It’s the one sound pet owners dread more than anything. Those tell-tale vomit sounds that make you sprint faster than an Olympian to see if your pet is OK (and if they’re on your favourite rug). And while our furry flatmates may have upset stomachs from time to time, vomiting isn’t always harmless – the key is knowing when to speak to your vet.
Vomiting vs regurgitation
Vomiting is the active process of bringing up partially or fully digested food (or bile) from the stomach or upper intestine. It comes with those distressing retching and heaving sounds beforehand.
Regurgitation is bringing up undigested food and it generally occurs without warning or effort. It is linked to issues in the oesophagus, which is basically a ‘food pipe’ to the digestive system.
Common causes of vomitting
There are a few different causes of vomiting in pets. These include:
- Dietary issues: Sudden changes in diet, food intolerance and gulping their food too quickly.
- Toxins: Eating food and plants that are poisonous, such as chocolate, onions, human medications and household chemicals.
- Gastrointestinal irritation: Those pesky hairballs in cats, gastritis and inflammatory bowel disease.
- Infection: Bacterial infections, parasitic worms and viral infections, such as parvovirus in dogs.
- Chronic disease: Kidney disease, liver disease, pancreatitis and diabetes can be causes of vomiting.
- Foreign objects: Chewed-off parts of bones, sticks, toys or socks can cause vomiting, as can long blades of grass or string (in cats).
- Situation-related: Motion sickness and severe anxiety can also cause vomiting in some animals.
What your pet’s vomit might be telling you
How the vomit looks can also give clues as to the causes behind it:
- Yellow foam or bile: Your pet has vomited up everything in their tummy, leaving just the bile. Monitor their hydration levels and see your vet if vomiting continues.
- Undigested food: This could indicate your pet has eaten their meal too fast and has regurgitated part of it. See your vet if vomiting continues.
- White foam: This is usually linked to gastric irritation. See your vet if vomiting continues.
- Blood: Seeing blood could mean an ulcer, toxin exposure or gastrointestinal inflammation. Seek urgent vet advice.
- Foreign objects: Vomiting part of toys, fabric or other objects could mean there is an obstruction. Speak to your vet urgently.
- Grassy: Dogs often eat grass if they feel sick, bored, or just like the taste. If excessive, call your vet.
- Brown: If you can’t see any undigested kibble, this could be faecal matter or blood. Speak to your vet urgently.
Your pet may experience acute vomiting, which comes on quickly and can be related to their diet or an infection, and often resolves on its own. Chronic vomiting may require investigation by your vet, as it could indicate an underlying medical cause.
Treatment at home
For mild cases of vomiting, refrain from feeding your pet for at least a few hours (try to resist their cute little faces) and offer small amounts of water frequently. Then, reintroduce food slowly with small bland meals, like boiled chicken and rice, mashed pumpkin, white fish, potato or scrambled egg – gradually migrating back to their normal diet. If vomiting persists, see your vet.
Signs that vomiting might be more serious
There are a few signs to look out for that mean your pet needs urgent care. These include:
- Vomiting more than three to four times within 24 hours
- Any blood in the vomit
- Lethargy or collapse
- Abdominal pain
- Not being able to keep water down
- Signs of toxin poisoning
- Vomiting and diarrhoea in puppies or kittens
The bottom line when it comes to your furry housemate is, if you’re worried, see your vet.
Diagnosis and treatment options
Your vet may use a physical exam, blood tests, x-rays, ultrasound, faecal testing, or pancreatitis testing to work out what’s going on. The treatments may include managing diets, gut protection and anti-nausea medication, parasite treatment (for worms) and surgery, if there is an obstruction.
Prevention tips
To lower the chances of your pet vomiting:
- Avoid sudden changes in their food.
- Make sure all toxic plants, foods and medication are kept out of reach.
- Consider using slow-feeder bowls.
- Keep up to date on parasite control.
Regular vet check-ups are also a great way to pick up on any chronic diseases and underlying causes of vomiting.
