What color does a cat vomit say: white foam, yellow, green, brown, blood.

Last verified 2026-10-24

Do this first

Bright red blood, a material similar to coffee grounds or vomiting and smelling feces Contact your veterinarian immediately, do not wait and see.
White foam, yellow fluid, and clear liquid are usually related to an empty stomach or irritated stomach. If it happens once and the cat is still normal low urgency But if it is repeated or frequent, you must see a veterinarian.
The color only gives a clue. The number of times and accompanying symptoms such as lethargy, not eating, stomach pain are more important.
Vomiting with abdominal cramps The retching occurs quickly without contracting the stomach. and food is often not digested

white bubble

Short answer: White foam is usually gastric juice and mucus in the stomach. and can be found when the stomach is empty or the stomach is irritated If it happens just once and the cat is still cheerful. low urgency But if vomiting repeats, you should consult a veterinarian.

REVIVE Animal Hospital states that white foam often consists of stomach acid and mucus, and PetPlace (reviewed by veterinarian Rhiannon Koehler) states that it can also be found with hairballs or partially digested food. See a doctor if you vomit more than once in 24 hours for several days. There is blood or bile mixed in the foam, stomach pain, lethargy, or not eating or drinking.

Yellow or yellow-green

Short answer: Yellow is mostly bile. It usually comes out when the stomach is empty or the stomach is slightly irritated. If only occasionally and the cat is fine Medium to low urgency But if you frequently vomit bile, you should have it examined by a veterinarian.

Webvet (reviewed by Dr. Pippa Elliott, BVMS MRCVS) states that almost all yellow vomit is bile that comes out when the stomach is empty or irritated. And the yellow-green color is the natural color of bile before mixing with other things. Seek medical attention immediately if vomiting occurs multiple times per day. Continuously for more than 24 hours, lethargic, not eating or having blood in the blood

Webvet also states that frequent vomiting of bile May be in the category of bilious vomiting syndrome, which must be evaluated by a veterinarian.

green

Short answer: Green can be bile, and Webvet rates it as moderate. If you frequently vomit bile, you need to see a veterinarian. REVIVE Animal Hospital states to contact a veterinarian immediately if the foam contains blood. yellow bile or green liquid

We have yet to find a veterinary source that confirms that the green color is caused by eating specific grasses or plants. So I don't want to interpret it myself. If you suspect that your cat has eaten poisonous plants See the first aid guide below.

Brown, including dark brown, similar to coffee grounds

Short answer: Brown things that look like coffee grounds are probably old, partially digested blood. Consider it urgent and see a veterinarian. Simple sugars that are in food pellets may be undigested food. See the section on undigested food grains.

PetPlace (written by veterinarian Dr. Bari Spielman) explains that vomiting blood may be new, bright red blood. or old, partially digested blood that looks like brown coffee grounds. Webvet classifies coffee grounds as urgent and requires a veterinarian to be seen. It states that sometimes it can be something that cats eat. which cannot be separated at home Therefore, you should have it checked by a doctor.

Sugar and smells like feces.

Short answer: If the vomit smells like feces. Contact your veterinarian immediately. Don't wait and see.

The AKC (reviewed by Dr. Jerry Klein, AKC's Chief Veterinarian, in his article on Intestinal Blockages in Dogs) states to contact a veterinarian when vomit smells like feces, contains blood, or contains material resembling coffee grounds. And online veterinary service Dial A Vet states for cats that fecal odor in vomit may indicate an intestinal blockage or severe digestive problems. It is also recommended to see a veterinarian urgently if the cat appears to be in distress or the symptoms do not improve. This information comes from online dog and veterinary services. It is not a direct guide to cat clinics. Therefore, it is only used as a recommendation to see a doctor quickly.

Bright red or blood tinged

Short answer: Blood in vomit is a sign that needs to be seen by your veterinarian quickly. You shouldn't wait.

VCA lists blood in vomit as a symptom that requires immediate veterinary attention. Cornell states that cats vomiting blood should be promptly evaluated by a veterinarian, and MSD states that vomit with blood requires thorough examination. Webvet explains that bright red blood indicates bleeding in the mouth, esophagus, or stomach and is classified as an emergency. If you see blood, take a photo and call the animal hospital.

Incomplete food pellets

Short answer: Food that comes out may come from vomiting. Or it might be retching. If only occasionally the urgency is low. But if it happens again, you should have it examined by a doctor.

Webvet states that indigestion can be caused by eating too quickly, eating too much, or retching, and if this happens again, it must be evaluated. See the next section to determine whether it is vomiting or retching.

hair ball

Short answer: Hairballs that occur for a long time. Sometimes it might be about licking and cleaning yourself normally. But if it happens frequently or if your cat tries to vomit dryly, see a veterinarian.

