Cat Vomit Color Chart: What Every Color Means and When to Worry

Your cat just threw up something strange. Before you panic, check the color. The shade and consistency of cat vomit can tell you a surprising amount about what is going on inside your cat’s body — from a harmless empty stomach to a life-threatening emergency.

We created this cat vomit color chart so you can quickly identify what you are looking at, understand the most likely causes, and know exactly when it is time to call your veterinarian. Bookmark this page — you will want it handy the next time your cat leaves an unpleasant surprise on the carpet.

For a deeper look at why cats vomit in the first place, read our full guide on why your cat is throwing up.

How to Use This Color Chart

When your cat vomits, follow these steps:

1. Stay calm. A single episode of vomiting is common in cats and is not always cause for alarm.
2. Note the color and consistency. Is it liquid, foamy, chunky, or mucus-like? Color is your first clue.
3. Take a photo. Snap a quick picture before you clean it up. Your vet will appreciate the visual reference.
4. Check for foreign objects. Look for pieces of string, rubber bands, plant material, or anything your cat may have swallowed.
5. Monitor your cat. Watch for additional vomiting, lethargy, loss of appetite, diarrhea, or changes in behavior over the next 12 to 24 hours.
6. Use the chart below to match the color and determine urgency.

You can also try our interactive Cat Vomit Color Checker tool for a step-by-step guided assessment.

Cat Vomit Color Chart: Quick Reference

Color	What It Looks Like	Common Causes	Urgency Level
Clear / White	Transparent liquid or white foam	Empty stomach, hairballs, drinking too fast	🟢 Monitor
Yellow / Orange	Bright yellow to deep orange liquid	Bile on empty stomach, skipped meals	🟡 Vet Soon (if recurring)
Green	Green-tinted liquid or chunks	Bile, grass or plant ingestion, gallbladder issue	🟡 Vet Soon
Brown	Light to dark brown, may contain food	Partially digested food, eating too fast	🟢 Monitor (🔴 if very dark)
Pink	Light pink-tinged liquid or foam	Small amount of blood mixed with stomach fluid	🟡 Vet Soon
Red / Bright Blood	Visible red streaks or fully red liquid	Active bleeding in mouth, esophagus, or stomach	🔴 Emergency
Black / Coffee-Ground	Very dark brown or black, gritty texture	Digested blood from upper GI tract	🔴 Emergency
Foam / Frothy	White or yellowish bubbly foam	Empty stomach, hairball attempt, acid reflux	🟢 Monitor (🟡 if frequent)

Clear or White Vomit

Clear or white vomit is one of the most common types you will encounter as a cat owner. It usually looks like a puddle of transparent liquid, sometimes with a slightly frothy or bubbly appearance. This type of vomiting — sometimes described as a cat throwing up clear liquid — typically means your cat’s stomach was empty at the time.

Why it happens. The clear fluid is usually a combination of water, saliva, and gastric juices. Cats may vomit clear liquid when they drink water too quickly, especially after a period without food. It can also be an early sign of a hairball working its way up, before any hair actually appears. Acid reflux is another common trigger.

What to do. If your cat vomits clear liquid once and otherwise acts normal — eating, playing, using the litter box — there is usually no cause for concern. Try offering smaller, more frequent meals. If clear vomiting happens more than two to three times in a single day, or recurs over several days, schedule a vet visit. Persistent clear vomiting can occasionally indicate kidney disease or hyperthyroidism, particularly in senior cats.

For more on this topic, see our detailed article on cat throwing up white foam.

Yellow or Orange Vomit

When your cat is throwing up yellow liquid, you are almost certainly looking at bile. Bile is a digestive fluid produced by the liver and stored in the gallbladder. It is normally released into the small intestine to help digest fats, but when the stomach is empty for too long, bile can back up into the stomach and trigger vomiting.

Why it happens. The most common cause of yellow or orange vomit — often called cat throwing up bile — is simply an empty stomach. Cats that eat only once or twice a day, or cats that skip a meal due to stress or illness, are prone to bile vomiting. The color can range from pale yellow to a deep, almost orange hue depending on concentration.

