Reviewed by: Dr. David Tittle, BVetMed, CertVA, GPCert (WVA&CPM), MRCVS
Although occasional vomiting in dogs is not always a cause for concern, frequent or persistent episodes can indicate an underlying issue that needs attention. If your dog is regularly throwing up undigested food, there can be many potential causes.
Here’s what pet parents need to know about their dogs bringing up undigested food and when you should be concerned.
Understanding Vomiting in Dogs
Before diving into why a dog might throw up undigested food, it is important to understand the difference between vomiting and regurgitation. While these terms are often used interchangeably, they are not the same. Recognizing the difference can help determine what might be causing the issue.
Vomiting
Vomiting is the forceful expulsion of food or liquid from the stomach through the mouth. It is usually preceded by signs such as lip smacking, drooling, retching, or abdominal contractions. The contents may include partially digested food, bile, or other stomach fluids. When your dog vomits, their body works with great force to get something out of their stomach.
Regurgitation
Regurgitation, on the other hand, is a passive process where undigested food comes back up from the esophagus without the same force as vomiting. It typically happens shortly after eating and doesn’t involve the abdominal contractions seen with vomiting.
The regurgitated food usually appears as it did when it was first eaten, with little or no digestion. Often it can be tube-shaped, like a ‘sausage’. Regurgitation usually happens suddenly and quickly, and your dog might not seem phased by it.
Identifying whether your dog is vomiting or regurgitating can provide important clues about the underlying cause and guide appropriate treatment.
What Causes Dogs to Throw Up Undigested Food?
Dogs throw up more often than people do. It isn’t always a cause for concern, but pet parents should still pay attention to the circumstances before and after their dog throws up.
Eating Too Quickly
One of the most common reasons dogs bring up undigested food is eating too fast. When a dog gulps down its food too quickly, they can swallow large amounts of air along with the food.
This may cause the stomach to expand, leading to regurgitation or vomiting soon after eating. Additionally, eating rapidly doesn’t allow the food to be chewed properly, making it more difficult for the digestive system to break it down.
If you suspect your dog is eating too quickly, consider using a slow feeder bowl, which is designed to make dogs eat more slowly by spreading the food out across the bowl. Some owners add tennis balls to their dogs’ food bowl, which can slow their eating pace. You can also feed your dog smaller, more frequent meals throughout the day to prevent overeating in one sitting.
Dietary Changes or Food Intolerances
Sudden changes in a dog’s diet or the introduction of new foods can upset their digestive system, leading to vomiting or regurgitation. Additionally, some dogs may have food intolerances or allergies that cause gastrointestinal distress. For instance, ingredients like dairy, wheat, or certain proteins may not agree with a dog’s stomach.
If you recently changed your dog’s food, try switching back to the previous diet to see if signs improve. When introducing a new food, do so gradually over a week or more by mixing increasing amounts of the new food with the old food.
If you suspect a food allergy or intolerance, consult your veterinarian about an elimination diet to identify the problematic ingredient.
Gastritis
Gastritis is the inflammation of the stomach lining. The condition can have many causes, like eating spoiled food, ingesting something toxic, or as a side effect of certain medications.
Gastritis can lead to vomiting, often accompanied by other symptoms such as lethargy, loss of appetite, or abdominal discomfort. Dogs suffering from gastritis may vomit undigested food along with bile or frothy liquid.
If your dog is showing signs of gastritis, it’s important to withhold food for at least 12 hours to give the stomach a chance to settle. After the resting period, offer a bland diet of boiled chicken and rice in small portions. If your dog continues to vomit, seek veterinary care for a proper diagnosis and treatment plan.
Megaesophagus
Megaesophagus is a condition where the esophagus, the tube that carries food from the mouth to the stomach, becomes enlarged and loses its normal motility. This means food doesn’t move down into the stomach properly and can be regurgitated shortly after eating.
Dogs with megaesophagus may have difficulty swallowing and could be seen regurgitating undigested food soon after meals. If you suspect megaesophagus, a veterinarian can confirm the diagnosis through imaging tests.
Managing megaesophagus often involves feeding the dog in an upright position to allow gravity to help move food down to the stomach. Special feeding chairs (Bailey chairs) or feeding from an elevated bowl can be helpful.
