What vomiting at the 6-hour mark means for your 5 kg cat
Vomiting appearing this soon after ingestion suggests your cat's system is reacting strongly to the raisin bread. While some cats might show no signs for up to 12 hours, an early vomit means the toxins are already affecting their digestive tract. The timing puts your cat in the moderate-risk window—not the most urgent cases (who vomit within 2 hours), but not the mild ones who process it without symptoms for a full day.
Watch closely for any undigested raisin pieces in the vomit—this confirms how much was actually absorbed. The next 6 hours are critical for monitoring whether the vomiting repeats or changes (like containing bile or blood). Even if the vomiting stops, don't assume the danger has passed—kidney toxins work silently at first.
Why a cat's smaller size changes the risk
At 5 kg, your cat is below the average weight where raisin toxicity studies are typically based (most data comes from dogs over 10 kg). This means the same piece of bread could deliver a higher concentration of toxins per kilogram of body weight. Cats also metabolize certain compounds differently than dogs, though raisin toxicity isn't as well documented in felines.
The smaller body size also means dehydration from vomiting hits faster. Check your cat's gums—if they're tacky instead of slick, or if the skin at their scruff doesn't snap back quickly when gently pulled, they're already losing too much fluid. Kidney damage becomes more likely when dehydration compounds the toxin's effects.
The progression timeline you're now entering
Between 6 and 12 hours post-ingestion is when most cats will either show worsening signs or stabilize. If the vomiting was a one-time event and your cat is still alert, that's cautiously positive—but they're not out of the woods yet. The real test comes in their behavior over the next day: are they seeking water excessively? Are they visiting the litter box less often or producing smaller clumps?
Kidney issues typically announce themselves subtly at first—your cat might sit hunched over or resist being picked up due to abdominal discomfort. Their breath may develop a chemical odor as toxins build up. These changes can be easy to miss if you're not watching for them specifically, which is why hourly checks are better than casual observation.
Why you can't rely on 'wait-and-see' with raisins
Unlike some food toxins where inducing vomiting at home might be suggested, raisins require professional assessment because of their delayed kidney effects. Even if your cat seems fine now, the compounds in raisins can cause a cascade of damage over 48 hours that isn't immediately visible. Blood tests are the only way to catch early kidney stress before it becomes failure.
Since your cat is already symptomatic with vomiting, the window for preventive treatment is closing. Medications to protect the kidneys are most effective when given before signs appear, and IV fluids to flush out toxins work best within the first 12 hours. Don't wait for more severe signs like seizures or collapse—those indicate the toxins have already caused significant damage.
The step-by-step response, from the first minute to the vet visit, is in our Raisin Bread and Baked Goods Poisoning emergency guide.