My Dog Is Throwing Up: What Should I Do?
Caring for your dog’s health is a top priority for all dog owners. That’s why we put a lot of effort into ensuring they eat the right food and get proper exercise. But no matter how much you try, there are times when you can’t avoid your dog running into some health issues.
And while you can’t prevent all health issues, you can at least make sure they get the right care when necessary.
So, what should you do if you see your dog throwing up?
Well, that depends. Sometimes, your dog may be throwing up simply because they ran around too much or ate something they shouldn’t have. Still, other times, it can indicate that your dog is sick and requires veterinary attention.
To spot whether it is an emergency or not you should notice if your dog is immediately fine after throwing up and also the color of the vomit.
If it’s red, it’s most likely blood, and therefore you should contact your local vet as soon as possible. However, dogs’ vomit comes in many shapes and colors, sometimes related to something your pup had been chewing or biting and that did not accommodate well in their belly.
Therefore, in this article, we’ll be going through some of the reasons your dog may be throwing up and a step-by-step guide on what to do in case it happens.
Read on to learn more why dogs throw up and what to do in each specific case.
Why Do Dogs Throw Up?
There are many reasons your dog may throw up. One of the most common ones is eating the wrong food. For example, if you have a garden where your dog runs around, then there’s a chance that they might eat the grass. As silly as it sounds, this is a common occurrence for dogs.
A dog’s digestive system can’t handle grass. So, if it eats too much, its body will try to expel the grass by throwing up. The same goes if they eat any other food that’s toxic or not compatible with their bodies, like garlic or plastic.
With that said, your dog may also throw up because they ran around too much. If your dog drinks a lot of water and eats food and then starts running around, this can shock the digestive system that causes them to throw up.
Lastly, there are times when vomiting is a symptom of a more serious condition. If you take care of your dog properly, there’s a smaller chance that sickness is causing them to vomit. However, if you feel like your dog has an underlying condition that causes them to vomit, then it’s best to contact your vet.
Is Vomiting a Bad Sign for Dogs?
If you catch your dog vomiting, you should definitely be concerned. However, this is no reason to panic. Most of the time, a dog will vomit because it ate something it shouldn’t have, and once the food is out of its system, it should be fine.
With that said, if your dog is already sick or exhibits other symptoms along with vomiting, this could indicate something more serious. In the event this happens, make sure to call the vet right away.
What to Do If Your Dog Is Throwing Up
If you catch your dog throwing up, don’t panic. Here’s a step-by-step guide that contains everything you need to do to ensure that your dog is safe and healthy after they vomit.
Examine the Vomit
First, you have to check out the vomit. We understand that this might seem gross, but it’s absolutely necessary if you want to get to the bottom of why your dog is vomiting. The color and consistency of your dog’s vomit can indicate what’s wrong with them, which is why you need to look at the vomit before cleaning it up.
Take note of whatever colors and textures you see, as this will be very valuable information if your dog requires veterinary attention.
For example, if your dog is vomiting white foam there might be an easy solution to that problem. You can read more about that here: whatthepup.spotandtango.com/dog-throwing-up-white-foam/
Retrace The Dog’s Steps
As mentioned earlier, it’s very important to figure out the reason why your dog is vomiting. So, after noting down the qualities of your dog’s vomit, it’s important to retrace your dog’s steps. Try to learn if they got into the pantry or were hanging out around a place with food that they can’t or shouldn’t eat.
It can be impossible to tell the exact reason your dog is vomiting just by retracing their steps, but it can be a huge help.
Observe Your Dog
The next step is to observe your dog. If your dog throws up and is perfectly fine after, then there’s no reason to panic. However, according to PetMD, if you notice that your dog is exhibiting any other symptoms along with vomiting, it’s best to keep a close eye on them.
Ideally, you want to keep an eye on your pet for at least 24 hours. If they are fine after that, there’s usually nothing wrong. But if symptoms persist longer than that, we highly recommend calling the vet.
Call the Vet (If Necessary)
Just because your dog vomited doesn’t mean you have to call the vet right away. However, if you notice your dog looking and feeling lethargic, nauseous, or exhibiting other symptoms like diarrhea, then veterinary attention is necessary.
Conclusion
There are many different kinds of vomiting that your dog can exhibit. You should examine the color of the vomit and the consistency. Plus, it’s very important to determine the behavior of your dog after throwing up. If your pup just throws up and gets back into playing mode, it’s most likely not something that should be worrying you.
Nonetheless, having your vet on your phone list in case one very unexpected situation happens and your pup is obviously feeling unwell it’s mandatory. Make sure to always keep an eye on him or her to ensure that their health is always a top priority on your list!
