Why is My Dog Vomiting in Ukiah, CA?

Watching your dog throw up can be confusing and nerve-wracking. However, it is essential to remember that throwing up or vomiting is simply the body’s response to toxins. Most of the time, if your dog is throwing up, it is a sign that its body is fighting to get rid of a foreign object or illness. It is good to understand what is causing your dog to throw up. Let’s find out why your dog is vomiting and what to do about it!

5 Reasons Dogs Vomit

As we continue, it is essential that you know that dogs vomit occasionally; it does not mean that there is a more significant problem. However, if you have any concerns over the behaviors and health of your furry friend, please contact your Mendocino Animal Hospital veterinarian for more information and possible testing.

1.      Indigestion

Dogs get everywhere! They do not think about what is on the table or the floor, all they see is food, and all they know is they want to eat it. Have you accidentally ever left food on the table only to come back to it completely gone?

Don’t worry; it happens to all of us. However, our human food is sometimes made with dyes, seasonings, and grease that is hard to digest. Cooked human food made with garlic, onions, and cinnamon can be harmful. If your dog starts to throw up after they accidentally eat left unattended food, take this as a good sign. Your dog’s body proactively forces the food back up to prevent further damage and reactions.

2.      Poor Diet

Some dog foods are low-quality and made with foods high in starch and low in proteins and fiber. If your dog is not eating enough of the nutrients their bodies need, it is not uncommon for them to throw up.

Ask yourself questions like, what have they eaten? Have you recently changed their dog food? Even without the healthiest and nutrient-rich food, it can take your dog weeks to get used to the new food.

3.      Food Allergies

One of the main causes of throwing up in dogs is food allergies. These are hard to pinpoint and are not uncommon, especially in younger puppies. If you suspect that a certain food is causing your dog to have indigestion and throw up, as a result, you should write it down and stop feeding them this ingredient. While it is possible to take your furry friend to the vet, there are no definitive or conclusive tests that can identify allergens. Instead, you will need to undergo a process of elimination.

4.      Acid Reflux

In small dog breeds with flat faces, also known as brachycephalic breeds, acid reflux is a common condition. Dogs with this condition have a muscle in their sphincter that opens and relaxes when it is supposed to be tense. This causes food and acid from the stomach to travel up. Vomiting is the main symptom of this condition and is uncomfortable.

Although it is common, if you do not learn how to treat or decrease the severity of the symptoms, it can lead to worsening conditions like stomach ulcers. Sometimes, you can treat acid reflux symptoms by feeding your dog three meals a day in small portions. Look for trigger foods that cause vomiting and omit them from your dog’s diet.

5.      Parasites

Sadly, common parasites and illnesses prevalent in puppies can also cause vomiting. Since many parasites like to attack the stomach or live in the digestive system, this leads your dog to throw up as a result. Antibiotics and deworming medication usually do the trick.

How to Treat Your Dog After Throwing Up

What do you do as soon as your dog vomits? A common reaction your dog may display is nervousness. It is best to try and soothe your dog. Steer them away from their vomit, as they may try and eat it. For a minimum of two hours, encourage your puppy to drink water and replenish their electrolytes. A big concern with throwing up is the possibility of dehydration.

Start slowly introducing your dog to low-fat foods that are easy to digest. After 24 hours have passed and they are positively reacting to the food you are providing them, you can give them their regular dog food (as long as it is not the cause).

Preventing Your Dog from Vomiting

It is not always possible to prevent your dog from vomiting. As much as we want to be there for our dogs every minute of the day, it is not possible.

However, you should feed your dog a high-fiber diet so they can digest food easily. This may lead to a decrease in vomiting long-term. There are also supplements that introduce good bacteria into your dog’s digestive system and stomach that promote proper digestion. Dogs lose these bacteria when they throw up.

Conclusion

Overall, you should not worry when you notice that your dog is throwing up, especially when it is a one-time thing. However, if it occurs over a long period of time and you notice that your dog is refusing to eat, it could be a sign of an underlying condition. Most of the time, though, dogs throw up because of indigestion, new diets, food allergies, parasites, and acid reflux.

Call Mendocino Animal Hospital at (707) 462-8833 or book an appointment online to talk with a vet about your dog’s throwing up.