Hepper is reader-supported. When you buy via links on our site, we may earn an affiliate commission at no cost to you. Learn more.

Why Does My Dog Throw Up After Eating? 8 Potential Vet-Approved Reasons

Samantha Reed

By Samantha Reed

Vet approved

Dr. Maja Platisa Photo

Reviewed & Fact-Checked By

Dr. Maja Platisa

In-House Veterinarian, DVM MRCVS

The information is current and up-to-date in accordance with the latest veterinarian research.

Learn more »

Nothing gets a pet parent running like the sound of your dog about to throw up onto the carpet. It’s a sound we all recognize and dread, hoping, just hoping, that our furry friend makes it to the tile or hardwood rather than the carpet this time.

Numerous triggers can cause your dog to throw up, and sometimes it’s only due to an upset stomach. However, it is not normal for your dog to vomit repeatedly. If you notice regular vomiting, you need to contact your veterinarian as soon as possible to ensure it’s not related to a medical issue. We’ll discuss eight reasons why your pet may be getting sick after eating and how to address the signs.

divider 10

The 8 Reasons Your Dog Is Throwing Up After Eating

Have you recently changed to a different brand of food, or did you see your dog eat grass? These are just some of the reasons your dog may be getting sick after eating.

1. Eating Too Quickly

Golden Retriever dog eating from the food bowl
Image Credit: Chendongshan, Shutterstock

If you have more than one dog in your home, your pup may feel like they need to compete with their siblings for food. Dogs are naturally territorial, and another dog encroaching on their territory during mealtime can cause your pet to eat faster than normal.

Eating too quickly can cause your canine to overload their stomach with too much food too quickly. This can predispose some dogs to a stomach bloat, or even life-threatening conditions such as gastric dilatation and volvulus, particularly in deep-chested large and giant breeds. Like us, increased anxiety, nerves, and stress can make your dog nauseous, leading to lip smacking, yawning, and drooling, while some dogs may get diarrhea.

If you have more than one dog in your home, do your best to feed them separately in a secluded area. This will reduce the likelihood of anxious eating. But even dogs that live on their own can be very keen on their food and gulp it down too quickly.

There is nothing wrong with your dog loving their food so much they can’t get enough of it, but you want to ensure your dog is keeping the food down. There are a few ways you can combat super speed eaters. One method is to feed your dog smaller portions until they slow down. Another more popular choice is using a special food puzzle dish or toy to serve your dog’s meals. Puzzle plates and toys force your dog to locate and eat each piece individually rather than devouring the whole bowl in one go.


2. Transitioning to New Dog Food

Changing your dog’s diet or switching their dog food brand too quickly can upset your dog’s stomach and lead to other potential gastrointestinal problems.

Before you make any changes to your dog’s food, you need to check with your veterinarian. If you make changes, you need to slowly transition to the new dog food by mixing it in with your dog’s old food over 7–10 days. Vomiting is common when switching between wet and dry foods or food brands.

If you switch foods gradually and still run into recurring issues, it may be a sign of a food allergy or other health problem, and you should bring your dog to the vet to be seen.


3. Your Dog Ate Grass

bullmastiff dog eating grass
Image Credit: Inna Astakhova, Shutterstock

While dogs are known for not being picky and eating anything they can get into their mouths, grass is often also on that nondiscriminatory list. Studies have shown that dogs eat grass for a variety of reasons, but very few have been confirmed by science. It was previously believed that dogs eat grass as a means to relieve an upset stomach and make themselves vomit if they ate something, but today, we know only 9% of dogs were actually ill before they ate grass, and 22% vomited after eating grass. So, it’s possible that when your dog doesn’t feel well, they may graze on the grass in your backyard, but this doesn’t seem to be as common as previously believed.

Once your dog throws up the grass and whatever else may be upsetting their stomach, they may feel better and only need extra water and supervision. But if they are not getting back to normal within a few hours, or if they continue vomiting, feel lethargic, or have diarrhea, it’s important to speak to your vet.


4. Food Intolerance and Food Allergy

Just like us, dogs can be sensitive to certain proteins in the food or ingredients. It’s important to differentiate an allergy to a particular food ingredient (when a dog’s immune system reacts against a certain protein) from food intolerance, which does not involve the immune system. Intolerance is caused by foods that aren’t properly digested for many reasons, such as inappropriate human food or overeating.

