Knowing what your dog’s vomiting means is critical when determining what to do next to help them feel better. Here is an overview of why your dog may be vomiting, some of the most important symptoms to look for that may indicate a more serious problem, and how our Myrtle Beach veterinary office can help if your dog experiences chronic vomiting or other digestive issues. 

What Is the Most Common Cause of Vomiting in Dogs? 

If your dog is vomiting, chances are an upset stomach from something they ate is the culprit. This can include anything from simply overeating too quickly to eating something toxic or irritating their digestive system. Dogs tend to eat with little awareness of what they should eat, which means grass, human foods that they cannot safely eat, trash or other small items on the floor, or even a new brand of dog food they are unfamiliar with can irritate their stomachs. Other possible causes of dog vomiting include: 

• Foreign body
• Toxins
• Food intolerance/allergy
• Inflammatory conditions
• Endocrine/metabolic conditions
• Neoplasia
• Infectious

What Should I Do After My Dog Throws Up? 

You should generally wait at least six hours to give your dog food after vomiting to give their stomach time to settle. They should have water available during this time, but you should avoid allowing them to drink excessively to prevent further vomiting and irritation. In some cases, it is helpful to follow up by feeding your dog a bland diet less likely to irritate their stomachs for a few days, such as chicken, boiled potatoes, or rice, before returning to their regular food. 

When Should I Be Worried About My Dog Throwing Up? 

Dogs can often recover from vomiting on their own if they simply ate something nontoxic that did not agree with them. Still, certain symptoms may indicate more serious cases that are more likely to require veterinary treatment. You should visit a vet if your dog experiences the following: 

• If your pet vomits more than once in 24 hours
• If your pet has vomiting accompanied by additional clinical signs such as abdominal pain, lethargy, pale gums, diarrhea, or anorexia 

Frequent vomiting can also create problems of its own, such as dehydration, electrolyte imbalances, or issues associated with an increase in stomach acid in the mouth and throat, which means that it is essential to consult your vet once you notice that vomiting is becoming a chronic problem even if other major symptoms are not present. Your pet may need hospitalization and/or fluid therapy.  You should also see a vet when if your puppy or senior dog vomits to rule out certain age-related conditions. 

What Do Vets Do for Chronically Vomiting Dogs? 

Chronic vomiting is a veterinary internal medicine concern and is addressed depending on your pet’s specific situation. Your vet will determine the most likely cause of your dog’s vomiting to determine the most appropriate treatment options. This exam may include a wide range of tests, such as: 

• ​Fecal or blood tests
• Food and/or medication trial(s)
• An ultrasound or radiograph 
• A biopsy
• An endoscopy 

Once your vet determines what is causing your dog to vomit, they can prescribe medications and/or a diet change, surgery, or other treatment options based on the underlying cause of the problem. Your vet will also monitor the progress of this treatment to try another option if the first attempt does not work well.