How to Keep a Dog From Vomiting

Feed at least two meals a day. Most dogs, especially smaller dogs, do better with more than one meal. Just like humans, once a day isn’t enough and can cause nausea, which in turn can cause vomiting.

Don’t allow your dog to drink a lot of water at once, especially before a meal or after coming in from the heat. Pick the bowl up before he drinks too much.

Don’t let your dog run or engage in vigorous play for at least an hour after a meal.

Try to walk your dog during cooler weather, and if it’s summertime, in the early morning or evening hours is best. Hot weather can sometimes cause a dog to vomit, especially on an empty stomach.

If your dog vomits more than once or twice in a day and it continues, feed a bland diet. Start off with white rice and mix in a couple of tbsp. of cottage cheese for the first day or two. You can also add a tsp. or two of canned pumpkin, which helps control vomiting. If your dog won’t eat this meal, you can throw in some ground beef (but make sure to rinse it after cooking to get rid of the fat). You can also use low-fat chicken or turkey, but ground beef is actually softer on digestion. Continue with the rice, cottage cheese and beef (or chicken/turkey) for a few days to keep the vomiting under control. After a few days gradually wean your dog off of this food by mixing it in with her regular food.

If your dog is prone to vomiting it could be from food allergies. Feed a sensitive stomach formula dog food or one with no grain, which can often cause food allergies, and thus vomiting. Dick Van Patten’s Natural Balance limited ingredient, allergy-formula line consists of only one protein source (meat) and one carb source (potato or brown rice), which decreases the chances of an allergic reaction.

Tips & Warnings

• Don’t allow your dog to have water for at least 4 hours prior to anesthesia and within 3 hours after. If your dog seems parched after the anesthesia you can let him have an ice cube. Withhold food for at least 12 hours before surgery and wait at least four hours after.

• Reglan (Metoclopramide) is a common drug for controlling vomiting in dogs. If your dog is prone to vomiting due to a recurring condition such as colitis, it may be a good idea to keep some on hand. It’s by prescription only, so you would need to consult with your vet first. If the vet prescribes it, you would normally give one tablet every 12 hours. Another medication that isn’t as strong and can be given on an ongoing basis to dogs with sensitive stomachs is Famotidine. It can be purchased over the counter as an acid reducer or prescribed by your vet. But in either case, consult with your vet first.

• Never give a dog aspirin after surgery; it can cause vomiting. There are a variety of other medications to give for pain, but consult with your vet first.

• Don’t feed treats to a dog that is vomiting.

• Many dogs are allergic to chicken, which can cause vomiting. Another type of dog food such as fish or vegetarian formula (or homemade diet consisting of only vegetables or fish and vegetables) may work better.

• If your dog vomits three or more times in 24 hours or for more than a day you should seek veterinary care, because your dog is likely dehydrated and could have a more serious condition that needs to be treated. The vet may choose to replenish your dog with fluids, which is a simple office procedure and not costly.