It’s perfectly normal to be worried when your dog is ill. Not knowing what to do to help your pet can also make your feel helpless. It is not always necessary to make a trip to the vet each time your dog is feeling under the weather. Many minor illnesses can be cared for at home.
Digestive problems are common in dogs. Vomiting, while it can be a sign of a more serious illness, is not necessarily cause for a trip to the vet. If you have ever asked the following: My dog is vomiting. What should I do? Then continue reading this article. In it, you’ll find possible causes as well as a few tips to help ease your dog’s upset digestive system.
There are many possible causes for your dog’s vomiting. While it may be difficult to diagnose your pet at home, below are a few of the most common causes of vomiting. If your dog’s vomiting lasts less than 24 hours and is not accompanied by other symptoms, you can try to treat your pet at home. If the vomiting continues, however, or is accompanied by other symptoms such as fever, lethargy, bloated abdomen or presence of blood, you should visit your vet or emergency pet medical center right away.
Common Causes
Foreign Object
Most dog owners have seen their dogs chewing on something they shouldn’t. Shoes, balls, empty coke bottles, plastic bags, your laptop….you get the idea. When dogs ingest a foreign object it can cause an upset in the digestive system. One of the effects of such upset is vomiting. If you pet vomits and you can see remnants of a foreign object in the vomit, then it is likely that was the cause.
Moldy Food or Water
Do not make the mistake of thinking that you do not need to wash your dog’s food and water bowls. Many loving pet owners think that because the bowls are licked clean each day that they are actually CLEAN. This is not the case. Just as you understand the need to wash your dishes after each meal, you must also wash your pet’s food and water bowls. Failing to do so can allow mold and bacteria to build up which can make your pet sick. Not all such mold and bacteria will be visible to the naked eye.
Simply wash the bowls with warm soapy water. Be sure to rinse thoroughly. Traces of soap left behind can also upset your dog’s digestive system.
Medications
If your pet is taking any medication, particularly a new medication, that is one of the first causes you should consider should your pet begin to vomit. If you suspect this is the cause of the problem, call your vet. He may have an alternate medication you can try. He may also recommend you continue the medicine if he feels the benefits outweigh the side effect of an upset digestive system. Never discontinue any medication without first consulting your vet.
Food Allergies
Food allergies are another fairly common cause of stomach upset it dogs. If you have changed foods recently, this could be cause of your dog’s problems. Even if you have not changed foods, your dog still may have developed an allergy. Also, some dog food manufacturers change their formula without stating so on the packaging. See your vet if you suspect a food allergy.
Toxins
As mentioned earlier, dogs will eat pretty much anything. If you suspect that your dog may have ingested something that could be toxic, contact your vet or the animal poison control center immediately.
Virus
Just like humans, dogs may catch a virus which can cause problems in their digestive system. Many will pass on their own within 24 hours, but if the symptoms continue you should make an appointment to see your vet.
Parasites
Parasites that have made their home in the digestive system are another possible cause of your dog’s vomiting. Most will need medication in order to get rid of them.
Disease
Sometimes, a more serious disease could be to blame for the problem. That is why it is important to visit your vet or pet hospital if the vomiting lasts more than 1-2 days or if any other symptoms are present.
If you decide to try and ease your dog’s suffering at home, here are a few things you can try. Important note: if your dog is vomiting, he can become dehydrated at any time. To see if you dog is dehydrated feel his gums. If they feel dry or tacky then your pet is likely dehydrated and should be seen by a vet.
Fasting
Try removing all of his food for a few hours. Remember to also remove edible toys, such as rawhide. If the vomiting stops once the food has been removed then you can try giving him some ice chips. If he keeps those down then move onto a bland diet of cooked low-fat meat and boiled white rice. If he continues to improve you can begin to work his regular diet back in by adding some of his regular kibble to the bland diet. Continue to increase the regular food and decrease the bland food until his diet is back to normal.
Diet Change
You may consider changing his food to see if that helps the situation. As mentioned earlier, many dog food companies will change their formula and not provide notice that they have done so. If this has happened, there is a chance that your pet is sensitive to something in his food.
Bring Inside
If your dog is kept outside, you may consider bringing him inside. This is especially important if it is hot outside. Try bringing him in and let him rest in a cool, comfortable spot.
My dog is vomiting. What should I do? is a question that most dog owners will have to ask at one time or another. Whether to treat your dog at home or bring him to the vet is a decision that you will have to make as a pet owner. Just remember that if the vomiting continues more than a day or two, there is blood present or your dog is displaying additional symptoms or becomes dehydrated, it is important to get him to a vet right away.