As pet owners, we want our dogs to go arf arf, not barf barf. Here’s the good news: Most of the time, vomiting is no cause for concern.
Occasionally, vomiting can signal acute poisoning or a serious underlying condition. If vomiting persists over multiple days, take your dog to see the vet. However, many cases of vomiting are not serious and resolve within a day. Here are some likely causes of dog vomiting:
Did they eat too fast?
If there is one thing humans and dogs agree on, it’s that food is awesome. Like humans, dogs can sometimes get too excited to eat. If they decide to honor their forebears by wolfing down a huge meal, this is likely the cause of your dog’s vomiting. Next time, try breaking his meal into smaller portions spaced a few minutes apart.
Did they get their paws on some people food?
Were you giving your dog scraps from the dinner table? Some dogs can tolerate certain people foods, but most tend to feel better when they abstain. Some foods are potentially toxic to dogs and should be avoided in all cases. These include raw bread dough, onions, garlic, dairy products, macadamia nuts, chocolate, grapes, and raisins.
Did they eat something off the ground?
Look around outside to see if there’s something your dog might have eaten that could make them sick. Flower petals? Soil? Bugs? If your dog’s spirit animal is an outdoor vacuum cleaner, you may need to look into corrective training exercises.
Has their diet changed?
If you’ve recently changed dog food or introduced new medications, these could be a cause of dog vomiting. See if a bland diet of chicken and rice makes a difference and ask your vet about their prescriptions.
Have they grown weary of the open road?
Long car trips can make puppies dizzy, but most outgrow their motion sickness by their first birthday. Car trips can also give dogs nausea-inducing anxiety. Teach your dog not to fear the car by taking a few short, leisurely drives before hitting the Grand Canyon.
Could it be more serious?
If your dog’s vomiting continues over a period of days, or your dog vomits blood, you should take them to the vet.
Additionally, although most people foods are not ideal for dogs, a few are extremely dangerous. Chocolate, grapes, raisins, and xylitol are all acutely poisonous to a dog. If you suspect your dog has consumed any of these, get them to the vet immediately. In these cases, vomiting is a good sign, as it means the dog’s body has already begun attempting to clear out the toxic substances. To induce further vomiting, you can administer 1 ml of 3% hydrogen peroxide per pound of body weight.
We love our pets, and it can be heartbreaking to watch them puke. Fortunately, it’s rarely due to a serious health issue, and most dogs feel better within a day.