Dog or Cat Vomiting: What to Do and When to Worry
- 2 hours ago
- 7 min read
If your dog or cat suddenly starts vomiting, it's completely understandable to feel worried. Sometimes it's nothing more than a mild stomach upset that settles on its own. Other times, vomiting can be the first sign that your pet needs veterinary care.
Whether it's a single episode after eating too quickly or repeated vomiting that leaves them unable to keep water down, knowing what to look for can help you make the right decision.
And let's be honest, few things wake you up faster than the unmistakable sound of a cat retching in the middle of the night. One moment you're asleep, the next you're listening intently, hoping you can get them off the carpet in time!
The reassuring news is that most cases of vomiting aren't emergencies. However, there are times when prompt treatment can make a real difference. In this guide, we'll explain what vomiting can mean, what you can safely do at home, and when it's time to contact your vet.
Contents
How Can I Tell If My Pet Feels Nauseous?
Just like people, dogs and cats often show signs of feeling sick before they vomit. These signs can sometimes be quite subtle, especially in cats.
You might notice:
Repeated lip licking or excessive swallowing
Drooling more than usual
Eating grass (particularly in dogs)
Restlessness or pacing
Turning away from food or sniffing it without eating
Smacking their lips or making swallowing movements
Retching or gagging
Quietness or hiding away, especially in cats
Looking uncomfortable or unsettled
Some pets will also repeatedly ask for food but then walk away from their bowl once it's offered, which can be a common sign of nausea.
If these signs are accompanied by repeated vomiting, lethargy, abdominal pain or an inability to keep water down, it's important to contact your veterinary practice.
Not every pet will show all of these signs, and some may vomit without much warning. Knowing what's normal for your own pet is often the best guide.
What Counts as Vomiting?
Vomiting is when your pet actively brings up the contents of their stomach. It's usually accompanied by obvious effort, such as retching, heaving or abdominal contractions.
You may notice:
Retching or heaving
Their tummy tensing
Food, bile or fluid being brought up
Lip licking, drooling or swallowing repeatedly beforehand
This is different from regurgitation, which usually happens soon after eating. Food comes back up with little or no effort and often looks much the same as when it was swallowed.
Although they can look similar, vomiting and regurgitation can have very different causes, so it's helpful to mention which you've noticed when speaking to your vet.
Common Causes of Vomiting
There are many reasons why dogs and cats vomit, and fortunately many are relatively mild.
Some of the most common include:
Eating something they shouldn't
A sudden change in diet
Eating too quickly
Mild stomach upsets
Food sensitivities
Parasites
Hairballs in cats
Stress or excitement in some pets
However, vomiting can also be associated with more serious conditions, including pancreatitis, intestinal blockages, kidney disease, liver disease and hormonal disorders. This is why repeated vomiting or vomiting alongside other signs of illness should never be ignored.
What Should I Do If My Pet Vomits?
If your pet vomits once but otherwise seems bright, comfortable and behaves normally, it's often reasonable to monitor them closely.
While you're keeping an eye on them:
Make sure fresh drinking water is always available.
Discourage them from gulping large amounts if they're feeling nauseous.
Keep them somewhere calm and comfortable.
Watch for any further vomiting, diarrhoea, lethargy or signs of pain.
Avoid giving human medications unless your vet has specifically advised you to do so.
If you're ever unsure whether your pet needs to be seen, it's always worth giving your veterinary practice a call. We'd much rather offer advice early than have you worrying at home.
Different Types of Vomit (and What They May Mean)
The appearance of vomit can sometimes provide useful clues, although it doesn't usually tell us the exact cause.
Undigested food
If food comes back up soon after eating, your pet may simply have eaten too quickly. However, this can also be regurgitation rather than vomiting.
Yellow bile
Yellow or greenish fluid often appears when the stomach is empty. It isn't always serious, but repeated episodes should be investigated.
White foam
Foamy vomit may simply contain stomach fluids and mucus. It can occur with mild stomach irritation but may also be seen with more significant illnesses.
Grass
Many dogs eat grass from time to time. Some then vomit afterwards, although we don't fully understand why they do this. An occasional episode isn't usually a concern, but repeated vomiting still deserves attention.
Hairballs
Cats occasionally vomit hairballs after grooming, particularly long-haired breeds. Frequent hairballs or repeated vomiting, however, aren't considered normal and should be discussed with your vet.
Blood
Fresh red blood or dark, coffee-ground material in vomit should always be assessed promptly by a veterinary surgeon.
What Abdominal Pain Can Look Like
Pets don't always show pain in obvious ways, and cats are particularly good at hiding when they feel unwell.
