Vomiting in dogs is a common disease symptom and can come from several different causes. It can be anything from a harmless and temporary condition to serious life-threatening diseases. If it is the latter, it is important to get quick veterinary help. As a dog owner, however, it can be difficult to know the cause. In this article, we provide you with basic information about some common causes of dog vomiting and how you should deal with it. 

Table of contents

Causes of vomiting in dogs 

Poisoning 

Another common cause vomiting in dogs is ingestion of foreign bodies, food or toxic substances. Some dogs are inclined to eat anything they find on the ground, almost like a living vacuum cleaner. This can naturally lead to vomiting and stomach problems. In general, it is a good idea to get to know your dog, so that you are familiar with your friend's personality and typical behaviour. If you have a particularly curious mate, it is therefore important to pay extra attention to what they get in. See what you should do if Your dog eats a lot of strange things.

There are a number of common foods and household items that are very dangerous for dogs. Examples are chocolate, sugar-free chewing gum and some human drugs toxic to dogs, and can both cause vomiting and be dangerous to the dog's health. 

Read more about poisoning in dogs here. 

Viruses and other diseases

Another common reason for vomiting in dogs are viral infections, from for example parvovirus. This is a serious illness that can be life-threatening. There are also other serious illnesses that can cause vomiting as a symptom, such as kidney failure, liver failure, cancer and pancreatitis. It is therefore important that you take this seriously, especially if the dog also has severe diarrhoea, a fever or a reduced general condition. 

A tired dog lying on the floor and sleeping. Vomiting in dogs.

Vomiting in a dog - do I need to contact a vet?

The short answer to this question is yes. Considering that the cause of the vomiting can be dangerous and, in the worst case, fatal, you should consult a veterinarian. In addition, vomiting can lead to dehydration, which can also have a number of adverse consequences for the dog's health. 

At the vet

When you arrive at the vet, we will first of all ask a number of questions to get an overview and picture of the disease. For example, it is relevant for us to know if the dog has other symptoms, if you know if the dog has ingested something it cannot tolerate and how long it has been vomiting. Furthermore, we will examine the animal, take relevant tests and samples, and draw up a treatment plan. 

Can I do something myself if the dog vomits?

In principle, we do not recommend self-treatment of dogs that are vomiting. If your dog has very mild symptoms and seems healthy and fine, you can possibly wait and watch for a while. Sometimes, for example, a dog may vomit because it has not eaten. There is nothing to worry about. Be sure to give too regularly and preferably 2 times a day. 

Another example of harmless reasons for vomiting is changing feed. If you know that the cause of the dog vomiting is harmless, you can treat it yourself. Make sure the dog gets enough fluids, and serve easily digestible food in small portions. You can also give your dog an electrolyte solution to help restore the body's fluid balance.

It is nevertheless important to monitor the dog closely and contact a vet immediately if the dog continues to vomit. We always prioritize urgent cases in our clinic, and on Saturdays we have our own emergency call between 10.00 a.m. and 15.00 p.m. See our contact information here. For urgent cases outside our opening hours, you can contact the 24-hour security guard at Fredrikstad Veterinary Clinic or Evidensia Animal Hospital in Oslo

Prevent stomach and intestinal problems in dogs

There are general measures you can take to prevent certain stomach and intestinal problems in your dog. For example, you should always give the dog dog food of high quality, which is adapted to the animal's individual needs. Some furry friends have extra sensitive stomachs and require special food. Also proceed gradually when changing the type of feed. As mentioned earlier, it is an advantage to get to know your pet's typical behaviour; everything from indulgences to food and drink breaks. In this way, you can more easily detect deviations. Last but not least, vaccination is particularly important to protect your dog or cat against diseases. 

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Elisabeth is a veterinarian and authorized ophthalmologist with specialization in eye surgery, as well as further training in internal medicine, general surgery, oral surgery and ultrasound from the European School for Advanced Veterinary Studies in Toulouse.