Why Dogs Throw Up
Vomiting is a common sign of an irritated stomach and inflamed intestines, or gastrointestinal upset in dogs.
Almost every dog owner understands that seeing dogs vomit is unpleasant and can be distressing. It is your pet's way of emptying their stomach of indigestible material to keep it from accumulating in their system or reaching other parts of their body.
Causes of Vomiting in Dogs
There are a number of things that can cause a dog to vomit, and sometimes even healthy dogs will fall ill for no apparent reason and recover quickly.
It's possible that your dog ate too quickly, too much grass, or something that their stomach doesn't like. This type of vomiting may occur once and be followed by no other symptoms. As a result, vomiting in dogs is not always a cause for alarm.
That said, potential causes of acute vomiting (sudden or severe) can be related to diseases, disorders, or health complications such as:
- Heatstroke
- Ingestion of poisons, toxins, or food
- Bloat
- Reaction to medication
- Bacterial or viral infection
- Kidney failure
- Liver failure
- Pancreatitis
- Change in diet
When To Worry About Vomiting in Dogs
Most dogs vomit on occasion. If your dog vomits once or twice, has no other symptoms, and then returns to normal, there is probably nothing to be concerned about. (However, we still recommend calling your veterinarian to notify them.).
That said, in some cases, vomiting can be a clear indication of a serious medical issue that needs urgent care. Contact your vet right away if you see any of these signs:
- Vomiting in conjunction with other symptoms such as lethargy, weight loss, fever, anemia, etc.
- Suspected ingestion of a foreign body (such as food, objects, children’s toy, etc.)
- Vomiting a lot at one time
- Vomiting/dry heaving with nothing coming up
- Vomiting blood
- Chronic vomiting
- Continuous, repeated, or recurring vomiting
- Vomiting accompanied by bloody diarrhea
- Seizures
- If vomit appears foamy, or bright green (See below for details)
Chronic Vomiting
If your dog has been vomiting frequently or if it has become a long-term or chronic problem, you should be concerned, especially if you have observed symptoms such as abdominal pain, depression, dehydration, blood, poor appetite, fever, weakness, weight loss, or other unusual behaviors.
Long-term, recurrent vomiting can be caused by:
- Cancer
- Liver or kidney failure
- Uterine infection
- Constipation
- Intestinal obstruction
- Colitis
As a cautious pet owner, it’s always best to prioritize safety and caution when it comes to your pup’s health. The best way to learn whether your dog’s vomiting is normal or not is to contact your vet.
How to Induce Vomiting in Dogs
Panicked owners frequently search for "how to induce vomiting in dogs." Toxins cause gastrointestinal upset, but they can also cause serious damage when they are absorbed into the bloodstream and enter the tissues. Decontamination aims to remove the toxin from the body before it can be absorbed. Toxicology can be avoided if vomiting is induced before the toxin is absorbed by the intestine.
That said, dog owners should know that inducing vomiting at home is not advised except under extreme circumstances!
Deciding whether your pooch should be induced at home depends on what and how much your dog has consumed, and how much time has passed - there's a chance that the substance or amount consumed wasn't toxic, so inducing vomiting wouldn't be necessary.
Though vomiting can safely bring most toxins to the surface, a few will cause more damage if they pass through the esophagus a second time before moving through the GI tract. Bleach, cleaning products, caustic chemicals, and petroleum-based products are examples.
Also, if 3% hydrogen peroxide (the only safe home substance that can be used to induce vomiting in dogs) is incorrectly administered, it can enter the lungs and cause significant problems such as pneumonia.
If your dog has a pre-existing health condition or there are other symptoms, inducing vomiting may result in other health risks. If induced vomiting is necessary, having a qualified veterinarian induce vomiting in-clinic is preferable.
How Veterinarians Induce Vomiting
At Queens Animal Hospital, we carefully examine your dog to determine if vomiting is safe for them. If it is determined that this action should be taken, a special medication with low side effects is used (rather than hydrogen peroxide). If your dog experiences any side effects, we are prepared to provide appropriate care and medication.
What To Do If You Suspect Your Dog Has Ingested a Toxin
The best thing to do if you are concerned about your dog's vomiting, or if you suspect that your dog has ingested a toxic substance, is to immediately contact your veterinarian or emergency vet, or call Poison Control for more advice.
What To Do If You Determine That Your Dog's Vomiting Is Not an Emergency
If you believe your dog's vomiting is not serious, you can do a few things to help soothe his upset stomach. Of course, we recommend that you contact your veterinarian to let them know what's going on; your veterinarian knows your dog best and may be able to advise you on how to best deal with your dog's stomach issues. However, many veterinarians recommend the following treatments for mild gastric upset in dogs:
- Skip your dog's next meal then provide a smaller portion for the following meal. If your dog does not vomit again return to normal feeding.
- Provide your dog with a light on-the-stomach GI formula dog food from your vet's office to help ease them back to normal eating.
- Make your dog a light meal of cooked chicken and boiled rice and feed it in small portions.
- Provide your dog with plenty of fresh water to stay hydrated.
- If your dog is not back to normal within 24 hours call your vet to book an examination for your pup.
Note: The advice provided in this post is intended for informational purposes and does not constitute medical advice regarding pets. For an accurate diagnosis of your pet's condition, please make an appointment with your vet.