Dogs will vomit for a variety of reasons, and many of them have to do with the body’s natural self-cleaning mechanism.
The stomach is in a highly acidic environment, and when it’s not working properly, for example, due to a change in diet, the stomach can become highly irritated. When this happens, it regurgitates partially digested food into the mouth, so it can be swallowed and sent back to the stomach to be re-chewed.
This is an extremely unpleasant experience for a dog, which is why some dogs vomit, it’s their body’s way of telling them that something is wrong.
Dog vomiting may be also caused by poor canine judgment, also known as dietary indiscretion, and may not be much cause for concern.
However, vomiting can also be a symptom of serious or even life-threatening conditions that require emergency medical attention and should be diagnosed and treated by a veterinarian.
below are some pointers to check if your dog is vomiting.
- Overeating or Eating Too Fast: If your dog throws up shortly after every meal, you should consider investing in a slow feeder bowl. It is usually designed with a maze to help prevent your dog from taking big bites.
- Stress: Find the cause of your dog’s stress or anxiety and avoid those stressors as much as possible.
- Motion Sickness: Roll down the windows and sit your dog facing forward during car rides. If this doesn’t help, ask your vet for a prescription drug to reduce motion sickness. You can also try giving your dog ginger in pill form or treat form, but be sure to ask your vet for a recommendation. Also, try to limit food consumption before traveling.
- Abrupt Diet Changes: This includes switching to a new dog food brand, food allergies, or food poisoning.
If any worrisome or out-of-the-ordinary symptoms arise along with the vomiting, do not hesitate to have your dog seen by a vet. More likely than not, it’s just a minor issue, but sometimes catching a minor issue will keep it from evolving into a more serious and costly problem. If you suspect a more serious condition is at play, listed below are the causes that call for an emergency trip to the vet.
Does a Labrador vomit a lot?
If your Labrador has been vomiting a lot over the course of weeks then it would make it more likely that it is due to it eating something that it shouldn’t be but it could be due to illness or disease as well. It would be the best option to take it to a vet.
It would also help to consider if there is a certain time that it tends to vomit more since it could be the case that the timing has something to do with it.
For example, if it does it right after eating, it would be more likely to be due to eating too fast, eating things it should not be, or exercising right after eating.
It might also help to inspect the vomit to see if there is anything there that shouldn’t be. If you find that there is grass or small stones in there then it would be very likely that it vomited due to eating them.
When to Consider Home Remedies for a Dog That Is Vomiting
If your dog is throwing up, the first thing you should do is assess whether this is really something you can take care of at home. There are some causes of dog vomiting or nausea that you can treat yourself, but some causes are quite serious and will require a trip to the veterinarian.
If your dog is otherwise healthy, and you strongly believe that the vomiting is due to overeating or an abrupt diet change, then it is reasonable to try some natural at-home treatments.
When to Use Home Remedies
- Your dog vomited once or twice
- The vomiting is not progressing rapidly
- Your dog is still bright and alert
When Not to Use Home Remedies and Go Straight to the Vet
- Your dog is repeatedly vomiting or attempting to vomit (even if nothing is brought up)
- Your pup is acting lethargic
- There is blood in the stool or profuse, watery diarrhea
- Excessive drooling
- Your dog won’t eat or drink (lacks an appetite)
- You have a senior dog
- You have a pet that is already suffering from another illness and doesn’t have the strength to handle a normal bout of vomiting
- In these cases, seek your vet’s advice immediately.
Dog Vomiting Treatment: How to Help Your Pet Get Through It
home remedies may not work for all dogs, and, in some instances, veterinarian attention is required to solve the problem.
Follow these steps to treat your vomiting dog at home:
- Fast your dog. This will give his gastrointestinal tract some rest and time to recover. With food out of the way, there should be less vomiting. If the dog vomits yellow bile, it simply means the dog is vomiting on an empty stomach. Usually, a 24-hour fast is necessary for adult dogs, while puppies should not have fasted for more than 12 hours.
- Feed your dog a bland diet. After the fasting period, when the vomiting should have ceased, take away his normal food and replace it with boiled chicken and rice or boiled ground beef and rice. If you use chicken, make sure it is skinless and boneless; if you use a burger, make sure the fat is drained off. Either way, the rice should make up the bulk of the meal—the meat is just there to make it enticing for the dog. Keep giving this diet until the dog gets better. Then, over the next few days, gradually reintroduce his regular food.
- Provide ice chips. It is very important that your pet stays hydrated during this time. If your dog cannot keep water down, offer ice chips, which are less likely to trigger more vomiting. You can try to offer water later. If your dog goes for 24 hours without drinking water or eating ice chips, see the vet immediately.
- Check the gums. Have him seen immediately if his gums turn pale, whitish, grayish, or purple. A normal gum color should be a healthy bubble-gum pink. Press your finger on his gum; the fingermark should turn whitish and then pink again. If the gum takes a few seconds to turn back to pink, the dog needs to be seen as soon as possible. It could be a sign of anemia, poison, or bloat.
