What to do if your dog is being sick
Vomit unfortunately goes paw in paw with dog parenting. Dogs will eat ANYTHING they come across—the smellier and nastier, the better. On top of that, there are a huge range of other things that could cause them to be sick. And so it isn’t uncommon for our four-legged pals to vomit every so often. Which is why it’s helpful to understand what to do if your dog is being sick. Below, Rory the Vet guides us on the symptoms to watch out for, indications that suggest a cause for concern, the most likely reasons why your pooch is being sick and what to do about it.
MEET RORY THE VET
We’ve partnered up with animal whisperer and renowned veterinarian, Dr Rory Cowlam, to share his wisdom when it comes to all things furry. And boy, does this man know his stuff.
Starting with his degree from the Royal Veterinary College, Rory has since co-starred in the CBBC’s series The Pet Factor, shared his knowledge on the likes of Blue Peter and written all about it in his book, Secret Life of a Vet.
Follow him on Instagram
MEET RORY THE VET
We’ve partnered up with animal whisperer and renowned veterinarian, Dr Rory Cowlam, to share his wisdom when it comes to all things furry. And boy, does this man know his stuff.
Starting with his degree from the Royal Veterinary College, Rory has since co-starred in the CBBC’s series The Pet Factor, shared his knowledge on the likes of Blue Peter and written all about it in his book, Secret Life of a Vet..
Follow him on Instagram
How to recognise when your dog is sick
We often see signs that tell us when our dog is unwell and about to be sick. Some of these signs include:
• Drooling
• Pray position stretching
• Eating grass
• Refusing food
However, other times, their vomiting can come out of the blue.
It’s important to know the difference between when you should treat your pet at home and when it's time to head to the vet for help. Symptoms that might indicate a more serious problem: your dog hasn’t eaten in over 24 hours, can’t keep water down or seems to be in serious discomfort. If any of these apply, contact your vet urgently.
What to do if your dog is sick
Being sick is no fun. We want to ease the process as best we can and help our furry family recover. Here’s my suggestions on what to do before and after your dog is sick.
If you think your dog is going to be sick
If your dog has shown symptoms that suggest they’re feeling unwell and may be sick, move them to a safe space, offer them water (without letting them guzzle too much) and monitor them closely.
If your dog has been sick but it has stopped
If your dog is sick as a one off and showing no other indications that they may be sick again or symptoms of anything more serious, then it’s likely they’re fine and won’t need a vet visit.
In terms of food, only offer them some if they have managed to keep things down for a few hours. Small amounts as frequent meals is the best way to approach this. I like to offer a gentle food, like Lily’s Kitchen’s Rest Up recipe.
Never withhold food as this can worsen gastro-intestinal disease, should your dog be suffering from this.
If your dog is being sick frequently or excessively
If the vomiting doesn’t stop, then there might be a more serious issue at play here, which requires a vet visit as soon as possible. This is especially important if you think your dog is becoming lethargic, dehydrated or if you see blood in their sick.
Dietary causes of vomiting in dogs
As I briefly touched upon earlier, there are many different reasons why your dog may be sick. Alot of the time, in the same way it is for us, it’s due to a dietary cause. Let’s look at some examples.
They’ve eaten something that’s upset their stomach
This is one of the most common reasons for a dog to vomit. Dogs will willingly eat all sorts of gross stuff, especially when out in the park, and some of those things may disagree with their stomach. They might have come across some of your leftover food at home, or you may have even given into their puppy eyes and allowed your pooch to nibble on a sample of your food! (Not advised!) I would suggest reading up on the toxic foods dog parents should always keep away, for the sake of your pup’s tummy!
Food sensitivities
Dogs can have all sorts of intolerances, just like humans. Chicken, beef dairy, grain—you name it, it could be irritating your dog’s tum!
If you think that your dog could be food intolerant, consult your veterinarian who can diagnose the issue and recommend a solution. Your vet may recommend specific meals that are formulated for dogs with sensitive stomachs. Lily’s Kitchen carry single protein recipes, meat free and grain-free recipes as well as options containing prebiotics to help support their digestive system. See here.
Starvation vomiting
Also known as ‘fasting vomiting’. We often see this when a dog eats their dinner, but not their breakfast the following day. Their stomach anticipates food, and so they vomit bile, which looks like a yellow foam. This is most common in young dogs.
Other causes of vomiting
Other causes for dogs being sick (that aren’t due to a dietary reason) include:
• A sudden change in their diet. Remember to make dietary changes gradually. Read here for more information
• Intestinal dog parasites
• Foreign body ingestion
• Heatstroke
• Car sickness
• Reaction to a medication
• Infection
• Pancreatitis
• Bloat
• Gastrointestinal disease
• Metabolic conditions
If you suspect that you dog may be vomiting due to any of these conditions, you will need to contact your vet immediately.
See a vet if you’re worried about your dog’s health
There you have it! Hopefully this article will help you treat your dog when they are sick. Remember to properly transition your pup when changing foods, keep toxic foods well away and get a consultation in with your vet if you are concerned about your dog’s health.
The information in this article is intended as a guide to help pets and pet parents on their journey together. It is provided for educational and informational purposes only and is not meant as a substitute for professional advice from a vet, behaviourist, trainer or other professional. We encourage all pet parents to consult with their vet and/or behaviourist to ensure their pet’s specific needs are met.