Does your dog ever vomit after eating? Here are 4 reasons why your dog throws up and advice on when you should be concerned, thanks to Jason Smith…
4 Reasons Why Your Dog Throws Up
Is your dog vomiting after eating? When a dog throws up recently eaten food, you’re rightfully concerned. There are a few things that could be bothering their stomach. This article covers why dogs may throw up and Why Dogs Vomit Undigested Food?
First, cover the basics: Have you made changes to your dog’s nutrition recently? Does he compete with other pets for food? Has she recently eaten grass? These are all possible reasons your dog’s stomach doesn’t agree with them after dinner. Find out why they may make your dog sick and when you should bring him to the veterinarian.
- Transitioning to a New Dog Food
Sudden changes to your dog’s food may result in gastrointestinal issues, so switching dog food (varieties or brands) too quickly can upset their stomach. Above all, it’s important to transition to a new dog food slowly, typically over 7-10 days. Before you make the decision to change dog foods, check with your veterinarian. If you continue to see signs of stomach issues or your dog does not stop vomiting, you should bring them in as soon as you can. They may have an allergy or food intolerance, or they may have a more serious problem (foreign body in the stomach, systemic disease, etc.).
If you’ve recently begun the transition to a brand food, be sure to start small and gradually build up the amount until it’s the only food you’re only offering.
2. Quick Eating due to Anxiety
Although most pet parents assume that a dog vomiting after eating may have a sensitivity to the food, it isn’t necessarily the case. Anxiety or fear may be the driving force why a dog throws up after eating. Does your dog compete with other dogs in the house for food? This sense of territory can make them eat faster, which may overload their stomach and decrease the amount of saliva normally swallowed with the food that acts as a buffer. And, just like us, nervousness and stress can make your dog feel queasy and increase acid in his stomach.
When dogs eat too quickly, they don’t take the time to chew their larger pieces of kibble. They also ingest a significant amount of air, both of which can come back up by regurgitation or by vomiting. If possible, feed your anxious dog in a secluded area, without any other animals around. Start with small meals and gradually build back up to a normal-sized dinner once you see they’ve calmed down at each meal.
There can be other underlying issues associated with a dog’s anxiety that can affect his ability to keep their food down. Have there been changes in the house that might have disrupted your dog’s routine? Have you moved lately or changed your work schedule? Changes like this can make your dog anxious, which can affect their digestive system. If you suspect that something like this could be why your dog is throwing up after eating, continue to show your dog you love them. Give them praise, pet and play with him, and reassure them that everything is okay. Slowly, over time they will adapt to the changes and get back to their old self. It is still important to monitor their eating habits to make sure that there isn’t a larger issue at hand–if it is happening more than once every few weeks, you should consult your veterinarian. Vomiting due to other health concerns is more common than due to anxiety.
3. They Love the Taste
Similar to anxiety eating, your dog may indulge too fast if he loves the taste of their food. There’s nothing wrong with enjoying a meal, but you want to be sure your dog gets all the nutrition they can get without it coming back up.
One way to reduce this tendency is by feeding them smaller portions until you notice their intake naturally slows down. Another option is to serve your dog’s meals spread out on a large flat plate or cookie sheet. This forces dogs to take longer to locate and ingest each piece, reducing the chances of vomiting after eating. There are also special dog food puzzle toys that require them to work a little harder to get food out. This can be good exercise for your dog but also forces them to eat more slowly. Just be sure to monitor that they are still eating all of their food, and don’t get frustrated by their new meal delivery system.
4. Your Dog Recently Ingested Grass
While dogs may eat grass for a variety of reasons with no adverse effects, dogs that aren’t feeling well for other reasons may eat grass and vomit their stomach contents, possibly removing whatever may have made them sick. Once your dog vomits the grass and food, they should feel better and shouldn’t need any additional medical care, if just a simple upset stomach. Just remember to keep your dog hydrated and watch them closely to ensure vomiting doesn’t persist, and there is nothing else wrong.
If your dog simply cannot stop vomiting after eating food and grass, bring them to the vet or emergency animal clinic as soon as possible. There could be something else wrong. They may have infectious or systemic disease, a foreign body or even a twisted stomach. Whatever the case, quick attention will make them feel better.
About the author:
Jason Smith is a pet lover and a blogger. He used to blog about pets, health, fitness and travel in his free time.
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