Dog Vomiting: 18 Reasons Your Dog May Be Throwing Up (Plus How to Treat)

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Nothing gets a pet parent out of bed quicker than the sound of their dog about to vomit. Typically, dogs vomit to expel food they shouldn't have ingested. For instance, when a dog accidentally eats mushrooms or chocolate, their body may reject the toxic substance and push it out. Just keep in mind you still need to call your veterinarian or a pet poison hotline even if your dog vomits after eating something toxic.

Occasional vomiting usually isn't something to worry about, especially when your dog returns to their usual playful self within 24 hours. But if a dog continues to vomit and has other symptoms, something more concerning might be going on.

Why is your dog vomiting?

Vomiting in dogs can be caused by many things. Some aren't cause for concern, but others may require medical attention. Here are 18 reasons your dog may be throwing up.

1. Eating too fast

Dogs can sometimes get overly excited about mealtime. And when they eat too fast, it can lead to vomiting. Often, this is a one-time thing, and then the dog goes about their day. If it becomes an issue, however, slow-feeders or puzzle-feeders can help speedy eaters.

2. Eating grass

It's usually not cause for concern if your curious pup likes to munch on grass from time to time. But if your dog eats too much grass, it can lead to vomiting.

3. Changing food too fast

Dogs can be sensitive to diet changes, especially if the changes are made too fast. Changing food too quickly can result in vomiting. So, when it's time to switch your dog to a new food, do it gradually over 1 to 2 weeks or longer.

4. Intestinal worms

Vomiting is a common symptom of intestinal worms in dogs. Other signs of worms in dogs include:

• Diarrhea

• Weight loss

• Low energy

• Itching or scratching

• Coughing

• Scooting their butt on the ground

Keep in mind that puppies are usually more at risk for having worms.

5. Viral infections

Viral infections can also cause dogs to vomit. Canine parvovirus is one of the infections that often lead to vomiting in dogs. Usually, this type of vomiting comes on suddenly, and it can be severe.

Other symptoms of parvovirus include:

• Fever or low body temperature

• Loss of energy

• Lack of appetite

• Stomach pain and bloating

• Severe and bloody diarrhea

6. Eating things they shouldn't

Vomiting serves, in part, as a way to protect your dog's system from toxins. So if your dog eats something they shouldn't - such as certain foods and things outdoors - they may throw up.

Ingesting toys or other inedible substances can also lead to vomiting. In this case, your dog's body is trying to dislodge the foreign object blocking their digestive system.

7. Food sensitivities and allergies

Some dogs develop food sensitivities or allergies to certain types of foods or proteins. In addition to itchy skin, dogs with a food allergy or sensitivity may also have digestive symptoms such as vomiting. In fact, food intolerance is one of the most common causes of chronic, periodic vomiting in dogs.

8. Motion sickness

As with people, motion sickness in dogs can lead to vomiting. Other telltale signs that your dog has trouble with motion sickness include whining, drooling, or yawning while they're in the car or another moving vehicle.

9. Pancreatitis

Pancreatitis occurs when a dog's pancreas becomes inflamed. The pancreas is an organ next to the stomach that aids in digestion. When the pancreas becomes inflamed, it can cause vomiting.

Pancreatitis can also cause:

• Diarrhea

• Nausea

• Stomach pain

• Low energy

• Reduced appetite

10. Inflammatory bowel disease

Dogs can develop inflammatory bowel disease (IBD), which can lead to chronic vomiting. IBD causes inflammation in the sensitive digestive tract. Dogs who have inflammation in their stomach and upper sections of the small intestine are more prone to vomiting.

11. Medication side effects

Certain medications for dogs can cause vomiting as a side effect. In fact, it's a fairly common side effect of many medications for dogs.

Examples of medications that can lead to vomiting include:

• Meloxicam (Metacam)

• Rifampin (Rifadin)

• Furosemide (Lasix, Salix)

• Metronidazole (Flagyl)

• Trilostane (Vetoryl)

• Fluoxetine (Prozac, Reconcile)

12. Fever

Dogs can develop a fever for a number of reasons. But vomiting can be one sign your dog's temperature is running high.

13. Heatstroke

If your dog is out in the heat too long, they can develop heatstroke. Heatstroke is a life-threatening condition that can lead to vomiting, as well as:

• Excessive panting and drooling

• Inability to stand

• Increased heart rate

• Dry nose

• Weakness

If your dog shows signs of heatstroke, take them to an emergency veterinary hospital for treatment. Heatstroke can be fatal if not treated.

14. Liver disease

Liver disease can cause vomiting in dogs, though this is a less common cause of vomiting. Other signs that could indicate liver disease include:

• Weakness

• Lack of energy

• Diarrhea

• Weight loss

• Excess thirst and urination

15. Stroke

Vomiting, on its own, doesn't indicate that a dog has had a stroke. But if a dog has a stroke and develops balance issues as a result, they may vomit due to nausea.

Common signs of a stroke in dogs include:

• Lack of balance

• Aimless circling

• Loss of body control

• Back-and-forth eye movements

• Inability to blink normally

• Head tilt

• Weakness, usually on one side

A stroke is an emergency situation. If your dog shows signs of having a stroke, take them to your veterinarian or an emergency animal hospital right away.

16. Addison's disease

Addison's disease occurs when a dog's adrenal glands aren't working as they should. As a result, the dog doesn't produce enough of the hormones cortisol and aldosterone. Though it's a less common reason for vomiting, Addison's disease can cause dogs to throw up.