Cornell explains that a hairball is a round rod of undigested hair. Moistened with bile and gastric juice, MSD recommends seeing a veterinarian if your cat has frequent hairballs or is vomiting repeatedly. Because it may be a more serious disease than a hairball. And in some cases, surgery is required to remove the hairball. Webvet indicates frequent hairballs or dry vomiting. Should be examined by a veterinarian.

clear liquid

Short answer: Clear fluid is usually water or saliva that comes out when the stomach is empty. If it happens only once, the urgency is low. But if it happens frequently or the cat is depressed, it should be examined by a doctor. This information comes from Webvet (reviewed by Dr. Pippa Elliott).

Vomiting and retching How are they different?

Vomiting is the forceful expulsion of something. By contracting the abdominal muscles, VCA describes the contents as liquid, foam, or food. Regurgitation occurs quickly, without abdominal contraction, and usually occurs immediately after eating food or water.

MSD states that retching is a passive movement that does not require force from the abdominal muscles. The food and liquid that comes out are often undigested. It may also be shaped like a rod, following the shape of the esophagus. Webvet provides the same information. If you're not sure, take a video and show it to your veterinarian. But don't let filming slow you down from going to the doctor.

Color isn't the whole answer.

The color only gives a clue. It's not a diagnosis. What's more important is the number of episodes, accompanying symptoms, and the cat's behavior. Cornell recommends prompt evaluation by a veterinarian when vomiting occurs more frequently than once a week or is lethargic, weak, eating decreased, thirsty or urinating. or diarrhea

Danger signs that you shouldn't wait for

Frequently asked questions

My cat vomits white foam, is it dangerous?

White foam is usually caused by stomach acid and mucus when the stomach is empty or the stomach is irritated. If once and the cat is normal low urgency But if you vomit more than once in 24 hours, have blood, are lethargic, or don't eat, contact your veterinarian.

What is yellow cat vomiting?

It is usually bile that comes out when the stomach is empty or the stomach is irritated. If it happens frequently or repeatedly a day, you should see a veterinarian.

Cat vomits blood What must I do?

Contact the animal hospital immediately. Bright red blood or brown blood that looks like coffee grounds are all signs that need to be examined by a doctor quickly. You can take pictures if it doesn't slow you down.

Vomiting smells like feces. Is it dangerous?

Contact your veterinarian immediately. The sources we read said it could be related to an intestinal blockage or severe digestive issues.

Cat vomits food It is vomiting or retching.

If your stomach tightens, it usually causes vomiting. If it comes out quickly, it doesn't tighten the stomach and usually doesn't take long after eating. Often retching If it cannot be separated or if it reoccurs, take a video and show it to the fortune teller.

cat vomiting green Because they eat grass, right?

We have yet to find a veterinary source that confirms this. Green color may be bile If it occurs frequently or if symptoms occur, see a veterinarian.

You can check which trees in your house are dangerous atTool for checking poisonous plants and find hospitals that are open now atList of 24-hour animal clinics

Sources: www.vet.cornell.edu · vcahospitals.com · www.msdvetmanual.com · www.webvet.com · www.webvet.com · www.petplace.com · www.petplace.com · revivevet.com · www.akc.org · www.dialavet.com

More guides

Bringing a dog or cat into Thailand: what the official requirements actually say Leave your cat at a cat hotel and hiring a nanny to take care of the house Which type is suitable for our cat?The cat is breathing heavily, panting, or gasping for breath. What must I do?Cat coughs or retches hairballs. How to tell them apart and when to see a doctor?My cat has diarrhea. When should I see a doctor? And what do you need to see?Cost of raising a cat per month How much is the average?The cat doesn't eat food. How many hours should I wait? And when do I have to see a doctor?My cat has a seizure. What should I do? And when do you have to go in an emergency?How to look at a sick cat: signs that cats hide And when do I have to see a doctor?Cat straining to urinate: is it an emergency?Cat vomiting: when to monitor and when to see a veterinarian Dog's stomach is bloated, retching but not coming out. It might be GDV. What should I do?When a dog has diarrhea, you can wait and see. And when do I have to see a doctor?Dog Heatstroke: Turn Down the Heat First Then rushed to the animal hospital The dog is limping. What kind can you wait and see? And when do I have to see a doctor?Expenses for raising a dog per month What is the difference between small and large breeds?The dog doesn't eat food. How long do I have to wait? And when should you see a doctor?My dog has a seizure. What should I do? And when do you have to go in an emergency?Dog Snakebite First Aid: What to Do and Avoid How do dogs vomit? You can wait and see. And which type do you need to see a doctor for?Emergency vet costs at night in Thailand: is after-hours more expensive?Is horsetail grass toxic to cats and dogs?Kitten has diarrhea In what way do you need to see a doctor immediately?Can You Take a Dog or Cat Into a Bangkok Mall? We Opened 13 Mall Websites What do I need to do in the first 7 days of getting a new kitten?A cat or dog eats poisonous plants. What should you do? How to provide first aid before going to the doctor.Dogs and cats and floods: Prepare, evacuate, and take care after the flood recedes.Dust PM2.5 smog Chiang Mai When do you bring cats and dogs into the house?How much does it cost to keep a cat? Updated prices for cat hotels across Thailand How much does it cost to keep a dog? Updated prices for dog hotels across Thailand