should i give my dog water after vomiting

By Isabella Storyclaire

last updated November 18, 2024

Contributions sourced from

Help! My Dog Is Vomiting Water

Life with a doggo means youll most likely encounter canine vomit at least once.

Gross, smooshy, and the last thing you want to find with your bare foot, dog vomit is generally food-filled mishmash. But sometimes, it appears to be mostly water.

What the floof, right?

Below, well tackle the stomach-churning issue of your dog vomiting water (or what appears to be water) and let you know when to worry, when to visit your vet, and what you can do to help your pukey pooch feel better.

Just like people, dogs vomit from time to time. And while vomiting should always cause you to stop and take stock of your pups health, it isnt always a big deal that requires an emergency trip to the vet.
In some cases, your dogs vomit may be primarily comprised of water and other liquids. Technically, this is often an example of regurgitation rather than vomiting, as the material is usually expelled passively, from the upper portions of the digestive tract.
There are a number of reasons your dog may vomit water, including drinking too fast or being too active too quickly after drinking. However, health problems or the ingestion of dangerous substances can also trigger your dog to vomit water, so youll want to watch your pooch closely.

First Things First: The Difference Between Vomiting and Regurgitation

We need to have a bit of terminology lesson first, as many dogs who vomit water are actually regurgitating. Have no fear if youd misused the words in the past, as vomiting and regurgitation are often confused with one another.

So, how do they differ?

For one, vomiting is the expulsion of food location deep within the GI tract, whereas regurgitating is spitting up food or water thats recently been ingested.

Youll also notice a difference in the act, since vomiting is more violent with noticeable retching while regurgitation is more passive with food typically expelled gently or spit up.

Not to be gross, but theres a clear difference in the contents expelled in vomiting and regurgitation, too.

When regurgitating, your dog will spit up undigested food or water, and the mixture is often watery. With vomiting, the expelled product may contain partially digested food and can be a variety of colors, though its usually clear, green, or a hue similar to your pups food.

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What Does It Look Like When Dogs Vomit or Regurgitate Water?

When your dog vomits up water, he produces a mostly clear fluid that contains water and stomach fluids. Sometimes, it may include mucus, foam, or food remnants, too.

Its important to note that clear vomit isnt always water, however, and it could include clear liquids (including potentially dangerous ones) that your dogs system cant digest. This makes determining the root cause of your dogs vomiting or regurgitation important to rule out illness.

Why Do Dogs Vomit or Regurgitate Water?

Finding out why your pup is spitting up water is a must, not only to save your floors and cleaning products but to also ensure nothing major healthwise is going on with your pooch.

Your dog may vomit or regurgitate water for typical reasons, like:

Ingesting spoiled food
Eating something toxic
Food sensitivities
Eating too quickly
Illness

Your dog may also vomit water after drinking too much too fast or after running around too soon after drinking a lot of water.

This is often seen with doggos who love chasing the hose or playing in the sprinkler, and while its great to let him have his fun, its important to make sure hes not making himself sick (literally) in the process.

When Is Vomiting or Regurgitation Serious? When Do You Need to Go to the Vet?

The good news is, in most cases, occasional vomiting and regurgitation arent indicative of serious problems. Like us, sometimes dogs have a bout of sour stomach. You still want to take note of the symptom, however, and examine what exactly your dog is throwing up to make sure its nothing worse than a tummy ache causing it.

When assessing your dog, keep some key markers in mind, including:

Frequency: If your dog vomited once and is acting normally with no other symptoms, hes probably fine, though he should still be monitored. If hes vomiting repeatedly and cant keep anything (including water) down, contact your vet at once.
Behavior: Keep an eye out for a change in behavior, such as lethargy or excessive thirst. Sometimes, doggos can be stealthy with these, so its important to really pay attention. Any changes should be reported to your vet.
Additional symptoms: Vomiting on its own can be troubling enough, but if your dog is also experiencing diarrhea, shaking, or excessive drooling, its time to get him to the vet.
Vomit appearance: Any sign of blood in your dogs vomit is cause for concern and requires a vet visit.
Production: If your dog is trying to vomit but producing nothing, this is also cause for concern and warrants a trip to the vet. Dogs that are drooling, pacing, or restless may be experiencing bloat, a life-threatening condition.
Age: Older dogs and puppies (especially unvaccinated puppies) are more fragile and should be closely monitored for signs of dehydration.

Its important to trust your own intuition, too. You know your dog better than anyone, and if something feels off, call your vet.

