Dogs get sick for all sorts of reasons—sometimes they eat something weird or pick up a bug. Watching your dog vomit is stressful, but knowing what to do next makes a big difference.
Usually, you can help by keeping your dog calm, holding off on food for a bit, and slowly offering bland meals when they’re ready.
Watch for other symptoms—if your dog keeps getting sick, it might be time to see a vet. At home, you can offer small sips of water and switch to plain food for a few days.
Key Takeaways
- Catch signs of sickness in dogs early.
- Try simple home steps and feed bland food.
- Call a vet if vomiting doesn’t improve or gets worse.
Recognising Signs Of Sickness In Dogs
Dogs show clear signs when their stomachs are upset, sometimes before things get serious. Spotting these early can help you step in before it gets worse.
Common Symptoms Of Upset Stomach
If your dog has an upset stomach, they might eat less or skip meals altogether. You could see more drooling, licking lips, or swallowing if they’re feeling nauseous.
Some dogs go looking for grass, hoping to make themselves vomit and feel better. You might notice a tense belly or odd stretches, and sometimes they’ll whine or pace around.
If your dog tries to throw up but nothing comes out, that’s a red flag. These behaviors show your dog’s not feeling great. For more, check out this animal care guide on dog nausea and upset stomach signs.
Identifying Vomiting And Diarrhoea
Vomiting is pretty obvious, but it can look different each time. Some dogs retch violently, bring up food or liquid, or just spit up clear fluid or yellow bile.
Diarrhoea is just as important to notice—think loose, watery, or more frequent stools. If your dog’s vomiting or has diarrhoea, watch for dehydration and tiredness, as these can mean things are getting serious.
Persistent vomiting or diarrhoea can quickly dry your dog out and may need a vet. If you’re not sure, this guide explains more about vomiting and diarrhoea in dogs.
Early Warning Signals To Watch For
Some signals show up before your dog actually vomits or gets diarrhoea. These early warning signs include restlessness, anxiety, or sudden pacing.
Dogs might dribble, tense their stomach muscles, or swallow more than usual. Lip licking is another classic sign they’re queasy.
Sometimes, a dog will withdraw or come looking for comfort. Watch for extra drinking or grass-eating, which usually means tummy trouble.
Spotting these changes early gives you a chance to help before things get out of hand. For more, check out advice on signs that dogs are about to be sick.
When To Seek Veterinary Help
Vomiting can be mild or really serious. Figuring out when to call the vet can keep your dog safe from dehydration or worse.
Emergency Situations
Some signs mean you need a vet right away. If your dog keeps trying to vomit but nothing comes up, it could be a twisted stomach or something life-threatening.
A swollen belly, severe weakness, pale gums, or constant retching are all emergencies. If vomiting comes with trouble breathing, seizures, or your dog can’t stand, get help fast.
Puppies, older dogs, and those with other health issues need a vet sooner, since they can go downhill quickly.
If you see blood in vomit or stool, or if your dog ate something toxic, don’t wait. Here’s more on emergency symptoms for dogs vomiting but not bringing anything up.
Chronic Or Ongoing Illness
If your dog keeps vomiting for more than a day or throws up often over several days, get them checked. Ongoing vomiting can cause dehydration, weight loss, or be a sign of a chronic illness.
Watch for tiredness, not wanting food or water, or ongoing diarrhoea. These might mean something deeper is going on, like kidney disease or a food allergy.
Long-term vomiting isn’t something to ignore. If you want to know when continued vomiting needs veterinary care, reach out to your vet for advice.
Describing Symptoms To Your Vet
Give your vet as much detail as you can. Write down how many times your dog’s vomited, what it looked like, and if there’s any blood.
Note if there’s diarrhoea, if your dog’s eating or drinking, or acting quieter than usual. Keeping a simple log helps:
| Symptom | Time first seen | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Vomiting | 2pm, Tuesday | Yellow, small spot |
| Diarrhoea | 3pm, Tuesday | Watery |
| Not drinking | Since morning | Dry nose |
Quick, clear info helps your vet choose the right treatment and keeps your dog safe.
Initial Steps To Help Your Dog At Home
If your dog’s being sick, acting fast at home really matters. The main things: let their stomach settle, keep them hydrated, and watch for any signs things are getting worse.
Fasting: Giving The Digestive System A Break
If your dog vomits, most vets say to stop food for a little while. Fasting helps the digestive system calm down.
For adult dogs, skip food for 12–24 hours. Puppies shouldn’t go as long without eating, since they can get low blood sugar fast.
Just leave fresh water out. Don’t give treats or table scraps, and never offer human medicine unless a vet tells you to. Fasting can help the stomach recover.
After fasting, try small, bland meals like boiled chicken and rice, split into a few portions during the day. If vomiting keeps up during fasting or after reintroducing food, call your vet.
