Symptom: Vomiting

Vomiting in pets can look different depending on the cause and what's being brought up. It might be:

• Clear: this often indicates an empty stomach or acid reflux. 

• Bile: if your pet vomiting bile, vomit would be yellow or green, bile is produced by the liver, this can happen when stomach is empty. 

• Brown: can be a sign of digested food, chocolate, or potentially digested blood. 

• Mucousy or slimy: may be due to parasite, spoiled food and contaminated water. 

• Red (fresh blood) or black (digested blood): indicating ulcers, bleeding, or other stomach-gut problems. 

• Dietary indiscretion - eating things they shouldn't.  
  Related reading - ‘What to do if your dog swallows something’ 

• Viruses, bacterial infection or parasites 

• Sensitivity to certain food or changes in diet.
  Related reading - 'Learn more about food allergies in dogs' 

• Swallowing something hard like a stone, toy or bone or something poisonous like cleaning products, antifreeze or pesticides.
  Related reading - 'What is Antifreeze Poisoning - Dogs', 'What is Antifreeze Poisoning - Cats'

• Bloating or guts, kidney, liver, pancreas problems. 
  Related reading - Kidney disease in cats

Withhold food and water - temporarily (if your dog is otherwise well): 

• Withhold food for up to 12 hours: this allows the digestive system to rest and recover.  

• Only offer small amounts of water: if your pet is thirsty, offer small sips of water every 15-30 minutes. If they vomit the water, stop and call your vet.  

• If vomiting stops: continue with the water, gradually increasing the amount as they tolerate it. 

Reintroduce bland diet gradually: 

• Start with small, bland meals: boiled chicken, boiled rice, or scrambled eggs are good choices.  

• Offer small portions frequently: feed small amounts every 2-3 hours, increasing the portion size as tolerated.  

• Avoid fatty or rich foods: these can aggravate the stomach and worsen the vomiting. 

Monitor for improvement: 

• Observe your pet's behaviour: if vomiting persists or worsens, or if your pet shows signs of lethargy, dehydration, or other concerning symptoms, seek veterinary attention.  

• If vomiting stops: slowly transition back to their regular diet over several days. 

• Don’t give food or treats immediately after vomiting: it's best to withhold food for 6-12 hours to allow the digestive system to rest. 

• Don’t let them drink large amounts of water at once: this can lead to further vomiting and dehydration. 

• Don’t induce vomiting: unless advised by a vet, do not try to make your pet vomit further. 

• Don’t ignore persistent vomiting: if vomiting continues or is accompanied by other symptoms (like lethargy, diarrhoea, blood in vomit), seek veterinary care promptly. 

• Don’t administer human medications: do not give your pet human medications without veterinary advice. 

If your pet is vomiting, prompt attention from your vet should be sought if your dog vomits multiple times in one day or for more than one day in a row. In addition, you should seek veterinary attention if your dog shows the following symptoms accompanied by vomiting: change in eating or thirst or lethargy and change in frequency of passing wee.  

Consult your vet immediately if the vomiting is accompanied by signs of distress, blood in the vomit, or if the pet can't keep any food or water down. Additionally, unproductive retching (attempting to vomit without anything coming up) and a bloated abdomen, particularly if accompanied by a lot of drooling, can indicate a life-threatening condition called bloat (GDV), requiring emergency surgery.   

If you are unsure, it's always best to be on the side of caution and consult your vet, who can assess your pet's condition and determine the best course of action.