Why is My Dog Vomiting?
A Review of Some Less Serious Causes for Dog Vomiting
Gastritis, unfriendly new foods, ingestion of non-food items, speedy eating, bile overproduction, and anxiety can all trigger your dog's upset stomach.
There’s an array of situations and medical conditions that can cause a case of minor vomiting in your dog, from eating a new and unfamiliar food, to speed-eating and ingesting non-food items.
“Most cases of stomach upset involve a dog who ate something that he shouldn’t have, be it an unfamiliar food or a non-food item,” explained Dr. Michael Levine, DVM.
Gastritis, a term describing the inflammation of the stomach lining, occurs when an unfamiliar food item or a non-food item is ingested. Other causes include excessive stomach acids/bile, viruses, and micro-organisms like salmonella or giardia.
Vomiting a clear yellow or brown-tinged fluid, often shortly before mealtime or in the morning, is indicative of stomach upset due to excess bile and stomach acids. When the stomach is empty for an extended period of time, these fluids cause stomach irritation and vomiting. Treatment is usually fairly simple – feed smaller, more frequent meals, as this will prevent the fluids from accumulating and irritating the dog’s empty stomach.
In cases where the dog’s body is overproducing bile and stomach acids, medications like Pepcid AC can be prescribed by your veterinarian to help control the condition.
Suddenly changing a dog’s food or introducing an unfamiliar food can also lead to a case of stomach upset, during which the dog will vomit the partially-digested food within two hours of eating.
“New foods need to be introduced gradually. When switching your pet’s dog food, slowly phase in the new food over the course of two weeks. Limit treat foods to just a bite or two and try to avoid heavy, fatty items, as they’re more likely to cause upset,” Dr. Levine recommends.
Ingestion of non-food items typically trigger sudden bouts of intense, repeated vomiting which are often associated with behaviors such as drinking large amounts of water or attempting to eat grass, which is a dog’s natural response to nausea. If it’s suspected that a dog may have ingested a non-food item, like a rock, part of a toy, or a piece of clothing, a visit to the vet’s office is recommended, as this can ultimately lead to a life-threatening intestinal obstruction.
Hasty eaters are prone to vomiting soon after meals. Feeding several smaller meals rather than one or two larger meals can control hunger and slow a speedy eater.
Eating in the presence of other pets can result in hasty eating and stress – the perfect formula for vomiting. Dogs instinctually want to protect their meal, so if another pet is present, many dogs experience anxiety and even food-related aggression. Feeding in a quiet, solitary environment can serve to remedy this vomiting cause.
Dogs who experience chronic stomach upset and vomiting may also benefit from eating wet or hydrated kibble, as the expansion of the dry kibble in the stomach can trigger a bout of vomiting following a meal.
“Kibble expands and nearly doubles in size when it comes in contact with the fluids in the stomach. If a dog eats until he feels full, this is a recipe for a problem, as the food will expand, pushing his stomach past what’s comfortable. Pain and vomiting are often the result,” added Dr. Levine.
Many cases of vomiting can be treated at home, but pet owners should seek veterinary attention immediately if they see symptoms of illness.
Life-threatening conditions like “bloat,” toxins and intestinal obstructions trigger vomiting as well. A foamy fluid vomit is typical of these more serious ailments, along with pale gums, projectile vomiting, bloody vomit, seizure, a distended, painful abdomen, or signs of distress like panting and restlessness.
