Vomiting in dogs

It’s never nice to see your dog being sick. Vomiting in dogs is very common, and in many cases there’s no need to panic, and they’ve usually just eaten something that doesn’t agree with them. Mild sickness often improves within 24 hours or so.

But sometimes vomiting is a sign of something more serious. Knowing the causes of vomiting in dogs and when to seek veterinary help can make all the difference.

In this guide…

1. Causes of vomiting in dogs
2. Symptoms of vomiting in dogs
3. What’s in my dog’s vomit?
4. Treatment for a vomiting dog at home
5. Preventing your dog from being sick
6. Vomiting in dogs: when to worry
7. Key takeaways

Causes of vomiting in dogs

There are a number of different causes of vomiting in dogs ranging from harmless to more serious:

• Food-related: sudden diet changes, overeating, food intolerances, eating too quickly, or ingesting toxic foods like chocolate or grapes.
• Scavenging: eating grass, spoiled food, or foreign objects.
• Situational: as a response to stress, motion sickness, heatstroke, or reaction to medication.
• Parasites: sometimes dogs vomit if they’ve contracted worms or protozoal infections.
• Illness-related: occasionally, vomiting can be a sign of a more serious condition, including gastrointestinal disease, pancreatitis (inflammation of the pancreas), infections, kidney or liver problems, cancer.

Chronic or frequent vomiting often suggests an underlying gastrointestinal problem.

Gastrointestinal problems in dogs

If your dog keeps being sick, it might be as a result of certain gastrointestinal (GI) disorders. These include food allergies, inflammatory bowel disease, pancreatitis, or even stomach blockages.

Signs of GI problems may include persistent vomiting, diarrhoea, bloating, loss of appetite, and excessive drinking. If your dog has ongoing issues, your vet may recommend blood tests, X-rays or scans to get to the root cause.

Visit our D&V hub to learn more about how to manage and treat vomiting and diarrhoea in pets.

Vomiting in puppies

Puppies are particularly prone to upset stomachs. Their immune systems are still developing, and they explore the world with their mouths, which means plenty of chewing and swallowing things they shouldn’t.

Common causes of puppy sickness can include:

• Stress when settling into a new home
• Eating foreign objects or toxic substances
• Sudden diet changes or eating too quickly
• Viral infections (especially before vaccinations are complete)
• Because puppies can become dehydrated much faster than adult dogs, vomiting in a puppy is always worth checking with a vet, especially if it happens more than once.

Symptoms of vomiting in dogs

It can help to know the difference between vomiting and regurgitating to be able to determine what the problem is.

Vomiting is an active process with heaving, abdominal contractions and nausea.

Regurgitation is more passive, with swallowed food or water being brought up quickly without much warning.

Regurgitation often points to problems with the oesophagus, while vomiting is linked to the stomach or intestines. If you’re unsure, record a short video for your vet, as it can really help diagnosis.

How to know if a dog is feeling nauseous 

While you can’t always be ready for a sudden bout of vomiting, there are some tell-tale signs that your dog is about to be sick, including:

• Licking their lips
• Excessive swallowing
• Drooling
• Eating grass
• Eating less than usual
• Retching
• Restlessness
• Neediness

What’s in my dog’s vomit?

It can be hard to know what’s in your dog’s vomit, so here’s some help:

White foam – If your dog is being sick and you notice white foam, it’s likely to be bile (stomach acid). Persistent white foam in vomit should still be treated with caution however.

Blood – If there is blood in their vomit or a coffee-ground appearance to it, then contact your vet immediately. 

Food – Undigested or digested food usually means your dog has wolfed down their food too quickly.

Grass – We know our canine companions can enjoy nibbling on grass, so it’s normal to see it in their vomit from time to time. 

Worms – If your dog has worms, they may vomit them up. 

Treatment for a vomiting dog at home

There isn’t much you can do while your dog is vomiting, apart from comforting them and cleaning up their mess.

After the episode finishes, avoid feeding your dog for at least 12 hours. Then slowly introduce them to small amounts of bland foods such as well-cooked chicken and plain rice, and monitor to ensure their digestive system is settled. Remember to encourage your dog to drink plenty of water if they’ve thrown up.

If your dog keeps being sick, jump to our tips for what to do next.

Is it safe to induce vomiting in dogs?

Even if you think your dog will benefit from being sick, for example, following eating a foreign object, you should never attempt this at home unless under direct vet advice.

Some substances (like caustic cleaners or sharp objects) can cause more damage if vomited back up. Vets use safe medications to induce vomiting in a controlled environment.

Preventing your dog from being sick

If your dog is about to vomit, there isn’t much you can do in the moment - there are, however, various things you can do to help prevent one-off vomiting:

• Being in the know about what your dog can and cannot eat.
• Keeping human medications, poisonous plants and other toxic substances out of wandering paws’ reach.
• Using a slow feeder to help prevent your dog from vomiting after eating.
• Making sure they always have easy access to fresh water.
• Keeping on top of their regular worming and flea treatment to prevent parasites.
• Keeping a close eye on your dog while out and about on your walks, as you never know what might attract them. This way you can stop your dog from eating something they shouldn’t.

Vomiting in dogs: when to worry

If your dog vomits as a one-off and displays no other symptoms of being unwell, then there’s usually no reason to worry.

However, ongoing, repeated, or severe vomiting is something that you should see your vet about. Puppies, older dogs, and dogs with pre-existing health conditions should be checked sooner as they are more vulnerable and therefore more likely to get worse faster than other dogs if it is something serious.

Likewise, if any of the following symptoms are also present, you should contact your vet straight away:

• Abnormal behaviour and signs of stress
• Vomiting with nothing coming up
• Blood in the vomit or stools
• Diarrhoea
• Trembling or shaking
• A fever
• Signs of pain or discomfort
• Seizures
• Lethargy and depression

If your dog keeps being sick but you’re unsure if your dog needs medical attention or are worried about taking your dog in the car right away, you can also contact a vet online. Services like Joii Pet Care allow you to quickly check your dog’s symptoms and get in touch with a qualified veterinary professional at any time of day or night.

Conclusion

Seeing your dog vomiting can be an unpleasant and worrying experience, but knowing the signs and what to do when it happens is key to your dog’s happiness and health.

For more information about dog health, plus tips for caring for your pooch, visit the Dog Advice hub.

Related content

Early signs of illness in dogs
Gastrointestinal problems in dogs
Diarrhoea and vomiting advice hub