What to give a sick dog for throwing up?

Seeing your dog vomit is unsettling, and the first question most owners have is whether this is a passing upset stomach or something that needs a vet. The guidance below is written from the perspective of a practical clinician: clear steps you can use at home, signs that deserve immediate attention, and ways to reduce the chance it happens again.

Recognizing when your dog needs professional guidance

One episode of vomiting in an otherwise bright, active dog is often different from repeated vomiting over hours. I typically tell owners that a single, brief episode—especially after eating something new or a minor stomach upset—may call for observation rather than immediate tests. Repeated vomiting, vomiting that continues for several hours, or vomiting in conjunction with other problems usually needs a veterinary exam right away.

Puppies, senior dogs, and dogs with chronic health issues require a lower threshold for professional care. Puppies can dehydrate very quickly, and seniors are more likely to have organ-related causes that are less forgiving. If the dog is on a medication, had a recent vaccine, or has known allergies, vomiting after those events is more likely to need veterinary input.

Note the context: vomiting after a new food, scavenging at the park, or after taking a pill is more likely linked to what the dog encountered. Vomiting that comes with diarrhea, marked lethargy, weakness, or collapse is more concerning and is likely linked to a systemic process rather than a simple stomach upset.

First-hour actions: what to do right away

If your dog vomits once, give them a calm, quiet space and watch for recurrence. Temporarily limiting food is usually reasonable for adult dogs for a short period so the stomach can settle; I generally recommend watching for 6–12 hours in stable adults. Continue to allow access to water but offer only small sips, and never force fluids down an unwilling dog.

Contact your veterinarian promptly if vomiting is severe, repeated, contains blood, or if the dog cannot keep water down. Avoid giving human anti-nausea drugs or over-the-counter remedies unless your vet explicitly recommends a specific product and dose. Those medications may do more harm than good and can mask important signs.

Why dogs vomit — common causes and how they differ

Vomiting is a protective reflex that may suggest the body is trying to expel something harmful—an irritant, toxin, or swallowed foreign material. The stomach and upper intestines can become irritated or inflamed, which alters motility and produces nausea that triggers vomiting. In other cases, signals from the brainstem or inner ear may trigger vomiting without primary stomach irritation; vestibular disease and some toxins act this way.

Inflammation from infections, pancreatitis, or gastrointestinal disease, obstruction from swallowed objects, and metabolic problems such as kidney or liver dysfunction are all plausible contributors. Because these causes differ in seriousness and treatment, the pattern of vomiting and accompanying signs help point to the most likely underlying problem.

Timing matters — what the pattern of vomiting can tell you

Dietary causes are common: spoiled food, an abrupt diet change, eating too fast, or simply overeating can precipitate vomiting. Scavenging behavior—trash, table scraps, or moldy food—frequently shows up in histories of acute vomiting. Certain household items, plants, and human medications are toxic and are a more urgent concern when ingestion is suspected.

Physical obstructions come from indigestible items like bones, toys, or fabric. Signs that suggest obstruction—repeated, forceful vomiting, abdominal discomfort, and inability to pass stools—are more worrisome. Systemic illnesses such as infections, pancreatitis, Addison’s disease, or organ failure can also present with vomiting and are often accompanied by lethargy, decreased appetite, or changes in urination.

Exercise-related vomiting or heat-associated vomiting may occur after strenuous activity, particularly in hot conditions. Motion sickness from travel is another trigger to consider when vomiting occurs during or after transport.

Red flags: symptoms that require urgent veterinary care

There are clear red flags that need immediate veterinary attention. Repeated vomiting or the inability to keep water down is a major concern because of the risk of rapid dehydration. Vomit that contains frank blood, dark “coffee-ground” material, or a large amount of yellow bile suggests more severe gastric or upper intestinal injury and warrants urgent evaluation.