Ensuring Adequate Hydration
Dehydration is a real risk when dogs are sick. Make sure your dog is drinking enough.
Keep clean water available and encourage small, regular sips. To check hydration, gently pinch the skin between their shoulders—if it doesn’t snap back fast, they might be dehydrated.
Check their gums too—moist means they’re hydrated, but sticky or dry gums can be a warning. If your dog won’t drink, seems really tired, loses weight, or throws up after drinking, get a vet on the phone. For more, see how to keep your dog hydrated when they’re ill.
Monitoring If Your Dog Can Keep Water Down
Watch closely to see if your dog can drink and keep water down. Offer small amounts after vomiting—just a few teaspoons for little dogs, or tablespoons for big ones, and then wait 10–15 minutes.
If your dog gulps too much at once, they might vomit again. Let them rest and try again later with smaller sips.
Use a log or checklist to keep track:
| Time | Water Given | Kept Down (Yes/No) |
|---|---|---|
| 09:00 | 2 tbsp | Yes |
| 09:15 | 2 tbsp | No |
If your dog keeps vomiting after drinking water, dehydration can sneak up fast. In that case, check advice on caring for a sick dog and call your vet right away.
Managing Your Dog’s Diet During Sickness
When your dog’s under the weather, changing their diet carefully really matters. Stick to safe foods like chicken and rice, and control portions to help calm their stomach and avoid more sickness.
Introducing A Bland Diet
A bland diet can really help a dog’s upset stomach settle down. If your dog is vomiting or acting sick, hold off on food for 12 to 24 hours—unless your vet says otherwise.
During this break, keep fresh water out, but only let your dog take tiny sips at first. Too much water at once can bring the vomiting right back.
After the fasting window, start with small, plain meals. Bland foods are easy on the stomach and don’t ask much of a sick digestive system.
Think plain rice, boiled chicken, or white fish. The Kennel Club also suggests using foods made to be bland for vomiting dogs.
If your dog keeps the food down, you can slowly bump up the portion size. Just keep an eye out for any signs of trouble coming back.
Selecting Suitable Foods: Chicken, Rice, Tuna And Salmon
Pick foods with protein that don’t upset your dog’s stomach. Boiled chicken (no skin, no bones) and plain white rice are classic choices and pretty gentle for most dogs.
If you want to mix it up, try white fish or scrambled eggs (skip the butter, salt, and milk). Some folks add tuna (in water, not brine or oil) or salmon (cooked, boneless, no seasoning).
These proteins have good nutrients, but always serve them plain. Joii Pet Care points out that anything extra can cause problems.
Skip strong-smelling, fatty, or spicy foods. Make sure whatever you serve is cooked well and totally free of bones, sauces, or added flavors.
Portion Control And Feeding Frequency
Portion control really matters during recovery. Start with a tiny meal—about 1/8 to 1/4 of what your dog usually eats.
If your dog keeps it down and seems okay, you can offer a little more next time. Feed small, frequent meals instead of one big one.
Split the day’s food into 4–6 small servings. That’s easier on the digestive system and helps avoid another round of vomiting, according to PetMD.
After a couple of days with no vomiting or diarrhea, you can start mixing a bit of regular food into the bland meals. Go slowly, and keep an eye out for any sign of sickness coming back.
Addressing Specific Causes Of Sickness
Dogs get sick for all kinds of reasons, from what they eat to how they’re feeling. Pinpointing the cause is usually the first step to helping them bounce back.
Food Intolerance And Dietary Triggers
Food intolerance in dogs pops up when their bodies just can’t handle certain foods. Dairy, fatty stuff, or a sudden diet change are common triggers.
If your dog eats something it can’t tolerate, you might see vomiting, diarrhea, or a sore belly. Switching foods too quickly can also mess with their stomach.
When you try a new food, mix it with the old one for several days. If your dog reacts badly to a certain ingredient or brand, just avoid it in the future.
Reading pet food labels and keeping a food diary can help you spot what’s causing problems. Dogs with food intolerance usually do well with a bland diet for a day or two, then slowly return to their regular food.
If issues keep coming back, it’s time for a vet visit.
Medication And Antibiotics-Related Sickness
Some medications, especially antibiotics, can upset a dog’s stomach. You might notice nausea, vomiting, or diarrhea when starting something new.
Drugs can mess with gut bacteria or just irritate the stomach. Always follow your vet’s instructions and give meds with food if they suggest it.
If your dog vomits after taking medicine, call the vet before the next dose. Never stop antibiotics early unless your vet tells you—it can cause bigger problems.
If your dog can’t keep medicine down, your vet might suggest a different drug or maybe a probiotic to help the gut recover.
Stress-Induced Digestive Upsets
Stress can quietly cause stomach issues in dogs. Changes at home, loud sounds, or being left alone can make some dogs anxious.
