It can be a scary experience if your dog begins to vomit, especially if you’ve never seen it happen before. Vomiting can be caused by a variety of conditions, so it is important to take the necessary steps to ensure that your pet receives the proper care. This is a problem that is best not ignored lest your dog suffer from more serious health consequences. Whether you’ve got a hardy, athletic dog like a Golden Retriever or a smaller breed like a Mini Cavoodle, it’s crucial to make sure it’s not a sign of something more serious.
Why Do Dogs Vomit
Vomiting in dogs can be a sign of many different underlying health issues. It is important to understand the common causes of dog vomiting so that you can take steps to prevent it or, in some cases, seek medical treatment for your pet.
Eating Inedible Objects
One of the most common causes of dog vomiting is eating something they shouldn’t have. Dogs are naturally curious and may try to eat things that aren’t good for them – almost all dog owners have a story of their dog eating something that isn’t supposed to be eaten. We all know dogs who will happily munch on socks, electrical cables or even on furniture.
Motion Sickness
Dogs who travel frequently or spend a lot of time in cars or on boats may experience motion sickness due to the movement. If your dog experiences vomiting while travelling in a car or boat, it is best to take steps to reduce the motion and make sure your pet has plenty of fresh air and water available during trips.
Gastrointestinal Infections
These infections are usually caused by bacteria, viruses, parasites or fungi and can make dogs very sick and cause them to vomit frequently. Your veterinarian can diagnose these infections and prescribe medications that will help treat them effectively.
Ingesting Toxins
Common toxins include rodenticides (rat poison), insecticides (insect sprays), antifreeze, medications meant for humans but not pets, household cleaning products, chocolate or grapes, among others. If you suspect your dog has ingested any type of toxin, it’s important you seek immediate veterinary care – some toxins can be lethal if not treated quickly enough.
Dietary Changes
Sudden changes in your dog’s diet can upset their stomachs, leading to nausea and/or vomiting. To prevent this from happening, it’s important you introduce any new food slowly by mixing it with their current dog food, increasing the ratio of new to old until they are fully accustomed to it.
What to Do if Your Dog Starts Vomiting
If your dog starts vomiting, it is important to take immediate action and figure out what the underlying cause may be. Thankfully, treatment is usually simple, as vomiting once or twice poses little threat to the health of most dogs. It is important to note that if your dog continues to vomit for more than 24 hours, you should contact your veterinarian for further advice.
The first step you should take if your dog starts vomiting is to examine the vomit itself. Things to make note of include:
- Is the vomit solid or liquid?
- What colour is it?
- Is there any blood in the vomit?
- Are there any inedible objects in the vomit?
If you can, take a photo with good lighting so that you can show your veterinarian, if necessary. Any unusual objects should be picked up with a plastic bag and sealed for your vet’s inspection.
Steps to Take
1. Clean Up the Vomit
Once you’ve inspected the vomit, you can clean up any mess that is left over, as any toxins or bacteria that remain may be dangerous to humans as well. Wear gloves and wipe away as much as possible with a paper towel, then use an enzymatic cleaning solution or other pet-safe cleaning spray to eliminate any residue.
2. Remove all Food Their Reach
This will help prevent them from eating more, which can worsen the vomiting. However, they should still have access to water, as the vomiting may have left your dog dehydrated. Take this time to observe your dog and see how they behave. If they seem normal for 12 hours, you may give them food once again.
3. Feed Small Amounts
After 12 hours of withholding food, offer small amounts of food rather than one large meal all at once. This will provide nourishment without putting too much strain on their digestive system while it recovers from whatever initially caused them to vomit.
4. Check for Other Symptoms
Vomiting can sometimes be accompanied by other symptoms such as diarrhoea, lethargy, loss of appetite or abdominal pain so watch out for these signs and contact your vet if any appear. In some cases, blood work may be necessary in order to determine the cause of the problem and begin treatment accordingly.
If your dog’s vomiting persists, contact your vet on their emergency line immediately. The sooner you get them seen by a professional, the better chance they have at making a full recovery without suffering any long-term health issues due to prolonged bouts of vomiting or an underlying health condition.