Health Topics  >  Digestive  >  Vomiting

When should you see a vet about your dog’s vomiting?

Dogs may be ok if the vomiting was an isolated incident, but if they are experiencing any of the following symptoms, it’s likely a sign of something more serious:

  • Frequent vomiting (more than 5 times) and lasting more than 24 hours in duration.
  • Throwing up blood
  • Dehydration
  • Weakness or lethargy after vomiting
  • History of toxin or foreign object ingestion 

 

If your dog is showing any of these emergency signs, contact your vet immediately:

  • Repeated non-productive vomiting  or “dry heaves”
  • Abdominal distension or bloating
  • Not been drinking for more than one day (or a small amount of water causes vomiting)
  • Projectile vomiting
  • Severe lethargy, is non-responsive or has collapsed
  • Very pale or white gums

 

What does the color and look of your dog’s vomit mean?

Keep an eye out for red blood or pinkish tinges or flecks in the vomit as this should be mentioned to your veterinarian. Also noting if the contents looks like swollen kibble vs. liquid digested food or a small volume of froth can be helpful. 

Taking a photo of anything unusual in the vomit may also be helpful (a worm/blood/odd material). Vets don’t tend to test vomit unless there is a very specific issue so there is no need to collect vomit samples.