Whether you watch it all unfold or come home to find a pile of vomit in the corner, knowing your dog has been sick can be troubling. There’s good news, though: vomit provides a (chunky) heap of information about what’s going in your dog’s bod.
The occasional bout of vomit is often your dog’s way of expelling something he shouldn’t have eaten (hi, grass), but if hidden surprises are a common occurrence in your house, something larger may be to blame. Here are five of the most common reasons your dog is tossing up his dinner.
What goes in, must come out
Food intolerances and allergies can both lead to symptoms like vomit and diarrhea, while the presence of fillers and additives in certain dry foods can also make dogs sick. Looking for an alternate solution? Switching to a fresh food diet has been proven to help dogs with vomiting.
Chew your food
Our grandmothers have been telling us for years to slow down and chew our food. Dogs technically can’t chew, but they still can benefit from slowing down at mealtime since eating too quickly can cause vomiting. Typically this is to blame when your dog throws up large amounts of partially digested food. If your dog is consistently throwing up after meals, try a slow-feeder or keep the bowl higher than usual so that it’s above your pup’s shoulders when eating. Gravity will assist in pushing the food down through the digestive system at a slowed rate.
Fast cars = Ticket to retch
Your dog may love tagging along on car rides, but they may not love him back. If your pup is puking after road trips, it’s a classic case of motion sickness. And hey, can you blame him? We still can’t text in the back of a cab without getting queasy. Ventilation is an easy remedy, so roll the windows down and turn the radio up (dogs love dancing).
Worms: they’re not just for early birds
Worms can irritate the stomach and induce vomit. Always take preventative measures with monthly anti-flea and worm medications and and schedule regular vet checkups to scan for worms.
Stomach bugs
Sometimes a dog’s stomach is so upset from allergies or illness that it may take two weeks to return to normal. Consult your vet to find out if your dog needs additional medicine for recovery. Supplement with extra hugs as needed.
Pet parents, take note: sometimes dogs just eat random things and throw up. No need to panic or call in reinforcements. You should call your vet if vomiting occurs for more than two consecutive days or if there’s blood. In the end, you know your dog better than anyone, so go with your gut when theirs is upset.
Image: @digbyvanwinkle
