Common Causes of Vomiting in Dogs
There are many reasons why your beloved pet suddenly needs to vomit. Not every vomiting episode means big drama, but there are indeed dangerous causes for vomiting. Our veterinarian presents 6 common reasons for vomiting in dogs in this article.
Symptoms: How do you recognize vomiting?
Vomiting is one of the body's protective mechanisms. When your furry friend's stomach realizes that something is wrong, it alerts the vomiting center and the vomiting begins. It is divided into 3 phases:
1. Nausea: This phase is characterized by increased lip-smacking, drooling and swallowing, yawning, and restlessness.
2. Retching: In this phase, the abdominal muscles tense up, the back arches, and the stomach contents are transported towards the oral cavity.
3. The vomiting itself: In this phase, the stomach contents are expelled.
[TRANSLATION ERROR] Um richtig reagieren zu können, wenn dein Hund erbricht, musst du wissen, woher dieses Verhalten kommen kann.
Causes: Why do dogs vomit?
Eating too quickly
As soon as you place the food bowl on the floor, your beloved pet has gobbled everything up and licked the bowl clean? Not long after, the whole food comes back just as quickly?
If this behavior occurs frequently and you see a clear connection between the rapid food intake and vomiting, it may be that your four-legged friend is simply swallowing the food too quickly. That's just too much for the stomach. What can you do about it?
Divide the daily food ration into 2-3 small meals. Avoid giving too large amounts of food at once. There are also special anti-gulping bowls that reduce fast eating and provide entertainment at the same time. This way, the food intake is slower, and your dog's stomach is not completely overwhelmed.
Poisoning or food intoxication
You looked away for a moment during the walk, and your four-legged friend has eaten something unknown? Unfortunately, there are people who wish our furry friends no good and lay out →poison bait in dog parks or other green areas. These baits can contain various things. Therefore, other symptoms besides vomiting can also occur. Does your dog tend to eat everything that comes between its teeth? Then you should keep poisoning as a cause in mind if there is sudden vomiting after the walk.
But even at home, your beloved pet can find some foods that are not suitable for them. Grapes, raisins, onions, garlic, alcohol, and certain spices are absolutely taboo for your four-legged friend. Household items like cleaning agents or antifreeze should also be stored out of reach of your dog. All these things are toxic to dogs and can cause many other symptoms in addition to vomiting. Do you like to reach for sweet fruits and want to do something good for your furry friend?
[TRANSLATION ERROR] Informier dich vorher gut: Manches Obst ist für deinen Vierbeiner ein gesunder Snack, andere Lebensmittel sind giftig!
Eating grass
Eating grass is a natural behavior of dogs. It is still scientifically unclear what advantage eating grass brings to dogs. Not all dogs that eat grass vomit as well. Some eat grass when they have a bit of a tummy ache. This raises the question of what came first. Do dogs vomit because they ate grass, or do they eat grass because they feel sick?
If your furry friend sometimes vomits after eating grass, you don't need to worry. However, if this happens frequently and regularly, you should have your beloved pet checked out completely by your veterinarian to rule out possible medical causes.
Gastritis
Gastritis or gastroenteritis is an inflammation of the stomach or stomach and intestinal mucosa. Possible causes can include:
- Ingestion of spoiled food
- Medications
- Stress
- Infections with gastrointestinal parasites
- Bacteria or viruses
Other symptoms besides repeated vomiting can include loss of appetite or diarrhea. If you suspect gastritis, please contact your veterinarian!
Stomach ulcer
A stomach ulcer, also known as a gastric ulcer, can also lead to vomiting. With a stomach ulcer, the stomach lining is damaged and thus easily attacked by stomach acid. The result: Your four-legged friend reacts with nausea, vomiting, and abdominal pain. Again, we recommend contacting your veterinarian!
Intestinal obstruction
Intestinal obstructions are often caused by ingesting foreign bodies. Is a toy (or just a part of it) missing, or do you miss a sock? If your dog has eaten a foreign body and is vomiting, quick action and immediate contact with your veterinarian is advisable. Especially if your dog's general well-being is poor, meaning if they seem very lethargic, have little energy, or show other unusual symptoms, you should be alarmed.
[TRANSLATION ERROR] Unabhängig von einer Fremdkörperaufnahme kann Erbrechen auch ein Symptom einer Magendrehung sein. Das typische Erbrechen hier ist Würgen und der Versuch des Erbrechens, ohne dass dabei etwas herauskommt.
Dogs often already show a decreased general condition in such cases. A twisted stomach is life-threatening, and in this case, every minute counts to save your beloved pet.
What can I give my dog when they vomit?
Of course, there are many other causes of vomiting, but the ones mentioned here are among the most common.
In general, vomiting is a frequent problem. If it happens once, you usually don't need to worry. It's best to give your furry friend no food for 12 to 24 hours so that the gastrointestinal tract can calm down. After that, you can slowly start feeding small portions of →bland diet and divide the daily ration into several small meals. The so-called →Moro soup is particularly recommended, as it is a real miracle remedy for acute digestive problems and vomiting thanks to the power of the orange super vegetable carrot and the valuable insights of its namesake, Prof. Ernst Moro.
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As you have read, the causes can range from harmless grass eating to life-threatening stomach torsion. You know your beloved pet best. Especially if other symptoms such as diarrhea, fever, decreased general condition, or weakness occur alongside vomiting, or if there is blood in the vomit, you should seek veterinary advice as soon as possible. Also, if you are unsure, it’s better to call too often than too little. Often, vomiting is symptomatically treatable, and after a bit of medical support, your dear furry friend will feel better. Keep in mind that medications intended for humans can be toxic to our dogs, and prescriptions should be left to professionals!
