Vomiting in Dogs: Causes & When to Worry

There are many reasons why your dog could be vomiting. Today, our Lincoln Park vets provide some information about vomiting in dogs, what to do if your dog begins vomiting, how to induce vomiting if necessary, and when you should seek veterinary care.

Why Dogs Vomit

Vomiting is a common sign of an irritated stomach, inflamed intestines, or gastrointestinal upset in dogs.

As almost every dog owner understands that while vomiting in dogs is an unpleasant thing to witness and can be distressing, it is your pet’s way of emptying their stomach of indigestible material to prevent it from remaining in their system, or from reaching other areas of their body.

A perfectly healthy dog will vomit if they ate if they ate something they shouldn't have. It can simply be a way for their body to get rid of something that shouldn't be there.

Causes of Vomiting in Dogs

Several things can cause vomiting and diarrhea in dogs. It’s possible your pooch could have eaten too quickly, dined on too much grass, or eaten something their stomach simply didn't agree with. This type of vomiting may be a one-time occurrence and not be accompanied by any other symptoms. So, vomiting in dogs isn't always a reason for concern.

That said, potential causes of acute vomiting (sudden or severe) can be related to diseases, disorders, or health complications such as:

When To Worry About Vomiting in Dogs

Vomiting may be cause for some concern and constitute a serious veterinary emergency if you see any of these signs:

Chronic Vomiting

If your dog has been vomiting frequently or it has become a long-term or chronic issue, this is cause for concern, especially if you’ve noticed symptoms including abdominal pain, depression, dehydration, blood, poor appetite, fever, weakness, weight loss, or other unusual behaviors.

Long-term, recurrent vomiting can be caused by:

• Cancer
• Liver or kidney failure
• Uterine infection
• Constipation
• Intestinal obstruction
• Colitis

As a cautious pet owner, it’s always best to prioritize safety and caution when it comes to your pup’s health. The best way to learn whether your dog’s vomiting is normal or not is to contact your vet.

What To Do If Your Dog Won't Stop Vomiting

Your veterinarian will need your help to find the cause of the vomiting based on your pup's medical history and recent activities. You may be able to provide vital information that can help your vet diagnose the source of the problem and effectively treat it.

How to Induce Vomiting in Dogs

Panicked owners often find themselves searching "how to induce vomiting in dogs". Toxins cause gastrointestinal upset, but can also do serious damage when they are absorbed into the bloodstream as they get into the tissue. With decontamination, the goal is to eliminate the toxin from the body before it’s absorbed. If vomiting can be induced before the intestines absorb the toxin, toxicity may be prevented.

That said, dog owners should know that inducing vomiting at home is not advised except under extreme circumstances!

In addition, this should always be done under the guidance of a licensed veterinarian. Before taking this action, call your primary veterinarian or a veterinary poison control center for advice.

Deciding whether your pooch should be induced at home depends on what and how much your dog has consumed, and how much time has passed - there's a chance that the substance or amount consumed wasn't toxic, so inducing vomiting wouldn't be necessary.

Though vomiting can safely bring most toxins up, a few will cause more damage by passing through the esophagus a second time by moving through the GI tract. These include bleach, cleaning products, other caustic chemicals, and petroleum-based products.

Also, if 3% hydrogen peroxide (the only safe home substance that can be used to induce vomiting in dogs) is incorrectly administered, it can enter the lungs and cause significant problems such as pneumonia.

If your dog has a pre-existing health condition or there are other symptoms, inducing vomiting may result in other health risks. If induced vomiting is necessary, having a qualified veterinarian induce vomiting in-clinic is preferable.

When Not to Induce Vomiting

Vomiting should never be induced in a dog that is:

• Having a seizure or recently had a seizure
• Lethargic
• Unresponsive or unconscious
• Already vomiting

What to Do if You Suspect Your Dog Has Ingested a Toxin

Immediately contacting your veterinarian and/or poison control is the best thing you can do for your pet if they have ingested a toxin. This way, our emergency vets can immediately provide advice about whether you should bring your pet in, or if they think you can or should induce vomiting at home.

Note: The advice provided in this post is intended for informational purposes and does not constitute medical advice regarding pets. For an accurate diagnosis of your pet's condition, please make an appointment with your vet.