What To Do If Your Dog Vomits

Sometimes common symptoms like vomiting and diarrhea are overlooked because pet owners think it's nothing to worry about. Much of the time this is true… but sometimes it isn't.

What should you do if your dog vomits and, more importantly, when should you worry?

Many dogs vomit occasionally. If a dog vomits once or twice but is still acting normal, has normal stools and quickly resumes eating and drinking (after a few hours), then I wouldn't be too worried. In this case, I'd recommend watching your dog to ensure that the problem does resolve itself. Watch for any additional signs such as lethargy, diarrhea, weakness or lack of appetite.

What else can you do?

Keep your dog inside and watch for any abnormalities. If your dog goes out when he is not feeling well and a problem arises, he may not be able to defend himself.

Take up your dog's food for 2 hours. If there is no continued vomiting, offer a small amount of fresh food after that time. If your dog eventually eats that, you can offer more.

When a dog is vomiting, some situations are cause for concern. You should worry if:

• Your dog continues to vomit and acts weak
• Vomiting continues for more than a day without keeping food down
• Lethargy presents with the vomiting
• There is blood in the vomit

If you notice any of these signs, there could be a significant underlying condition. See your veterinarian.