If your dog shows severe lethargy, abdominal pain (pacing, whimpering, a tucked posture), collapse, or a fever, consider that an emergency. Signs of dehydration—sticky or very dry gums, poor skin elasticity, sunken eyes, or significantly decreased urination—are also reasons to seek care quickly rather than waiting at home.

Home-care checklist: safe steps and common mistakes to avoid

Start by removing immediate hazards and documenting what you observe: time of each vomiting episode, how many times, color and content of vomit (food, foam, bile, blood), and any recent exposures to new foods, plants, or medications. A short video or photo of an episode or the material can be useful for your vet.

For a stable adult dog with a single episode, withhold food for about 6–12 hours while offering small, measured sips of water every 10–15 minutes. I usually suggest a small measuring cup or an oral syringe for controlled amounts. If water is tolerated, offer a bland diet in small portions—plain boiled chicken (no skin, no bones) and white rice or a vet-recommended gastrointestinal diet—starting with a few tablespoons every two to three hours and increasing slowly over 24–48 hours.

Do not withhold food from young puppies, small-breed dogs, or dogs with known health problems without veterinary advice; they often need earlier intervention or tailored feeding to avoid hypoglycemia. If vomiting recurs during refeeding, stop the food, continue with water management, and contact your vet with the timeline and what you tried.

When you call your veterinarian, be ready to describe timing and frequency, the dog’s overall behavior, recent diets or exposures, and response to the initial home measures. That information helps your vet prioritize testing and treatment—whether that means coming in for fluids and diagnostics or trying outpatient support.

Create a calm recovery space and adjust feeding and training

Preventing future episodes often means changing the environment. Secure garbage cans, compost, and any accessible chemicals or medications. Remove or fence off toxic plants in and around the home. Keep tempting human foods out of reach and avoid free-feeding dogs that tend to overeat.

Measure meals and use consistent feeding times. If your dog eats too fast, a slow-feeder bowl or spreading food across multiple small dishes can reduce gulping and lower the risk of regurgitation or vomiting from overeating. Training a reliable “leave it” cue and reinforcing it during walks helps prevent scavenging. For dogs that vomit with car travel, discuss motion-sickness strategies with your vet; gradual desensitization, shorter trips to build tolerance, or vet-prescribed antiemetics for travel may help.

When changing diets, do it gradually over a week to ten days by mixing increasing amounts of the new food into the old. Sudden switches are a common reason for digestive upset, especially in sensitive dogs.

Essentials to keep on hand for managing vomiting episodes

A modest pet first-aid kit is useful: disposable gloves, absorbent pads or towels for cleanup, waste bags, and a thermometer if you are comfortable checking temperature (normal dog rectal temperature is roughly 100.5–102.5°F). Measuring cups and oral syringes allow you to control how much water and food you offer during recovery.

Slow-feeder bowls, raised feeders for certain breeds, and puzzle feeders can help moderate eating speed. Calming tools—like snug wraps or pheromone diffusers—may reduce stress-related vomiting in some dogs, but discuss these with your vet if anxiety seems to be a factor. Importantly, avoid using human antiemetics, antacids, or other medications without veterinary instruction; dosing errors or drug interactions can be dangerous.

If you suspect poisoning, contact a poison-control resource promptly; do not rely on internet searches for treatment doses. Keep your veterinarian’s number, the local emergency clinic, and a pet poison hotline in an accessible place.

References and further reading

• Merck Veterinary Manual: “Vomiting in Dogs” — Merck Veterinary Manual (specific clinical overview and diagnostic approach)
• Cornell University College of Veterinary Medicine: “Canine Gastrointestinal Disease — Vomiting” — Cornell Feline Health Center / Small Animal Clinic resources
• UC Davis Veterinary Medicine: “Vomiting and Diarrhea in Dogs” — UC Davis Veterinary Medical Teaching Hospital client information
• Pet Poison Helpline: “Common Toxins That Cause Vomiting in Dogs” — searchable toxin pages and treatment guidance
• ASPCA Animal Poison Control: “Toxic Plants and Household Hazards” — specific plant and household product toxicity pages