What to do. Try feeding your cat smaller meals more frequently throughout the day. An automatic feeder that dispenses small portions can help, especially overnight when the gap between meals is longest. If your cat is eating a diet that is too high in calories, consider checking our cat calorie calculator to find the right portion size.

When it is serious. Occasional yellow vomiting that resolves with a meal adjustment is harmless. However, if your cat is throwing up yellow liquid daily, losing weight, or showing signs of nausea like drooling and lip-licking, see your vet. Chronic bile vomiting can be associated with inflammatory bowel disease (IBD), pancreatitis, or liver problems. According to the Cornell Feline Health Center, persistent vomiting of any color warrants a veterinary examination to rule out underlying disease.

Green Vomit

Green vomit in cats can look alarming, but the explanation is often straightforward. When a cat is throwing up green liquid or chunks, the color usually comes from one of two sources: bile with a greenish tint, or ingested plant material.

Why it happens. Many cats nibble on grass or houseplants, and the chlorophyll in these plants can tint the vomit green. Cats often eat grass deliberately to induce vomiting when they feel nauseous. The other common cause is concentrated bile, which can appear green rather than yellow, especially if it has been sitting in the stomach.

What to do. If your cat has access to grass or plants, the green vomit is likely harmless plant material. Make sure any houseplants your cat can reach are non-toxic — lilies, for example, are extremely dangerous to cats. If there is no plant access and the green vomit is liquid, it is likely bile, and you should follow the same approach as for yellow vomit: smaller, more frequent meals.

When it is serious. Green vomit combined with diarrhea, lethargy, or complete refusal to eat could signal a gastrointestinal obstruction or a more serious issue with the gallbladder or intestines. If your cat is also experiencing digestive upset on the other end, check our cat diarrhea guide and contact your vet.

Brown Vomit

Brown vomit is extremely common in cats and usually means your cat has thrown up partially digested food. If you can still identify bits of kibble or wet food in the vomit, that is generally what you are seeing — food that made it to the stomach but did not stay long.

Why it happens. Cats that eat too fast are the number one culprits for brown vomit. They gulp down their food without chewing, the stomach gets overloaded, and everything comes right back up. Food sensitivities, sudden diet changes, and eating right after vigorous play can also cause brown vomit. The brown color simply comes from the food itself, mixed with digestive fluids.

What to do. Slow-feeder bowls and puzzle feeders can dramatically reduce vomiting caused by fast eating. If you recently changed your cat’s food, transition gradually over seven to ten days by mixing increasing amounts of the new food with the old. Keep an eye on your cat’s weight using our cat weight chart — frequent vomiting after meals can lead to gradual weight loss if your cat is not absorbing enough nutrition.

When it is serious. Light to medium brown vomit containing recognizable food is usually harmless. However, very dark brown vomit that does not contain visible food is a red flag. Dark brown vomit can sometimes indicate partially digested blood, especially if it has a grainy or coffee-ground-like texture. If the brown vomit is unusually dark and you cannot identify food in it, treat it as potentially serious and see the section on black vomit below.

Pink Vomit

Pink-tinged vomit means there is likely a small amount of blood mixed in with the stomach contents or fluid. When a cat is throwing up pink liquid, it can be unsettling, but the amount of blood is usually minimal.

Why it happens. A tiny amount of blood can come from mild irritation in the esophagus or stomach lining, often caused by the act of vomiting itself. If your cat has been vomiting repeatedly, the strain can cause small blood vessels in the esophageal lining to break. Minor oral injuries — from chewing on something sharp, a recent dental procedure, or inflamed gums — can also tint the vomit pink.

What to do. A single episode of pink vomit that does not recur is usually not an emergency, but it does warrant a vet appointment within the next day or two. Your vet may want to check for gastric ulcers, esophagitis, or dental disease. Do not give your cat any human medications like antacids or pain relievers unless specifically directed by your veterinarian.

When it is serious. If pink vomit becomes brighter red, increases in frequency, or is accompanied by black tarry stools, escalate immediately to emergency care. Pink vomit is a warning signal — it tells you there is some bleeding happening, and you need to determine whether it is minor irritation or the beginning of something more significant.