Need Veterinary Help Fast?

Dont have easy access to a vet? You may want to consider getting help from JustAnswer a service that provides instant virtual-chat access to a certified vet online.

You can discuss the issue with them, and even share video or photos if need be. The online vet can help you determine what your next steps should be.

While talking with your own vet who understands the ins and outs of your dogs history is probably ideal, JustAnswer is a good backup option.

What Do I Do After My Dog Vomits or Regurgitates Water?

Seeing your dog vomit water is alarming, but generally, your pupper patient will most likely be fine with a little TLC if hes not exhibiting any major symptoms.

Your natural reaction may be to take away all drinking water, but its important to still give him access to small quantities of water while hes recovering your dog will need to rehydrate after vomiting.

But, while he should still be allowed to drink, youll want to limit it to small amounts of water at a time rather than letting him slurp down a lot at once. This may mean offering his water bowl for a few sips and then restricting it for 10 to 15 minutes before allowing him to have another drink.

If your dogs stomach trouble is caused by illness or maybe a batch of treats that didnt sit well with him, you may want to withhold food for 12 to 24 hours (depending on your vets advice.) Other times, you can offer him food, but it should be a GI-friendly mixture thats suitable food for a dog with an upset stomach, such as boiled chicken and rice or a GI food from your vet (which is designed to be super-easy to digest). As with water, make sure you offer smaller amounts of food rather than his typical portion to ease his stomach back into business.

Also, as tempting as it may be to give your dog something to help make him feel better, avoid administering Pepto Bismol, Imodium, Tums, or any other medications unless your vet instructs you to do so.

Its also important to give your pooch the five-star pupper patient treatment with lots of rest and preferably some rubs for being a good boy. Try not to let him run around too much and keep him calm so he doesnt work his tummy back up into a tizzy again.

As with any illness, monitor your dog and report any changes to your vet.

How Can I Prevent My Dog From Drinking Too Much and Vomiting Up Water?

If your dogs upset stomach is caused by him drinking too much too fast, its essential to dial things down to prevent serious complications, such as bloat, hyperhydration, or repeated vomiting. Luckily, the fix isnt too hard.

To stop your dog from drinking too much at once, try:

Bowl swap: If your dog has a refillable water jug or fountain, it may be best to exchange it for a smaller bowl until he gets his excessive water drinking under control.
Temperature change: Some dogs love to chug cold water. In these cases, switching the cold water to lukewarm water can slow his slurping.
Water bowl extras: On the flip side, adding ice cubes to your dogs bowl may slow his drinking. The temperature shift and floating additions can be off-putting for dogs that like to suck down a bowl of water in one sitting. Use caution here though, because some dogs may like icy additions even more.
No hose play: We know its hard, but if your dog always makes himself sick with the hose or sprinkler, it may be time to limit or cut out the activity entirely.

Always report any excessive drinking to your vet to rule out underlying conditions, such as diabetes, Cushings, or kidney disease.

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Has your dog ever vomited water? How did you work through the issue together? Let us know in the comments!

When to Feed a Dog After Vomiting: Your Dogs Road to Recovery

All canines throw up from time to time, but when should you feed a dog after vomiting? Vomiting can happen for various reasons, including eating something that doesnt agree with them, overeating, or illness.

Knowing when and what to feed your dog after throwing up may speed up recovery. Youll need a handy odor eliminator to cope with the horrid puke smell if your dog throws up in the house. In the long term, you might want to introduce canine probiotics to your dog at your vets guidance.

We are grounding our advice on expert sources like Canine and Feline Gastroenterology, to keep you informed on canine vomiting. Read along to discover how to settle your dogs restless and upset tummy.

So, when do you feed a dog after vomiting?

Feeding a dog immediately after vomiting is not recommended as it can cause further irritation to the stomach. Its best to wait about 12 to 24 hours after vomiting before feeding food to allow their stomach to settle down. However, only withhold water for 2 to 6 hours since dehydration is a major risk when dogs vomit.

Vomiting is a forceful expulsion of food from your dogs stomach. It is as uncomfortable for your dog as it is for you to watch. We have an even more complicated guide on canine throwing up in our article on what you should do if your dog vomits.

When its time to reintroduce food, it is crucial to start with small portions of easily digestible food such as boiled chicken (see our article on how to boil chicken for dogs) and rice. Gradually increase the amount and frequency of their meals over the next few days as their stomach returns to normal.

You also want to make sure anything you give your dog is very low in fat in case the vomiting is a sign of pancreatitis.

