The time will most likely come when your beloved puppy will vomit. It happens to almost all dog owners at some point in time. Vomiting can be alarming for the first-time pet owner. Vomiting is an even bigger concern if you’re dealing with a young puppy. Puppies are much more vulnerable compared to adult dogs due to their small size and immature immune system.
Below, I will go over some of the common reasons that puppies vomit. Please remember to contact your veterinarian right away if your puppy is vomiting frequently, displaying lethargy, and not taking in enough food and water. These are symptoms that need to be addressed by a veterinarian right away!
Common reasons for puppy vomiting:
- The puppy ate something that didn’t agree with his or her stomach. Puppies are notorious for getting into everything! If your puppy ate something rotten or toxic he or she will likely vomit. There are a great deal of human foods that are toxic to dogs. Food items such as chocolate, xylitol, avocado, onions, and grapes are poisonous to dogs and may lead to sickness and even death. It is essential that puppy owners safety-proof the home and always watch over their puppy. If you’re not able to supervise the puppy then he or she is safer in a playpen or gated-off area. Also, take time to educate yourself on items that may be toxic to your puppy before you bring him or her home. Check out my post on safety-proofing the home before you bring your puppy home.
- Puppies may vomit if they have an empty stomach. Small-breed puppies should never go too long between meals. Make sure your puppy is eating enough at breakfast, lunch, and dinner. If the puppy isn’t eating enough you may consider offering an extra meal or free feeding until the puppy is well acclimated to his or her new home. Also, offer a small snack before bedtime to prevent an empty tummy. Puppies may vomit yellow bile if they are suffering from an empty belly for too long. This is a common occurrence in the morning when the stomach has been empty for some time overnight.
- The puppy has contracted a viral infection. Viral infections like Parvovirus are very serious in puppies. This is why I recommend that all clients who purchase a Shih Tzu puppy from my breeding program avoid taking their puppy to places where there may be unvaccinated animals until the puppy vaccine series is complete at 16-18 weeks.
- The puppy has contracted intestinal parasites. Puppies should be dewormed along with puppy vaccines to prevent parasites. A parasitic infection may lead to vomiting in a young puppy.
- The puppy is suffering from heatstroke. I am a Shih Tzu breeder. Shih Tzus are a brachycephalic breed. Brachycephalic breeds and heat don’t mix. Puppies in general must have plenty of shade and water on hot days. Heat stroke can cause vomiting and may prove deadly in dogs.
- The puppy swallowed a foreign object. If your puppy swallows a toy or a rock this could cause vomiting. This is considered a medical emergency. The object could cause a serious intestinal blockage. It is important to always supervise your puppy to prevent this type of emergency.
Puppy owners must try and figure out the cause of vomiting when possible. Minor, single-episode cases of vomiting can usually be treated at home. Make sure to offer your puppy plenty of water or an electrolyte solution that is safe for dogs to prevent dehydration. I use Puppylyte as my go-to electrolyte replacement solution whenever I’m faced with dog vomiting or diarrhea. You can purchase Puppylyte on Amazon.
Please remember, if your puppy has thrown up several times or is lethargic and refusing fluids to contact your veterinarian right away. Your puppy may need intravenous fluids, antibiotics, or surgery in the case of an intestinal blockage. As I mentioned before, puppies can fade fast due to their small size and underdeveloped immune system.