Bloat (GDV)
Bloat, also known as gastric dilatation-volvulus (GDV), is a life-threatening condition that occurs when the stomach twists and fills with gas, causing it to expand. While bloat often occurs without warning, one early sign is vomiting or attempting to vomit but bringing up only small amounts of food or foam. Bloat can rapidly become a medical emergency, requiring immediate care.
If your dog exhibits signs of bloat, such as a swollen abdomen, excessive drooling, restlessness, or unsuccessful attempts to vomit, seek emergency veterinary care right away. Bloat can be fatal if not treated quickly.
Infections or Parasites
Gastrointestinal infections caused by bacteria, viruses, or parasites can result in vomiting, diarrhea, and loss of appetite. In some cases, these infections may cause a dog to vomit undigested food. Dogs can pick up infections or parasites from contaminated water, food, or the environment.
If your dog has vomiting along with other signs like diarrhea, lethargy, or fever, consult a veterinarian. Diagnostic tests may be needed to identify the underlying infection or parasite, and treatment will depend on the specific cause.
Motion Sickness
Dogs can experience motion sickness, especially during car rides. When dogs get motion sickness, they may vomit undigested food shortly after eating. This is more common in puppies and younger dogs, but some dogs never outgrow it.
If your dog is prone to motion sickness, try feeding them several hours before traveling rather than just before. You can also talk to your vet about anti-nausea medications that may help reduce symptoms during car rides.
Pancreatitis
Pancreatitis is the inflammation of the pancreas and can cause a variety of symptoms, including vomiting, diarrhea, abdominal pain, and loss of appetite. When the pancreas becomes inflamed, it can affect a dog’s ability to digest food properly, leading to the vomiting of undigested food.
If you suspect pancreatitis, it is important to seek veterinary attention as soon as possible. Pancreatitis can range from mild to severe, and treatment may involve fluid therapy, dietary changes, and medications to reduce inflammation and support digestion.
Dogs often chew on or swallow things they shouldn’t, like toys or sticks they’re playing with. When a dog swallows a foreign object, it can get lodged in the digestive tract, causing an obstruction that prevents food from passing through properly. This can result in vomiting undigested food, among other symptoms.
Foreign Object Ingestion
If you suspect your dog has swallowed a foreign object, seek veterinary care immediately. An obstruction is a medical emergency that may require surgery to remove the object.
How Can I Prevent My Dog from Throwing Up Undigested Food?
While it’s not always possible to prevent vomiting entirely, there are steps you can take to reduce the likelihood of your dog throwing up undigested food.
Feed Smaller, More Frequent Meals: Instead of feeding one large meal, consider splitting your dog’s food into smaller meals throughout the day. This can help prevent overeating and reduce the risk of regurgitation.
Slow Down Fast Eaters: If your dog eats too quickly, use a slow feeder bowl or puzzle feeder to encourage slower eating. This will help prevent them from swallowing air and reduce the chances of throwing up. Where dogs are not ‘ball obsessed’ or are too large that they are a choke risk, three or more tennis balls in a deep food bowl can be a cost effective way of slowing eating.
Avoid Feeding Before Exercise: Try to avoid feeding your dog immediately before or after vigorous exercise. Give them time to rest for at least an hour before and after meals.
Stick to a Consistent Diet: Avoid sudden changes in your dog’s diet. When switching foods, do so gradually by mixing the new food with the old over a period of seven to 10 days.
Monitor for Signs of Foreign Object Ingestion: Keep an eye on what your dog is chewing and playing with, especially if they have a tendency to swallow things. Remove small objects that could be a choking hazard or cause a blockage.
The Bottom Line
While it can be concerning to see your dog throwing up undigested food, understanding the potential causes and knowing when to seek veterinary help can make a big difference in addressing the issue. If the vomiting is occasional and your dog is otherwise healthy, it may be a simple case of eating too quickly or dietary changes.
Persistent or frequent vomiting should not be ignored, as it could indicate a more serious underlying problem. By monitoring your dog’s symptoms and taking steps to promote healthy eating habits, you can help ensure that your pup stays happy and healthy.
Sources:
Gastritis and Gastric Ulcers in Working Dogs | Frontiers in Veterinary Science
Clinical features and prognosis of canine megaesophagus in Japan | PMC
Pancreatitis in Dogs – Symptoms, Causes & Treatment | American Kennel Club
Any health or medical information in ElleVet blogs is from a variety of public and reputable sources. This information is intended as an education resource only and is not a substitute for expert professional care.