Because our furry best friends can’t speak to us and tell us they don’t feel good, sometimes it can be shocking when they suddenly vomit on the living room rug.
Should you rush to the vet? Was it something they ate? This article will cover WHY your dog might be vomiting, WHEN it is a reason for concern, and HOW to use home remedies to fix it.
No one wants their dog to feel crummy, but lucky for all of us, there are things we can do to fix it!
Reasons your dog is vomiting
There are several reasons for a dog to vomit, and the culprit can range from liver failure to puking because they sucked up too much grass in the yard.
This can make it difficult to know whether you need to rush to the vet, and long-term dog owners are usually used to their dogs occasionally throwing up.
Potential reasons for your dog’s vomiting include ingesting stomach irritating substances (candy, etc.), poisons, toxins, diet changes, intestinal parasites, viral infection, and so on.
The first thing you will want to check in on is if your dog may have gotten into something they aren’t supposed to eat. Is the cupboard open with a slice of chocolate cake missing? Did they dig their nose into some garbage?
The second thing you’ll want to consider is if you have fed them anything new recently. A swift change in dog food can cause an upset stomach, or maybe the new treats you got just aren’t sitting right, but keep in mind they might get used to them.
Some dogs are sensitive and new things may cause discomfort, but as their body gets accustomed to them, they can do great at digesting them (so there is no need to jump the gun and throw anything new away).
If those have been ruled out, it’s time to take a deeper look at what may be causing your dog to vomit.
What is the most common cause of vomiting in dogs?
The most common cause of vomiting in dogs isn’t something they digested at home, it is actually intestinal parasites. One example is roundworms, tiny little organisms in their intestines.
This is why it is important to deworm your dog. Puppies should be dewormed much more frequently than their adult counterparts because their immune system is not yet built up. Veterinarians recommend that you deworm your dog every two weeks until 12 weeks; when they become an adult, they should be dewormed every three months.
Vomiting versus regurgitating
To pinpoint the cause of your dog’s unpleasant array of ejecting food onto the carpet, we must first look at whether they are vomiting or regurgitating. When a dog regurgitates something, they are expelling food or items that have not been digested yet.
When a dog vomits, they are discharging things that have already been broken down in its stomach and upper small intestine. The most significant difference is if the food or items have been broken down.
Regurgitating is a normal process for dogs and is just their body rejecting the thing before it hits their intestines. If your dog is vomiting, then it’s something you might need to take a closer look at.
When should you be concerned about a dog throwing up?
There are several tell-tale signs that your dog may not be feeling well, but how can we know if our dog throwing up is something worthy of a hasty vet visit?
According to veterinarians worldwide, they are most likely fine if your dog pukes once with no other symptoms. To get the correct answers, we always recommend a visit to the vet, but here are some ways to see if the throwing up is a reason for immediate concern.
Chronic or continuous throwing up
Throwing up paired with the other concerning symptoms, such as weight loss, fever, etc.
When you suspect your dog ingested something foreign (anything from rat poison to the squeaker from their dog toy is a good reason for an immediate trip to the vet)
Seizures
Diarrhea with blood in it
Vomiting with nothing coming out, or a lot at one time
What does the color of dog vomit mean?
White foamy dog vomit:
When a dog vomits and looks white and frothy, it’s because air has mixed with digestive secretions and saliva.
So…what should I do if my dog throws up white foam? Usually, when this happens, it means there has been some trigger or irritation, so you’ll want to think of what you have fed your pet lately and if they may have gotten into something that would irritate their stomach.
Bloody dog vomit:
This is something that should trigger immediate concern. Bloody vomit can indicate liver disease, autoimmune, or clotting disorder. This should prompt a quick visit to the vet because it can suggest something else going on internally.
Yellow foamy dog vomit:
Unless it’s chronic, this is not a basis for concern. When there is yellow in your dog’s vomit, it usually just means that the dog’s stomach is empty, and bile (or digestive fluid) is being pushed up with the vomit.
Maybe your dog hasn’t eaten that day, and it’s irritating their stomach. Either way, yellow foam in your dog’s puke is usually not a reason for concern. The only exception is if your dog also has constipation or is constantly vomiting and unable to keep fluids down.
This would indicate that it is time for a rush to the vet. By itself, however, yellow dog puke is normal and not a reason for concern.
Green dog vomit:
This answer will be the same as having yellow dog vomit, only if it looks green; it probably means that bile has mixed with other gastric juices which has changed the color.
If it is extra foamy, it could indicate a build-up of acid in the stomach, which is also no reason for immediate concern.
Home remedies for dog vomiting
If you have determined that it is nothing serious, and it’s time to take matters into your own hands, there are specific at-home methods you can try to help your dog feel better again.
Please do not try these if your dog is drooling excessively, there is blood or excessive water in their stool, your dog is lethargic, you have a senior dog, or your pet has another illness their vomiting may be related to.
If they are experiencing any of those symptoms, it’s time to see a vet. If it’s just a normal vomiting situation, you can use these at-home remedies to get your dog back to catching balls and jumping off of docks in no time!
What to do when your dog is vomiting
Rest the digestive tract: when your dog has trouble keeping things down, it’s best to take a break from food and allow their digestive tract to heal. You can do this by fasting an older dog for 24 hours, but puppies should never be withheld from food for more than 12 hours.
If they happen to puke yellow, it’s only bile, meaning they are vomiting on an empty stomach, but it isn’t harmful to them.
Bland diet: After a fast, re-introducing your dog to bland food, such as chicken and rice can help soothe their stomach. The bulk should be rice, which will soak up the extra acidity in their stomach and set them up for success when re-introducing their regular food.
Ice chips: Ice can help keep your dog hydrated, and they may be even more interested in eating ice than actually drinking water. This is a fun way to get them to drink.
What to give your dog at home when they are vomiting
Pepto-Bismol: You will want to ask your vet first about this and how much to give your dog, but it can help an upset tummy!
Electrolytes: Electrolytes are essential to your dog’s digestive health, but you will want to make sure and find some without artificial sweeteners, which can be bad for dogs.
Probiotics: Probiotics are that good bacteria that help balance everything out. These can promote a healthy gut and soothe your dog’s upset stomach in no time.
Ginger: Ginger has soothing agents, which can even hinder nausea by blocking the serotonin receptors in the gut.
Slippery elm bark: This herb reduces inflammation, and if your dog has been puking, its digestive tract is likely inflamed. This herb can help soothe discomfort and make your pup feel like themselves in no time.
Conclusion
Regardless of the reason for your dog’s vomiting, no one wants their dog to feel crummy day to day. As loving and responsible pet parents,
it is our job to figure out how we can soothe our dog’s discomfort and ensure they are in optimal health. With responsible dog ownership comes days of trials and tribulations, the ups and downs, and the good and the bad.
With a kind heart and watchful eye, we can keep our dogs living their best lives by keeping them strong, healthy, and vomit-free.