Red Vomit or Blood in Vomit

This is an emergency. If your cat is throwing up blood — whether it is bright red streaks, fully red liquid, or obvious blood clots — seek veterinary care immediately. Do not wait to “see if it gets better.”

Why it happens. Bright red blood in vomit (hematemesis) indicates active bleeding somewhere in the upper gastrointestinal tract: the mouth, esophagus, or stomach. Common causes include gastric ulcers, severe gastritis, ingestion of a foreign object that has caused internal damage, poisoning (especially from rodenticides or NSAIDs), or tumors. The American Association of Feline Practitioners (AAFP) lists bloody vomiting as a clinical sign that requires urgent evaluation.

What to do right now:

• Do not feed your cat until you have spoken with a veterinarian.
• Check your cat’s gums. Pale or white gums indicate significant blood loss and critical emergency.
• Look for other bleeding — bloody stool, blood in urine, or bleeding from the nose or mouth.
• Bring a sample or photo of the vomit to the emergency clinic.
• Note any possible toxin exposure — did your cat have access to lilies, rodent poison, human medications, or chemicals?

Time matters. Internal bleeding can escalate rapidly in cats. If your regular vet is closed, go to an emergency animal hospital. Do not wait until morning.

Black or Dark Brown Vomit

This is also an emergency. Black or very dark brown vomit with a gritty, coffee-ground-like texture is one of the most dangerous types of cat vomit. It typically indicates digested blood from the upper gastrointestinal tract.

Why it happens. When blood enters the stomach and is partially digested by stomach acid, it turns dark brown or black. This means the bleeding has been occurring for some time — long enough for the blood to be broken down by gastric fluids. Possible causes include bleeding stomach ulcers, tumors in the stomach or upper intestine, severe gastritis, or complications from chronic NSAID use. According to the Cornell Feline Health Center, coffee-ground vomit should be treated as seriously as bright red blood.

What to do. Follow the same emergency steps as for red vomit. Get to a veterinarian as soon as possible. Black vomit is particularly concerning because it suggests the bleeding may have been going on for a while undetected, and your cat may have already lost a significant amount of blood.

Important distinction: Do not confuse dark brown vomit from digested food (like dark-colored kibble) with coffee-ground vomit from digested blood. Food-based brown vomit will contain recognizable food pieces. Blood-based dark vomit will look grainy and gritty, similar to wet coffee grounds.

Foamy or Frothy Vomit

Foamy or frothy vomit is one of the most common types cat owners encounter. It looks like a pile of white or yellowish bubbles and can range from a small amount to a surprisingly large foamy puddle. This is what people often describe as a cat throwing up foam.

Why it happens. Foam forms when air gets mixed with gastric fluids in an empty stomach. The most common triggers include:

• Empty stomach: Cats that have not eaten for several hours may vomit foam, especially in the early morning.
• Hairball attempts: Sometimes a cat gags and produces foam when trying to bring up a hairball but cannot quite get it out. If your cat frequently produces foam with gagging, a cat hairball remedy may help.
• Acid reflux: Excess stomach acid can cause foamy vomiting, particularly if it becomes a regular pattern.
• Stress or anxiety: Some cats vomit foam when they are stressed by changes in their environment.

What to do. Occasional foamy vomit is usually harmless. Try the same small-frequent-meals approach recommended for bile vomiting. Regular brushing can reduce hairball-related foam by removing loose fur before your cat ingests it. If foamy vomiting happens more than once a week, see your vet to rule out conditions like IBD or chronic gastritis.

Undigested Food in Vomit

If your cat throws up whole kibble pieces or chunks of wet food that look almost exactly like they did going in, the food likely never made it past the esophagus — a process called regurgitation, which is technically different from vomiting.

Why it happens. True regurgitation (undigested food coming up within minutes of eating) is usually caused by eating too fast, eating too much at once, or esophageal issues like megaesophagus. Vomiting of partially digested food (food that has been in the stomach for a while) is more likely caused by food intolerance, gastritis, or motility issues.

What to do. For fast eaters, a slow-feeder bowl is often the simplest fix. Elevating the food bowl slightly can also help. If your cat is on a calorie-dense diet, they may be getting too much food per meal — use our cat calorie calculator to check. If regurgitation persists despite slowing down meals, a vet visit is important to check for esophageal abnormalities.

