Have you noticed your dog vomiting recently? Most pet owners know how messy dog vomit can be, and a lot of times, seeing your dog vomit can cause a lot of concern. The good news is, most of the time, a dog vomiting is no reason to panic and isn’t a sign of an immediate emergency.
However, experts still recommend always paying attention to your dog if you see them vomiting to check for other symptoms. When a dog vomits, it could mean that they feel unwell or uneasy, and it’s your responsibility as a pet owner to check up on them and try to get them feeling better as soon as possible.
In this article, we dive into some of the reasons dogs throw up and what to do if you see your dog vomiting.
Read on to learn more.
Why Do Dogs Vomit?
Vomiting isn’t caused by one single reason. There are many things that can cause a dog to vomit, some need to be taken seriously, and others not so. Usually, dogs vomit because they ate something they shouldn’t have. If your dog spends a lot of time alone or outside, there’s a high chance that they started munching on something that could upset their stomach, such as grass and other plants, which results in them vomiting.
However, there are times vomiting can be an indicator of something more serious. Since it can be hard to tell what caused the vomiting, it’s always important to keep a close eye on your dog after they’ve vomited.
Is Vomiting a Bad Sign for Dogs?
Usually, vomiting isn’t anything to worry about. If you catch your dog throwing up, try to examine their vomit. If you find chewed-up toys, kibble, and other foreign objects, then they were probably what caused the vomiting. If your dog is fine a couple of hours after vomiting, that usually means they’re fine, but if symptoms persist, then it’s time for you to call the vet.
What to Do When Your Dog Throws Up
If you see your dog throwing up, don’t panic. While it usually isn’t a cause of concern, it’s always beneficial to practice these steps to get a clearer picture of your dog’s condition;
Examine the Vomit
First, it’s very important to examine the vomit before cleaning up. There are many things the color and consistency of your dog’s puke can tell you. For example, if you have a dog throwing up white foam, it can indicate that it sloshed around its stomach for a while.
White and foamy vomit usually doesn’t mean anything, but if your dog has yellow or clear vomit, that indicated that they threw up on an empty stomach, which is a fairly serious sign.
Green vomit can indicate that your dog ate grass or other plant material, while brown vomit usually means that they threw up some brown kibble. Either way, understanding the color and consistency of the vomit gives you a better idea of what’s going on in your dog’s body and what you can do to help.
Keep an Eye on Your Dog
After cleaning up your dog’s vomit, the next step is to observe them for the next couple of days. If your dog vomits once and is completely fine in the following days, then you have nothing to worry about, as that probably means they just ate something their body rejected.
However, if you notice your dog keeps vomiting in the following days, that could be a cause of concern. It’s also important to check out if your pet is exhibiting any other symptoms such as lethargy, depression, or diarrhea.
Call a Vet If Needed
If you notice that your dog isn’t feeling well and not acting like they usually do, it might be time to call a vet. Again, if the symptoms disappear within 24 hours, that usually means your dog is fine. But if your dog is consistently vomiting and other symptoms pop up, call a vet immediately, as this could be a sign of a more serious issue.
Your dog’s vet has a complete and crystal clear picture of their health. They understand their history, temperament, and other key factors in providing an accurate diagnosis. When you call the vet, make sure to explain the situation clearly and tell them everything you noticed. From there, you can schedule a visit so that the vet can do a physical exam on your dog.
How to Keep Your Dog From Vomiting
Since the most common reason dogs vomit is that they ate something they shouldn’t have, the best way to keep them from vomiting is to keep an eye on them.
If they spend a lot of time alone and you can’t be there with them all the time, then make sure that they can’t reach any foreign objects or ingredients that could upset their stomach.
So, make sure to keep the trash sealed or make sure your dog can’t reach it. Additionally, it can also help to discard broken chew toys right away and always serve your dog fresh, healthy, and high-quality food.
