Understanding Dog Vomiting - Causes, Symptoms, and Home Remedies

As a pet parent, you go out of your way to ensure your furry companion is safe, happy, and healthy. You even go the extra mile to pamper them more than you would care for yourself! Despite your best efforts, your much-loved dog would fall ill and vomiting is one of the most distressing symptoms. While an occasional episode is usually not a cause for alarm, it is necessary to understand the causes, types, symptoms, and remedies for dog vomiting. This blog is aimed at helping you understand what you can do to alleviate your buddy’s symptoms and when you should be worried and make an emergency trip to the vet. We wish your furry one loads of health and happiness in their life!

Top Causes of Dog Vomiting

While there are several factors behind vomiting in dogs, here is a list of some top/common causes for your dog throwing up:

• Accidental consumption of substances such as chocolates, garbage, toxic plants/objects, harmful chemicals, foods that don’t suit their digestive system, and others
• Kidney or Liver Failures
• Pancreatitis
• An abrupt change in diet 
• Intestinal parasites or worms
• Viral Infections
• Bacterial Infections
• Side adverse effects of prescribed medication
• Bloating and twisted stomach syndrome (GDV)
• Heatstroke 
• Motion Sickness - some dogs experience this during travel and even car rides. There are several mild medications to combat motion sickness. Check with your vet and administer the recommended one to your pet before travelling. 
• Stress or Anxiety - A sensitive dog could feel emotionally distressed more than and more often than others, and one of the reactions is vomiting. Check with your vet about how best to combat this. 

Your attention plays a critical role in assessing the health of your pet and assisting the veterinarian in ascertaining the cause of your dog's vomiting. Observing your pet’s movements can significantly help the vet to narrow down on a few potential causes for your dog’s ill health.  Your dog looking ill and vomiting after being outdoors for an extended period when it is warm, would be an indicator that your pet could be suffering from a heat stroke. Or if your dog has been running around in an area with grass, plants, or garbage, and begins to vomit, this could mean that your pet may have ingested some toxic/foreign object.  Your alertness and observation can help your vet to make a quick and accurate diagnosis of the cause, and administer the right treatment. Together, your vet and you can make your pet companion’s life happier and healthier - we also, are your partners in this beautiful journey. 

Is Vomiting In Dogs Serious?

The reason for the vomiting will determine the seriousness of your pet’s ill health.  Several cases of dog vomiting clear up within 24 hours of their occurrence, without any medication. If vomiting persists for longer, and your dog shows visible signs of extreme discomfort, it would be necessary to seek medical assistance. However, it is vital to remain calm and comfort your dog - your anxiety is easily ‘read’ by these beautiful companions, and could elevate your dog’s discomfort. If vomiting is accompanied by fever, pain in the abdomen, irritability or lethargy, loss of appetite, dehydration, or blood in the vomit, you should seek your vet’s advice. Prompt consultation will help begin the necessary treatment. 

Identifying and Understanding Dog Vomit Types:

1. Appearance of Dog Vomit

• Coarse: This is usually related to food and is often semi-liquid with a granular texture. There could be blood in this vomit.
• Lumpy and Thick: Mostly related to dietary inadequacy or irritation caused by some food. This type of dog vomit will contain whole pieces of food - unchewed and undigested, and your dog would throw up in this way immediately after eating. 
• Runny and Fluid: This is usually not food-related and could be sticky and or foamy.  The colour could be yellowish or transparent, but it should not be confused with kennel cough. 

2. Colour of Dog Vomit

Just like the colour of poop tells a lot about a dog’s health, the colour of vomit too can help you or your vet to make an informed decision on the cause.

• White/Transparent and Foamy: This indicates bloating/gas/or build-up of stomach acid. The reason for the foamy appearance is that the vomit churned in the stomach before your dog expels it. 
• Yellow: This vomit is the result of acid reflux and the yellow appearance is due to the presence of bile. Apart from acid reflux, this appearance could be caused by some irritating substance your dog may have ingested. 
• Transparent/Clear Liquid: This occurs due to stomach juices collecting in your pet’s tummy, or if they drink water when already feeling nauseous. 
• Mucous-like Vomit: An irritant in your pet’s belly could result in slimy drool, which your dog then ejects as mucous-laden vomit. 
• Brown: Coprophagia or accidental ingestion of feces/dung is a common cause of brown-coloured vomit. Your dog may expel brown vomit from eating too fast, and would therefore contain undigested and unchewed food bits. 
• Green: Gall bladder contraction before vomiting is one reason for green-coloured vomiting. Additionally, if your dog has ingested grass or plants, this could result in green vomit. Do read up on which plants and flowers are toxic to dogs. 
• Presence of Blood: Internal bleeding is usually what causes blood in the vomit, and it is advisable to rush your pet to the vet if this occurs. 

