It is no secret that dogs sometimes eat things that they should not eat or that they might do something like get into the cat food and make themselves sick. It can be easy to disregard vomiting in a dog at first because dogs are prone to eating things that might not have been the best choice. However, if your dog has been throwing up consistently, you might start to worry and wonder why this might be happening.
When your dog has been throwing up for a while, you need to start looking at the reasons for this problem. There are various things that could cause your dog to throw up more than a couple of times, and you will need to be aware of these possibilities as you try to decide when you need to take your dog to the vet. Being sure that you are aware of both the less serious and more serious reasons that your dog might be throwing up consistently is important for any dog owner.
Dogs might throw up from time to time, and if they only do so once, you probably have nothing to worry about. However, if your dog has been throwing up consistently, it is probably time to consider these other reasons for your dog’s vomiting. Everything from food allergies to intestinal blockages can cause vomiting, so you should be on the lookout for other symptoms that might indicate the reason behind your dog’s vomiting.
Poisoning
If your dog has thrown up more than a few times in a row, you need to start thinking about whether they have ingested something toxic. Look for diarrhea, blood in the stool or vomit, shaking and quivering, pale gums, and signs of disorientation or distress. Your dog might have been able to find something to eat that has made them quite sick, and there is not a moment to waste getting them treatment.
Toxicity can progress rapidly from the early stages, and the sooner that you get your dog to the vet, the better. Ignoring any of these added symptoms beyond simple vomiting can put your dog at risk of suffering serious long-term health problems or even death. There are even pet poison hotlines available to discuss this issue, just in case.
Food Allergies
Dogs with food allergies often vomit right after they have eaten, but they could be prone to vomiting up anything that you feed to them. Irritation to the lining of the stomach or in the intestines can cause nausea and discomfort that can lead to a consistent vomiting issue in dogs that are not eating the right food. While it might seem like this problem will resolve itself over time, in most cases, dogs that are allergic to a type of food will only get worse over time and not better.
Work with your veterinarian to create a feeding plan that is right for your dog’s allergies. You can avoid things like grains or soy and see big improvements in dogs that are vomiting after eating. Some dogs also need to be fed raw food diets to be able to control their allergic reactions to their food.
Age
As our pets age, they can experience issues that they did not have to deal with when they were younger. When dogs get older, their GI tract might not work as well as it once did, or their organs might not be as good at processing food and waste. This can lead to your dog throwing up from time to time, which might require a trip to the vet for some supportive medication and some changes to diet and routine. Dogs can also be diabetic or have problems with their kidneys which might necessitate a management protocol to prevent vomiting and other kinds of discomfort.
Eating Grass
When dogs are not feeling their best, they often choose to eat grass to try and make themselves throw up. This is a natural way that dogs induce vomiting, and it can be the only way that a wild animal might save itself from something that is making it sick. In domesticated dogs, this is usually not necessary, and it just leads to messes in the house and a dog that does not feel very well. If your dog has been eating grass, you need to take them to the vet to see why they are not feeling very well. There might be a food allergy or some other problem that is making them feel the need to vomit and try to induce it on their own.
Stress
Dogs that are stressed can often vomit. This is usually only something that happens once or twice in response to stress-inducing stimuli, but if your dog is dealing with a lot of internal worries, it might be a consistent issue. Dogs that are stressed might also show other symptoms like fearful behavior, shaking and quivering, intense panting, or aggression. Your vet can help you to manage your dog’s stress, but you might also need to work with a dog trainer to address other behaviors that are happening because of stress.
Dogs Can Vomit for Lots of Reasons
In short, there are many reasons that your dog might be vomiting. The key thing to remember is that consistent vomiting is very hard on your dog’s overall well-being and can lead to dehydration and damage to the organs. Make sure that you take your dog to the vet if they are vomiting regularly, and you cannot figure out the reason.
Your vet will be able to help you to diagnose any underlying issues that have caused your dog to vomit, and they can also help you to make a new feeding plan if your dog is dealing with allergies that are leading to vomiting. Dogs should not vomit regularly for any reason, so vomiting is always a symptom of something that might end up being a cause for concern.
Is your dog throwing up in Monroeville, PA? Call 412-373-8580 to talk with a veterinarian at Northern Pike Veterinary Hospital!