Dog Vomiting: Causes and What to Do When Your Dog Throws Up

Seeing your dog throw up can be pretty scary, especially when you’re not sure if it’s just a little upset tummy or something more serious. Dogs can vomit up for all sorts of reasons, sometimes it’s just from eating too fast or sneaking a bite of something they shouldn’t, but other times it could be a sign of a health problem.

As a pet owner, it’s important to know when a simple episode is nothing to worry about and when it’s time to take action. Learning about the common causes, spotting red flags, and knowing the right steps to take can give you peace of mind and help keep your dog safe and healthy. Read on to find out what might be behind your dog’s vomiting and when you should call the vet.

Understanding Dog Vomiting

When your dog is throwing up, it helps to know whether it’s regurgitation or true vomiting. Regurgitation is more passive; your dog simply brings up ingested food without much effort. Vomiting, on the other hand, involves stronger abdominal contractions and often contains bile. Telling them apart gives you, as a dog owner, a better idea of the possible underlying cause.

Before an episode, a vomiting dog might show symptoms like drooling, lip-licking, or swallowing over and over. Now, occasional vomiting can happen even in healthy dogs; sometimes, they just ate something that didn’t sit right. But if your dog’s vomiting becomes frequent, that’s often a sign of something more serious, and it’s best to call your veterinarian.

The colour and consistency of vomit can tell you a lot:

• Yellow: Usually bile, especially when a dog is vomiting on an empty stomach. A single episode may not be alarming, but frequent episodes may suggest acid reflux or stomach irritation.
• Red: Any sign of blood should raise concern. This is a sign of something more serious, and your dog may need urgent care.
• Brown: Might mean your dog ate something odd, but if it looks like coffee grounds, that can mean something more serious. It can be linked to ulcers or internal bleeding, a definite reason to see a vet.
• White foamy: Often linked to mild indigestion, acid buildup, or irritation from eating too quickly. However, persistent foamy vomit can also point to gastritis, kennel cough (if mucus is involved), or other ongoing irritation.

Timing patterns matter too. If your dog vomits right after eating, it might just mean they ingested food too quickly. Vomiting during the night or several times within 24 hours could point to acute vomiting or even chronic vomiting, both of which may need urgent veterinary attention.

Common Causes of Vomiting in Dogs

Dietary issues

Sometimes, vomiting is linked to what your dog eats or how their stomach reacts to it.

• Eating too much grass can upset the stomach and make your dog vomit.
• Sneaking in human food often leads to greasy messes and may cause your dog to start vomiting.
• Food sensitivities or inflammation of the stomach can trigger repeated nausea and vomiting.

In mild cases, you can withhold food for a few hours, then feed your dog bland food like boiled chicken and rice.

Medical conditions

If vomiting doesn’t stop or happens frequently, it might be linked to an underlying health issue. Some of the more serious medical causes include:

• Inflammatory bowel disease often causes chronic vomiting and discomfort.
• Pancreatitis can make your dog sick quickly and usually needs veterinary care.
• Liver or kidney failure is a serious medical issue that can lead to persistent vomiting.
• Parasitic infections are another common cause of your dog’s nausea and vomiting.

If vomiting continues, it’s best to call for help and book an appointment with your vet right away.

External factors

Not all vomiting comes from food or illness, sometimes, outside influences are to blame.

• Swallowing a foreign body such as a toy, sock, or bone that blocks the stomach.
• Ingesting toxic substances like chemicals, plants, or unsafe foods such as chocolate.
• Medication reactions, since vomiting may also happen as a side effect.

In these cases, monitor your dog’s food and water intake and act quickly to stop vomiting from getting worse.

You know your dog best. Keep an eye out for things like your dog losing their appetite, feeling nauseous, or throwing up even when they haven’t eaten. If something seems off, it’s a good idea to get your vet involved.

When to Worry About Your Dog Vomiting

It’s normal for dogs to throw up every now and then, but there are certain signs you should never ignore. Reach out to your vet right away if you notice any of the following:

Blood in their vomit

Even a tiny streak of blood isn’t normal. It might be something minor, like stomach irritation, but it could also be a sign of ulcers or more serious internal problems.

Severe lethargy

If your dog seems unusually weak, tired, or just “not themselves” along with vomiting, that’s a red flag worth getting checked.

Projectile vomiting

Vomit that comes out forcefully is different from a simple upset stomach. It may mean an obstruction or other urgent problem.

Vomiting and diarrhea together

When both happen at the same time, dehydration can set in fast. This combo could indicate a more serious infection, poisoning, or other illness.

Multiple vomiting episodes

One episode might pass, but repeated vomiting episodes in a short time should prompt a call to your vet right away.

Dehydration

Keep an eye out for dry gums, sunken eyes, or your dog drinking more water than usual. These are signs they’re losing too many fluids.

Any of these symptoms could indicate a more serious condition. If your dog keeps vomiting or shows no other symptoms but just won’t stop throwing up, don’t wait it out; make an appointment with your veterinarian to be safe.

What to Do When Your Dog Throws Up

If your dog has an upset stomach, there are a few treatment at home steps you can try before rushing off to the clinic.

