Why Is My Puppy Throwing Up? Decoding Young Canine Nausea

It's natural to feel concerned if your pup starts showing signs of illness, especially when they’re throwing up. But before you start panicking, know that vomiting in puppies is common and often goes away as quickly as it starts. Nevertheless, it is worth paying close attention to whenever it does happen. Despite many puppy vomiting cases not being serious, it could still be a sign of an infection or another underlying condition — it’s always best to be overly cautious with your pet’s health than to assume signs of sickness will simply resolve on their own.

Fortunately, arming yourself with the right knowledge can help you figure out why your pet is feeling under the weather in the first place and, most importantly, know when to seek help. Please note that if your puppy is currently sick and has been vomiting repeatedly, go ahead and seek veterinary attention as soon as possible.

Causes of puppy vomiting

Dogs vomit for a lot of reasons. Thankfully, occasional sickness isn't always cause for concern in adult dogs. But with puppies, it’s important to be overly cautious. This is because younger animals are more prone to dehydration (if they’re struggling to keep fluids down). They’re also more at risk of gastric infections, which could be the underlying cause of vomiting and should be addressed quickly to avoid more serious complications.

We’ll get more into potential underlying health conditions in just a bit, but you and your pet’s veterinarian will first want to rule out more common causes of puppy vomiting.

Common reasons why puppies throw up

• Eating too fast
• Overeating
• Consuming inedible items
• Eating spoiled food
• Eating unsuitable foods for puppies
• Motion sickness
• Intestinal parasites
• Viral or bacterial infections
• Sudden changes in diet

Health conditions and serious concerns

Vomiting in puppies can sometimes signal a serious illness or underlying health concern. Infections such as canine distemper virus are more common in unvaccinated puppies. They can be life-threatening, especially in animals younger than 4 months old. Canine distemper virus causes vomiting, diarrhea, and fever and can lead to potentially fatal neurological symptoms when left untreated.

Canine parvovirus is another viral infection that can cause vomiting in puppies. The condition is most common in pups aged between 6 and 20 weeks and attacks the cells lining the gut. Very young puppies are also at an increased risk of heart damage due to canine parvovirus.

Other serious potential causes of vomiting in puppies include:

• Addison's disease
• Liver or kidney problems
• Pancreatitis
• Inflammatory bowel disease

When to be concerned about vomiting in puppies

Always keep a close eye on a vomiting puppy. As mentioned earlier, throwing up can lead to dehydration in young dogs, even if the underlying cause isn't serious. Several vomiting episodes in a single day or vomiting that comes and goes over a longer period (chronic vomiting) may be signs of a more serious condition or increase your pup's risk of dehydration. You should also take action if you notice other symptoms of illness in a puppy, such as blood in their vomit or poop, diarrhea, or unusual tiredness.

It’s also important to know the difference between puppy regurgitation and vomiting — this will help you describe the symptoms to your pet’s veterinarian. True vomiting involves retching. You may notice your puppy's abdomen contract as it throws up. Vomiting puppies throw up white, clear, brown, or yellow liquid, and the vomit may appear foamy.

Meanwhile, regurgitation is involuntary and may take your puppy by surprise. Regurgitated food usually looks undigested, like the food in your puppy's bowl. Knowing whether your puppy is vomiting or regurgitating food allows your vet to make a more accurate diagnosis. The two have different causes.

Sometimes, puppies throw up yellow or green bile. You may see bile in your puppy's vomit if they throw up on an empty stomach. Vomiting bile doesn't usually signal a serious problem, and some dogs do it for no clear reason. You should still watch your puppy for other signs of illness, such as diarrhea or confusion.

When to seek veterinary attention

Puppies with infections or dehydration can get worse, so seek vet attention as soon as you're concerned about their health. You should be particularly cautious if your puppy is very young or unvaccinated, especially if they've spent time outdoors or with other animals without the protection of vaccines.

Generally speaking, repeated or chronic vomiting should always warrant a trip to the vet. In these cases, get help as soon as possible.

Treating puppy vomiting

The correct treatment for a puppy throwing up food or bile depends on the cause. Expect your vet to examine your puppy's abdomen, mouth, and rectum and ask questions about their symptoms. You can help your vet diagnose your pet by providing information about any physical or behavioral changes and telling them about any risk factors, such as your puppy having access to garbage.

Vets often order tests to diagnose the cause of vomiting in puppies to help them determine the most effective treatment. For example, they may take X-rays to check for objects stuck in your puppy's digestive tract or order blood tests to check for infections. If tests detect a viral, bacterial, or parasitic infection, your vet may prescribe medications to help your puppy recover.

Limiting food and water is the most common treatment for acute (short-term) vomiting. Often, vets recommend not feeding vomiting puppies for around 24 hours and limiting water. They may provide intravenous fluids into your puppy's blood vessels if they're dehydrated. As your puppy's condition improves, your vet may tell you to reintroduce food.

Chronic vomiting in puppies may need extra tests to diagnose an underlying health condition. These tests may include:

• Ultrasound scans
• Magnetic resonance imaging (MRI)
• Computed tomography (CT)
• Stomach or intestinal biopsies

Depending on the diagnosis, your vet may recommend treatment to manage a long-term health condition. For instance, they may provide medications to treat the underlying cause of the vomiting or to reduce long-term nausea in puppies.

Preventing puppy nausea

While it's impossible to get rid of the risk of your pet getting sick, there are things you can do to reduce the risk of vomiting and nausea in puppies. Eating the wrong food is the most common reason puppies throw up, so it's essential to feed your pet a formulated puppy food to meet their nutritional needs. Your vet may recommend a diet based on mild foods such as cooked chicken and white rice if your puppy is prone to vomiting.

Keeping up to date with your puppy's vaccination schedule is the most effective way to prevent infections such as parvovirus and canine distemper virus. You should also give your pup de-worming treatment to protect them against parasitic infections — your vet can tell you the best products and worming schedule for your puppy's needs.

The following tips can also help you prevent puppy nausea and promote healthy digestion in your pet:

• If you have more than one puppy, feed them separately to discourage competitive eating.
• Consider using an ergonomic feeding bowl to encourage your puppy to eat slowly.
• Keep meals small and regular to prevent overeating.
• Take your puppy for regular veterinary checkups to check for underlying illnesses.
• Avoid feeding your puppy human leftovers or food designed for older dogs.
• Prevent your puppy from accessing garbage by covering your trash can.
• Keep poisonous cleaning products locked away.
• Check your yard regularly for toxic plants.
• Avoid socializing your puppy until at least 7 days after their first vaccinations and worming treatment.

Common misconceptions

One of the most common misconceptions about vomiting in puppies is that it's nothing to worry about. As we’ve discussed, it is true that vomiting in adult dogs is common and often harmless. However, you should never ignore repeated or chronic vomiting in dogs of any age. Puppies are meanwhile even more vulnerable to illnesses than older animals. You should watch your pup closely whenever they throw up and seek veterinary attention if there’s any cause for concern.

You've probably also heard that dogs eat grass to make themselves throw up when they feel sick. While swallowing grass can irritate the throat and cause vomiting, there's no evidence that dogs use grass to self-medicate. There are various reasons your puppy might enjoy chomping grass, including boredom, fiber needs, or the taste.

Sorting fact from fiction can empower you to spot signs of illness in your pup and set them up for a happy, healthy future. Protecting your pet with dog insurance is a great way to prepare for unexpected health care costs now during puppyhood and throughout their life to come.