breathing
my cat is making an incredibly wierd noise, i have taken him to the vet 3 times and they treated him for fleas, an upper resp infection (he went thru 2 round diff meds to take care of it). did other tests and said he he generally healthy aside from the problems stated....i spent well over 800 on him so im trying my best to get him help but hes still sneezing still getting stopped up n making an odd noise and i just dont understand. hes still eating fine using the litter box cuddly as ever etc.its like a breathing heaving sneezing sound over and over kinda like when a person hyper ventilates.
Sept. 24, 2020
Answered by Dr. Michele K. DVM
0 Recommendations
Thank you for your question. I apologize for the delay, this venue is not set up for urgent emails.
I hope that your pet is feeling better. There may be something anatomically wrong with his nasal passages. If they are still having problems, It would be best to have your pet seen by a veterinarian, as they can examine them, see what might be going on, and get any testing or treatment taken care of that might be needed.
Oct. 23, 2020
Was this question and answer helpful?
Diluted Tortoiseshell
6mo
12 found this helpful
12 found this helpful
My pet has the following symptoms:
Throwing Up, Dry Heaving, Restricted Meow
My 6mo old kitty keeps gagging. First throwing up what looked like her new wet food, then tan liquid, now dry heaves with clear mucus-y liquid. She is otherwise acting normal. Her meow sounds a little restricted. It has been about 5 hours total, as of now. She has never thrown up before.
Sept. 13, 2020
Answered by Dr. Michele K. DVM
12 Recommendations
Thank you for your question, I'm sorry your kitten is not feeling well. I'm a little worried in her for a foreign body, as that is quite common in young kids. She may also have a parasite or may have eaten something she wasn't supposed to. Since it has only been 5 hours, it may be okay to watch her for a little while longer, and feed her a little bit of boiled white chicken breast to settle her stomach. If she continues to vomit, or becomes lethargic, then it would be best to have her seen by your veterinarian I hope that she is okay.
Sept. 13, 2020
Was this question and answer helpful?
Unknown
Osiris
8 Years
0 found this helpful
0 found this helpful
My pet has the following symptoms:
Diarrhea
Vomiting
Dry Heaving
I can’t afford to take my poof cat to the cat and he dry heaves and has stomach contractions multiple times a day. I’d say multiple times an hour even. I feel so bad I know he’s in pain with them. All he does if find weird objects to eat. If he can jump up and get it, it’s good to him. We have put things out of reach and locked doors but he always finds a way to eat everything. Plastic, anything crunchy sounding in the garbage, tape, cardboard. I’m sure it’s that, but the procedure is just way too expensive, especially with a baby on the way. Anyone know any ways to help these symptoms subside till we can afford the vet? It would mean the world to me and my family.
Cat
Gibbson and General
2 Years
1 found this helpful
1 found this helpful
My pet has the following symptoms:
Vomiting
Dry Heaving
my two cats have been dry heaving for quite some time. It started of with my oldest dry heaving all the time but in small spurts. However, now my youngest cat has started to dry heave, however, it's more severe. She will heave for multiple minutes and she's thrown up once (but it was all un-chewed food) and while my older cat still only dry heaves every now and then in short spurts I'm worried about them especially sense my younger cat is having more issues. If anyone has any ideas on how to help that would be really grateful. I can't afford to take then to the vet due to the pandemic (and I don't think vets are open other then emergencies)I also don't think it has to do with the food they eat since they've never had issues with it before and they don't eat to much.
please help my kitties
