Vomiting is a common reason for pet parents to visit the vet. Often, vomiting happens once or twice and stops on its own, but it can sometimes signal a more serious pet health problem. If your pet is throwing up, you might wonder what’s normal and when to worry about their well-being.

The RBVH Hillsborough team takes a closer look at the many possible causes of vomiting in pets and where to seek care to help manage this common issue that most pet owners face at some point.

1. Diet changes or indiscretions

Pets are not the most discriminating eaters. If something smells interesting, they’ll likely try to eat it. However, eating trash, spoiled food, or table scraps can upset your pet’s stomach. Additionally, changing your pet’s food too quickly or offering a new treat or chew can disrupt the digestive system's balance, leading to vomiting. For some pets, waiting too long between meals can increase stomach acid production and cause “empty stomach” vomiting.

Pets also frequently swallow foreign objects such as string, hair ties, socks, or toys. These objects can cause an intestinal blockage, with vomiting often the first sign. An obstruction is a life-threatening condition that requires emergency surgery.

2. Bacterial, viral, or parasitic infections

Like people, dogs and cats can pick up “stomach bugs.” The most serious of these infectious diseases, parvovirus in dogs and panleukopenia in cats, occur most often in unvaccinated puppies and kittens. These diseases, as well as intestinal parasites, bacteria, and other viruses, can cause severe vomiting, diarrhea, dehydration, and lethargy.

3. Inflammatory conditions

Inflammatory conditions of the digestive tract are common causes of chronic or recurrent vomiting in pets. Inflammation in the stomach (i.e., gastritis), intestines (i.e., enteritis), or even the esophagus (i.e., esophagitis) can result from an autoimmune condition called inflammatory bowel disease (IBD). Affected pets may also lose weight and have chronic diarrhea.

4. Organ dysfunction

Vomiting can be a symptom of problems affecting organs other than the stomach or intestines. Kidney failure, liver disease, or hormonal conditions (e.g., Addison’s disease, diabetes) can upset the body’s delicate balance and trigger nausea or vomiting. In these instances, you’ll likely notice other symptoms that your pet is sick, like increased thirst or urination, weight loss, or confusion.

5. Pancreatitis

The pancreas has many roles in the body, including regulating blood sugar levels and aiding in digestion. Pancreatitis is a painful inflammation of this vital organ, sometimes caused by eating fatty foods or by other illnesses, such as liver disease or diabetes. Vomiting is a common symptom of acute (i.e., sudden and severe) and chronic (i.e., long-lasting) pancreatitis in dogs and cats.

6. Bloat

Bloat, or gastric dilatation-volvulus (GDV), develops most often in large-breed, deep-chested dogs. In this condition, the stomach fills with gas and twists, causing unproductive retching and heaving along with abdominal pain and visible bloating. Bloat requires prompt emergency surgery to prevent the twisted tissue from dying, causing shock and sometimes death.

7. Medications or toxins

One of the first symptoms that your pet has ingested a toxin is vomiting. Toxic substances pets may encounter include human foods, such as onions, grapes, chocolate, and xylitol (a sweetener), or medications, such as anti-inflammatories or acetaminophen. Antifreeze and some plants, such as lilies, are other serious toxins pets should avoid. Medications prescribed for your pet could also cause vomiting as a side effect.

8. Food allergies and sensitivities

True food allergies are uncommon in pets, but they can cause an upset stomach if they develop. Usually, the culprit is the protein in your pet’s food. More frequently, certain ingredients simply don’t agree with a pet and cause vomiting when eaten. If your pet has a food allergy, you may also notice chronic skin problems.

What to do when your pet vomits

If your pet vomits once or twice but continues to eat and play, it’s OK to monitor their condition at home. You can try feeding an easily digestible, bland diet, such as chicken or lean ground beef and white rice, for a few days to help settle their stomach.

Call the RBVH veterinary team for advice and to determine if your pet needs an urgent visit if they vomit multiple times in a day or develop additional signs of illness, including:

• Diarrhea

• Blood or digested blood, which looks like coffee grounds, in the vomit

• Extreme lethargy

• Lack of appetite

• Belly pain or bloating

Additionally, bring your pet in immediately if you know or suspect they ingested a toxin or a foreign body.

Primary versus specialty care for vomiting in pets

Your pet’s primary care veterinarian can typically provide treatment when your pet is vomiting. They may recommend fluids to combat dehydration, medications to reduce nausea, and special foods to help in the short term.

Sometimes, the cause of a pet’s vomiting can be complicated. Inflammatory conditions, certain infections, and organ dysfunction can be challenging to diagnose, and your veterinarian may refer you to an internal medicine specialist. Internists are the detectives of the veterinary world, often running advanced diagnostic tests, including scoping procedures and biopsies, to get to the bottom of chronic vomiting in pets.

Care for vomiting pets

Our primary veterinary care and emergency teams can help with many types of vomiting in pets. However, when the issue becomes chronic or recurrent, our internal medicine service has the expertise and advanced diagnostic capabilities required to help.

Contact us to schedule a visit with our RBVH Hillsborough internal medicine team, or speak with your primary care veterinarian if you have concerns about ongoing or frequent vomiting.