What to Give a Dog When They Are Throwing Up: A Veterinarian’s Guide
When your dog is vomiting, the best initial response is often to withhold food for a short period and offer small amounts of water. Later, you might offer a bland diet like boiled chicken and rice in small, frequent meals, but always consult your veterinarian for personalized advice.
Understanding Canine Vomiting
Vomiting in dogs is a common symptom, but it’s important to understand the potential causes and how to respond appropriately. Vomiting is the forceful expulsion of stomach contents and differs from regurgitation, which is a more passive process. What do you give a dog when they are throwing up? It depends greatly on the underlying cause and severity of the condition. While some instances are mild and self-limiting, others can indicate a serious medical issue requiring immediate veterinary attention.
Common Causes of Vomiting in Dogs
Numerous factors can trigger vomiting in dogs. Here are some of the more common culprits:
- Dietary Indiscretion: Eating something they shouldn’t, like garbage, spoiled food, or foreign objects.
- Infections: Viral or bacterial infections can cause gastrointestinal upset and vomiting.
- Parasites: Intestinal parasites like worms can irritate the digestive system.
- Motion Sickness: Some dogs are prone to motion sickness during car rides.
- Medications: Certain medications can have vomiting as a side effect.
- Underlying Medical Conditions: Kidney disease, liver disease, pancreatitis, and other systemic illnesses can cause vomiting.
- Toxins: Ingestion of poisonous substances.
- Inflammatory Bowel Disease (IBD): A chronic inflammatory condition of the gastrointestinal tract.
Initial Response: Withholding Food and Water
When your dog vomits, the first instinct might be to offer food to comfort them. However, this can often exacerbate the problem. The most beneficial initial step is usually to withhold food for 12-24 hours. This allows the stomach to rest and recover.
- Water: Provide small amounts of water frequently, or ice cubes, to prevent dehydration. Avoid giving large volumes of water all at once, as this can trigger more vomiting.
Introducing a Bland Diet
After the initial fasting period, if the vomiting has subsided, you can gradually introduce a bland diet. This diet is easy to digest and less likely to irritate the stomach.
- Boiled Chicken and Rice: A classic bland diet option. Use lean, skinless chicken and plain white rice.
- Other Options: Cooked sweet potato, plain yogurt (with no artificial sweeteners), or commercially available bland diet foods from your veterinarian.
- Portion Size: Offer small, frequent meals. Start with a tablespoon or two, and gradually increase the portion size if your dog tolerates it well.
- Gradual Transition: After a few days on the bland diet, gradually reintroduce your dog’s regular food by mixing it with the bland diet and slowly increasing the ratio of regular food.
When to Seek Veterinary Care
While home care can be effective for mild cases of vomiting, it’s crucial to recognize when veterinary intervention is necessary. Seek immediate veterinary attention if your dog exhibits any of the following symptoms:
- Frequent or Projectile Vomiting: Vomiting multiple times in a short period or with significant force.
- Blood in Vomit: Indicates potential bleeding in the gastrointestinal tract.
- Lethargy or Weakness: Signs of dehydration or underlying illness.
- Abdominal Pain or Distention: Could indicate a serious abdominal problem.
- Inability to Keep Down Water: Risk of dehydration.
- Vomiting Accompanied by Diarrhea: Suggests a more widespread gastrointestinal issue.
- Known Ingestion of Toxin or Foreign Object: Requires immediate medical attention.
- If your dog has underlying medical conditions: Always err on the side of caution and contact your veterinarian.
Medications and Supplements
Never administer any medications or supplements to your dog without consulting your veterinarian. Certain medications, like human anti-nausea drugs, can be toxic to dogs.
- Anti-Nausea Medications: Veterinarians can prescribe safe and effective anti-nausea medications for dogs, such as maropitant (Cerenia).
- Probiotics: May help to restore the balance of gut bacteria, especially after a bout of vomiting or diarrhea. Always check with your veterinarian before administering probiotics.
Prevention Strategies
While you can’t prevent all instances of vomiting, you can take steps to minimize the risk:
- Prevent Access to Garbage and Spoiled Food: Keep garbage cans securely covered and avoid feeding your dog table scraps.
- Supervise Outdoor Activities: Watch your dog closely when they’re outside to prevent them from eating things they shouldn’t.