When it is serious. Frequent regurgitation that does not improve with slow feeding warrants investigation. In kittens, a condition called persistent right aortic arch can cause chronic regurgitation. In adult cats, esophageal strictures or tumors are possible but less common causes.

When to Rush to the Emergency Vet

Not every vomiting episode requires emergency care, but the following red flags mean you should not wait:

• Blood in vomit — bright red, dark red, or coffee-ground texture
• Black or very dark vomit that is not explained by food color
• Vomiting multiple times per hour or continuous retching
• Vomiting combined with inability to keep water down for more than 12 hours
• Known or suspected toxin ingestion — lilies, antifreeze, rodent poison, human medications
• Vomiting with a distended or painful abdomen — could indicate obstruction
• Vomiting with pale or white gums — indicates shock or blood loss
• Vomiting combined with diarrhea, lethargy, and refusal to eat lasting more than 24 hours
• String, ribbon, or thread visible in the vomit or hanging from the mouth (never pull it out — let the vet handle it)
• Your cat is a kitten or senior — young and old cats dehydrate dangerously fast

When in doubt, call your vet or an emergency animal hospital. It is always better to make an unnecessary phone call than to wait too long.

What to Tell Your Vet

When you contact your veterinarian about vomiting, having the following information ready will help them assess the situation faster:

• Color and consistency of the vomit (show the photo you took)
• How many times your cat has vomited and over what time period
• When your cat last ate and what they ate
• Any recent changes — new food, new household member, renovation, travel, new medication
• Other symptoms — diarrhea, lethargy, hiding, drinking more or less water, weight loss
• Access to toxins — plants, chemicals, human food, medications left out
• Your cat’s age and health history — chronic conditions, current medications
• Litter box changes — any difference in urination or stool

The more details you provide, the faster your vet can narrow down the cause and recommend next steps.

Try Our Cat Vomit Color Checker Tool

Still unsure about what your cat’s vomit means? We built an interactive tool to help you assess the situation step by step. Our Cat Vomit Color Checker walks you through a series of simple questions about color, consistency, frequency, and accompanying symptoms, then gives you a personalized urgency assessment and recommended next steps.

It is not a substitute for veterinary advice, but it can help you decide whether to monitor at home or head to the clinic right now.

Use the Cat Vomit Color Checker now

FAQ

How often is it normal for a cat to vomit?

The occasional vomit — once or twice a month — is generally considered normal for most cats, according to the Cornell Feline Health Center. However, “normal” does not mean “ideal.” If your cat vomits regularly, even if it seems minor, mention it at your next vet visit. Chronic low-grade vomiting can be a sign of food intolerance, IBD, or other conditions that benefit from early treatment.

Should I feed my cat after they vomit?

Wait at least two to four hours after a vomiting episode before offering a small amount of bland food, such as plain boiled chicken or a veterinary-recommended gastrointestinal diet. If your cat keeps that down, gradually return to their regular food over the next 24 hours. If vomiting resumes when food is reintroduced, withhold food and contact your vet.

Can cat vomit color change depending on what they ate?

Absolutely. Food dye in certain kibble brands can tint vomit red, orange, or brown. Grass will make it green. This is why looking at consistency and texture is just as important as color. Grainy, coffee-ground texture is always concerning regardless of what your cat ate, because it suggests digested blood.

Is hairball vomiting different from regular vomiting?

Yes. Hairball vomiting typically involves prolonged gagging and retching before the cat produces a tubular, compressed mass of fur, often surrounded by a small amount of foam or bile. If your cat is gagging frequently but not producing a hairball, they may need help — see our cat hairball remedy guide for prevention tips.

When should I worry about a kitten vomiting?

Kittens are more vulnerable than adult cats because they dehydrate quickly and have less physiological reserve. Any kitten that vomits more than once in a 24-hour period, refuses food, or appears lethargic should be seen by a vet the same day. Kittens are also more likely to swallow foreign objects like string, rubber bands, or small toys, which can cause life-threatening intestinal blockages.