If you have a dog, then you know nothing can get you out of bed and splint across the room faster than the sound of a puppy about to throw up. Despite your best efforts to monitor what your dog feeds on, sometimes vomiting happens. Often, a dog vomits to expel food or something they should not have eaten. Therefore, a one-time throwing up should not be a cause for concern. But if your dog throwing up happens often, it could be serious. While vomiting is not a great topic, understanding why your dog is throwing up is important. It can give you clues on what is causing the vomit.
Why do Dogs Vomit?
There are numerous reasons behind a dog throwing up. It could be because
- They ate something they shouldn’t have- dietary indiscretion
- Food allergies- common with proteins
- Eating spoilt food
- Acid reflux
- Parasites- especially roundworms, whipworms, hookworm, and giardia
- Toxins
- Kennel cough
- Bloating
- An adverse effect of the medication they are taking
- Pancreatitis
- They have a foreign object in their intestine or stomach
Despite this long list of why a dog may throw up, the causes of throwing up in dogs can be classified into two broad categories. They can be primary-gastrointestinal, e.g., dietary indiscretion, the dog ingesting foreign material, infections, etc., or extra-gastrointestinal, e.g., pancreatitis, endocrine, or systemic diseases.
Is Your Dog Vomiting, or Is It Regurgitation?
It is common to confuse vomiting and regurgitation. Regurgitation is a reflux of food that spontaneously happens before food reaches the stomach. In the case of regurgitation, because the food has not reached the stomach, the food will appear the same way it went down. It happens effortlessly and could surprise the dog owner. For vomiting, the dog is usually nauseous and looks apprehensive.
Regurgitation is less common and is not usually a cause of concern, especially if it happens just once. But if it happens frequently, it shows an underlying health issue, usually an esophageal problem. A common esophageal problem is megaesophagus. Other issues that cause regurgitation is myasthenia gravis and hypothyroidism.
Vomiting happens when the dog forcefully ejects content from the upper intestines or the stomach. So, vomit is digested or partially digested food and usually contains yellow bile. A dog may throw up after eating or a while after eating, where you will notice excessive swallowing, nausea, or drooling.
Why Is My Dog Throwing Up? – Decoding the Vomit by Color
A dog may throw up different colors of vomit. While it may be gross, the color can help decode the cause of vomit. Usually, a dog can throw up any color, mostly clear vomit, yellow, red, or brown. The color will reflect what the dog ate.
Why is my dog throwing up green vomit?
If your dog is vomiting green vomit that looks foamy, it is because it contains bile. The liver releases bile to aid with digestion. So, if your dog has foamy green vomit, it could indicate a buildup of stomach acid. If your dog has too much stomach acid and has gone long without eating, it will vomit bile. It will also happen if the dog is vomiting before eating anything or if the throwing up is frequent.
Do you have a dog throwing up green vomit in the morning? It could be a cause of concern, vomiting bile in the morning indicates a rare disorder called Bilious Vomiting Syndrome. While you can resolve this by feeding your pup more frequently and late at night, it is best to consult your vet.
Another cause behind your dog throwing up green vomit is it eats leaves, grass, or plants that irritate its stomach. People believe dogs eat grass when they are unwell to induce vomiting. However, there is no proof of this. So, schedule a trip to the vet, and treat it as an emergency if your dog is throwing up, diarrheaing, or looking lethargic.
Why is My Dog Throwing Up Red Vomit?
When a dog throws up bright-red vomit, it shows blood in the vomit, referred to as hematemesis. Usually, a dog vomiting blood is a symptom of underlying gastrointestinal diseases like gastroenteritis- stomach inflation, poison ingestion, or a traumatic injury.
If your dog is throwing up a dark-red commit that appears like coffee grounds, it is throwing up partially digested blood, hence the color change. It might indicate an intestinal blockage, stomach ulcer, or serious condition, and you need to see the vet immediately.
Why is my dog throwing up dark brown vomit?
Most dogs will vomit dark-brown vomit after eating a brown-colored substance like chocolate. Sometimes, especially if you have little children, they might decide to share their treats with their furry friends. Chocolate is toxic to dogs; when they ingest it, they can vomit a dark-brown substance. So, it is important to schedule a vet visit if you have reason to believe your dog has ingested chocolate.
If your dog is throwing up a dark brown substance with a telltale smell, it might have indulged in coprophagia.
Why is my dog throwing up white vomit that appears foamy?
It can be because of a lot of stomach acid. The foamy appearance may be because of the vomit being sloshed around before vomiting or because the vomit mixed with the air.
Why is my dog vomiting clear, liquid vomit?
When a dog vomits clear liquid, it is majorly because there is water pooling in the stomach, and it comes upon when the dog is vomiting or because of stomach secretions. Since vomiting causes dehydration, it is common for a dog to try and drink some water after throwing up. However, in most cases, the water will trigger another vomiting episode.
Why is my dog throwing up slimy vomit?
Slimy vomit that appears mucus-is is a sign of irritation. It majorly happens when the dog is drooling and helps relieve their nausea.
How to Make a Dog Throw Up
Dogs are curious creatures; sometimes, they might ingest things they should not. In some cases, making your dog throw up can help prevent further problems; in others, it could worsen the situation. Therefore, it is important to understand when and how to make your dog throw up and when not to make your dog throw up.