Symptoms That Accompany Dog Vomiting

It is quicker and easier to ascertain the root cause of the vomiting by paying attention to the accompanying symptoms: 

• Loose motions/diarrhea: A dietary mismatch or an infection in the digestive tract could lead to watery stools accompanying the vomiting.
• Listlessness and Drowsiness: If a dog is lethargic and vomiting, this could indicate an underlying illness and a cause of concern.
• Bloated Abdomen: If your dog is visibly uncomfortable - restless and whining, and the stomach appears bloated, along with the vomiting, you should consult your vet immediately.
• Loss of Appetite: If your dog is not eating for more than 24 hours, you should address this issue immediately with your vet. 
• Unexplained Weight Loss: A drastic drop in weight accompanying vomiting could be a sign of an underlying chronic condition, which you should bring to the attention of your vet. 
• Sudden Seizure: Vomiting accompanied by seizures is a cause for concern and your dog should be given medical attention immediately.
• Dehydration: If your dog becomes dehydrated after vomiting, it would be necessary to seek medical advice. 

When to Worry About Your Dog Throwing Up

As a pet parent, you are bound to be distressed and concerned when your furry companion is unwell. However, staying calm and level-headed will help determine when you should seek your vet’s advice to get your pet the care it needs. Here are a few guidelines that will help you understand your pet’s health condition better: 

• The frequency of the vomiting is one of the top determinators of whether your pet’s health needs medical attention. An occasional incident is usually not a cause for concern, however, more than one episode of vomiting within 24 hours does warrant medical advice. 
• Vomit with blood or vomit that is black and grainy needs immediate medical attention.
• If your dog’s behaviour and demeanour show a drastic change, and your dog seems to be in pain, it would be advisable to call your vet. 
• Intermittent vomiting over a few days would need medical attention

Dog Vomiting Treatment at Home

The good news is that mild cases of vomiting can be treated by you, with remedies available at your home: 

• Allow your pet to ‘fast’ for about 23-24 hours to allow your dog’s system to settle down. However, ensure that fresh and clean water is always available - your pet must remain hydrated. Check with your vet if you need a syringe to get your dog to drink water. Given their discomfort, they may not drink water on their own. 
• After the fasting, give your dog a mild diet of pumpkin or boiled rice with chicken. Check with your vet to ascertain when you can resume the normal diet. 
• Gas and Nausea prevention medication helps but should be administered only under advice from your vet

As always, closely monitor and observe your pet’s behaviour, and in case vomiting continues or reoccurs, visit your vet immediately. 

Puppies are even more vulnerable given their delicate systems, immature immunity, dietary requirements, and more -  and hence would need special attention. 

Preventing Dog Vomiting

Keep your pet away from illness by taking some proactive measures and preventive methods: 

• Avoid drastic changes to their diet, and always feed them high-quality food and a balanced diet.
• Ensure regular deworming, tick and flea treatment, and vaccinations as required
• Keep your home free of toxic substances and plants 
• Ensure that the kids in your home understand what is toxic and poisonous for your furry babies
• Table scraps of human food and regular treats can also upset your dog’s digestive system, leading to vomiting and other symptoms
• Schedule and keep your vet appointments

Finally

Seeing your furry companion ill or suffering in any way can be distressing for doting pet parents. However, it is important to remain alert, ensuring that playtime is supervised.  Speak with your vet, and other pet parents, and read up on home treatments - this will ensure that your bundle of fur receives the best care and treatment. Remaining proactive and informed is the best way to help your faithful furry friend recover quickly.  May your bond with your pet friend grow stronger and may you have many healthy years of waggy tails and sloppy kisses!