Dog vomiting

Types of vomiting in dogs

Different from regurgitation (food comes back passively, no effort) and true vomiting (active abdominal contractions, gastric content expelled). Acute vomiting = under 24-48 hours, isolated. Chronic vomiting = recurring over 1-2 weeks.

Common causes (usually non-urgent)

• Eating too fast
• Sudden food changes
• Ate grass
• Stress or anxiety
• Car travel
• Mild reactions to internal dewormers

For these cases, bland diet (boiled rice + boiled chicken breast), small amounts of water with ice cubes, and a 12-hour fast are usually enough. If vomiting stops in 12-24 hours, probably not serious.

EMERGENCY SIGNS — call the vet immediately or go to the emergency clinic

• Bloated abdomen with unproductive retching (suspected GDV / gastric torsion — fatal within hours)
• Vomiting with fresh blood or coffee-grounds appearance (GI bleeding)
• Persistent vomiting over 24 hours or more than 3 times in an hour
• Lethargic, dehydrated dog, pale or tacky gums
• Vomiting with intense diarrhoea (haemorrhagic gastroenteritis)
• Suspected foreign body ingestion (toy, sock, bone)
• Vomiting after ingesting potentially toxic substance (chocolate, grapes, xylitol, toxic plants)
• Puppy or senior dog vomiting

Common dog poisons

Chocolate (especially dark), grapes and raisins, large amounts of onion and garlic, xylitol (sweetener in gum, toothpaste), antifreeze, some houseplants (philodendron, lily). If you suspect poisoning, call the vet immediately and prepare details: what was eaten, when, how much.

What to tell the vet when you call

Dog's age, breed, approximate weight. How many times they vomited. Appearance (yellow foam = bile on empty stomach; white foam = mild gastric irritation; blood = emergency; food = recent meal). Whether there's diarrhoea, drinking water, normal urination, activity level. What changed recently (food, treatments, environment).

Prevention

Consistent food, no sudden changes (7-10 day transition when switching). Slow-feeder bowl or anti-gulping mat for fast eaters. Controlled access to bins and garden. Up-to-date dewormers. Parvovirus vaccine for puppies.