Dog Vomiting 2025: When to Worry, What to Do & Vet Treatment Options 🐶✨

By Dr. Duncan Houston BVSc

Dogs vomit more than most animals—but not all vomiting is normal. It might be something they ate... or a sign of something much more serious.

I’m Dr. Duncan Houston, veterinarian and founder of Ask A Vet. Here’s how to tell the difference between harmless and concerning vomiting, what causes it, and what to do next.

📋 Types of Vomit and What They Mean

1. Yellow Bile

• Common on an empty stomach (morning or after fasting)
• May suggest acid buildup or mild gastritis

2. White Foam

• Often indicates irritation of the stomach lining
• Seen in kennel cough or mild nausea

3. Undigested Food

• If soon after eating, it may be regurgitation (not vomiting)
• If delayed, may suggest delayed gastric emptying or obstruction

4. Blood (Fresh or Coffee Grounds)

• Fresh blood = upper GI bleeding or trauma
• Dark, grainy = digested blood from ulcers or poisoning

5. Mucus or Grass

• May indicate upset from dietary indiscretion or mild gastritis

🚨 When to Worry

• Vomiting more than twice in 24 hours
• Vomiting with lethargy, weakness, or collapse
• Blood in vomit or stool
• Known toxin exposure (chocolate, grapes, medications)
• Unproductive retching (risk of bloat/GDV)

🔍 Common Causes of Vomiting

• Dietary indiscretion (eating garbage or new food)
• Foreign body ingestion (toys, bones, clothing)
• Pancreatitis
• Parasites or infections
• Kidney or liver disease
• Motion sickness or stress
• Heatstroke or overexertion

🧪 What Your Vet Might Do

• Physical exam and abdominal palpation
• Blood tests to assess organ function
• X-rays or ultrasound to check for blockages
• Parvovirus or fecal testing in puppies

💊 Vet Treatment Options

• Antiemetics (e.g., Cerenia, ondansetron)
• Gastroprotectants (e.g., omeprazole, sucralfate)
• IV fluids and hospitalization for severe dehydration
• Surgery if a foreign object or twist is found

🏡 What You Can Do at Home (Mild Cases Only)

• Withhold food for 6–12 hours (not water)
• Start with bland food: boiled chicken and rice in small amounts
• Offer ice chips or water in small sips
• Monitor closely for worsening signs

🛑 What NOT to Do

• Don’t give human meds like Pepto or aspirin
• Don’t fast puppies or toy breeds for too long
• Don’t delay vet care if symptoms persist

🔗 Tools from Ask A Vet

• Explorer Harness – Provides gentle control for weak or recovering dogs
• Ask A Vet – Upload videos of vomiting, track episodes, and get vet guidance fast

📋 Summary Excerpt

Dogs vomit for many reasons—but not all of them are benign. A vet explains how to recognize serious causes, what to do at home, and when to seek help immediately.

❓ FAQs

• Q: Should I feed my dog after they vomit?
  A: Withhold food for 6–12 hours if they’re otherwise well. Then try bland food. If vomiting continues—see a vet.
• Q: When is vomiting an emergency?
  A: Vomiting with blood, lethargy, unproductive retching, or dehydration is an emergency.
• Q: What’s the difference between vomiting and regurgitation?
  A: Regurgitation is passive and occurs shortly after eating. Vomiting is active, with abdominal effort and nausea signs.