As a dog owner, you get to see your dog do a lot of things. Most of the time, these bring a smile to your face like seeing your dog wag their tail, run to you, and act as cute as ever.
However, sometimes, it isn’t as fun. An example of this is seeing your dog vomit.
While dogs can vomit a lot and for a variety of reasons, it can still cause many pet parents to panic. And if you see your dog vomit then act normal right after, it can even leave your feeling confused.
So, what does it mean if your dog throws up then acts normal? Should you call a vet? Or does it mean something more serious is going on?
Keep reading to learn why your dog is throwing up and acting normal and whether it should be the cause of concern.
What Causes a Dog to Throw Up?
Before you start panicking after catching your dog throw up, keep in mind that there are many reasons that a dog can throw up. The cause can be as simple as running and playing around too much after eating or drinking water. Other times, it could also be because they ate something they shouldn’t have like grass.
It can be hard to tell right away why your dog is throwing up. This is why it’s important to examine your dog right after they vomit. If your dog is acting fine and like nothing happened, then they probably just needed to expel something from their stomach.
However, if you notice your dog exhibiting other symptoms and isn’t acting like their usual self, that could indicate they are sick or something serious is going on.
Should I Be Worried If My Dog Throws Up?
While there are times that seeing your dog throw up is a sign that they are sick or something more serious is going on, that usually isn’t the case. So, before you start panicking or worrying about your dog, make sure to check up on them first.
A lot of the time, your dog might stand up and start running around again after throwing up. This is usually a sign that there’s nothing to worry about and you shouldn’t panic. Dogs are curious animals, so they can get their mouths and noses into places where they shouldn’t.
And whenever a dog eats too much or eats certain things like grass (which they do a lot), then their stomach and digestive system reacts which is what causes them to throw up.
While seeing your dog throwing up usually isn’t a signal for you to panic and worry, there are times that it could mean something serious. Usually, if your dog is sick or struggling with something, the vomiting will be accompanied by other symptoms like diarrhea, lethargy, or a change in behavior. If you notice this with your pet, contact your vet as soon as possible.
What To Do If Your Dog Throws Up
Here are the things you have to do whenever you catch your dog throwing up.
Examine the Vomit
While it might be your first instinct to panic or to clean up the vomit, it’s important to look at it first. We understand that it may be gross, but examining your dog’s vomit is a great way to understand why they vomited in the first place.
For example, yellow-colored vomit indicates that your dog threw up bile. This means they vomited on an empty stomach, which could indicate acid reflux. Sometimes, your dog may even have white foam in its vomit. You can read more about reasons why your dog is puking white foam in this Spot & Tango article: https://whatthepup.spotandtango.com/dog-throwing-up-white-foam/
Check On Your Dog
After examining the vomit and cleaning up, it’s important to keep an eye on your dog. If they are sick or struggling from something more serious, they will likely exhibit other symptoms. If your dog runs around and acts normal right after vomiting, they’re probably fine, but keep an eye on them for at least 24 hours.
Contact Your Vet
If you notice your dog exhibiting other symptoms and isn’t acting normal, then you might need to call your vet. Additionally, if the vomiting persists and happens regularly, schedule an appointment right away so you can learn the actual cause of the vomiting.
Vets need to act fast to effectively treat your pet. So, if you notice that your dog is acting unusual after vomiting, call the vet right away to take immediate action.
Conclusion
Seeing your dog vomit can be a worrying sight. But if they are acting fine right after, then that probably means that they’re fine. However, to stay on the safe side, make sure to examine the vomit and observe for the next 24 hours.
If the vomiting persists and they exhibit a range of other symptoms, contact your vet as soon as possible.
