Home Remedies for Sick Dogs: Vomiting

If you own a dog, vomiting is going to be a fact of life. Dogs are notorious for eating things they are not supposed to. This can lead to serious problems, but usually it will just lead to temporary stomach upset that may be accompanied by vomiting. If your dog seems fine otherwise, then it's probably OK to treat the vomiting with a home remedy.

There are many different reasons for your dog to start vomiting. He may have eaten a poisonous plant or some rotten food from the garbage. Or he may have had a bad reaction to a new food or table scraps. Dogs, like people, can also come down with viruses that cause vomiting and diarrhea. And dogs could have an underlying illness such as cancer or a metabolic disorder that is causing the vomiting. If your dog vomits chronically or has an episode of vomiting that lasts more than a day or that is accompanied by other symptoms such as seizures, then you need to take him to a veterinarian.

If your veterinarian proclaims your dog otherwise healthy despite the vomiting, then you can look into ways to treat the condition at home. Your vet can prescribe medicines, or you can buy over-the-counter remedies at a pet store or supermarket. However, many dogs will respond and show improvement to simple remedies you can do at home.

If your dog's vomiting seems to be a short-term problem--he ate something bad or has a virus such as gastroenteritis--then withholding food is a good option. If your dog has a stomach illness, he's likely to throw up any food he consumes. If your dog can tolerate water without vomiting, then give him small amounts to help keep him hydrated. Once your dog has gone without vomiting for about 12 hours, then you can start reintroducing food. Start with a small amount of dog food or bland homemade food such as plain white rice or hamburger with the fat drained off. If your dog tolerates these foods, you can slowly start introducing more and more until he is back up to speed on eating.

If your dog has chronic vomiting, there may be a problem with what he's eating. Veterinarypetcare.com suggests switching to a hypoallergenic food or premium dog food such as Innova or California Natural. If you are feeding your dog table scraps, stop for awhile to see if that has any effect. You can also try elevating your dog's bowl or putting a large object in it along with food to force him to eat slower. If a dog has a sensitive stomach, gulping food can lead to stomach upset and possible vomiting.

Dogs can take some over-the-counter human medicines. One of these is Pepto-Bismol, which may help with vomiting. The medicine can be given every four to six hours, but literature varies on the ideal dose, so you might want to consult with a vet. Be careful, though, if you have other pets in the house: Pepto-Bismol can be toxic to cats. Dogs may also benefit from more natural human remedies for upset stomach, such as peppermint tea. Another possible remedy is something you may already have in the house: activated charcoal. Activated charcoal is something every dog owner should already have on hand, because it is a first-line treatment for poisoning in dogs. It works by soaking up toxic substances in the stomach and intestines, so it may work as a treatment for vomiting, especially if the vomiting is caused by something bad your dog ate.