Why Is My Cat Vomiting After Giving Birth? Causes and What to Do
If your cat is vomiting after giving birth, it is important to pay attention to how often she vomits and whether she has other symptoms. A mother cat has increased nutritional and fluid needs after delivery, especially while nursing kittens, so persistent vomiting should not be ignored.
A single episode of vomiting may have a relatively simple explanation, but repeated vomiting can be associated with dehydration, infection, retained fetal tissue, or other postpartum complications. Knowing the warning signs can help you decide when your cat needs veterinary care.
Is Vomiting Normal After a Cat Gives Birth?
Vomiting is not considered a routine part of recovery after giving birth. Some cats may experience temporary stomach upset because of stress, exhaustion, eating too quickly, or changes surrounding labor and nursing.
However, a mother cat should generally be able to eat, drink, care for her kittens, and gradually recover after delivery. Vomiting that continues or occurs alongside weakness, fever, poor appetite, abnormal vaginal discharge, or other concerning signs requires veterinary attention.
Why Is My Cat Vomiting After Giving Birth?
There are several possible reasons a cat may vomit after delivery.
Stress and Exhaustion
Giving birth is physically demanding. A mother cat may be tired, restless, or stressed after labor, particularly if she is adjusting to caring for several newborn kittens.
Stress can affect appetite and digestion, but significant or repeated vomiting should not automatically be blamed on stress.
Eating Too Quickly After Labor
A cat may be extremely hungry after giving birth and eat a large amount of food quickly. This can upset the stomach and result in vomiting.
Instead of allowing her to consume a very large meal at once, offer frequent, appropriate meals and make sure fresh water is always available.
Sudden Dietary Changes
A sudden change in food or treats can cause digestive upset. After giving birth, it is generally better to keep her diet consistent unless a veterinarian recommends otherwise.
A nursing mother needs a nutritionally appropriate, calorie-dense diet to support milk production and recovery.
Dehydration
Labor and nursing both increase a mother’s fluid requirements. If she is not drinking enough, dehydration can contribute to weakness and may accompany gastrointestinal problems.
Make fresh water easily accessible near her nesting area so she does not have to leave her kittens frequently to drink.
Eating Placental Tissue
Cats commonly consume placentas during or after giving birth. Eating several placentas can sometimes cause temporary digestive upset or vomiting.
If your cat vomits once after consuming placental tissue but otherwise appears healthy, monitor her closely. Continued vomiting or other symptoms should be discussed with a veterinarian.
Retained Placenta or Fetal Tissue
Occasionally, tissue from the pregnancy may remain inside the uterus after delivery. A retained placenta can contribute to postpartum complications and infection.
Possible warning signs include vomiting, loss of appetite, lethargy, fever, abdominal discomfort, or abnormal vaginal discharge.
If you suspect your cat has not delivered all of the placentas or kittens, contact a veterinarian promptly.
Metritis or Uterine Infection
Metritis is an infection of the uterus that can occur after giving birth. It can make a mother cat seriously ill.
Signs may include:
- Vomiting
- Poor appetite
- Lethargy
- Fever
- Abdominal discomfort
- Foul-smelling vaginal discharge
- Reduced interest in her kittens
- Decreased milk production
A suspected uterine infection requires veterinary treatment.
Mastitis
Mastitis is inflammation or infection of the mammary glands. It can develop in a nursing mother and may cause her to become unwell.
Look at the mammary glands for swelling, redness, heat, pain, or unusual milk. Affected cats may also develop fever, lethargy, poor appetite, or vomiting.
If your cat appears sick or a mammary gland looks abnormal, contact your veterinarian.
Low Calcium After Giving Birth
Nursing kittens can place substantial demands on a mother’s calcium metabolism. In some cats, dangerously low blood calcium levels can develop during lactation.
Early signs can include restlessness, weakness, muscle tremors, stiff movement, or rapid breathing. Severe cases can progress to seizures.
Vomiting can occur with serious illness, but the neurological signs are particularly important. If a nursing mother develops tremors, weakness, abnormal movement, or seizures, seek emergency veterinary care.
Gastrointestinal Illness
Vomiting may have nothing to do directly with giving birth. Gastrointestinal infections, parasites, dietary indiscretion, pancreatitis, or other illnesses can also cause vomiting.
If your cat continues vomiting or develops diarrhea, abdominal pain, weakness, or appetite loss, she should be evaluated.
Medication or Anesthesia Effects
If your cat received medication, sedation, or anesthesia during delivery or a veterinary procedure, vomiting may sometimes be associated with medication effects.