If the vomiting persists or your dog shows other symptoms, such as diarrhea or lethargy, it is best to consult a veterinarian.

If your dog vomits only once and seems otherwise healthy, you can offer him water after a few hours. If he keeps the water down, you can offer a bit of food. In this case, where vomiting is only mild and happens once, you may not even have to wait the whole 12 to 24 hours.

Sometimes, your veterinarian may recommend withholding food for a longer period, such as 24 to 48 hours. This is especially true if your dog has a gastrointestinal illness or has ingested something toxic. During this time, it is vital to ensure your dog has access to plenty of water to prevent dehydration.

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Immediate Actions After Your Dog Vomits

When a dog vomits, it is essential to take immediate action to prevent further complications. Here are some recommended actions to take:

Clean up vomit: Clean up the vomit immediately to prevent the spread of any harmful bacteria or viruses. Use gloves and disinfectant to clean the area thoroughly. You can also use a pet stain remover for deeper cleaning.
Remove food and water: After vomiting, the dogs stomach needs time to rest. Therefore, removing food and water for at least four hours is best to allow the stomach to settle. This will also prevent the dog from re-ingesting anything that may have caused the vomiting and upset stomach in the first place. Also see: How to deal with a dogs upset stomach.
Monitor your dog: Keep a close eye on your dogs behavior after vomiting. If your dog is lethargic, has diarrhea, or shows any other signs of illness, it is important to seek veterinary attention immediately.
Offer ice chips: If your dog is dehydrated after vomiting, you can offer ice chips to help hydrate them. This will also help to soothe their throat and stomach.
Consider medication: If your dog has a history of vomiting or has been diagnosed with a medical condition that causes vomiting, give them medication as directed by your veterinarian. This can help to prevent further vomiting and alleviate any discomfort.

Remember, if your dog continues to vomit or shows any signs of illness, it is essential to seek veterinary attention immediately.

Feeding Your Dog After Vomiting

When a dog vomits, it can be concerning for pet owners. After vomiting, it is essential to be cautious when feeding your dog to prevent further complications. Here are some guidelines for feeding your dog after vomiting:

Initial Hours

During the first few hours after vomiting, it is recommended to withhold food and water to allow the stomach to settle. This gives the digestive system time to rest and recover. It is crucial to ensure the dog can access clean water to prevent dehydration. You can also take this time to observe if the vomit is due to ingesting toxins, with signs like foaming at the mouth.

First 24 Hours

After the initial hours, you can offer small amounts of water to the dog. If the dog can keep the water down for at least four hours, you can introduce small amounts of bland food. Bland food options include boiled chicken or rice. It is important to avoid feeding the dog any fatty or spicy foods during this time.

Please note that you should not withhold food for extremely tiny dogs like Malteses, Teacups, and Chihuahuas for this long. These dogs are susceptible to hypoglycemia, where the blood sugar levels get too low. Opt to take away their food for about 4 hours instead.

Beyond 24 Hours

If the dog can tolerate the bland food, the amount can gradually be increased over the next few days. It is crucial to monitor the dogs behavior and appetite during this time. If the dog continues to vomit or shows signs of discomfort, it is recommended to seek veterinary care.

The Role of Hydration After a Dog Vomits

After a dog vomits, its essential to keep them hydrated. Vomiting can cause a loss of fluids and electrolytes, leading to dehydration. Dehydration can cause serious health problems, so its crucial to ensure your dog stays hydrated. Studies show that past a certain point, fluid therapy like IV is the only way to save dogs with severe dehydration from fluid loss.

Water is the best way to keep your dog hydrated. Its essential to always provide your dog with fresh, clean water, but its imperative after vomiting. If your dog refuses to drink water, you can try to add a small amount of low-sodium chicken broth to their water bowl to make it more appealing.

In addition to water, you can also provide your dog with electrolyte solutions to help replace lost fluids and electrolytes. Many commercial electrolyte solutions are available for dogs, but you can also make your own by mixing water (1 liter), salt (12 teaspoon), and sugar (6 tablespoons) to make Pedialyte. However, its essential to consult with your veterinarian before giving your dog any homemade electrolyte solution.

Monitoring your dogs urine output is essential to ensure they are properly hydrated. If your dog is not urinating or producing very little orange urine, they may be dehydrated, and you should contact your veterinarian immediately.

