Dog vomiting – possible reasons and treatment

Just like humans, dogs can get sick, which can lead to vomiting. However, it does not necessarily indicate an illness when a dog vomits. In fact, it is quite normal and usually a harmless occurrence.

Common reasons why dogs vomit

Here are the most common reasons why dogs puke

1: have eaten spoiled food

Dogs are curious creatures. They sniff and taste most of the things they stumble upon, and it is not always easy for an owner to prevent their dog from ingesting something it shouldn't have. Sometimes dogs consume spoiled food, which tends to come back the same way it came from.

2: The dog ate too quickly

If the dog eats its food too quickly, it can swallow a lot of air. When food and air dilate inside the stomach, it can cause discomfort and subsequent vomiting. In most cases, this is not dangerous. Still, you might want to find a method that prevents your dog from ingesting its food as quickly if it happens repeatedly.

3: The dog has eaten too much

If the dog eats more food than it can handle, some food may come back up again.

4: You have given the dog a new type of food

A relatively common cause of vomiting is introducing your dog to a new brand of dog food. If a dog's digestive system is not used to the type of food, it may react negatively. There is no harm in changing the food, but you should introduce it gradually, so the dog's stomach gets time to adjust to the new food.

5: The dog ingested something inedible

The dog may have ingested something inedible. This may cause the body to react, and sometimes the dog will puke up whatever it consumed. However, sometimes the dog will be unable to vomit, even though it wants to. For example, suppose your dog keeps attempting to barf but without luck while showing clear signs of pain and discomfort. In that case, you should probably consult a veterinarian.

Other causes of dogs vomiting

In some cases, vomiting may be due to severe underlying conditions. Examples of this are:

Signs that your dog is about to throw up

Here are some tips that can help you understand when your dog is about to throw up, so you can recognize the symptoms and bring the dog outside before it is too late.

What should you do when you witness your dog vomiting?

If your dog only vomits a few times a year, you probably do not need to worry.

However, chronic vomiting may be a sign of an illness or other health issues, which would be a reason to contact a veterinarian. In addition, if the vomit contains blood, you should definitely contact a veterinarian.

If you are unsure why your dog vomits, we recommend you let the dog fast for a few hours. Fasting could help the stomach "calm down". During fasting, the dog should have access to water, but not food. Sometimes it is also recommended to serve the dog cooked rice, chicken or fish for a few days - so-called gentle foods.