Seeing your dog throwing up whole dog food is always unpleasant. Though vomiting is common and often caused by dietary indiscretion, at times it signals a more serious medical condition requiring veterinary care. The experts at Nextrition say that knowing when to worry and seek help can prevent your pup’s condition from worsening.
How the Digestive System Works
Understanding causation starts with knowing how your dog digests food. Initial breakdown occurs in the stomach, where hydrochloric acid and muscular contractions reduce particles. Food then moves to the small intestines for further enzyme action and nutrient absorption.
This hour-long process from stomach to colon completion moves rapidly. Any disruption allows partially digested contents to reverse back up the esophagus – what we know as vomit. While unpleasant, occasional isolated instances are normal.
Common Causes of Vomiting
Dietary indiscretion like stealing food or eating garbage upsets the digestive process quickly. This causes acute vomiting but usually resolves once the trigger is expelled. Consuming unusually large meals, rich human foods or even excessive treats overwhelms the system as well, bringing food back up.
Allergies or intolerance to ingredients like dairy, wheat, beef or chicken prompts immune reactions and inflammation interfering with digestion too. Dogs might repeatedly vomit partially digested food when triggers go unaddressed. Identifying and eliminating problem ingredients provides relief.
Infections, worms, viruses, poisoning, kidney and liver disease can also spark abdominal pain and nausea. Dogs experiencing stress and anxiety manifest stomach issues and anything mechanically blocking passageways internally leads to reverse expulsion of contents.
When to Visit the Veterinarian
Isolated incidents of vomiting are generally not concerning if they resolve within 24 hours. Small amounts of water and bland foods like boiled chicken and rice after a 12-hour fast help calm the gastrointestinal tract, but call your vet promptly if additional symptoms arise such as:
- Blood present in vomit or stool
- Consecutive vomiting more than 2-3 times hourly
- Signs of pain or breathing issues
- Diarrhea or loss of appetite beyond 24 hours
- Lethargy, fever or severe weakness
- Ingestion of known toxins or foreign items
Testing like blood panels, urinalysis, imaging and endoscopy diagnostics determine causes like ulcers, perforations, obstructions, organ dysfunction or cancers. Medications prescribed help settle digestion and may include antibiotics, anti-nausea, and protective gut coatings.
Provide Supportive Care at Home
Withholding food for 6-12 hours after a vomiting episode remains important to allow rest. Gradually reintroduce small bland meals like canned pumpkin or probiotic yogurt mixed with white rice once symptoms settle, and consider incorporating tummy treats for dogs that are gentle on the stomach.
Try an elimination or hydrolyzed protein diet trial to pinpoint underlying food allergies. Keep well hydrated with frequent sips of water. Monitor vomit color and contents like the presence of blood, bile, or food, and capture samples if happening serially. All this provides helpful details for your vet.
Prevent Repeat Instances
Dogs that vomit from eating too fast or too much may benefit from exercise pens around food or special slow-feed bowls. Feed smaller meals more frequently to prevent gorging and overload. Avoid excessive human table food sharing as well to reduce exposure to unsuitable ingredients.
Pups with anxiety benefit from behavioral modification to ease associated gastrointestinal distress. Identifying and promptly addressing causes limits chronic regurgitation. Symptoms recurring greater than 2-4 times weekly need examination to rule out systemic conditions.
Conclusion
While any dog throwing their food causes alarm, occasional vomiting is normal. Dietary triggers typically resolve after expulsion. But repeat instances, especially with additional symptoms, warrant veterinary investigation. With supportive care like bland diets, probiotics and rehydration at home, even simple stomach bugs pass. Pay attention to severity and frequency, capturing episodes details for your vet. Getting to the root issue minimizes vomiting long-term and keeps your dog’s digestion smooth.
