Eventually, every dog will have an occasional bout of stomach upset due to several causes ranging from minor irritations to severe and even life threatening conditions. For this reason, it is fundamental to keep this in mind and adhere to the "better safe than sorry" protocol. This translates into having the dog seen by a veterinarian if something appears not right.
Often, for a dog owner however, this may be challenging. How is it possible for a dog owner to know if her dog is simply vomiting because it ate too much or because it may have ingested something potentially toxic?
It is a difficult call therefore for dog owners to recognize a dog suffering from a simple tummy ache from one with a serious condition. Generally, if the dog is still acting active this may be a good indication that the vomiting episode is something transitory. In other words, a dog still acting normal, interested in its surroundings, alert and willing to play, if given the opportunity, very likely can be treated at home.
Warning signs of something potentially wrong on the other hand, are dogs that are lethargic, not acting right, that keep vomiting abundantly and that are not interested in their surroundings. Other symptoms may also follow such as fever, diarrhea, bloody stools, abdominal pain etc. These dogs should be seen by a veterinarian immediately because obviously this may be more than a mild stomach upset.
It is important to note that just because a dog is acting normally, however, does not necessarily mean the dog is fine. The dog's condition may worsen with time and eventually lead to more symptoms. Hence, therefore the difficulty of recognizing a minor case from a severe case of illness.
Vomiting therefore, should never be underestimated. At the top of potentially fatal conditions that manifest through vomiting are the following: parvo, intestinal obstructions, exposure to toxins, pyometra in unaltered females, cancers, pancreatitis and organ failure such as acute kidney or liver failure. Of course, the list may go on. While bloat is another potentially fatal disorder, typically the dog suffering from this condition is unable to vomit and will tend to gag and retch drooling abundantly.
Home remedies generally should therefore be used only in the case where the owner is able to determine the potential cause of vomiting such as being aware of the fact that the dog may have developed a stomach upset because of a recent abrupt diet change or because the dog ate too much of something.
Following are some home remedies for minor cases of stomach upset in dogs. The owner therefore must assume full responsibility in determining if the dog may benefit from home remedies or if the dog requires a prompt trip for veterinary care instead.
Home Remedies For Vomiting in Dogs
- A Temporary Fast
When a dog vomits, its stomach really deserves some rest. Some dogs will decide on their own to not eat for a few hours, however, owners should refrain from feeding their dogs for some time. A puppy should not be fasted for more than 12 hours, so an overnight fast should do the job if the puppy vomited after dinner. Very small puppies should not be fasted as they may become hypoglycemic pretty fast. Adult dogs may be fasted from 12 to 24 hours.
- Slow Hydration
If the dog recently vomited, drinking water may cause another vomiting episode. This happens because the stomach is still irritated and the water may cause further upset. This causes the dog to become more dehydrated. A better choice is to provide ice cubes. Most dogs enjoy ice cubes and will lick them slowly. If the dog wants to chew the ice cube, it is best to hold it and allow the dog to lick it slowly instead.
- The 'BRAC' diet
The BRAC diet may be called the canine equivalent of the human BRAT diet. It mainly consists of boiled rice and chicken. In order to be effective and safe, the chicken should be without skin or bones. An alternative of the BRAC diet, boiled rice and hamburger may be offered. In this case, the hamburger must have the fat removed. Either diet should be offered after fasting and in small quantities 3-4 times a day.
- Gradual Reintroduction
Once the dog starts feeling better with the bland diet, it is time to reintroduce the regular food the dog usually eats. It is key to reintroduce the regular food to the bland diet gradually in order to avoid a regression in symptoms.
- Hydration Check
Dogs that have vomited a lot, very likely have lost lots of fluids. A dog that has lost a lot of fluids will exhibit a loss of elasticity in the skin. Pulling the skin over the shoulder blades or over the back in a tent should allow the owner to determine the level of elasticity. If the skin springs back promptly, fine, if it does not or worse, if it stays lifted, the dog may require fluids under the skin provided by the vet. For mild cases, some unflavored Pedialyte or Gatorade added to the water bowl in a 50/50 mixture may help replace lost electrolytes. Such liquids should not be allowed to be gulped down all at once but should be given in small quantities to avoid further stomach upset.
As seen, vomiting in dogs may be cured at home but strictly in mild cases. It is up to the owner therefore to determine and carefully consider if the dog may benefit from home remedies or if more intensive treatment is required. If in doubt, calling the vet for advice is the best option.
Reference and for further reading: Best home remedies for dogs
Dogs vomiting and lethargic need to see a vet
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