2025 Vet Guide: Dog Nausea – Causes, Signs & Care Strategies 🤢🐶

By Dr. Duncan Houston BVSc

Nausea in dogs is not always obvious. Symptoms like lip‑licking, drooling, restlessness, and even vomiting signals that your pup isn’t feeling well. Early recognition and understanding can help you provide comfort—and avoid serious issues. 🧭

🤔 1. Recognizing Dog Nausea

• Lip licking, drooling & swallowing—dogs can’t say “I feel sick,” so these behaviors are their clues.
• Restlessness, pacing, yawning—from stomach discomfort or gastrointestinal irritation.
• Burping, whining, refusing food or sudden vomiting—signs that the stomach is upset.

🌡️ 2. Common Causes of Nausea

• Dietary upset or indiscretion: Eating garbage, spoiled food, plants, or changing diets too fast can irritate the stomach.
• Bilious vomiting syndrome: Acid‑bile reflux after long fasting causing morning nausea; often managed by feeding late-night snacks.
• Gastritis: Inflammation from toxins, infections, foreign bodies—causes pain, vomiting, possible blood in vomit or stool.
• Acid reflux (GER): Stomach acid rising into the esophagus causes burning and nausea—see lip licking, burping, vomiting.
• Pancreatitis or internal illness: Inflammation of the pancreas or other systemic disease can cause severe nausea.

🩺 3. When to Worry & Vet Care

If nausea is chronic, persistent, or accompanied by any of the following, seek veterinary attention:

• Repeated vomiting, especially with blood or bile
• Refusal to eat or drink, lethargy, or weight loss
• Abdominal pain, diarrhea, black/tarry stool, fever
• History of toxin exposure or dietary indiscretion

These signs may reflect serious conditions like gastritis, obstruction, pancreatitis, kidney or liver disease.

🧪 4. Diagnostic Approach

• Medical history and physical exam including abdominal palpation
• Bloodwork, urinalysis, possibly imaging (X‑ray/ultrasound).
• Endoscopy in suspected reflux or chronic gastritis cases.
• Fecal testing for parasites or infection.

💊 5. Treatment & Soothing Care

• Dietary adjustment: Bland, small meals (rice & chicken, low‑fat prescription), frequent feeds to reduce reflux.
• Medications: Antiemetics (maropitant, ondansetron), acid‑reducers (famotidine, omeprazole), gastroprotectants.
• Hydration support: Small water or ice pieces to prevent vomiting, IV fluids if needed.
• Toxin treatment: Activated charcoal or antidotes depending on the substance.

🏡 6. Home Prevention Strategies

• Feed several small meals daily, including a late evening snack
• Avoid table scraps, trash access, sudden diet changes
• Monitor water intake; give ice chips if necessary
• Observe patterns: note times, types of vomit, food/water intake via tracking tools
• Use apps like Ask A Vet, Woopf, and Purrz for symptom tracking and professional guidance

📚 FAQs

Q: Is occasional lip‑licking before meals normal?

Yes, if subtle and not followed by vomiting or dull behavior. But if it’s frequent or paired with drooling or heaving, get it checked. 

Q: My dog vomits yellow bile once—should I panic?

Not necessarily—bilious vomiting syndrome is common. Try nighttime snack and morning feeding; vet evaluation if persistent. 

Q: Can home remedies help nausea?

Ginger, pumpkin, or bone broth might soothe mild upset, but persistent vomiting needs vet attention.

🏁 Final Thoughts from Dr Houston

Nausea is your dog’s way of showing discomfort—it’s a signal, not a symptom to ignore. By recognizing signs early, modifying diet, and seeking veterinary care when needed, you can help restore your dog’s comfort and health. In 2025, tools like Ask A Vet, Woopf, and Purrz empower you to track symptoms, guide interventions, and communicate effectively with professionals. 💙

Download the Ask A Vet app for real‑time nausea triage, medication reminders, and expert advice. 📱

AskAVet.com – Compassionate care starts with listening.