Vomiting in Dogs: Why it Happens & When to Be Concerned

Reasons Dogs Vomit

Vomiting can point to an irritated stomach, gastrointestinal upset, or inflamed intestines in dogs. While vomiting is unpleasant for both you and your dog, it's your pooch's way of emptying their stomach of indigestible material to prevent it from remaining in their system, or from moving to other areas of their body. 

Vomiting vs. Regurgitation 

Regurgitation occurs when your dog appears to burp up indigested food. This is a passive process where food is expelled, typically from the esophagus, and often happens because a dog has eaten or drank to quickly. 

Vomiting is a dynamic process, with the dog actively using its stomach muscles to expel material that will appear digested. 

Causes of Vomiting in Dogs 

Healthy dogs sometimes fall ill for no apparent reason, then quickly recover. This may happen if your pup has dined on too much grass or eaten something their stomach simply doesn't agree with. This type of vomiting is often a one-time incident and is not accompanied by other signs of illness. It is generally not a cause for concern. 

Sudden Vomiting

On the other hand, potential causes of sudden (acute) or severe vomiting can be related to disorders, diseases, or health complications like:

When to Worry About Vomiting in Dogs 

In some cases, vomiting can be a sign of a serious veterinary emergency. If your dog displays any of these signs, bring them to the nearest animal emergency clinic right away:

Chronic Vomiting 

If your dog has been vomiting frequently or their vomiting has become a chronic or long-term issue, this is also cause for concern, especially if you've noticed any additional symptoms like weakness, weight loss, lethargy, or signs of abdominal pain. 

If your dog is experiencing frequent bouts of vomiting, it's always best to have them examined by a veterinary professional so the underlying cause can be diagnosed. 

Long-term, recurrent vomiting can be related to internal medical conditions like:

Always prioritize safety when it comes to your pup's health. The best way to learn whether your dog's vomiting is normal, or a cause for concern or not, is to contact your vet and ask whether you should book an exam or come in for emergency veterinary care. 

Different Colors & Appearances of Dog Vomit 

Your dog's vomit may be clear, yellow, green, brown, or red, depending on the cause. The consistency may also range from watery to semi-solid or foamy. 

Here is what some types of vomit may indicate:

• Bright green or teal vomit could mean that your pup has ingested rodent poison. Immediate veterinary care is essential! Contact your nearest emergency vet right away.
• Black or brown vomit that looks a bit like coffee grounds can indicate poisoning (this is a medical emergency), ulcers, intestinal blockage, viral conditions, tick-borne diseases, or cancer.
• Bright red vomit can be a sign of gastritis, ulcers, Inflammatory bowel disease (IBD), foreign body ingestion (contact your vet immediately), trauma (injured stomach, hit by car), clotting issues, heat stroke, parvovirus, or inflammation of the stomach.
• Light brown could mean that your dog has ingested chocolate (emergency care is required), swallowed mud or dirt, has an intestinal blockage, or has been eating poop.
• Foamy or white vomit can be a sign of bloat or GDV. Contact an emergency vet immediately.

If you are taking your dog to the vet due to vomiting take a sample of the vomit with you for your veterinarian to examine. Why this may seem yucky it can save time (and maybe even your dog's life) when determining the cause of your dog's vomiting.

What to Do if 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 for more advice. 

Treating Non-Emergency Dog Vomiting

If you believe that your dog's vomiting is not caused by anything serious there are a couple of things you may want to do to help ease your pup's upset tummy. Of course, we recommend that you still call your vet to let them know what's happening, your vet knows your dog best and could offer suggestions on how best to handle your dog's tummy troubles. That said, many vets recommend the following approaches 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 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.

What to Do if Your Dog Swallows Something They Shouldn't

Many pet parents want to know how to induce vomiting in dogs, but it is not always the right thing to do if your dog has swallowed an object or ingested something they shouldn't.

Some toxins can cause more damage coming back up through your pup's digestive system, whereas objects could become lodged along the way. Always contact your vet or an emergency vet for further instructions based on your dog's specific issue. 

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.