Home Remedies for Vomiting in Dogs
You may be wondering what you can give your dog for vomiting. The following remedies can relieve an upset stomach, but if symptoms persist, discontinue treatment and see a vet immediately.
- Pepto-Bismol: Ask your vet if you can try to give over-the-counter Pepto-Bismol. If he agrees that it might help, he will give you dosing instructions. As with any medication, there may be side effects. Pepto contains aspirin, so do not give if your dog has an allergy to aspirin. Ask your vet first!
- Electrolytes: If your dog is able to keep liquids down, ask your local veterinary clinic on recommendations for rehydration. Make sure the electrolytes offered do not contain artificial sweetener such as xylitol.
- Probiotics: Probiotics for dogs are definitely great (if supplied by a veterinary manufacturing company). In addition to soothing your dog’s tummy when he is nauseous, probiotics promote a healthy gut when taken on a daily basis. Purina Fortiflora is a popular product that is recommended and sold by vets.
- Ginger: Consider a pet-safe treat or tea that incorporates ginger. Ginger is thought to have an antiemetic effect by blocking the serotonin receptors in the gut that causes nausea. If you are considering feeding ginger in raw or powder form, refer to the correct dosages outlined by DogsNaturally.
- Slippery Elm Bark: This herbal remedy contains tannins that help reduce inflammation. It can soothe an upset stomach and relieve diarrhea and is also loaded with vitamins. Slippery elm bark should not be given to pregnant dogs or those taking medications.
- Massage: Your dog may enjoy a relaxing massage. Gently rub his stomach, but don’t press. If this causes him to throw up even more, discontinue.
Check for Dehydration
Feeding your dog too much water can cause him to vomit even more, but you don’t want him to be dehydrated either. Limit the water bowl and offer ice chips instead
How to Check for Signs of Dehydration
To check for dehydration, gently pinch the skin on the dog’s shoulder blade or back into a little tent shape.
If the “tent” collapses promptly, the dog is well hydrated.
If the “tent” stays up for a few seconds or longer, the dog needs immediate vet attention, including fluids given under the skin or intravenously.
Causes of Dog Vomiting That Require Veterinary Attention
- Parvo is a potentially deadly virus that can be commonly found in puppies, so if your pup has not been vaccinated or has not yet finished his vaccine series, consider this a possibility. Parvo causes vomiting, bloody diarrhea (often with a foul odor), lethargy, and loss of appetite.
- Pancreatis, or inflammation of the pancreas, may occur after eating a fatty meal. Dogs suffering from pancreatitis need to be fasted but also require vet attention.
- Gastroenteritis is another worrisome condition. Symptoms include vomiting, bloody diarrhea, loss of appetite, and lethargy. At times, the underlying cause may not be found.
- Intestinal blockage can occur if your dog has ingested a bone or a foreign object, such as a sock, a rock, or a corn on the cob. Symptoms include vomiting.
- Bloat is a sudden distension of the stomach. If your dog tries to vomit but is unable to, you may suspect bloat, especially if your dog is deep-chested with a swollen abdomen and he appears to be in distress. If the dog is unable to vomit, he may bring up thick saliva (as seen in the video below). Some causes of bloating include eating or drinking really fast, high-fiber diets, or strenuous physical activities.
- Food poisoning from eating something potentially toxic can certainly cause vomiting. Chocolate, onions, and grapes are some of the most dangerous foods for dogs to consume. If you have a pet that loves digging in the garbage, food poisoning is a likely cause.
- Kidney or liver disease can also cause your dog to throw up.
- Inflammatory Bowel Disease (IBD) is often caused by allergies to foods, such as additives, preservatives, wheat, and lactose.
- Stomach Ulcers that are caused by plant intoxication (mushrooms, sago palm, etc.), pesticide or rodenticide toxicity, chemical poisoning, and heavy metal poisoning result in nausea, vomiting, and anemia.
- Parasites can be contracted through exposure to contaminated soil, water, feces, or food. Puppies usually get intestinal parasites through their mothers. Make sure your dog is up-to-date with all of his/her shots to prevent serious illnesses from occurring.
- Why Is My Dog Vomiting Yellow Bile or Yellow Foam?
- If your dog vomits yellow fluid in the early morning or late at night, it is likely because he/she is going too long between meals. This is true for dogs that are fed only once a day.
Can Loss of Appetite Lead to Vomiting in Labradors?
Loss of appetite in Labradors can be a common occurrence due to various labrador stopped eating reasons such as illness, stress, or change in diet. If left untreated, it can lead to vomiting. It’s important to address the underlying cause and consult a veterinarian for proper treatment.
Treatment
- The solution to this kind of vomiting is not fasting, but the opposite. Reduce the time between meals. This means feeding your dog more frequently, but be sure to reduce the serving size to avoid overfeeding.
- You can also give your dog a bedtime or early morning snack.
Always remember to do a monthly check-up for your dog’s health.
