As a pet owner, you likely are used to cleaning up unpleasant messes of vomit, diarrhea, and urinary accidents—but you wish it wasn’t necessary. Finding out the cause of your furry pal’s puddle-making problem is key to administering the appropriate treatment and hopefully, to prevent future issues. 

While diarrhea and urinary accidents are certainly common, many dogs also vomit frequently. If your dog begins to vomit and you are unsure why, here are 10 potential causes. 

#1: Your dog ate something they shouldn’t have

Dogs explore the world with their noses and their mouths. If they come across an object they find interesting or smells appealing, they’ll investigate further and have a taste. Eating inappropriate objects or foods can seriously upset your dog’s stomach and trigger vomiting and diarrhea, but these gastrointestinal (GI) problems usually resolve once the offending item has passed through.

Common inappropriate items that dogs eat include:

  • Cat food
  • Table scraps
  • Small household objects
  • Trash
  • Sticks
  • Small rocks
  • Mulch

#2: Your dog ate too quickly

Some dogs live to eat and will inhale their entire food bowl as soon as it is placed in front of them. But, eating too quickly can upset your dog’s stomach and the food may come right back up. 

Dogs who eat too quickly can also swallow a lot of air, which can lead to bloat and gastric dilatation volvulus (GDV), a life-threatening condition. If your dog becomes bloated, their stomach can flip over on itself, cutting off circulation to abdominal organs. Your dog will attempt to vomit but will be unable to produce anything. If your dog has a distended abdomen and is retching, they need emergency treatment.

#3: Your dog has a food intolerance

Pets can develop an intolerance to any type of food, but protein sensitivities are most common. Contrary to popular belief, grain allergies in pets are rare, and food-allergic pets are more likely to be sensitive to:

  • Chicken
  • Lamb
  • Beef
  • Fish
  • Dairy
  • Eggs
  • Soy
  • Wheat

Pets with a food intolerance or allergy can vomit and have diarrhea, but can also become itchy and develop chronic skin and ear issues.

#4: Your dog ingested a toxin

Many toxins can upset your dog’s GI system if ingested. Knowing what they ate is important for administering the appropriate treatment. Toxins that can lead to vomiting in dogs include:

  • Antifreeze
  • Cleaning products
  • Essential oils
  • Batteries
  • Paint
  • Medications
  • Pest poisons
  • Yard-care products
  • Toxic foods
  • Toxic plants

#5: Your dog has something stuck in their gastrointestinal tract

Although your dog may love to chew, this can be dangerous if they destroy toys and chews and ingest the pieces. They will vomit if chunks of plastic or rubber toys, difficult-to-digest chews, strings, and stuffing become lodged in their stomach or intestinal tract. 

#6: Your dog has pancreatitis

If your dog eats fatty foods and treats, their pancreas can become irritated and inflamed. Pancreatitis can become life-threatening as the organ leaks digestive enzymes, so if your dog is vomiting and has diarrhea and abdominal pain, they need prompt veterinary attention.

#7: Your dog has organ dysfunction

When an organ fails to work properly, metabolic wastes and toxins can accumulate in the body and cause vomiting. Dogs more commonly develop liver disease, but they can also suffer from kidney dysfunction, and both conditions can cause vomiting, diarrhea, and other GI issues.

#8: Your dog has an infection

Infections of all types can interfere with your dog’s appetite and cause nausea and vomiting. Viral infections, like parvovirus, can cause vomiting and diarrhea that can rapidly lead to dehydration and shock. Bacterial infections caused by E. coli or salmonella can also induce GI issues. 

Intestinal parasite infections can also cause vomiting, particularly if the dog has a heavy parasite load. In some cases, you may notice your dog vomiting roundworms. 

#9: Your dog is reacting to a medication

Dogs can react to any medication, but drug classes, such as nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs), most commonly cause adverse side effects that include vomiting and diarrhea. Lower drug doses may minimize side effects and still be effective, or different therapies may be necessary.

#10: Your dog has heatstroke

If your dog overheats, they may vomit, and show other signs that include:

  • Rapid panting
  • Heavy drooling
  • Disorientation
  • Lethargy
  • Brick-red gums
  • Diarrhea
  • Collapse
  • Seizures

Heatstroke is an emergency situation that requires immediate treatment. If you suspect your dog is overheating, first try to safely cool them at home, and then take them to your nearest veterinary hospital for further care.

While a single vomiting episode typically isn’t cause for concern, your dog should receive veterinary care for multiple bouts of vomiting in a short time frame, chronic vomiting, or vomiting that occurs with other illness signs. Set up an appointment with our Stanton Pet Hospital team if your dog needs treatment for vomiting.