Dog Threw Up Undigested Food

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Every pet owner has developed a soft spot for their dog, and taking care of them at all times is one of their priorities. You want to ensure that your dog is in the ideal healthy state. For this reason, you will rush them to the vet in case you notice any signs of illness and discomfort.

One of the most unglamorous topics for dog owners is their dogs vomiting undigested food several hours after eating.

One thing you’ll want to know is that when food is swallowed and reaches the stomach, the churning process begins right away, and digestion kicks. After every important bit of the food is absorbed, the rest is pushed down the alimentary canal and finally excreted.

So why is your dog throwing up food hours after eating? Shouldn’t the food already be digested? As it turns out, several reasons can cause them to vomit the food in its original state.

Food Allergies

Dogs can be allergic to ingredients in their food, like chicken, pork, beef, soy, or wheat, for example. Vomiting is a common sign of food allergies, along with itchy skin, diarrhea, and possible weight loss. Youll need to work with your vet to conduct food trials to determine what your dog is allergic to. From there, you can change what your dog eats to avoid any problems.

Want to help your dog feel less itchy at home? Native Pets Allergy Chicken Chews target itchy skin and hot spots to help your dog feel more comfortable. They may be of use if your dog is prone to food allergies or environmental allergies.

Warning Signs for Dog Parents

The occasional episode of vomiting probably isn’t something to worry about, but it’s important to keep a close eye on your pet after he or she has vomited. If other signs and symptoms accompany the vomiting, it’s time to call the vet.

Watch for:

  • Frequent vomiting. If your pup won’t stop vomiting, it’s a cause for concern. Consult with a vet if you see signs of serious problems.
  • Additional symptoms. Keep an eye on your dog after the vomiting episode. If you see things like diarrhea, drooling, nasal discharge and sneezing, seizures, or other medical abnormalities, something is wrong. And if your dog’s vomit appears to be bloody — dried blood often looks like coffee grounds in the vomit — they’ll definitely need veterinary attention.
  • Changes in behavior.Have you noticed behavioral changes in your dog after their vomiting? Loss of appetite, weakness, noticeable weight loss, and sensitivity to touch around the abdomen (indicative of abdominal pain) are just a few examples. Let your vet know if you’re concerned about behavioral changes.

    • You should also be aware of a dangerous condition called bloat, especially if you have a larger dog — the problem is more common in large breeds. In a case of bloat, a dog’s stomach twists, blocking the escape of stomach contents and forcing the stomach to expand.

    One of the telltale signs of bloat is retching and gagging without producing any material. If you see your dog doing this, let your vet know immediately.

    Vomiting vs. Regurgitation

    Most of the time, we think of vomiting and regurgitation as the same thing. But these terms refer to different actions in dogs.

    Regurgitation is the return of food into the oral cavity after it has been swallowed. The food never started getting digested before it was expelled — your pup’s abdominal muscles didn’t push the stomach contents back up into the esophagus and mouth. A combination of the esophageal muscles and gravity did.

    Vomiting, on the other hand, does involve the muscles in the abdomen pushing stomach contents out of the stomach and back into the esophagus and mouth. Those contents will be partially digested. Vomiting is more of an active experience for your dog while regurgitation can happen passively without your pooch really controlling it.

    Why does regurgitation occur? Typically, it happens when your dog:

  • Eats too much
  • Eats too fast
  • Experiences stress, anxiety, or over-excitement
  • Suffers from a dilated esophagus (megaesophagus), a condition that causes the esophagus to expand and fail to move food into the stomach correctly

    • So, regurgitation is something that many dogs can experience without actually having something medically wrong with them. (The exception is megaesophagus, and you should contact your veterinarian if your dog regurgitates frequently.) Vomiting, though, is more concerning.

    FAQ

    What does it mean when dog throws up undigested food?

    Usually, it’s regurgitation. Your dog may have eaten too much, too fast, or they may be suffering from stress. Megaesophagus is also a possibility, so you’ll want to check with your vet to be sure. If your dog is vomiting, it usually happens at least a few minutes after your dog has eaten.

    Is it OK for dog to eat undigested food?

    Prompt attention from a veterinarian should be sought if your dog vomits multiple times in one day or for more than one day in a row. In addition, you should seek veterinary attention if your dog shows the following symptoms accompanied by vomiting: Loss of appetite. Change in frequency of urination.

    What do I do if my dog throws up his food?

    When your dog swallows something that’s too large, he simply brings it back up. The expelled contents are usually stuck together, covered in mucus, and almost completely undigested. Even though it’s gross, it’s perfectly normal for your dog to re-eat his regurgitated food.