Dog Throwing Up Water: Should You Worry Or Not?

When your precious dog throws up and eats its vomit afterwards, we often take it as a “dog thing.” Although it’s pretty disgusting, many consider this as pretty normal. 

But when do you draw a line? 

If you see your dog throwing up water (or any clear liquid for that matter), is that considered okay? Or is it something that you need to start worrying about?

A dog can vomit for several reasons. This scenario is quite inevitable and never a pleasant experience. While a dog vomiting food is not uncommon, it’s a dog throwing up water that needs your special attention.

Usually, when a dog throws up traces of food, one often associates this with an upset stomach or a digestive system problem. But what does it mean when you find your dog throwing up water?

Vomiting Versus Regurgitation

Keep in mind that vomiting is different from regurgitation. Your dog is throwing up if its body is forcefully ejecting digestive contents. As for Regurgitation, it happens when undigested food is mildly ejected from the esophagus. The difference is that vomiting involves gastrointestinal contents, while regurgitation does not. Another is that vomiting happens hours after eating. As for regurgitation, it occurs shortly after eating.

Is Your Dog Actually Vomiting Water?

When dog owners see a dog throwing up water, it is easy to assume that the clear-colored liquid is vomit. The thing is, this is usually not water at all, but your dog’s gastric juices. These gastric juices came from your dog’s stomach, which aids in digesting their food.

One of the common reasons why it seems like a dog throws up gastric juices is when they ate something that upset their stomach. The food that irritated your dog’s stomach get lodged, causing your dog’s body to throw up. This is why it looks like your dog throwing up water when, in reality, it’ is their digestive juices.

Another reason why dogs usually throw up is when a dog is getting worked up. If this is the case, the instances your dog throwing will lessen once your dog starts calming down.

Serious Medical Conditions

In extreme cases, dogs throwing up poses as a symptom of a severe medical condition like liver or thyroid dysfunction or tumor. With a thyroid dysfunction, it can either be due to Hypothyroidism or Hyperthyroidism. Hypothyroidism occurs when your dog has an underactive thyroid. On the other hand, Hyperthyroidism means his thyroid is overactive. Should you suspect any of these symptoms, make sure to call in your local vet as soon as possible.

Dog Throwing Up Bile

Sometimes, a dog throwing up water is vomiting bile. This is a watery but yellow-green substance created in the liver and stored in the gallbladder. This substance helps break down food in the small intestine by separating nutrients from waste. If you find your dog throwing up a yellow-green vomit, this can mean his digestive tract is not working efficiently. Take your dog to the local vet to be sure on the next course of action.

What To Do If You Find Your Dog Throwing Up Water?

If you ever find your dog throwing, make sure to inspect the vomit properly. This will help you determine if the color of the vomit is clear, yellow-green, or others. If you find the vomit looking like bile or if it contains blood, make sure to take your dog to the vet to be sure.

For younger puppies, watch out for things that you may find in his vomit. Most pups try to chew on things they are not supposed to eat. This can be anything from dog toys to shoes, etc.

Refrain from feeding and making your dog drink anything between six to eight hours. If your dog stops vomiting, try offering water in small amounts. Gradually make them drink larger amounts if your dog can take it. Observe for 12 hours. 

If your dog is no longer vomiting, you can try offering a small amount of boiled white meat with rice. Don’t feed your dogs chicken skin or bones. Increase his meal size over two days. If his condition is better, you can now start mixing his meals with regular dog food. If not, take him to the vet.

What Should You Avoid Doing If Your Dog Vomits?

When someone vomits, we often try to give them water to replenish their lost fluids. However, this should not be your response. Doing so will only irritate your dog’s stomach, thus leading to more throwing up.

Never give your dog medicines not intended for dogs. If your dog keeps on vomiting, never attempt to change his diet. Do this unless your local vet suggests otherwise. Changing their diet can only accelerate the issue. If the problem persists, take him to your local vet. They will give the necessary treatment depending on the diagnosis. Knowing a professional is looking after your dog will provide you with peace of mind.

How To Prevent Vomiting In Dogs?

Thankfully, there are some ways on how you can prevent your dog from vomiting. The following are things you can observe to do this.

Avoid Sudden Dietary Changes

Changing your dog’s diet abruptly can irritate its digestive system, which can cause vomiting. Make sure to change their diet gradually if needed. Also, when introducing new foods, make sure to do it slowly and in small amounts.

Choose Their Toys Wisely

When choosing a dog toy, make sure it’s durable, not toxic and can’t be swallowed or chewed into pieces. This is especially important when it comes to puppies. Such items can cause not only intestinal upset but also blockage.

Be Careful When Giving Them Bones

If you must, go for the large, uncooked varieties. This way, it’ll be hard for them to break it into sharp shards.

Avoid Table Scraps

Not everything we are suitable for dogs, Be mindful on what you put on your dog’s feeding and drinking bowl.

---

This article is for informational purposes only and is not intended to be a substitute for professional medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment. Always seek the advice of your veterinarian with any questions you may have regarding the medical condition of your pet. Never disregard professional medical advice or delay in seeking it because of something you have read on the Internet.