Dog Vomiting: What to Watch and When to See a Vet

Most dog owners have dealt with vomiting at some point. Sometimes it is simply from eating too fast, and the dog is back to normal a minute later. But vomiting can also be the first sign of something serious, such as an intestinal blockage, poisoning or an infectious disease. This guide explains what to observe, how to care for your dog at home, and when not to wait any longer.

Vomiting and regurgitation are not the same

First, learn to tell vomiting from regurgitation, because your veterinarian will ask about it.

• Vomiting: there are usually warning signs such as drooling, lip licking and pacing, followed by strong, repeated abdominal heaving before food comes up. The material is often partly digested and may contain yellow fluid.
• Regurgitation: food comes back up gently, with little or no effort, often right after eating. It still looks like the food that was eaten, sometimes tube-shaped and coated in mucus.
• Coughing up: some dogs cough hard and then bring up white foam, which is easily mistaken for vomiting. This usually points to a respiratory problem.

Repeated regurgitation can be related to the esophagus and also needs a vet check. If you are unsure, record a short video to show your veterinarian.

Common causes

Vomiting is a symptom, not a disease. There are many possible causes, from mild to serious:

• Eating too fast or too much, or exercising hard right after a meal.
• A sudden change of food, unfamiliar food, greasy leftovers, spoiled food or raiding the trash.
• Swallowing a foreign object such as bones, corn cobs, toys, socks or hair ties. This is a common cause of intestinal blockage.
• Eating something toxic, such as human medicines, rat poison, or certain foods and houseplants that are toxic to dogs.
• Infectious diseases, especially in puppies that are not fully vaccinated.
• Intestinal worms; you may occasionally see worms in the vomit.
• Internal medical conditions such as pancreatitis, liver disease, kidney disease or hormonal disorders.
• Motion sickness on long trips, or stress.

What to watch and write down

Careful observation helps your veterinarian reach a diagnosis faster. Make a note of:

1. How many times your dog has vomited and how far apart.
2. What the vomit looks like: undigested food, yellow fluid, white foam, fresh red blood, dark brown material like coffee grounds, foreign objects or worms.
3. When it happens in relation to meals.
4. General mood: is your dog still bright, hungry and playful, or dull and lying in one spot?
5. Other signs: diarrhea, a bloated belly, pain when the belly is touched, fever, or unusually heavy drinking.
6. Anything your dog may have eaten in the last day or two, including items missing around the house.

Taking a photo of the vomit before cleaning it up is very useful. If you suspect your dog swallowed medicine or a chemical, keep the packaging.

Home care for mild vomiting

If an adult dog vomits once or twice and is still alert, with none of the warning signs listed at the end of this article, you can monitor at home for a short time:

• Let the stomach rest for a few hours. Don't offer food right after vomiting.
• Offer water slowly, a little at a time. If the water comes straight back up, that is a sign your dog needs a vet.
• When reintroducing food, choose something bland and easy to digest in small portions. Ask your veterinarian how long to wait and what to feed, especially for small dogs, older dogs or dogs with existing health problems.
• Return to the usual food gradually over a few days once your dog is better.
• Don't give any medicine on your own, whether anti-nausea, stomach remedies or human drugs. Some human medicines are very toxic to dogs. Use any medication only as directed by your veterinarian.
• Don't try to make your dog vomit with salt, soapy water or any home remedy if you suspect poisoning. Call your veterinarian instead.

Puppies, very small dogs and senior dogs dehydrate much faster. For these dogs, don't wait long at home.

When to see a vet

Take your dog to a vet right away, or call your veterinarian, if you notice any of the following:

• Vomiting several times in a day, or vomiting that lasts more than a day.
• Vomiting blood, or dark brown vomit that looks like coffee grounds.
• Retching without bringing anything up, a tight swollen belly, restlessness or rapid breathing. This can be an emergency, especially in large, deep-chested breeds.
• A suspected swallowed object or poison, even if your dog shows no symptoms yet.
• Vomiting with diarrhea, especially bloody diarrhea, fever, lethargy or loss of appetite.
• Vomiting up water as soon as it is drunk, dry or pale gums, or sunken eyes.
• Any vomiting in a puppy, a senior dog or a dog with a chronic illness.
• Vomiting that keeps coming back over a few weeks, even if each episode seems mild.

Don't hesitate to see a vet early. With vomiting, early care often means simpler treatment and a faster recovery.