Most dog owners have cleaned up their fair share of vomit puddles, and while these incidents are often caused by a benign dietary indiscretion, they can indicate a more serious problem. Read our Bartow Animal Clinic team’s guide to all things you need to know about canine vomiting.

Canine vomiting versus regurgitation

Differentiating between vomiting and regurgitation is important. To help identify the problem and initiate the right treatment for your dog, consider the differences: 

  • Vomiting — When a dog vomits, they actively evacuate food from their stomach, causing their abdominal muscles to contract. Vomiting is often preceded by nausea, and dogs may lick their lips, salivate, and repeatedly swallow before vomiting. 
  • Regurgitation — Regurgitation is a passive process that occurs without abdominal muscle contractions and often happens right after eating or drinking. 

Canine vomiting causes

Numerous conditions can cause vomiting in dogs, some more serious than others. Common causes include:

  • Diet change — Any sudden diet change can lead to gastrointestinal (GI) upset and vomiting.
  • Dietary indiscretion — Dogs are known to be indiscriminate eaters, and behavior, such as dumpster diving, can cause vomiting.
  • Toxicity — Many pet toxins, such as chocolate, xylitol, grapes and raisins, antifreeze, acetaminophen, and ibuprofen, cause signs that include vomiting. If you know or suspect your dog has ingested a toxin, contact our Bartow Animal Clinic team or Animal Poison Control to get expert advice about how to care for your pet.
  • Foreign body — If your dog ingests an inedible object, such as a sock, rock, or chew toy, the item can cause a GI obstruction, which often results in vomiting and may require surgical removal. 
  • Food allergies — Dogs can be allergic to ingredients, most commonly proteins, in their food, causing GI upset, including vomiting. Food allergies take time to develop, and most dogs have been on the diet for several months or years before signs start. Food allergies often also cause dermatologic issues such as skin lesions.
  • Infection — GI infections caused by viruses and bacteria can lead to vomiting. These diseases are especially dangerous for puppies.
  • Parasites — Intestinal parasites, such as giardia, coccidia, and roundworms, can cause vomiting in dogs.
  • Heatstroke — If your dog’s temperature rises higher than 105, the extreme heat can damage their GI lining, leading to vomiting.
  • Organ dysfunction — Organ dysfunction, such as kidney and liver disease, and pancreatitis, can cause vomiting.
  • Bloat — Bloat (i.e., gastric dilatation volvulus) occurs when a dog’s stomach fills with gas and fluid, and twists. An affected dog may vomit or retch unproductively.
  • Cancer — Certain cancer types, especially those affecting the GI tract, can lead to vomiting.

When canine vomiting is an emergency

If your canine friend vomits once and seems otherwise happy and healthy, you can monitor their condition at home. However, if your dog’s vomiting doesn’t resolve after two days, or if they are losing weight, call our Bartow Animal Clinic team. Signs that indicate your dog needs emergency veterinary care include:

  • You know or suspect your dog has ingested a toxin or foreign body.
  • Your dog is exhibiting other signs such as fever, diarrhea, inappetence, lethargy, or distended abdomen.
  • Your dog is a puppy or a senior.
  • Your dog has a pre-existing health condition.
  • Your dog recently started a new medication.
  • Your dog has vomited blood.

Canine vomiting diagnostics

The reason your dog has been vomiting may be benign. However, some causes for vomiting are severe. The diagnostics we may use to determine why your dog has been vomiting include:

  • Complete blood count (CBC) — A CBC can detect issues, such as infection, that may cause vomiting.
  • Biochemistry profile — A biochemistry profile assesses your dog’s overall health and can tell us valuable information about your four-legged friend’s electrolyte status and organ health.
  • Fecal tests — Fecal tests can help our team detect certain infections and parasites.
  • X-rays — Abdominal X-rays can help diagnose vomiting’s cause, especially in cases of bloat and foreign body ingestion.
  • Food elimination diet — If we suspect a food allergy, our team may recommend your dog begin a food elimination trial to determine the allergen that is causing the reaction.

Canine vomiting at-home care

If your dog vomits but does not meet the above criteria for veterinary attention, you can monitor them at home. If you have concerns about your dog’s vomiting, always feel free to contact our Bartow Animal Clinic team for advice. At-home care tips include:

  • Withhold food to allow your dog’s stomach to rest.
  • Only offer small amounts of water.
  • If your dog is able to keep water down after several hours, offer a small amount of bland food such as boiled chicken and white rice.
  • Avoid giving your dog medications intended for people, because products commonly used to treat humans’ GI issues may be unsafe for your canine friend.
  • After 24 to 48 hours on the bland diet, gradually switch your dog back to their normal food.

Canine vomiting prevention

Not every canine vomiting case can be prevented. To lower your dog’s vomiting risk, follow these tips:

  • Keep garbage in sealed containers to prevent dumpster diving.
  • If you switch your dog’s food, do so gradually over 7 to 10 days.
  • Read ingredient labels before giving your dog a new food or treat to ensure the product doesn’t contain pet toxins or ingredients to which your dog is sensitive.
  • Keep your dog up to date on their vaccinations.
  • Provide year-round parasite protection.
  • Pack water when you take your dog on outings to ensure they don’t drink from contaminated sources.
  • Never feed your dog table scraps.

If your dog has been vomiting, contact our Bartow Animal Clinic team, so we can determine the problem’s cause and devise an appropriate treatment strategy.