What Does Orange Cat Vomit Mean – Reason For Concern?

Everyone wants a healthy cat, but sometimes it’s not always the case. Although cats throwing up occurs relatively often, the color if can tell you a lot about it. Especially if you’ve seen your cat have orange vomit, it can be quite concerning. So let’s dive into it; what does orange cat vomit mean?

Orange cat vomit means that your cat is throwing up bile mixed with something that they ate most of the time. However, in some cases, orange cat vomit can occur when your cat takes a new medication.

Considering that orange vomit in cats is abnormal, we recommend always calling and visiting your vet if your cat has this problem. 

What Does It Mean When A Cat Throws Up Orange

Orange cat vomit can indicate that your cat is throwing up bile. Bile in cat vomit can also cause their vomit to be yellow or green in color. Usually, a cat’s vomit is orange and not yellow or green because of what the cat has eaten recently. Some foods or other ingested items can create an orange vomit color when mixed with bile. 

The exact reason why cats sometimes throw up bile is still relatively unknown. However, it is usually an indicator that something is wrong with your cat. A stomach problem or inflammation of the GI tract could cause a cat to throw up bile, and other medical issues and conditions can also cause this. Due to the range of causes and the possibility that your cat may be affected by a medical condition, we always recommend that you take your cat to the vet if they are vomiting a strange color like orange. 

What Does The Color Of Cat Vomit Mean 

We have explained what orange cat vomit means, but what about some other strange cat vomit colors? Here we have a list of potential cat vomit colors and what they mean. 

Yellow Vomit 

Like orange vomit, yellow vomit in cats is usually an indicator that there is bile present in their throw-up. This is usually a sign of a medical issue, so we recommend that you make an appointment with your veterinarian if your cat is throwing up yellow vomit. 

Green Vomit 

Green vomit can also signify that your cat has bile in its vomit. However, sometimes your cat’s vomit can be green simply because they have eaten something that is green in color. As many cat owners know, cats love to eat plants. As a result, it may not necessarily be an emergency if your cat’s vomit is green as long as they have eaten a plant that is safe for cats to eat. However, you should take your cat to the vet if they haven’t eaten anything green or if they have eaten a plant that is potentially unsafe for them. 

Brown Vomit 

Most of the time, cat vomit will be brown. This is because most cat food and treats are brown in color, so when cats throw this up, the vomit will look like brown mush. In some rare instances, brown vomit in cats can also be a sign that there is a small amount of blood in your cat’s throw-up.

We recommend always cleaning your cat’s vomit up with a white paper towel or rag because you will be able to see if there are streaks of red in your cat’s vomit. Although having blood in your cat’s vomit may be relatively rare, it is a sign of a medical emergency that requires immediate veterinary attention. 

Black Vomit 

Black vomit is usually a sign that your cat is bleeding somewhere in its digestive tract. As a result, you should always take your cat to the vet immediately if their vomit is black in color. 

Red Vomit 

Red vomit in cats is a major indicator that there is blood present in your cat’s vomit. As a result, you should take your cat to the vet immediately if they throw up a red vomit or vomit with any red streaks. 

What Color Should Cat Vomit Be

Vomiting in cats is never normal unless your cat is coughing up a hairball. That being said, brown vomit in cats is the most common because most cat food and treats are brown in color. This is usually what hairballs look like because it is a mixture of cat hair and the food that your cat has just eaten.  

What Does Bad Cat Vomit Look Like

Cat vomit is a concern when it is a strange color. This is because an oddly colored cat vomit may be an indicator that there is a medical issue going on with your cat. If your cat’s vomit is especially liquidy, then this is also a sign that your cat needs a vet visit because they are likely throwing up due to a stomach upset or a medical condition.

In addition to this, if there are signs of a foreign body in your cat’s vomit, then this is likely a sign that they need to go to the vet. This is because cats ingesting something that they shouldn’t can quickly become a medical emergency. 

When Should I Be Concerned About My Cat Throwing Up 

There are several reasons why you may be concerned about your cat’s vomit. If it is a strange color or consistency, if there is a sign of a blockage or foreign body, and if your cat has been throwing up over an extended period are all great reasons to take your cat to the vet. 

Things To Consider 

There are some additional things that you should consider when it comes to cats vomiting. These include why cats vomit and when you should see a vet about your cat’s vomiting. Here are some things to consider about your cat’s vomiting. 

Why Do Cats Vomit

Cats may vomit for several different reasons. Usually, vomiting in cats is a sign that something they ate is not sitting right with them. It is possible that they ate some food off the ground or ate their food too quickly. Sometimes vomiting in cats can also signify an illness or blockage. Both of these things will likely require veterinary care for proper treatment. In addition to this, some other medical conditions can cause nausea and vomiting in cats. These conditions always require a vet’s diagnosis and treatment. 

When To See A Vet About Your Cat’s Vomiting 

Some instances where a cat’s vomiting is not necessarily an immediate medical concern. For example, the occasional cat vomit and hairballs are considered to be pretty standard in cats. However, there are also some cases where vomiting in cats is a sign that they have some GI upset or other medical issues requiring a vet’s attention. You should take your cat to the vet about their vomiting if: 

• Their vomit is an unusual color 
• Their vomit is especially runny
• If they show other symptoms of an illness such as lethargy, a fever, diarrhea, etc. 
• If you suspect that they may have a blockage or have eaten a foreign body
• If you suspect that they have eaten something poisonous 
• If they have thrown up multiple times within a short period or have been vomiting for an extended amount of time