Why Is My Dog Throwing Up After Eating?

1. Transitioning to a new dog food too quickly 

Sudden changes to your dog's food may result in gastrointestinal issues. Always introduce a new food over 5–7 days by gradually mixing increasing amounts of the new food in with the food your dog is used to. It’s always best to check with your vet prior to switching, and never start a veterinary diet without your vet’s say-so.

2. Eating too fast 

Some dogs are very food-orientated, a prime example being the Labrador. Some dogs that have competition from other dogs in the house will also bolt their food for fear of having it stolen. When dogs eat too quickly, they don't take the time to chew the food. They also ingest a significant amount of air, both of which can come back up by regurgitation or by vomiting. 

3. Foreign bodies 

Dogs are very well-known for their propensity to eat bizarre and random things. If these become lodged in the stomach or small intestine, your dog may vomit due to the passage of food being blocked. Common culprits include peach stones, corn on the cob, toys, gravel, socks and knickers! If the blood supply to the bowel is affected, this constitutes a surgical emergency.

4. Stress 

Just the same as in humans and cats, stress can cause gastrointestinal symptoms such as sickness and diarrhoea in dogs. These may manifest regularly if they are very anxious, or they can come and go when something stressful happens, like the family going on holiday or the arrival of a new baby.

5. Dietary indiscretion 

Dogs love to steal food from plates, worktops and bins. This is a common cause of a dog throwing up after eating, and these cases usually settle on their own.

6. Adverse food reaction 

Food allergies and sensitivities may cause vomiting as well as diarrhoea.

7. Chronic enteropathy 

Previously called inflammatory bowel disease (IBD), chronic enteropathy can also cause vomiting.

8. Infectious disease 

Some viral and bacterial diseases can cause very severe vomiting and diarrhoea. Some of these, such as parvovirus, can prove rapidly fatal. Always keep your dog’s vaccines up to date.

9. Pancreatitis 

This is a serious and very painful inflammation of the pancreas. Some breeds such as cocker spaniels and schnauzers are more prone to it. In dogs, it is often caused by consuming unusual food items or high-fat foods. Acute pancreatitis is a medical emergency.

10. Other medical issues 

There are lots of diseases that can cause dogs to be sick, such as liver or kidney disease.

When is a dog vomiting after eating a cause for concern?

The vast majority of people have been sick at some point in their lives, and most of the time, they probably didn’t need to see a doctor. Perhaps you yourself have eaten something a bit iffy before or caught a ‘stomach bug’ that was going around. It’s the same with dogs. Often they don’t need to see a vet, but if you notice any of the following signs, seek veterinary help straight away.

• Your dog vomits every time they eat or has been vomiting for more than 24 hours.
• There is blood or what looks like coffee grounds in the vomit.
• Your dog seems to be in pain. This may manifest as obvious whining, standing hunched or in the play bow position, or acting withdrawn.
• Your dog is lethargic or depressed.
• Your dog has a reduced appetite or any change in thirst.
• Your dog is dehydrated. A good way to check for this is the ‘skin tent test’. Gently pull the skin over your dog’s shoulders up in the air and let go of it. It should snap back into position immediately. If it’s slow to return, your dog is dehydrated. If it stays up, your dog is dangerously in need of intravenous fluids and veterinary help. You can do this test on the skin of your own arm if ever you’re worried about you!
• If you know or suspect your dog has eaten a solid object.
• If your dog is trying to be sick, but nothing is coming up. This can be a sign of a twisted gut and is a life-threatening emergency.

What can I do at home if my dog is throwing up after eating?

• If your dog is otherwise bright and acting normally but has just started being sick, don’t panic – they may get over it on their own. Keep them well hydrated, offer them plenty of fresh water, and make sure they don’t need to go too far to take a drink. Vomiting can cause dehydration and loss of minerals very quickly. Consider asking your vet for some ‘recovery food’, which is highly digestible and formulated for exactly these situations. Offer small, frequent meals until they are fully recovered. Food is really important for healing of the stomach and intestines.
• If your dog is competing for food, try simply separating your dogs to allow the gulper to eat in peace. It may take a few days for them to realise that they can slow down, so bear with it.
• If your dog is greedy and eating too fast, you can try feeding them smaller, more frequent meals. Soaking kibble in warm water or feeding them some wet food can help them slow down and feel fuller. You can also try spreading their food out on a large surface like a baking tray so they have to slow down. Puzzle feeders are also really useful for slowing dogs down and giving them some mental stimulation.
• If you think your dog is stressed and you are able to identify and remove the cause, that may be all you need to do. You may consider seeing a vet if you can’t get to the bottom of it. Some dogs need careful behavioural assessment to get on top of these issues.

In summary…

Very often, a dog vomiting after eating will be a one-off occurrence and something you can manage at home, but it can become serious very quickly. Be vigilant for the signs we mentioned above and always err on the side of caution with a dog that’s being sick. Your vet would much rather be safe than sorry, and the sooner a diagnosis is made, the sooner your dog can get the treatment they need and you can relax.

Frequently Asked Questions about dog vomiting

Is it normal for dogs to vomit after eating? 

No. Vomiting after eating always has a cause. It may be a one-off occurrence due to raiding a bin, but any recurrence should be investigated.

What can I do if my dog vomits after every meal? 

In this situation, you should see your vet. It may be they are just eating too fast, but there could be an underlying issue like a foreign body or an enteropathy. The earlier you get a diagnosis, the better.

Should I feed my dog again after vomiting? 

Not immediately afterwards, but don’t starve your dog. Food is really important for healing of the gut. Wait an hour or so and offer your dog a small meal of digestible recovery food (ask your vet). If that stays down, feed them small, frequent meals until they are better, and then go back to your normal routine.

Can stress cause my dog to vomit? 

Yes. Stress and anxiety are common causes of dogs vomiting.

Reviewed by Becky Mullis, DVM, DACVIM (Nutrition) and Emma Milne BVSc FRCVS.