Those who own a dog already know that it can often happen that our furry friend vomits, maybe from one moment to another and without too much notice. What to do if the dog vomits then? How to behave? Here is what you need to know.
Why the dog vomits
The causes related to the question why does the dog vomit can be several and it is important to consider all aspects. Meanwhile, it is necessary to distinguish vomiting from regurgitation. The dog vomiting, in fact, will forcefully expel the content of the stomach and will have nausea and gag reflexes; the dog regurgitating, instead, will tend to eliminate the ingested content which is still in the esophagus. Regurgitation is certainly less worrying than vomiting which can be, instead, linked to other more or less serious pathologies. Vomiting can be foamy and could indicate problems of gastritis or gastric reflux. It could also contain blood that can be bright red or with the consistency of coffee grounds, yellow when it is bile (expelled when the stomach is empty) or watery. In these cases, however, it is good to be careful and monitor the health status of the dog. Contact your veterinarian if you notice that your dog is not feeling well, trembling or debilitated.
What to give a dog when it vomits
As mentioned above just now, in the case of vomiting it is always better to consult an expert, assess the situation and then proceed. What toshould you give a dog when it vomits? If your furry dog vomits continuously or has vomited once or twice, start by taking away the sources of food and water for 6 to 8 hours. The stomach will definitely be strained, so a break is for the best. After this time, if the expulsion episode is not repeated, try giving him some water, not too cold. If he can hold it, leave it at his disposal. Once about 12 hours have passed, you can begin to introduce food, but only if it is light. Boiled white rice with a bit of meat (always strictly boiled) is excellent. Don’t make it eat snacks outside the meal! The following day, if the dog has not vomited any more, you can gradually start again with his dose of food, kibble or moist food. Should the problem reoccur, contact your vet immediately. Vomiting could also be caused by food intolerances and, therefore, it is better to ask for help from an expert.