A Vet’s Guide: Understanding & Managing Nausea in Dogs (2025) 🤢🐾 

By Dr. Duncan Houston BVSc

Hi—I’m Dr Duncan Houston BVSc, veterinarian and founder of Ask A Vet. When your dog is nauseated—drooling, licking lips, refusing food, or vomiting—it’s your body’s way of saying something’s off. In this vet‑approved guide, we’ll walk through:

• 🔍 Recognizing the signs of nausea
• 🧩 Common & serious causes—from simple tummy upset to pancreatitis or systemic disease
• 🛠️ Diagnostic approach
• 💊 Medical and natural treatments (like Cerenia & ginger)
  

1. Signs Your Dog Might Be Nauseous

Dogs can’t tell you they feel sick, so look out for these cues :

• Excessive drooling, lip-licking, or chewing motions
• Frequent yawning or swallowing, refusal to eat
• Gagging, dry heaving, soft vomiting
• Lethargy, unwillingness to move

2. Common Causes of Nausea

🧂 Simple Upset Stomach

From eating too fast, switching meals, scavenging garbage, to minor GI infections. Often short-lived and managed with time and bland diets.

🚗 Motion Sickness

Common in young dogs; caused by inner-ear confusion. Signs include drooling, whining, and vomiting in cars.

⚠️ Serious GI Conditions

• Gastritis or ulcers from NSAIDs or toxins
• Pancreatitis—pain, vomiting, anorexia, diagnosed via lipase tests/imaging
• Gastric dilatation-volvulus ("bloat")—a medical emergency

🦠 Infections & Parasites

Bacterial, viral (parvovirus), or parasitic causes like those found in gastroenteritis—more worrisome if accompanied by diarrhea or blood.

🩺 Systemic Disease

Kidney, liver failure, diabetes, or cancer may manifest as chronic nausea; always check for these in persistent cases.

3. Diagnostic Approach

• Physical exam & history: diet, meds, travel, toxic exposure
• Basic labs: CBC, biochemistry to assess organ health
• Pancreatic lipase test for pancreatitis
• Imaging: X-ray or ultrasound for obstructions, GDV
• GI panels: For chronic vomiting—endoscopy, biopsies, parasitology

4. Treatment Options

⚕️ Medications

• Cerenia (maropitant): vet-favorite for motion sickness, GI upset
• Ondansetron: off-label vomit blocker, good for food poisoning/chemo
• Metoclopramide: speeds digestion and controls vomiting
• Famotidine/Pepcid: acid reducer to soothe the stomach lining 

🌿 Soothing & Natural Remedies

• Ginger or peppermint in small doses for mild nausea
• Small, frequent meals of a bland diet after a short fast 
• Probiotics or kefir to support gut health

5. Home-Care & Support Tools

• Ask A Vet App: Send videos/photos of vomiting, logs of meds, food, & behavior for remote advice
• Environment: Quiet space, lightly scented, small food/water portions, frequent breaks

6. Real Vet Case Study

Case: “Milo,” 4-year-old terrier
Milo had repeated vomiting and lethargy after eating fast. Vet diagnosed mild pancreatitis via lipase and ultrasound. He received IV fluids, Cerenia, ondansetron, and fed small bland meals. At home, Ask A Vet followed his progress. He fully recovered in a week.

7. FAQs

• How long until I worry? 🔄
  Vomiting once? Monitor. Two or more episodes in 24h, or with lethargy/appetite loss—call the vet.
• Can I give antacids? 💊
  Famotidine is safe with vet approval; don’t use aspirin or ibuprofen. Ask A Vet review recommended.
• Is motion sickness permanent?
  Often puppies outgrow it by one year; Cerenia and desensitization help.
• When is it emergency?
  Non‑stop vomiting, blood, bloating, distended abdomen, weakness — go to ER immediately (could be GDV).
• Are natural remedies enough?
  They help mild cases. With ongoing signs or systemic illness, professional care and diagnostics are necessary.

📌 Final Thoughts from a Vet

Nausea in dogs can signal an array of issues—from mild upset to serious conditions like pancreatitis or GDV. By recognizing early signs, seeking proper diagnostics, and combining veterinary medications with home-care tools like Ask A Vet, you can support your pup’s comfort and recovery in 2025. Stay observant, and when in doubt—ask your vet. 🐾❤️