Other signs of Addison's disease in dogs include:

• Diarrhea

• Increased thirst

• Loss of appetite

• Lack of energy

• Weight loss

17. Kidney failure

In the early stages, the most common signs of kidney disease in dogs are increased thirst and urination. But as the disease progresses to kidney failure, dogs may also experience vomiting, along with:

• Loss of appetite

• Diarrhea

• Bad breath

• Lack of energy

18. Gastric motility disorders

Gastric motility disorders are conditions that cause a delay in food moving through a dog's digestive system. These conditions can affect a dog's esophagus, stomach, small intestine, or colon. Throwing up is the most common symptom of a gastric motility disorder in dogs. But it's a less common reason that dogs vomit.

What does the type and color of your dog's vomit indicate?

The color of a dog's vomit can be telling. Different types of vomit come with varying colors and textures that give insight into the cause.

Green vomit

If the vomit is green in color, your dog likely ate grass or other plant material that upset their stomach.

Yellow vomit

"Yellow vomit is typically due to bile from the small intestine getting mixed with stomach contents during the vomiting process," Stephanie Sheen, DVM, a veterinarian and former director of veterinary medicine at Fuzzy Pet Health, told GoodRx Health. This occurs when the stomach has already been emptied from multiple bouts of vomiting.

White and foamy vomit

White, foamy vomit, Sheen said, is caused by the mucous material lining the esophagus coming up with the vomit. This can indicate a buildup of stomach acid and mean your dog is vomiting on an empty stomach.

Undigested food in vomit

Your dog may also throw up undigested food. This could mean their intestinal tract is blocked, such as with a toy or other foreign object, Sheen said. Alternatively, it could indicate that they became nauseated close to mealtime. In other words, your dog already felt sick before they started eating and then vomited soon after.

Bloody vomit

Bloody vomit can mean that the lining of your dog's stomach or esophagus has been damaged. This could be caused by inflammation from throwing up many times or from ulcers. If the amount of blood is significant, Sheen said, "it can indicate a clotting disorder - for example, as a consequence of eating rat bait."

Seeing blood in your dog's vomit is considered an emergency. If this occurs, take your dog to the ER right away.

How can you treat dog vomiting?

If your dog is throwing up, there are few things you can do to help settle their stomach.

Feed them a low-fat diet

If your dog vomits, you can try feeding them food that's low in fat and easy to digest, such as skinless chicken breast or lean ground turkey, Sheen said. The food needs to be cooked without any spices or oil and should be mixed with a simple carbohydrate, such as white rice or cooked potatoes.

Avoid giving your dog high-fat items, including peanut butter or eggs, after they vomit. "These foods are more likely to worsen digestive upset, as they are more difficult for the body to process," Sheen said.

Make sure they're drinking water

Since water is lost during vomiting, provide your dog with plenty of fresh water if they're throwing up, so they don't become dehydrated. But make sure your dog is not drinking too much water at once, because this can also cause them to vomit. Provide your pup with small amounts of water at a time.

Ask your veterinarian about medication

Depending on the cause of your dog's vomiting, your veterinarian might prescribe medication to reduce vomiting. One medication that's often given to dogs for this purpose is Cerenia (maropitant citrate). It's available as an injection that's given by your veterinarian or in pill form.

What if your dog is throwing up but acting normal?

If your dog throws up once and otherwise acts normal, try withholding food for about 12 hours to give their tummy some rest, Sheen suggested. After that, you can feed them a bland diet consisting of boiled chicken and white rice for the next 24 to 48 hours.

Keep an eye on them to see if the vomiting stops. Often, dogs throw up due to eating something they shouldn't. And their body is doing what it needs to do to get rid of the toxic substance.

Sheen does not recommend withholding food for very young puppies and small dogs. The same goes for dogs who need food on a regular schedule because of chronic conditions, such as diabetes. Not eating food may cause dogs with diabetes to have difficulty maintaining their blood sugar levels.

When should you worry about your dog vomiting?

It's time to worry about your dog vomiting if you think they ingested something poisonous, they're vomiting repeatedly, or they have additional symptoms.

You should take your dog to the emergency room if they:

• Have multiple episodes of vomiting

• Vomit more than once a week

• Act lethargic

• Lose their appetite

• Stop drinking water

• Develop diarrhea

• Have unexplained weight loss

If you think your dog ate a toxic substance, call a pet poison hotline. An expert will request information about the toxin(s) your dog may have eaten. This helps them determine toxicity levels, provide an assessment and recommend next steps. Keep in mind that there is a fee for these services.

If your dog has vomited more than once and you're not sure whether they ingested something toxic, seek medical advice from either your veterinarian or a telehealth service. They can help you determine what steps to take next.

Just keep in mind that many telehealth vets can't diagnose or prescribe treatment without an established veterinarian-client-patient relationship (VCPR). So your dog may still need to be seen in person for appropriate treatment.

What can you do to prevent your dog from vomiting again?

According to Sheen, regular preventive care helps avoid infectious causes of vomiting and allows any underlying health issues to be caught early. Preventive care for your pup should include:

• Vaccinations

• Deworming treatments and preventatives

• Annual and semiannual (once they reach senior age) veterinary checkups

It's also a good idea to keep an eye on your dog when they play with toys to make sure they aren't swallowing pieces that could lead to blockages. Dogs are naturally curious creatures. They often explore their surroundings with their mouths, especially when they're young.

Be sure to keep harmful substances - such as toxic plants, cleaning supplies, and rodent bait - away from dogs. And be careful about feeding them food scraps at dinnertime. Certain items, including chicken or turkey bones and fatty meat, can cause an upset stomach.

According to the FDA, the following common edible and inedible items can be dangerous for your dog:

• Alcohol

• Avocados

• Caffeinated substances

• Chocolate

• Grapes and raisins

• Mothballs

• Antifreeze

• Paints

• Solvents

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