Signs may include:
Restlessness or difficulty settling
Standing with a hunched posture
Tensing when their tummy is touched
Not wanting to be picked up
Panting when it's not hot
Repeated stretching into the "prayer position" (particularly in dogs)
Hiding away
Becoming unusually quiet
Eating less or refusing food altogether
For example, a cat that vomits several times before disappearing under the bed and refusing dinner may be much more unwell than they first appear.
Could It Be Something They've Swallowed?
One important cause of repeated vomiting is an intestinal blockage caused by something your pet has swallowed.
Dogs, especially young and inquisitive ones, are well known for eating socks, toys, underwear, bones, stones, corn cobs and children's toys.
Cats can swallow string, ribbon, thread, elastic bands and tinsel, which can become trapped in the intestines.
If you know or even suspect your pet has swallowed something they shouldn't, don't wait to see if it passes. Contact your vet straight away. Early treatment often leads to a much better outcome.
Toxic Foods and Substances That Can Cause Vomiting
Vomiting is sometimes one of the first signs that a pet has eaten something poisonous.
Common examples include:
Chocolate
Grapes and raisins
Onions, garlic and leeks
Certain garden plants, especially lilies in cats
Some human medications
Antifreeze and household chemicals
One particularly dangerous toxin for dogs is xylitol, a sweetener found in many sugar-free chewing gums, sweets, mints, peanut butter, protein bars, baked goods, toothpaste and some medications. Even very small amounts can cause a rapid drop in blood sugar, leading to weakness, wobbliness, collapse or seizures, and it can also cause severe liver damage.
If you think your dog may have eaten anything containing xylitol, treat it as an emergency. Do not wait for symptoms to develop. Contact your vet immediately.
When It May Be Less Serious
In many cases, vomiting settles without any complications.
You may simply need to monitor your pet if they:
Vomit once
Remain bright and alert
Continue drinking normally
Are behaving as they usually would
Have no signs of pain
Even then, keep a close eye on them over the next 24 hours in case anything changes.
When Should I Contact My Vet?
Please contact your vet if:
Vomiting happens more than once
Your pet cannot keep food or water down
They seem quieter or more lethargic than usual
There's blood in the vomit
Vomiting is accompanied by diarrhoea
They appear painful
You think they may have swallowed a foreign object
You suspect they've eaten something toxic
They have an existing medical condition such as diabetes or kidney disease
They're very young, elderly or pregnant
If your dog is repeatedly trying to vomit but nothing is coming up, especially if their abdomen looks swollen or tight, this is an emergency. Contact your vet immediately, as this can be a sign of gastric dilatation and volvulus (GDV), a life-threatening condition that requires urgent treatment.
How Quickly Should My Pet Be Seen?
Monitor at Home
Your pet has vomited once but:
Is bright and alert
Is behaving normally
Is drinking
Shows no signs of pain
Contact Your Vet Today
Vomiting continues throughout the day
Appetite has reduced
Vomiting is accompanied by diarrhoea
Your pet seems quieter than usual
You have any concerns
Seek Emergency Veterinary Care
Repeated vomiting over a short period
Unable to keep water down
Blood in the vomit
Unproductive retching
Swollen abdomen
Severe lethargy or collapse
Suspected poisoning
Suspected foreign body
Severe abdominal pain
If you're ever unsure, we'd always recommend giving us a call.
How Is Vomiting Treated?
Treatment depends entirely on the underlying cause.
After examining your pet, your vet may recommend:
Anti-sickness medication
Fluid therapy to treat dehydration
Pain relief where appropriate
A temporary change in diet
Blood tests
X-rays or ultrasound scans
Hospital care for more serious cases
Surgery if a blockage is present
Most pets recover very well once the underlying cause has been identified and treated.
Can Vomiting Be Prevented?
Not every episode can be prevented, but a few simple steps can reduce the risk.
Keep your pet's diet consistent.
Introduce new foods gradually.
Keep household toxins well out of reach.
Prevent access to bins and food waste.
Pick up toys that could be swallowed.
Stay up to date with parasite control.
Arrange regular veterinary health checks.
A Gentle Final Thought
Vomiting is something we see every day, and thankfully most pets recover quickly with the right advice and treatment.
A single episode isn't always a cause for alarm, but repeated vomiting, signs of pain, changes in behaviour or any suspicion that your pet has swallowed something unusual should never be ignored.
You know your pet better than anyone. If something doesn't feel right, trust your instincts.
As we often say, "If in doubt, reach out."
If your dog or cat is vomiting, being sick, throwing up or simply doesn't seem themselves, please get in touch with us at Roundwood Vets. Whether you need reassurance over the phone or an appointment to examine your pet, we're always here to help.
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