Sick Dog Throwing Up What to Do

Video thumbnail image of a golden labrador lying on the grass
Watch: Why is my dog being sick?

Why is my dog being sick?

Dogs throw up for a variety of reasons. Dog vomiting is often brought on by a sudden change in diet, through scavenging, such as feeding off human leftovers, or from motion sickness or even eating too much or too quickly.

Other more serious reasons for a dog being sick include infection, worms, eating foreign bodies such as socks or toys, or swallowing or licking flowers, plants or toxins that are poisonous to dogs. More critical medical issues such as cancer or kidney, liver, or pancreatic disease could also be to blame.

What to do when your dog is sick?

If your dog has been sick a few times but otherwise appears well:
  • Remove all food and water for two hours
  • After this time, allow your dog to have small amounts of water — offer this half-hourly a few tablespoons at a time — but withhold food for a further 6-8 hours
  • If your dog's vomiting has stopped, reintroduce small meals (1-3 tablespoons) of a bland low-fat cooked food such as chicken or white fish and rice and or pasta every hour or two. Plain cooked egg is also suitable. Fats, dairy and raw meat should be avoided.
  • If no further signs are seen, your pet can gradually return to a normal diet the following day. Give the food in 4-6 small meals and introduce gradually by mixing with the bland diet, increasing the proportion of normal diet with each subsequent meal.

If this does not solve the sickness problem you should call your vet or, out of hours, your nearest Vets Now pet emergency clinic or Vets Now 24/7 hospital.

What are typical dog sickness symptoms?

Dogs tend to drool, lick their lips, and swallow excessively when they feel nauseous. Some may eat grass, possibly to relieve gastric irritation, or to make themselves sick. When your dog is sick you'll typically see strong abdominal contractions.

How to make a dog sick?

Vets will often induce vomiting in dogs who have eaten something toxic as it's the simplest way to clear out their system. But dog owners should never attempt to make their dogs sick themselves without first consulting with a vet. One of the reasons for this is it can cause more harm than good. For example, vets are highly unlikely to induce emesis, as it's called in medical circles, in dogs who have swallowed something solid, caustic or petroleum-based.

Can my dog get me sick?

There's lots of research showing the health benefits of dog ownership. But humans can also become ill through contact with their canine companions. This usually happens through the inadvertent transfer of dangerous bacteria, such as salmonella, campylobacter and staphylococcus. But there are also some dog diseases that are considered zoonotic — meaning they can be transferred from animal to human. The most well-known is rabies but it's not present in the UK.

How to stop a dog being car sick?

  • Try to ensure your dog is as comfortable as possible
  • Limit your dog's food prior to travelling
  • Use a dog harness to ensure your dog is facing forward
  • Open the windows a little to help balance air pressure
  • Keep the car at a comfortable temperature
  • Speak to your vet about anti-nausea drugs

What to feed a sick dog?

You should hold back giving water to a sick dog for two hours and food until 6-8 hours after their last episode of vomiting. Once this period is over reintroduce small, bland meals such as white chicken or rice gradually. If everything is ok the next day your dog can gradually return to their normal diet.

Does grass make dogs vomit?

Lots of dogs and puppies eat grass and, in most cases, this isn't a problem. The main reason puppies and younger dogs do it is boredom, rather than because they're unwell or have a nutritional deficiency. In adult dogs, it could be any of these things or simply because they like the taste or feel of grass. Studies have shown that fewer than one in 10 dogs are ill before eating grass while less than one in four vomit afterwards.

Do dogs get morning sickness?

Morning sickness does affect some expectant dogs, although typically only between the third and fourth week of pregnancy. This is caused by hormonal changes and is often accompanied by lethargy and lack of appetite.

Do ticks make dogs sick?

Ticks in the UK are found in grassland, scrub, shrubs and on low-hanging tree branches. They tend to climb on dogs when they brush against them. They can cause a whole range of illnesses in dogs which can make them sick, including Lyme disease and ehrlichiosis.

This is an image of a sick dog for a Vets Now article on dog vomiting
You should call your vet if your dog is being sick and showing signs such as lethargy, depression, discomfort or bloating

More on this topic

When should I call the vet for my dog vomiting?

There are occasions when vomiting requires urgent veterinary attention, such as when your dog is throwing up frequently or is projectile vomiting. You should also seek help if your dog can't keep water down, is vomiting bile, has blood or unusual material in the vomit, or is showing signs such as lethargy, depression, discomfort or bloating. Other reasons to call a vet include decreased urination, a combination of severe vomiting and diarrhoea, and abdominal pain.

You should also seek urgent advice if you are aware your dog has eaten something they shouldn't have such as chocolate, macadamia nuts, onions or raisins or is making repeated attempts to throw up but bringing nothing up. This is a symptom of gastric dilatation and volvulus (GDV or bloat), which can be life-threatening.

Why is my puppy being sick?

It's common for puppies to suffer from vomiting and diarrhoea. Puppies throw up for a variety of reasons, including the stress of rehoming, parasites such as worms and amoebae, bacterial infections, viral infections, and, of course, dietary indiscretion (eating something they shouldn't).

Similar rules apply to puppies suffering sickness as adult dogs, but be aware that puppies are a lot quicker to become dehydrated. If you have any concerns it's better to be safe than sorry and get them checked by a veterinary surgeon.

How will my vet will treat dog vomiting?

Your vet will check your dog over by performing a clinical examination and also ask you questions to see what you have observed at home. They may also need to perform blood tests, urine tests, x-rays or an ultrasound to work out what is going on.

Treatment will depend on the diagnosis but may include intravenous fluids — a drip — to correct dehydration, antibiotics if an infection is suspected, anti-vomiting medication and stomach protectants. If your vet believes the sickness is being caused by a foreign body, it's likely surgery will be required.

How can I prevent my dog being sick?

Many causes of vomiting cannot be prevented. But by removing potentially harmful foods, bones or objects from your dog's environment you can help minimise the risk of them swallowing a foreign body or eating something poisonous. Try not to change your dog's diet suddenly and try to prevent them scavenging and eating rubbish or leftovers.

Sick Dog Throwing Up What to Do

Source: https://www.vets-now.com/pet-care-advice/dog-being-sick/

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