Circumstances when you should not make your dog throw up
If your pup has recently ingested a chemical like Drain-O, bleach, and other harmful chemicals, you should not make it throw up. Throwing up might lead to more damage as the chemical could corrode their esophagus lining and mouth if they vomit it.
You should not make your dog throw up if they have ingested a solid object, especially a sharp one. Vomiting solid or sharp objects might cause trauma to the esophagus. If it has been more than two hours since your dog ingested the wrong substance, the highest chances are it has moved into the small intestines, and the contents are no longer in the stomach. So, making your dog throw up will be unfruitful and probably impossible.
NB: Do not make a dog with health conditions or faculty breathing and swallowing throw up. It could cause further complications and could be dangerous for them.
Step-by-step on How to Make Your Dog Throw Up
Before inducing vomiting, it is important to consult your vet. You can explain to them what happened, and they will best advise what to do next. Once you explain to your vet the situation, they will probably recommend or administer medication to include vomiting. They might also guide you on how to make your dog throw up.
Note that your dog’s breed also matters. Inducing vomiting for breed’s like Pekingese could be harmful because it could cause aspiration pneumonia. That is why it is important to consult your vet.
If your vet gives you the green light, you will need to get hydrogen peroxide. Hydrogen peroxide is commonly used to make dogs vomit in the case of an emergency. It should be administered according to your dog’s body weight—1ml per pound. Your dog should vomit in at least 10 minutes on the administration of the peroxide, and they could throw up for the next half hour or more. Therefore, it is important to keep them comfortable during this period.
Here is a step-by-step guide
- Ensure there is something in their tummy- if it has been 2 hours or more since your dog ate, give them a snack to bite. This will increase the chances of vomiting
- Check your solution- high concentrations of hydrogen peroxide will be detrimental to your dog. So, ensure the concertation is 3%, not more. You can use this product.
- Measure the peroxide- how much you should administer to your dog depends on your body weight. The rule is to administer 1ml for a pound of body weight. For dogs heavier than 45 pounds, do not exceed 45mls of hydrogen peroxide. Administer it to your dog using a turkey baster to ensure it reaches the back of the mouth
- Observe- stay and comfort your dog as they vomit, and ensure they don’t eat their vomit. If you can, have them vomit in a basin and carry a small sample with you to your vet appointment
- Care for your dog- give your dog care during this period, as they may feel sickly. Ensure they do not vomit for more than 45 minutes after taking the peroxide.
- Seek medical attention- it is best to schedule an appointment to ensure your fur friend is okay and the substance they ingested is out of their system fully.
After vomiting, you should carefully observe your pup and ensure they are okay. Watch out for symptoms of bloating, diarrhea, lethargy, or any other abnormal behavior, and notify your vet. Remember to meet the nutritional requirements of your dog to keep them strong and healthy.
Acute Dog Vomiting? Here is Why
A dog is said to have acute vomiting when the vomiting is sudden and hasn’t been around for long. Acute vomiting can be because the dog has eaten something bad.
When Should I Treat My Dog Throwing Up as an Emergency?
You should rush your dog to the ER is it:
- Has been throwing up repeatedly
- Acting lethargic
- Diarrheaing besides the vomiting
- Lost weight and appetite
- Has been vomiting for more than a week
What Should I Do If My Dog is Throwing Up?
It is hard to tell if your dog’s vomiting is a minor issue caused by a stomach upset that will easily resolve or if it is a serious emergency that needs immediate vet attention. So, while you may be concerned about your dog, it is important not to panic.
You should see a vet if the throwing up is persistent, and make it an emergency if your pup is throwing up blood
How to Avoid Recurrent Vomiting Episodes
It is important to take preventive care to avoid your dog vomiting again. You should follow up with the dog’s deworming treatments, ensure you attend the semiannual and annual vet checkups, and follow through with their vaccinations.
It is natural for your dog to be curious. They will always explore their surroundings, especially when young. Therefore, always keep an eye on them and ensure they are not eating something three should not be. Keep poisonous and harmful substances like chocolate, toxic plants, and rodent bait away from your pet’s reach. Don’t give in to those puppy eyes; give your pup food scraps during mealtime.
FAQ
Is it okay to give my dog water as soon as it throws up?
No, it is not. It is best to avoid giving it water or food immediately after vomiting to allow the stomach to settle down. However, a puppy should access fresh water. Consult with your vet about the next thing to do in your situation.
Why are there worms in my dogs’ vomit?
Because there is a large worm infestation, infectious organisms like worms cause throwing up in dogs. The dog may vomit some of the worms if there is a large infestation, especially a roundworm infestation.
What can help settle my dog’s stomach?
Time will help settle your dog’s stomach; it is best to withhold food for a few hours to allow their tummy to rest. Then, feed it a bland diet, preferably of white rice and boiled chicken, for the next day or two and keep tabs to see if the vomiting reoccurs. For young puppies, diabetic dogs, or a dog with other conditions, it is important not to withhold food. Instead, consult your vet for the best cause of action.
Dog throwing up blood, what is wrong?
Your dog may be throwing up blood because they have a bleeding tumor in its oesophagus, or A dog also suffering from autoimmune disorders, liver or kidney disease can throw up blood. It is best to seek immediate medical attention for your dog.
Like humans, dogs can sometimes vomit too. So, as a dog owner, you should know that your dog might sometimes vomit, majorly due to a minor stomach upset that will pass. It is best to seek emergency vet services if the vomit contains blood, if it is repeated and if your dog’s health seems to be deteriorating.
