Why is My Dog Vomiting?

Learn What Causes Dogs to Vomit, Causes of Upset Stomach

May 9, 2008

Gastritis, unfriendly new foods, ingestion of non-food items, speedy eating, bile overproduction, and anxiety are all causes of vomiting in dogs.

There’s an array of situations and medical conditions that can cause a case of vomiting dogs, from eating a new and unfamiliar food, to speed-eating and ingesting non-food items.

For owners of a dog who is vomiting, it's important to find out what is causing the vomiting, which can signal a serious, life-threatening problem such as dehydration or an intestinal obstruction.

“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.

Excess Stomach Acids and Bile as a Cause of Vomiting in Dogs

If a dog is vomiting a yellow or brown fluid, often shortly before mealtime or in the morning, this indicates that the dog has an 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 a veterinarian to help control the condition. Over-the-counter medications like Pepcid AC can be given to the dog to reduce the amount of bile and stomach acid that's produced by the dog's stomach.

New Foods, Unfamilliar Foods and Table Scraps Cause Dogs to Vomit

Suddenly changing a dog’s food or introducing an unfamiliar food can also lead the dog to develop a case of stomach upset. A new food will cause the dog to 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.

"What Happens if My Dog Eats a Toy, Rock or Other Non-Food Item?"

If a dog eats a toy, rock or other non-food item, this will cause sudden, intense vomiting in the dog. Ingestion of non-food items almost always trigger sudden bouts of intense, repeated vomiting that is often associated with behaviors like drinking large amounts of water or attempting to eat grass - these are very natural responses that a dog will have to nausea.

If it’s suspected that a dog may have eaten a rock, part of a toy, a piece of clothing or another non-food item, a visit to the vet’s office is recommended. If a dog eats objects, this can cause a life-threatening intestinal obstruction.

Dogs Who Eat Fast are Prone to Vomiting

A dog who eats quickly is also going to be prone to vomiting soon after meals. Feeding several smaller meals rather than one or two larger meals can control hunger and slow a dog who eats too fast.

Eating with other dogs can cause the dog to eat too quickly. Another cause of vomiting in dogs - stress – can also occur when a dog eats with other dogs. Stress, combined with fast eating makes the perfect formula for vomiting. in dogs.

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 cause of vomiting in dogs.

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. In the meantime, it's important that dog owners keep their pet hydrated, while preventing hypoglycemia.

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.