Steps for Treatment At-Home

• Stop feeding for about 6–12 hours to give their stomach a chance to settle.
• Offer a small amount of water to prevent dehydration, but don’t let them gulp down too much at once.
• Keep your dog somewhere calm and quiet so they can rest without any stress.
• Monitor closely for any changes, especially if the vomiting continues or gets worse.

After the Fasting Period

• Start with a bland diet such as boiled chicken mixed with white rice. This is gentle on their stomach and helps ease digestion.
• Slowly return to normal feeding once your dog can keep the bland meals down without issue.

Always remember, you should take your dog to the vet if the vomiting doesn’t stop within a day, or if other concerning symptoms appear.

Professional Dog Vomiting Treatment Options

If at-home care doesn’t help or the vomiting is more serious, your veterinarian will step in with professional care tailored to your dog’s needs. Here’s what usually happens during the visit:

• Examine your dog: The vet will give your dog a thorough physical exam, checking their abdomen, hydration levels, and overall condition to look for signs of pain, illness, or blockages.
• Run diagnostic tests: Depending on what the vet suspects, they may order bloodwork, X-rays, or stool tests to figure out the root cause of the vomiting. This helps rule out more serious conditions.
• Follow proper treatment: Your vet will suggest the best plan based on the test results. This may include dietary changes, anti-nausea care, or other treatments suited to your dog’s specific issue.
• Administer fluid therapy: If your dog is dehydrated or has lost a lot of fluids, the vet may give IV fluids or subcutaneous fluids to stabilize them and prevent further complications.
• Prescribe appropriate medications: Your vet might provide medicine to reduce nausea, fight infections, or address underlying issues such as ulcers or parasites.
• Schedule follow-up care: Recovery doesn’t always stop after the first visit. Your vet will likely schedule follow-ups to make sure your dog is healing well and not experiencing recurring problems.

Final Thoughts

Vomiting in dogs is fairly common, but it’s not something to brush off. While some episodes are harmless and pass quickly, frequent or severe vomiting could signal a more serious issue that needs a vet’s attention. Keep an eye on how often it happens, how your pup is acting, and any other symptoms.

If something feels off, it’s always smarter to check in with your vet instead of waiting it out. Catching things early can help your dog feel better sooner and stop small problems from turning into big ones.

Frequently Asked Questions

When should I take my dog to the vet for vomiting?

If your dog keeps vomiting or acts strangely, it’s important to know when it’s time to contact your vet.

Observe for severity: Vomiting that persists or worsens could mean your dog is sick and needs attention.

Look for warning signs: Blood in vomit, severe lethargy, or projectile vomiting are red flags.

Check for dehydration: Dry gums, sunken eyes, or excessive drinking may indicate fluid loss.

Monitor frequency: Dogs will vomit occasionally, but multiple episodes within 24 hours warrant concern.

Call your vet: Early veterinary care helps prevent complications and speeds recovery.

What causes vomiting in dogs?

Understanding why your dog throws up can help you take the right steps.

Dietary triggers: Sometimes vomiting is caused by eating grass, human food, or food your dog is sensitive to.

Medical conditions: Chronic vomiting may be linked to IBD, pancreatitis, or liver and kidney issues.

External factors: Foreign objects, toxins, or medications can prompt sudden vomiting.

Eating habits: Eating too fast or ingesting unusual foods may upset your dog’s stomach.

Age and health: Puppies, seniors, and dogs with underlying health issues are more prone to vomiting.

How can I safely treat my vomiting dog at home?

You can manage mild vomiting at home while monitoring your pet’s recovery.

Fasting period: Give your dog a break from food for a bit so their stomach can calm down.

Hydration: Offer small sips of water slowly to keep them from getting dehydrated.

Rest environment: Keep your dog calm and comfortable during recovery.

Bland diet: Introduce boiled chicken and rice after the fasting period.

Monitor symptoms: If vomiting continues for a day or two, call the vet immediately.

What role does dog food play in preventing vomiting?

Proper nutrition can reduce the risk of frequent vomiting and digestive upset.

Sensitive stomach diets: Pick dog food that’s gentle on the tummy if your dog tends to vomit.

Avoid human food: Avoid giving table scraps or anything that might upset your dog’s stomach.

Monitor portion sizes: Too much food at once can lead to vomiting or an upset tummy.

Gradual diet changes: Introduce new dog food slowly to prevent nausea.

Regular feeding schedule: Feeding at regular times helps keep your dog’s digestion steady.

How do I know if my dog’s vomiting is serious?

Not every bout of vomiting means a trip to the emergency vet, but some signs shouldn’t be ignored.

Frequency matters: If your dog is throwing up every day or over and over again, it’s definitely a red flag.

Appearance of vomit: Red, coffee-ground-like, or bile-colored vomit may signal serious illness.

Behaviour changes: Lethargy, loss of appetite, or unusual behaviour show that your dog may be sick.

Complications: Vomiting paired with diarrhea or dehydration can escalate quickly.

Call the vet: When symptoms persist despite treatment at home, your vet can provide effective treatment and diagnostics.