Monitoring Your Dogs Health After Emesis (Vomiting)

After a dog vomits, its essential to monitor their health to ensure that they are recovering properly. Here are some things to keep in mind:

Observe Your Dogs Behavior

Watch your dog for any changes in behavior. If they seem lethargic or lose appetite, it may be a sign that they are not feeling well. If your dog continues vomiting or diarrhea, its essential to seek veterinary care.

Related:

Why is my dog not eating?

Check for Dehydration

Dehydration is a common side effect of vomiting. To check if your dog is dehydrated, gently pinch the skin on the back of their neck. If the skin does not quickly return to its normal position, your dog may be dehydrated. Other signs of dehydration include dry gums and sunken eyes.

How long can dogs go without water?

Offer Small Amounts of Water

Its best to offer small amounts of water at a time. Giving your dog too much water too quickly can lead to further vomiting.

Gradually Introduce Food

After your dog has stopped vomiting, you can gradually introduce food into their diet. Start with small amounts of bland food, such as boiled chicken and rice. If your dog tolerates this food well, you can gradually introduce their regular diet into their meals.

You can start by giving them 25% of their normal food with the bland diet each time until its fully reintroduced.

By monitoring your dogs health after vomiting, you can ensure they recover properly and avoid any potential health issues.

When to Consult a Vet For Dog Vomiting

While some cases of dog vomiting can be resolved at home, there are times when its essential to seek veterinary attention. Here are some situations where a vet visit is recommended:

Persistent Vomiting

If your dog has been vomiting repeatedly for more than 24 hours or more than thrice in 24 hours, its time to take them to the vet. This could indicate a more serious underlying condition, such as pancreatitis, kidney disease, or liver disease.

The vet will be able to conduct tests to determine the cause of the vomiting and provide appropriate treatment.

Blood in Vomit

If your dog is vomiting blood, you must seek veterinary attention immediately. This could indicate a serious condition such as poisoning or gastrointestinal cancer. The vet will be able to determine the cause of the bleeding and provide appropriate treatment.

Other Symptoms

If your dog is experiencing other symptoms in addition to vomiting, such as red diarrhea, lethargy, or loss of appetite, its essential to consult a vet. These symptoms could indicate an underlying condition, such as pancreatitis or viral infections, that require medical attention.

In general, if youre unsure whether your dogs vomiting requires veterinary attention, its always best to err on the side of caution and seek advice from a professional.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

How long should I wait to feed my dog after vomiting?

After your dog has vomited, waiting at least 12 hours before feeding them again is best. This will give their stomach enough time to settle and recover. You can offer small amounts of water during this time to keep them hydrated.

What should I do if my dog is throwing up everything he eats and drinks?

If your dog is continuously vomiting and cannot keep anything down, it is essential to take them to the vet as soon as possible. This could be a sign of a more serious underlying condition that requires medical attention.

Is it normal for my dog to sleep after vomiting?

Yes, it is normal for dogs to feel tired and want to sleep after vomiting. This is because vomiting can be a stressful experience for them, and their body needs time to recover.

How can I make my dog feel better after throwing up?

You can make your dog feel better after vomiting by offering them small amounts of water and a bland diet, such as boiled chicken and rice. Avoid giving them any treats or table scraps during this time.

When should I be concerned about my dog vomiting?

If your dog is vomiting frequently, has blood in their vomit, or is showing other signs of illness, such as lethargy or loss of appetite, it is essential to take them to the vet for an examination. These could be signs of a more severe condition that requires medical attention.

Should I give my dog water after vomiting?

Yes, it is important to offer your dog small amounts of water after vomiting to prevent dehydration. However, do not offer them too much water at once, as this could cause them to vomit again. Instead, offer them small amounts of water frequently throughout the day.

Final Thoughts

Feeding a dog after vomiting can be a tricky task, but it is important to ensure that the dog is getting the necessary nutrients to stay healthy. As discussed, it is recommended to wait for at least 12 to 24 hours after vomiting before feeding the dog. This will give the dogs stomach enough time to settle down and reduce the risk of further vomiting.

Meet Your Experts

Tamsin De La Harpe

Author

Tamsin de la Harpe has nearly two decades of experience with dogs in rescue, training, and behavior modification with fearful and aggressive dogs. She has worked closely with veterinarians and various kennels, building up extensive medical knowledge and an understanding of canine health and physiology. She also spent two years in the animal sciences as a canine nutrition researcher, focusing on longevity and holistic healthcare for our four-legged companions.Tamsin currently keeps a busy homestead with an assortment of rescue dogs and three Bullmastiffs.