Why Does My Dog Throw Up in the Morning? 4 Vet-Reviewed Reasons & Solutions
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Your dog might vomit for several reasons in the morning, including eating too fast, drinking too much water after eating, or having an empty stomach.
If your dog vomits frequently, it is important to take them to the vet to rule out any health problems. In the meantime, here are four possible reasons why your dog might vomit in the morning.
When to See a Vet
If your dog is throwing up more than once or seems to be in pain, it’s time to see a vet. Other signs that warrant a trip to the vet include:
- Diarrhea
- Lethargy
- Not eating
- Fever
These could all indicate a more serious underlying health condition.
Top 4 Reasons Dogs Throw Up in the Morning
1. Bilious Vomiting Syndrome
One possibility is that your dog has bilious vomiting syndrome, which occurs when the stomach is empty and may be due to bile reflux from the duodenum into the stomach. The bile irritates the lining of the stomach, causing vomiting. This usually happens in the morning because the dog has gone all night without eating. This is commonly a problem in young dogs.
Other Signs and Symptoms
In addition to vomiting, dogs with bilious vomiting syndrome may also have a loss of appetite and nausea. If your dog has any of these other signs, it is important to take them to the vet.
Treatment
BVS is not usually serious, and often, it occurs in puppies and they outgrow the problem. To help your dog feel better, feed them small meals throughout the day instead of one large meal. You can also try feeding them bland food or boiled chicken and rice.
Feeding a later dinner or pre-bedtime snack may help to tide your dog over until morning and reduce the chances of bilious vomiting.
High protein diets have also been known to help, as they take longer to digest, keeping the stomach full for longer.
2. Pregnancy
Another possibility is that your dog is pregnant. Just like humans, morning sickness is common in pregnant dogs and can cause them to vomit. This is usually just for a few days between the third and fourth week of pregnancy.
Other Signs and Symptoms
In addition to vomiting, pregnant dogs may also show other signs, such as appetite changes, weight gain, and nesting. If you think your dog might be pregnant, it is important to take her to the vet to confirm the pregnancy and get her started on prenatal care.
Treatment
There is no treatment for morning sickness, but it usually goes away on its own as the pregnancy progresses. If your dog is having trouble keeping food down, feed her small meals throughout the day instead of one large meal. You can also try feeding her bland food.
3. Inflammatory Bowel Disease
Another possibility is that your dog has inflammatory bowel disease (IBD), which is an inflammation of the digestive tract. IBD can be caused by a number of things, like food allergies and dysbiosis.
Other Signs and Symptoms
In addition to vomiting, dogs with IBD usually have diarrhea, weight loss, and poor appetite. If your dog has any of these other signs, it is important to take them to the vet.
Treatment
IBD is a chronic condition that cannot be cured, but it can be managed with medication. Your vet will likely prescribe steroids or immunosuppressants to help reduce the inflammation. You may also need to make changes to your dog’s diet, such as switching to hypoallergenic food or feeding small meals throughout the day.
4. Eating Breakfast Too Fast
One final possibility is that your dog is simply eating breakfast too fast and vomiting because their stomach can’t handle it. This is especially common in dogs who haven’t eaten all night and are very hungry in the morning.
Other Signs and Symptoms
In addition to vomiting, dogs who eat too fast may also gulp their food, drool, or chomp their teeth.
Prevention
If your dog is eating too fast, there are a few things you can do to slow them down. Try using a puzzle feeder toy to make them work for their food, or soak their kibble in water so that they have to eat it more slowly. You can also try feeding smaller meals more often throughout the day.
General Vomiting in Dogs
Vomiting is a common problem in dogs with many possible causes. If your dog is vomiting, it is important to take them to the vet to rule out any serious medical conditions.
- Eating too fast
- Motion sickness
- Infections
- Intestinal parasites
- Food allergies
- Cancer
- Pancreatitis
- Liver disease
- Kidney disease
There are almost limitless causes behind vomiting. Make sure you closely monitor your dog for other signs that may help narrow down the cause and take them to the vet for a proper diagnosis.
Vomiting Complications
Vomiting can lead to dehydration, so it is important to make sure your dog is drinking plenty of water. If vomiting persists for more than a day or two, or if your dog seems to be in pain, it is important to take them to the vet. Vomiting can also cause electrolyte imbalances, which can be dangerous.
If your dog is frequently vomiting, it is important to talk to your vet about ways to protect their teeth.
Final Thoughts
If your dog is throwing up in the morning, there are several possible causes. Bilious vomiting syndrome is most common in young dogs. Pregnancy, IBD, and eating too fast are other common causes of vomiting. If vomiting persists for more than a day or two, or if your dog seems to be in pain, it is important to take them to the vet.
See More:Â
- Know More About Malton Breed!Â
- What to Do if Your Dog Is Throwing Up After Eating But Acting Normal: Vet-Approved Advice
Featured Image Credit: Cunaplus, Shutterstock
