A dog vomiting after drinking water requires attention considering that it can be a sign of a medical problem. The problem should not be ignored considering that, if your dog is vomiting after drinking, your dog is likely not getting enough fluids to keep himself hydrated. Its therefore important finding out the underlying cause of your dogs vomiting.
If your dog is vomiting after drinking water, you are rightfully concerned. Not only is vomiting a sign of something amiss, but if your dog is vomiting after drinking on a frequent basis, your dog is likely not getting enough fluids to keep himself hydrated.
Its important finding out the underlying cause of your dogs vomiting. Only once the issue is addressed, will the vomiting subside.
Making sure your dog doesnt gulp too much water at once when hes nauseous can help lower the chances of vomiting if your dogs stomach is upset.
One of the most common reasons your dog may throw up after drinking water is because it drank too quickly. Dog owners everywhere are familiar with the rapid lapping their pets do at the water bowl after a period of high activity, such as playing fetch or running.
What causes a dog to throw up?
Dogs can throw up for many reasons. If your dog drinks lots of water, especially very cold water or after exercise, this can fill the stomach too quickly and cause them to throw some of it back up straight away. If your dog does this a lot, you can slow down your dog drinking by placing a large, clean stone in their water bowl, so they have to lap around it, or give them a small amount to drink at a time.
Your dog may also drink a lot of water if they are feeling unwell (nauseous) to try to make themselves sick. This is also why dogs sometimes eat grass. It can be a dog’s way to clear out toxins, if they have eaten something that is causing a stomach upset.
There are lots of more serious reasons why dogs vomit, including infections, toxins, blockages, metabolic disease (such as liver or kidney failure) and even cancer. If you have a large breed dog, such as a Doberman or Great Dan, whos throwing up after drinking water this could mean a twisted stomach and is an emergency.
What is Sick After Drinking Water?
There are many reasons why your dog may be sick after drinking water. It can be as simple as drinking their water too fast – especially on hot days or after some hectic play. If this only happens occasionally, there may be no cause for concern, but if it is happening all the time then there is likely an issue with your dogs health. The sickness could be related to some disease, infection or condition that is affecting your dog’s health. These conditions could be related to the following.
Why Sick After Drinking Water Occurs in Dogs
Esophageal Dysfunction
A condition called megaesophagus is a rare condition that affects the esophagus when it fails to contract as it normally would, where it forces food and water along into the stomach. Due to a weakness in the muscles that fail to contract properly, water (and food) can build up in the throat, and as your dog drinks more, it causes a reflex action which ejects anything sitting in the esophagus.
Bacteria From Contaminated Water
While your dog’s bowl may look clean, if you haven’t washed it for days it can become contaminated (especially outdoor water bowls). Ponds and stagnant pools of water can contain contamination from animal or human waste, which contains bacteria including Salmonella, campylobacter and Leptospira and can cause your dog to vomit after drinking.
Blue- Green Algae
Stagnant ponds and pools of water can harbor all sort of nasty toxins and pollutants that may harm your dog, such as runoff from fertilizer used on the nearby paddocks. Another concern is the elevated level of toxic blue-green algae that may be present. Canals and small lakes are best to avoid as well, although it can be hard to stop an active dog from wanting to swim in them and possibly drink the water, as well.
Parasites
These nasty species love living around water or may be in feces that have infected the waterway. Protozoans such as Giardia and cryptosporidium come to mind and can cause sickness. Usually, it shows as diarrhea, but your dog may be sensitive to these parasites and may vomit after drinking.
Gastrointestinal Blockage
If your dog eats objects that cannot be digested, these objects can cause vomiting. Usually, if this is the case, your dog will be looking quite sick, and you will notice him retching to try and remove the object. A partial blockage or growth of polyp can also cause this behavior.