Why is My Dog Throwing up Undigested Food | Dogs tutor

Throwing up undigested food can be very alarming to see in your dog, but don’t panic I’ll explain some of the most common reasons of why is my Dog Throwing up Undigested Food.

As a professional dog trainer and owner of 2 dogs, I’ve seen many vomiting incidents in pets and street dogs.

Running Out of time? Here’s Quick Guide:

Some top causes include eating too fast, food sensitivities or allergies, rich or fatty treats, and even parasites or infections in some cases.

But more often than not, it’s due to factors in your dog’s diet or routine that is easy to fix once you know what to look out for. I’ll break down signs to watch for and solutions dog parents can implement right away.

Why is My Dog Throwing up Undigested Food?

Let’s explore some of the most common reasons why is My Dog Throwing up Undigested Food or treats.

Too Much Too Fast

Our dogs’ wolfing tendencies can overwhelm their stomachs. Kibble may be eaten too fast to be properly chewed or mixed with enzymes before moving down the digestive tract.

This causes gut irritation and vomiting of recognizable food pieces. The solution is using a slow feeder bowl or dividing meals into two portions spaced 30 minutes apart.

Too Rich or Greasy

Some dogs simply can’t handle super rich or fatty foods without issues. Things liketable scraps, bacon grease, meaty bones or heavily sauced treats may be more than their tummy can take.

The high fat and calorie contents don’t digest smoothly. Switching to a gentle diet or limiting indulgences can help. Speak to your vet if vomiting persists after dietary changes.

Overexcitement

Dogs getting overly worked up after eating is another common cause. Jumping, running, playing – these activities put pressure on a full stomach that hasn’t had time to settle. The upset leads to regurgitation.

Try providing interactive food toys or a stuffed Kong to slow eating and avoiding intense activity for an hour afterward.

Exercise-Induced

Similarly, vigorous exercise directly before or after eating can cause gagging on partially digested food. The bouncing and bouncing around puts unpleasant strain on the digestive tract.

Build a buffer between meals and physical exertion when possible by scheduling walks, fetch or play at least 30 minutes to 2 hours away from feeding times.

Too Much Too Often

Free-feeding or leaving kibble out constantly lets dogs graze however much they want, whenever. This mindless eating encourages over-indulgence and filled stomachs that are more prone to tossing contents back up.

Set regular mealtimes and remove bowls between to curtail around-the-clock nibbling habits.

Empty Stomach Gagging

On the opposite end, not eating frequently enough or waiting too long between meals can trigger regurgitation too.

A completely empty stomach may induce coughing or gagging as the esophagus contracts. Feed 2-3 small portions daily instead of one large filling to keep belly satiated but not overstuffed at any time.

Parasites

In some cases, intestinal parasites like worms could be robbing dogs of nutrients and contributing to vomiting episodes as well as other symptoms like diarrhea.

Especially for pups under 6 months, de-worming is important at least every 3 months. Scout stools periodically and ask your vet about testing.

Food Sensitivities

Less commonly, allergies or intolerances to certain protein sources or grains in commercial foods can cause upset in sensitive dogs.

Switching proteins while avoiding fillers, preservatives and common allergens may be needed along with vet evaluation. For persistent cases, hydrolyzed diet prescription diets may succeed where others failed.

When in doubt over continued vomiting, don’t hesitate to consult your vet to check for potential underlying issues needing medical attention.

But often digestive upsets are avoidable through mindful feeding habits, reducing anxiety and knowing your dog’s individual tolerance limits. With some trial, error and patience, most cases of undigested puke can be remedied.

What to do when your dog throws up

The key is to pay attention to your dog’s behavior and determine if a pattern develops that could signal a medical issue. Here’s what you can do when throwing up occurs.

Monitor Eating/Drinking

Take note if your dog seems unwilling or slow to eat/drink after vomiting. Lack of appetite or thirst could mean an upset tummy. Encourage small, frequent feeds and water intakes instead of one big meal.

Record Frequency/Details

Jot down how many times, when/how long after eating, any other symptoms like diarrhea or lethargy. This information helps spot patterns and establishes trends over time to update your vet.

Wait It Out

Isolated incidents often remedy on their own, especially if due to overeating, rich food or vigorous exercise afterward. But if vomiting persists for more than 2 hours or repeats within 48 hours seek advice.

Withhold Food

Give an upset tummy a rest period after throwing up. Wait at least 4-6 hours before a small bland snack like boiled chicken and rice. This avoids overburdening the digestive tract.

Monitor Activity

Keep your dog calm and limit playing, walks or stairs use for 12-24 hours post-vomit. Too much bouncing around stresses an already delicate belly.

Call the Vet

Seek guidance if vomiting is violent/projectile, accompanied by lethargy, won’t settle with bland diet or exceeds 2-3 times in 24 hours. Uncontrolled puking could indicate an underlying problem.

Consider Causes

Possible culprits include rich new treats, overeating, stress, dietary changes, parasites, food sensitivities or blockages. But new vomiting warrants professional evaluation especially in young, old or previously ill pets.

Try an Over-The-Counter Probiotic

Adding live cultures like Fortiflora to food is sometimes soothing for upset tummy and works for some mild cases. But check with your vet first if vomiting is frequent or persistent.

Treat for Hydration

If repeated vomiting leads to reduced liquid intake, use oral rehydration solution added to water or Pedialyte as directed on the packaging. Dehydration ups health risks.

What causes dogs to vomit?

Main causes of vomiting in dogs:

Food and Diet Related Causes

One common cause of vomiting is food issues. If your dog eat his kibble too fast, it can upset his tummy and come back up. Some dogs are also extra sensitive to certain ingredients too, like beef or wheat.

Pesky Parasites and Germs

You wouldn’t believe the creepy-crawlies dogs can accidentally ingest. Those dastardly worms like to take up residence and cause all sorts of trouble! Ugh, and don’t even get me started on yucky bacteria like salmonella.

 I make sure my dog is protected with flea meds and regular deworming. Basic hygiene like handwashing after walks also helps ward off unwanted germ sharing.

More Serious Situations

On rare occasions, tummy troubles may signal deeper issues. If Dogs pancreas gets inflamed, it’s very painful. Blockages from stuff he shouldn’t chew are also scary emergencies.

Even his liver or kidneys could be the vomit-causing culprit. Thankfully most times it’s no biggie, but I like to check with vet if he seems off just in case. Better safe than sorry with my pooch!