Dog Vomiting: Why is My Dog Throwing Up?

That unmistakable symphony of retching, hacking, and gagging—every dog owner knows the sound, and the immediate dread it brings. Your dog has just vomited, and the first question that pops into your head is: Why is my dog throwing up this time? We’re here to help you out because knowing the cause of your dog’s vomiting is the first step in not only treating it but preventing it from happening the next time around. 

What’s the Difference Between Vomiting and Regurgitation? 

Anything making its way back out of a dog’s mouth is considered vomit, right? Not quite, you see, there’s vomiting, and then there’s this thing called regurgitation.  

Vomiting and regurgitation sound a lot alike and they can even produce a similar-looking end product. The difference is in the action. Vomiting takes a near whole body effort. The process uses the abdominal muscles to forcefully eject food and other things from the stomach. Food will be partially digested and appear wet and soupy. 

Regurgitation, on the other hand, is more of a passive motion where the food contents just come back up, no stomach muscles involved. Regurgitation happens so easily because the food doesn’t fully reach the stomach. It remains in esophagus until it is released back out of the mouth. The food isn’t digested, so it is drier and tends to remain in the shape of the esophagus. 

Knowing the difference between the two really does matter because they can have completely different causes. If you catch your dog in the act, you can easily differentiate vomiting from regurgitation but finding the final product may be a bit more of a mystery. 

Common Causes of Dog Vomiting 

Vomiting is the body’s way of getting potentially bad things out of the stomach before they can make things worse. So, anything that irritates the stomach lining may lead to vomiting. 

Eating Too Fast 

Most dogs don’t take the time to savor their every bite. In fact, some of them eat so fast, the stomach sends the food right back out. Overeating or eating too fast overloads the small intestine with food, leading to bloating, stomach distention, and potentially vomiting. 

Something They Ate 

Dogs are known scavengers. They love to nose around in the garbage or under the table, looking for delectable treats. Sometimes, those treats can be hard on their stomach. A dog's stomach isn't designed to process garbage, rotten food, or table scraps. These items can contain irritants and other substances that upset their digestive system, often leading to vomiting. 

Undigestible substances, such as grass, can also irritate the lining of the stomach. If that irritation is great enough, it can trigger vomiting. Similar to the way you would wonder how to make a dog throw up if they ate something they shouldn’t, there is some belief that eating grass is how dogs actually choose to self-medicate when their stomach is feeling a little iffy as a way to get themselves to throw up and feel better.  

Note: it’s important not to induce vomiting in your dog by giving them grass or anything else. You also don’t want to make a cat throw up unless directed by your vet. 

Eating Toxic Substances 

As you can imagine, eating something toxic can trigger vomiting. It’s the best self-defense mechanism the body can think of because the more time a toxin is in the body, the more problems it can cause. Things like household cleaners, yard chemicals, or even spoiled trash can contain toxic compounds that irritate the stomach, causing a dog to throw up. 

Illnesses 

Let’s not forget that there are many, many illnesses that can cause vomiting in dogs. Bacterial or viral infections of the digestive tract often leads to vomiting as well as diarrhea, stomach pain, and not eating. Diseases of the liver, pancreas, and kidneys may be to blame as well, bringing with them a variety of other signs. Even whole-body endocrine disorders like diabetes or Cushing’s disease can cause vomiting in dogs. 

Vomiting in Puppies 

Vomiting is common in dogs and very common in puppies. This is likely because puppies are even less discriminatory about what they eat and their immune system is still in training mode, making them more susceptible to illnesses. A puppy throwing up can be a big problem not only because you hate to see your tiny pup in distress but also because their little bodies can quickly become dehydrated. If your puppy is throwing up frequently or has any other symptoms, see your veterinarian. 

Acute Vomiting in Dogs 

Veterinarians love to classify things. It helps them identify and work through their cases. So, your vet is likely to classify your dog’s vomiting as acute or chronic. Acute vomiting is when your dog has started throwing up suddenly. Their repeated vomiting hasn’t been going on for more than a day or two. Along with throwing up, you may also see not eating, diarrhea, stomach pain, and lethargy. 

The thing about vomiting and dogs is that it tends to happen a lot. Dogs are going to vomit at least a few times in their life, most of which will be one-off situations that they never look back on. So, if your dog vomits but isn’t showing any other signs, monitor them for a day or two and go from there. Repeated vomiting, such as more than a couple of times in 24 hours, should be seen by a vet. Seek help sooner if they are dehydrated or showing other signs of a larger problem. 

Treatment for mild, acute vomiting may consist of withholding food for around 24 hours as a way to give the stomach a break while it sorts itself out. From there, a bland diet may help the whole digestive tract recuperate. In some cases, medications and supportive care may be needed to get a dog’s vomiting under control. 

Chronic Vomiting in Dogs 

A continuation of acute vomiting in dogs is chronic vomiting. This is when a dog continues to vomit for weeks or even months. Vomiting may be intermittent or more frequent, even daily for some unfortunate pups. Chronic vomiting in dogs is usually a sign of something more long-term such as a food sensitivity or chronic illness. 

Long-term vomiting can lead to weight loss and dehydration, especially if coupled with diarrhea as well. So, it’s important to figure it out sooner rather than later by monitoring your dog to see if there’s a pattern to their vomiting and seeking veterinary care.  

Protect Your Vomiting Dog 

Let's face it, cleaning up dog vomit is never fun. But beyond the immediate cleanup, persistent or chronic vomiting can be a serious concern for pet owners. While an isolated incident might not require a vet visit, ongoing or frequent vomiting often signals the need for investigation. This typically involves diagnostic tests—blood work, X-rays, ultrasounds, and in some cases, even endoscopy. These procedures, along with necessary medications and potential hospitalization, can quickly lead to significant veterinary expenses. 

This is where pet insurance can be incredibly valuable. A comprehensive plan can help manage a substantial portion of these costs, allowing you to prioritize your dog's health and well-being. Instead of worrying primarily about the financial implications, you can focus on making informed decisions about your dog's care in consultation with your veterinarian. Knowing you have the financial support of pet insurance can provide significant peace of mind during a stressful time, allowing you to say "yes" to the recommended treatments without worrying about the cost. 

Diagnosis and Treatment of Dog Vomiting 

The errant vomiting episode here or there likely won’t need treatment, just monitoring to see if it continues to happen. However, vomiting that continues should be seen by a vet. They will be able to listen to your history of when the vomiting started, how frequent it is, if they have eaten anything out of the ordinary, and if there are other signs. 

From there, they will be able to take a look at your dog, noting their temperature and feeling their abdomen for areas of tenderness or firmness. Bloodwork to assess organ function and infection status may need to be done as well as imaging to get a look at the digestive tract. 

Treatment can then start based on what they find. For some this may mean a change in diet, others may need supportive care such as fluids and anti-vomiting medications. Antibiotics may be necessary for bacterial infections and removal may be needed for foreign objects. 

When to Worry About Dog Vomiting 

Again, every dog is going to vomit sometimes. It’s an inevitable part of life. But if that vomiting is frequent, causing dehydration, or accompanied by other symptoms, enlist the help of your vet. Treatment is always more beneficial the sooner it’s started. 

Dealing with dog vomit is never pleasant, but it's a reality for most pet parents. The key takeaway here is that you're not in this alone. By partnering with your veterinarian, staying observant of your dog's habits and health, and being proactive about their care, you can effectively manage and often prevent many instances of vomiting. It's all about working together—you, your vet, and your furry friend—to ensure a long and happy life together.