Tell your veterinarian exactly what medications or treatments your cat received. Do not give additional medication unless your veterinarian recommends it.
What Should I Do If My Cat Vomits After Giving Birth?
If your cat vomits once and otherwise appears comfortable, alert, and attentive to her kittens, monitor her closely.
Provide fresh water and appropriate food, and keep her nesting area quiet and comfortable. Avoid making sudden changes to her diet.
Pay attention to whether she continues nursing, eating, drinking, and caring for her kittens normally.
If vomiting happens again, record how many times she vomits and what the vomit looks like. This information can be useful when speaking with your veterinarian.
When Should I Call a Veterinarian?
Contact your veterinarian promptly if your cat continues vomiting or you notice other signs of illness.
Seek veterinary care if she:
- Vomits repeatedly
- Cannot keep water down
- Refuses food
- Becomes weak or unusually lethargic
- Has a fever
- Has foul-smelling vaginal discharge
- Has heavy or abnormal bleeding
- Has a painful or swollen abdomen
- Has swollen, hot, painful mammary glands
- Produces abnormal-looking milk
- Stops caring for or nursing her kittens
- Has tremors or muscle weakness
- Has difficulty breathing
- Has seizures
- May have retained a kitten or placenta
A mother cat that is vomiting and becoming weak can deteriorate quickly, particularly while nursing.
Can Vomiting Affect Newborn Kittens?
The main concern is usually the mother’s health. If she is repeatedly vomiting, dehydrated, not eating, or too sick to nurse, her kittens may also be affected because they depend on her for warmth, nutrition, and care.
If the mother cannot nurse properly, contact a veterinarian for guidance on caring for the kittens while the mother receives treatment.
Do not make major feeding changes for newborn kittens without veterinary guidance because very young kittens have specific nutritional and feeding requirements.
How Can You Help Your Cat Recover After Giving Birth?
Give the mother cat a quiet, clean, warm nesting area away from excessive noise and disturbances.
Keep fresh water and appropriate food close to the nesting area. Nursing mothers require substantial nutritional support, so discuss an appropriate diet with your veterinarian.
Monitor her appetite, water intake, energy level, vaginal discharge, mammary glands, and behavior toward the kittens.
Also monitor the kittens. Healthy newborn kittens should nurse regularly and remain warm and active enough for their age.
Frequently Asked Questions
Why is my cat vomiting after giving birth?
A cat may vomit after giving birth because of eating placental tissue, eating too quickly, stress, dehydration, dietary upset, medication effects, or a postpartum complication. Repeated vomiting can also occur with conditions such as uterine infection or other illnesses.
Is it normal for a cat to vomit after giving birth?
Occasional vomiting can happen after delivery, but vomiting is not considered a routine part of postpartum recovery. If it is repeated or accompanied by weakness, poor appetite, fever, abnormal discharge, or other symptoms, contact a veterinarian.
Can eating the placenta make a cat vomit?
Yes. Consuming multiple placentas can sometimes cause digestive upset. A single episode may not be serious if the mother otherwise appears healthy, but continued vomiting requires veterinary attention.
Why is my cat vomiting and not eating after giving birth?
Vomiting combined with loss of appetite is concerning in a mother cat because she needs adequate nutrition and fluids for recovery and milk production. Contact your veterinarian, especially if she also appears weak or lethargic.
Can a uterine infection cause vomiting after giving birth?
Yes. A postpartum uterine infection can cause vomiting along with signs such as fever, lethargy, poor appetite, abdominal discomfort, and foul-smelling vaginal discharge. Veterinary treatment is necessary.
Why is my nursing cat weak and vomiting?
Weakness and vomiting in a nursing mother can have several causes, including dehydration, infection, gastrointestinal illness, or low calcium. If weakness is significant or accompanied by tremors, abnormal movement, or seizures, seek emergency veterinary care.
Conclusion
If your cat is vomiting after giving birth, do not automatically assume it is simply part of recovery. Eating placental tissue, stress, eating too quickly, dietary upset, and dehydration can cause temporary stomach problems, but postpartum complications such as uterine infection, retained tissue, mastitis, or low calcium can also make a mother cat sick.
Monitor her closely, particularly her appetite, water intake, energy level, vaginal discharge, mammary glands, and ability to care for her kittens. Repeated vomiting or vomiting accompanied by weakness, fever, abnormal discharge, tremors, poor appetite, or other concerning symptoms warrants prompt veterinary attention.