Vomiting in dogs is when a dog brings up the contents of its stomach, usually after signs of nausea and retching. The PDSA lists a long run of causes, from gut upsets to serious illness, and says most cases of vomiting are mild and simple to treat. The tricky part is spotting the ones that are not minor, so if you are unsure, speak to your vet.
At a glance
- What it is: a sign of an underlying problem rather than a condition in its own right.
- Who it affects: any dog. Very young or very old dogs need more caution.
- Urgency: varies from monitoring a single episode to an emergency (blood in the vomit, or retching with a bloated tummy).
- Vet needed? Usually, unless it is a one-off in an otherwise well adult dog.
Signs to look for
Before a dog is sick you may see signs of nausea: refusing food, lip licking, swallowing, dribbling, restlessness and pacing. The PDSA separates three things that look similar:
- Vomiting: nausea, retching and bringing up stomach contents, often with low energy and less appetite.
- Retching: heaving with little or nothing coming up.
- Regurgitation: bringing up undigested food soon after eating, without signs of nausea.
The colour can give your vet clues, so note it:
| What you see | PDSA description |
|---|---|
| Green or yellow, often foamy | Bile |
| Undigested or digested, often brown | Food |
| Red, black, brown or like coffee grounds | Blood (coffee-ground look if partly digested) |
The PDSA also notes dogs may eat grass when they feel sick. Our guide to why dogs eat grass has more.
Causes and risk factors
The PDSA’s list of causes includes gastritis and gastroenteritis (inflammation of the stomach and gut), eating something harmful or poisonous, a gut blockage, a twisted stomach, worms, travel sickness, food allergies, medicine side effects, and illnesses elsewhere in the body such as pancreatitis, an infected womb (pyometra), liver disease, kidney disease, Addison’s disease, diabetes and vestibular disease. Regular regurgitation can point to conditions such as megaoesophagus or reflux, which the PDSA says is seen most in flat-faced breeds such as French Bulldogs.
When to call your vet
The PDSA says a normally well dog that has been sick once may not need immediate contact but should be watched closely. Speak to your vet if he keeps vomiting or shows any of these:
- Continuous vomiting, or he doesn’t seem right after 24 hours
- Blood in the vomit (the PDSA says to contact the vet immediately)
- Bloody diarrhoea, or diarrhoea lasting more than two to three days
- Lethargy or a painful tummy
- Disorientation or collapse
- Signs of dehydration such as sticky gums or sunken eyes
Continuous retching and/or a bloated tummy can mean GDV, a twisted stomach, which the PDSA calls a life-threatening emergency. Ring your vet straight away and see GDV (bloat) in dogs. A second PDSA leaflet adds that a very young or very old dog that vomits needs a vet’s attention straight away. If you need a practice, try our vets guide, and our sick dog symptoms page helps when the picture is muddy.
- 1. Notice
Nausea, retching or being sick; note the colour - 2. Speak to your vet
Speak to your vet if it continues. Emergency: contact your vet or an emergency vet straight away for blood in the vomit, or retching with a bloated tummy - 3. Vet examines
A full examination, with X-rays or blood tests in some cases - 4. Options
Treatment options your vet may discuss: depends on the cause - 5. Ongoing care
Mention repeat episodes to your vet, with notes on timing and colour
How vets diagnose it
The PDSA says your vet will need to examine your dog before deciding on a treatment plan, and that most cases don’t need extensive tests. Blue Cross adds that the vet will usually ask about the last few days, to check whether your dog could have eaten something unusual or toxic, and carry out a full physical examination. Further tests such as X-rays or blood tests may be used in some cases, for example if haemorrhagic gastroenteritis is suspected, to look for foreign objects or disease.
What vets generally do about it
Treatment depends on the cause, and your vet decides it. Blue Cross says the vet will usually prescribe medication to stop the vomiting or diarrhoea, and a bland diet follows to let the stomach recover. More serious cases may need an intravenous drip, because staying hydrated is very important, and a dog with an infection may be kept apart from other animals to prevent it spreading.
Living with it and prevention
The PDSA gives home-care advice for a dog that has been sick once and is otherwise well. Its two pages differ slightly on feeding (the leaflet suggests a short fast of 12 to 24 hours before plain meals, while the web page goes straight to small, regular bland meals), so ask your vet what suits your dog rather than following either blindly. Our sources give no general way to prevent vomiting, because the causes are so varied. If your dog is also off his food, see how to tell if your dog isn’t eating enough. Repeat episodes are worth mentioning to your vet, ideally with notes on timing and colour.
Related conditions
- Gastroenteritis in dogs
- Diarrhoea in dogs
- GDV (bloat) in dogs
- Pancreatitis in dogs
- Parvovirus in dogs
- Poisoning in dogs
- Worms in dogs
- Vestibular disease in dogs
- Back to the dog illnesses and conditions A-Z
Sources
- PDSA, Dog vomiting
- PDSA, Vomiting in dogs (Pet Health Hub leaflet)
- Blue Cross, Vomiting and diarrhoea in dogs
Frequently Asked Questions
When should I worry about my dog being sick?
The PDSA says to speak to your vet if vomiting continues, there is blood in it, or your dog is lethargic, has a painful tummy, seems dehydrated or has collapsed. A very young or very old dog should see a vet straight away.
Why is my dog sick but acting normal?
The PDSA says most cases of vomiting are mild and simple to treat. A single episode in an otherwise well adult dog should be watched closely, and if it happens again or he stops seeming right, speak to your vet.
What does the colour of dog vomit mean?
The PDSA describes green or yellow foamy vomit as bile, brown as food, and red, black or coffee-ground-like vomit as blood. Blood needs your vet straight away, and a note of the colour helps them.
Is retching with nothing coming up an emergency?
A single retch is usually minor, but the PDSA says continuous retching and/or a bloated tummy may be GDV, a life-threatening emergency. Contact your vet immediately.
This page is general information, not veterinary advice. If you are worried about your dog, speak to your vet. Written by Georgiana & Figo, who are dog owners, not vets. Have a look around Calmshops for everyday dog essentials.
