What dry heaving looks like in cats
Dry heaving, also called retching or unproductive vomiting, is when a cat goes through the motions of vomiting but little or nothing comes up. A cat may crouch low with its neck stretched out, make gagging or hacking sounds, and contract its belly. Sometimes a small amount of foam or fluid appears at the end.
An occasional episode in a cat that is otherwise bright, eating, and using the litter box is common. Repeated or frequent heaving is a different matter and is worth a call to your vet.
Heaving, gagging, or coughing?
It can be hard to tell them apart. Heaving usually involves the belly contracting and is tied to the stomach and throat. Coughing is often a quick, hacking sound from the chest, and the cat may crouch with its neck low and extended. Because some respiratory problems, including feline asthma, can look very much like retching, a video of the episode on your phone can help your vet decide which it is.
Common causes of cat heaving
Hairballs
Hairballs are a frequent reason for retching. Fur swallowed while grooming may collect and be brought up. A cat that heaves, produces a hairball, and then acts normally is usually not a concern. A cat that heaves repeatedly and never produces anything is a different situation. If a little foam comes up, see cat throwing up white foam.
Nausea and stomach upset
Eating too fast, a diet change, spoiled food, or a stomach bug can lead to retching. See our article on causes and signs of cat nausea for more.
Foreign objects
Swallowed string, toys, or other items can lodge in the throat or digestive tract. This is a potential emergency, especially if the cat keeps retching, will not eat, or seems painful.
Toxins
Plants, medications, and household chemicals can cause gagging and drooling. If poisoning is possible, contact a vet or an animal poison helpline immediately.
Organ and chronic disease
Kidney disease, liver disease, and inflammatory bowel disease can cause ongoing nausea and retching. Heart disease is also sometimes listed as a cause of gagging-like behavior.
Respiratory conditions
Asthma, airway irritation, or respiratory infections can make a cat cough, gag, or heave. If you notice wheezing, open-mouth breathing, or faster breathing, get veterinary advice quickly.
When to get veterinary help
Call your vet the same day, or go to an emergency clinic, if your cat:
- Retches repeatedly with no hairball
- Seems weak, very tired, or painful
- Refuses food for about 24 hours, or refuses water
- Has trouble breathing, or has pale or bluish gums
- Has a swollen belly or cannot pass stool
- May have swallowed something it should not have
Trouble breathing and suspected poisoning or blockage should be treated as emergencies.
What you can do at home
If your cat has had a single brief episode and then seems normal:
- Watch it closely for the rest of the day.
- Make sure it has fresh water.
- Check for string, hair ties, or other small items it could have swallowed.
- Note how often it happens and what happened beforehand.
Do not give human medications or home remedies without checking with your vet.
What the vet may do
Your vet will examine your cat and ask about frequency, diet, and any hairball history. Depending on what they find, they may recommend X-rays, blood tests, or other diagnostics. Treatment depends on the cause and could include anti-nausea medicine, diet changes, hairball management, or treatment for an underlying disease.
Reducing hairball-related heaving
- Brush your cat regularly, especially if it has long hair.
- Ask your vet whether a hairball-control diet or product suits your cat. Some include added fiber, and our guide on adding fiber to a cat’s diet explains the basics.
- Feed smaller, more frequent meals if your cat eats too quickly.