Is Your Dog Vomiting Water? It Could be a Clear Warning Sign
Dog vomit is a tricky substance. If he throws up food, it could be a symbol of an upset tummy or a gunky digestive system.
However, if he throws up water or a clear liquid, it could be the sign of something more nefarious. It also potentially calls for action.
Change Your Dog's Diet
If you are feeding your dog run-of-the-mill food, switch over to a special sensitive stomach dog food. Sensitive formulas contain probiotics, which help your dog digest food easier.
Look for grain, corn, and whey (gluten) free ingredients because these are may upset your dog's stomach. They will be less likely to throw-up on this special diet. Here's a list of the best dog food for sensitive stomachs:
Is Your Dog Actually Throwing Up Water?
When your dog vomits a clear liquid, it could be easy to assume simply that he's throwing up water. According to experts, the liquid is not water at all. It is instead gastric juice, an acid that acts as a natural, essential aid for your dog’s digestive system.
The reason the dog is throwing up this juice could be something as simple as eating a piece of irritating food that gets lodged in his digestive tract.
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It could also be neurological in nature as dogs may vomit as a side effect for getting worked up. In the case of the latter, his tendency to vomit may lessen if he calms down.
I myself had trouble keeping my puppy calm until I finally learned the secret from my favorite trainer...
In some cases, a dog throwing up could be a symptom of a more serious condition, such as tumors, liver dysfunction, or thyroid dysfunction. With the latter issue, the vomiting may happen if the dog has an underactive thyroid (hypothyroidism) or an overactive thyroid (hyperthyroidism). In these conditions are suspected, you should see a veterinarian as soon as possible.
Sometimes, the liquid that a dog vomits falls under a different classification: bile. Created in a dog’s liver and stored in his gallbladder, this substance plays a key role in breaking down food in the small intestine, essentially helping the dog’s body to separate nutrients from waste. Bile is watery when it is vomited, but it is yellow-green in color.
If your dog vomits bile, it could just be a sign that your dog's digestive tract isn't acting as efficiently as it should. Nonetheless, you should take him to your veterinarian to make sure there is nothing serious happening with your dog's intestinal tract. If there isn't a critical issue behind it, your vet may prescribe drugs or a specific dietary plan to help regulate your pooch's tract.
What Can You Do When Your Dog Vomits?
Even if the vomit your dog produces looks like clear water, it’s important that you inspect the vomit. Doing so could potentially provide you with clues regarding your dog’s condition. As you inspect, be sure to keep an eye out for bile, bits of food, or even blood.
If you have a young puppy, you should also be on the lookout for chunks of things that he shouldn’t be eating. This could be bits of chew toys or things that he should theoretically be trained not to try eating in the first place, like shoes. The tendency to attempt eating these inappropriate items should dissipate as your dog gets older.
What Shouldn’t You Do When Your Dog Vomits?
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Your first instinct to treating your dog when he vomits is to give him water so the fluids he loses during the vomiting could be replenished. However, this is not the proper response. In fact, giving your dog water can further irritate the reflexes involved with vomiting, which could lead to more vomiting.
You also should refrain from trying to feed your dog differently if he's vomiting. As my dog trainer says, dogs are essentially built to thrive on a special diet that is based on routine.
If your dog is vomiting due to an upset stomach, altering his dietary routine will only accelerate the issue. Don't make this mistake (or any other mistakes!) I made when I got my first dog...
Above all else, if your dog’s vomiting is persistent, it shouldn’t be ignored. A trip to the vet is the only way to provide your dog with a proper diagnosis and treatment of an issue if it’s serious. It will also provide you with peace of mind, which can be every bit as important.
Dog Vomit is Part of Dog Ownership
Even if your dog doesn’t develop a serious condition that features vomiting as a symptom, your dog will occasionally throw up. It’s just one of those things that you’ll get accustomed to dealing with as a dog owner. And while this may be a bit unpleasant, it’s a short-term price to pay in exchange for the long-term joy your buddy will bring you.