That anxiety sometimes shows up as vomiting, loose stools, or not wanting to eat. Give your dog a quiet spot to rest and try to keep routines steady.
Walks, playtime, and gentle attention can help lower their stress. Some dogs benefit from calming products or training for their specific fears.
Make sure a stressed dog has easy access to water, since vomiting or diarrhea can dry them out fast. If stress keeps causing problems or things get worse, talk to your vet or a dog behavior expert.
Preventing Future Stomach Upsets
Helping your dog avoid stomach upsets is mostly about smart diet changes, steering clear of food hazards, and making sure they stay hydrated. Honestly, a few simple habits can make a big difference for your dog’s health.
Gradual Changes To Your Dog’s Diet
Switching your dog’s food too fast can cause vomiting or diarrhea. To avoid problems, always introduce new food slowly.
Start by mixing a small amount of the new food with their current food. Over three to seven days, increase the new food bit by bit.
Watch for any signs of stomach upset—loss of appetite, extra gas, or loose stools. This slow change gives their digestive system time to adjust. Veterinary groups like Blue Cross recommend this method.
Keeping Your Dog Safe From Harmful Foods
Lots of everyday foods are dangerous for dogs. Chocolate, onions, grapes, raisins, and sweeteners like xylitol are toxic—keep them far away.
Don’t feed table scraps or leftovers, since most human foods are too rich or salty. Here’s a quick table for safe and unsafe foods:
| Safe Foods | Unsafe Foods |
|---|---|
| Plain chicken | Chocolate |
| Rice | Grapes & raisins |
| Pumpkin | Onions & garlic |
| Carrots | Xylitol (sweetener) |
Check with your vet before trying new foods. Limit treats to avoid accidental stomach upsets, and pick dog treats for sensitive stomachs if you can. You’ll find more tips at Vetster.
Ongoing Hydration And Nutrition Best Practices
Dogs always need access to fresh, clean water. Stomach upsets can lead to dehydration quickly, so refill water bowls often.
Look for signs of dehydration: dry gums, low energy, or skin that doesn’t bounce back when you lift it. Feed small, frequent meals instead of one big meal.
Low-fat, low-fiber diets are often easier to digest, especially for dogs with sensitive stomachs. Stick to gentle foods like boiled chicken, rice, or vet-prescribed diets if needed.
Keep track of your dog’s eating and drinking habits. That way, you’ll spot problems early. For more details, check VCA Animal Hospitals.
Frequently Asked Questions
Dog owners worry when their pet vomits—especially if it happens more than once. Knowing what to watch for and how to help can really matter.
What remedies are available for a dog vomiting white foam?
If your dog vomits white foam, it’s often just an upset stomach or hunger. Give them a short break from food—12 to 24 hours—but always have fresh water available.
After the break, start with a bland diet like plain boiled chicken and rice. If vomiting keeps going or your dog seems weak, reach out to your vet for advice.
What should I do if my dog continues to vomit yellow bile?
Dogs usually vomit yellow bile when their stomach is empty. Small, regular meals can help prevent this build-up.
If vomiting doesn’t stop after a day, or if you see other symptoms like diarrhea or tiredness, call your vet. Don’t ignore ongoing vomiting of yellow bile—it could be something more serious.
At what point should I be concerned about my dog’s vomiting?
If your dog vomits more than once in 24 hours, can’t keep water down, or seems extra tired, it’s time to call the vet. Vomiting blood, large amounts, or for more than a day also means you should get help.
Watch for behavior changes like shaking, crying, or refusing food. Those can be signs of a bigger problem.
What treatments can I administer to my unwell dog at home?
For mild cases, offer water but hold off on food for six to eight hours after the last vomiting. Gradually reintroduce bland food—think cooked rice and skinless chicken, in small amounts.
Let your dog rest somewhere quiet and comfy. Never give human medication without a vet’s say-so. For more help, check this guide on caring for a vomiting dog at home.
What is safe to give a dog to alleviate vomiting symptoms?
Let your dog drink clean water while their stomach settles. You can offer a bland diet, but don’t give any over-the-counter medication, human medicines, or herbal remedies—those can actually make things worse.
Sometimes, you’ll find a special bland diet for dogs in tins that vets approve. If you’re curious about what counts as a bland diet, check out this guide to dog diets after vomiting.
How can I care for my dog after it vomits following a meal?
Give your dog plenty of fresh water. Let them settle down in a quiet spot to rest.
Hold off on feeding for a few hours. When you do offer food again, start with tiny portions of bland food—think plain chicken or rice.
Keep an eye out for more vomiting or any new symptoms. If your dog keeps throwing up or just seems off, it’s probably time to call your vet.
There’s a helpful list of recovery tips in this guide on what to do if your dog is sick.