It’s up to pet owners to keep an eye out for potential allergic reactions and other signs of food allergies. This is extremely important, especially if the offending ingredient is in your dog’s everyday food or treats. Some of the most frequent culprits for food allergies in dogs include common dog food ingredients like beef, dairy, chicken, soy and eggs.

It is incredibly tricky to diagnose food allergies, and getting professional help is the most important step.

English cocker spaniel dog eating food from ceramic bowl
Image Credit: Switlana Sonyashna, Shutterstock

5. It’s the Food Itself

If your dog starts to throw up all of a sudden and you haven’t changed their food, it might be the dog food itself. Sometimes pet food companies will change food formulas without notifying pet owners, leading to possible stomach upsets.
Also, dog food is not fit to serve when it expires. Dry food keeps longer than wet food, but it all depends on the packaging and the way you store the food. If your dog has started throwing up, you might want to check the expiration date. Spoiled food may contain harmful bacteria that can make your pup very sick.


6. Acid Reflux Issues

Black domestic dog are stoop body and vomit mucus
Image Credit: Mumemories, Shutterstock

Acid reflux isn’t fun for anybody, and it’s certainly not fun for your dog. Acid reflux is when your dog’s stomach acid pushes up from the stomach through the esophageal sphincter, causing heartburn, regurgitation, and other signs, like lip-licking, coughing, or difficulty swallowing. This can happen immediately after your dog eats or even a few hours later. 

It’s important to understand the difference between vomiting and regurgitation. Vomiting is an active process with the dog heaving and abdomen contracting before they actually bring up any food or gastric fluid, while regurgitation is a passive and sudden process, which can occur without any warning. Dogs will just open their mouth and present you with the most disgusting content.


7. Consuming Foreign Objects

Dogs will put anything and everything into their mouths; if you don’t catch it, they’ll probably eat it. If your dog has managed to eat something like toys, paper, or even rocks, and they are still sitting in their stomach, they may throw up and sometimes expel the items. However, dogs will usually vomit when the material has gotten stuck either in their stomach trying to enter the small intestine, or anywhere throughout the small intestines, meaning nothing can get past the blockage. Depending on what they swallowed and where it’s stuck, your dog may require endoscopy or surgery to remove the object from the gastrointestinal tract.


8. An Underlying Condition

sick australian shepherd dog lying on grass
Image Credit: EvitaS, Pixabay

Although your pet may be getting sick after eating due to one of the previous causes, the vomiting could also be due to a medical condition. A trip to the vet’s office can help you eliminate possible causes and treat the current condition. Some underlying conditions that can cause your dog to throw up after eating include:

  • Pancreatitis
  • Kidney failure
  • Liver failure
  • Bladder obstruction
  • Colitis
  • Gastritis
  • Cancer

Divider 4

When Should I Take My Dog to a Vet?

If your dog throws up after one meal but continues to act normal, the vomiting is probably not a cause for too much concern. It might simply be a one-time clinical sign. However, if you begin to notice frequent vomiting after meals, you will need to make an appointment with your veterinarian to rule out the possibility of serious health problems.

If you have a puppy or young dog that is vomiting, even if they are feeling well, it’s good to get them checked, as they are often swallowing toys and things they shouldn’t have, which may cause a blockage, while older dogs are more likely to have an underlying health condition leading to vomiting.

vet checking dog teeth
Image Credit: YAKOBCHUK VIACHESLAV, Shutterstock

What to Do When Your Dog Throws Up After Eating

In the immediate moments after your dog throws up, you might be wondering what you can do to help them. It is understandable to be worried for your furry friend, but it could be a simple issue like eating too quickly. When you notice your pet vomiting, make sure to do the following:

  • Make sure your dog has access to plenty of fresh, clean water.
  • Make sure they do not eat anything else for a few hours.
  • Keep your dog warm and comfortable.
  • Clean your pet’s soiled fur with a warm, wet washcloth.
  • Watch for signs that your pup may vomit again.

Divider 7

Final Thoughts

It’s not pleasant for anybody involved when your dog throws up after meals. While vomiting can result from something straightforward and harmless, like eating too quickly, there is still a chance that a more significant issue is at play.

Whenever you are unsure of the cause or course of action regarding your dog throwing up, or they have vomited more than once, it is always best to make an appointment with your veterinarian or local emergency animal service to ensure your pet isn’t suffering from a medical condition.

 

Featured Image Credit: aurelie le moigne, Shutterstock

Related Articles

Further Reading

Vet Articles

Latest Vet Answers

The latest veterinarians' answers to questions from our database