Why is My Puppy Throwing Up and What Should I Do?

Is your throwing up? Dealing with a vomiting dog is an unpleasant experience no matter the age of your pet—but when a young puppy is sick, this can be especially scary. So, what exactly should you do once you discover the remains of last night’s dinner strewn across the floor? Should you restrict your puppy’s food intake? Take him to the vet?

This article will explain various reasons as to why your little pup may be throwing up and how to address the situation. Luckily, nine times out of ten, there’s no real cause for concern. Before you start to feel anxious about your vomiting puppy, ensure to read this article fully!

Why is My Puppy Throwing Up?

Puppies love to explore the world, smell every scent and eat everything in sight. This curious nature increasing their chances of eating something they shouldn’t compared to fully-trained adult dogs. The most common reason that a puppy would throw up is he’s chewed on a foreign object like a pair of slippers or some mulch, which irritated his GI tract.

Puppies also require less food than fully-grown dogs. If your puppy is overeating this can lead to regurgitation. Here’s how to tell how much to feed your little pup.

If you’ve got a brand new puppy on your hands, there’s a chance that your puppy is vomiting due to the stress of rehoming. Introducing a young dog to a new environment can cause stress which presents itself in the form of vomiting or diarrhea.

Puppies are also more likely to develop worms, another common cause of vomiting. If the mother had worms, a puppy is likely to have them at birth or shortly thereafter, contracted through the mom’s milk. Curious puppies can also get worms through sticking their cute little nose where it doesn’t belong (aka in other dog’s poop).

More serious reasons your puppy might be throwing up is they are experiencing an allergic reaction, they have a bacterial infection, parvovirus, heat stress, or tumors along the GI tract. These causes are not common, but they are possible.

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Sad eyes. Being sick is not fun. #sickpuppy#bluestaffordshirebullterrier #bluestaffy #dogsofinstagram #staffyeyes #staffylove #staffy_daily #staffygram #staffyworld #staffylife #staffordshirebullterriersofinstagram #dogoftheday

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What Should You Do When Your Puppy Throws Up?

Once your puppy has finished throwing up, ensure their throat is clear and not clogged with food (this can be done by gently feeling at the top of the throat). If you find your puppy struggling for air or short of breath this is a red flag for your puppy’s throat to be blocked. If this is the case, take your puppy to the vet immediately.

Once you are certain your puppy’s airways are clear, show them plenty of affection. If your puppy is throwing up due to stress, this will help calm him down and prevent further vomiting. Puppies dehydrate much faster than adult dogs, so it’s critical to make sure that they have some room temperature water available. Other than water, avoid food until their stomach calms down.

Once a few hours have passed and your puppy is well-hydrated with little sign of vomiting, you may reintroduce food. It is advised to start with bland, easily-digestible food such as rice and boiled chicken. Once your puppy has happily enjoyed a few of these simple meals, you may re-introduce their normal food.

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Late night emergency clinic visit 😞 I’ve got worms in my tummy 🤢

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Puppy Keeps Throwing Up? When to Call the Vet

If you notice your puppy shaking, drooling, problems with breathing or blood within their vomit or blood in their stool, then consult a veterinarian immediately as this may be a sign of an underlying problem. Puppies are pretty resilient, but they do often require more attention and care. If you think that your puppy might be in distress or that he may be suffering from dehydration because of the vomiting, it’s time to ask a professional. Remember, if you are unsure, it is always advised to contact a vet and play it safe. After all, our pets can’t talk and tell us what’s wrong!

The Ollie blog is devoted to helping pet parents lead healthier lives with their pups. If you want to learn more about our fresh, human-grade food, check out MyOllie.com.