- Feed a High-Quality Diet: Choose a reputable brand of dog food that meets your dog’s nutritional needs.
- Regular Deworming: Follow your veterinarian’s recommended deworming schedule.
- Avoid Sudden Diet Changes: Introduce new foods gradually to avoid digestive upset.
- Manage Motion Sickness: If your dog is prone to motion sickness, talk to your veterinarian about preventative medications or strategies.
Dehydration: A Serious Concern
Vomiting can quickly lead to dehydration, which can be dangerous for dogs. Monitor your dog for signs of dehydration, such as:
- Dry or Sticky Gums: Check the moisture level of your dog’s gums.
- Sunken Eyes: An indication of fluid loss.
- Decreased Skin Elasticity: Gently pinch the skin on the back of your dog’s neck. If it doesn’t quickly return to its normal position, your dog may be dehydrated.
- Lethargy: A sign of reduced energy and overall weakness.
If you suspect your dog is dehydrated, contact your veterinarian immediately.
What do you give a dog when they are throwing up? Remember to consult with a veterinarian for the best, personalized recommendations.
Frequently Asked Questions
How quickly should I contact a vet if my dog vomits?
The urgency depends on the severity and frequency of the vomiting. If your dog vomits once and seems otherwise fine, you can monitor them closely. However, if the vomiting is frequent, projectile, or accompanied by other symptoms like lethargy or blood in the vomit, you should contact your veterinarian immediately.
Can I give my dog Pepto-Bismol for vomiting?
Pepto-Bismol should never be given to dogs without veterinary guidance. It contains salicylates, which can be toxic to dogs, especially at high doses. Always consult your veterinarian before administering any medication to your dog.
Is it normal for my dog to vomit yellow bile?
Vomiting yellow bile usually means your dog’s stomach is empty and they’re vomiting stomach acids. This can be caused by not eating for an extended period or by certain medical conditions. While it’s not always an emergency, frequent bilious vomiting warrants a veterinary visit.
My dog ate grass and then vomited. Is this normal?
Eating grass is a common behavior in dogs, and it often leads to vomiting. While the exact reason for this behavior is unknown, it could be due to digestive upset or a need for certain nutrients. If your dog vomits after eating grass but otherwise seems fine, it’s usually not a cause for concern. However, if it’s frequent or accompanied by other symptoms, consult your vet.
Can stress cause my dog to vomit?
Yes, stress and anxiety can definitely trigger vomiting in dogs. Changes in routine, loud noises, or separation anxiety can all lead to gastrointestinal upset. Try to identify and minimize stressors in your dog’s environment.
What if my puppy is vomiting?
Vomiting in puppies is more concerning than in adult dogs because puppies are more susceptible to dehydration and certain infections. Seek veterinary care immediately if your puppy is vomiting, especially if they are young or unvaccinated.
How long should I keep my dog on a bland diet?
You should keep your dog on a bland diet until their vomiting has completely resolved and their appetite has returned to normal. Typically, this is for 2-3 days. Gradually reintroduce their regular food after this period.
Is it okay to give my dog Pedialyte when they are vomiting?
Pedialyte can help to replenish electrolytes lost through vomiting, but it should only be given in small amounts and under veterinary guidance. Too much Pedialyte can actually worsen the situation.
What if my dog is vomiting after eating their food?
If your dog is consistently vomiting after eating their food, it could indicate a food allergy or intolerance, or a problem with their digestive system. Consider switching to a hypoallergenic diet or consult with your veterinarian for further evaluation.
What can I do to prevent my dog from eating things they shouldn’t?
Preventing your dog from eating things they shouldn’t requires careful management. Keep hazardous items out of reach, supervise them closely during walks, and train them to “leave it” on command. Muzzles are also an option if your dog scavenges frequently.
Is vomiting after vaccination normal?
Some dogs may experience mild vomiting after vaccination as a side effect. This is usually self-limiting and resolves within 24-48 hours. If the vomiting is severe or persistent, contact your veterinarian.
How do I know if my dog is dehydrated from vomiting?
As discussed above, signs of dehydration include dry or sticky gums, sunken eyes, decreased skin elasticity, and lethargy. If you suspect your dog is dehydrated, seek immediate veterinary attention. Dehydration can quickly become life-threatening, especially in puppies and senior dogs.