For every dog owner, an unpleasant surprise can be the situation when the pet regurgitates the food it has eaten. This phenomenon, unfortunately, is quite common and can cause concern for the owner. Regurgitation in dogs after eating is a problem that many dog owners face sooner or later, regardless of the breed, age and size of their four-legged friends.
If your dog periodically suffers from bouts of regurgitation after eating, you should not ignore this problem. In this article, we will consider why does a dog vomit after eating, the main reasons, signs, and actions that will help you cope with this problem.
The Main Causes of Why Does a Dog Vomit After Eating?
Regurgitation in dogs can be caused by a number of factors. Let’s look at the most common ones:
- Eating food too quickly. Many dogs, especially young and active ones, have a habit of greedily consuming food in large portions, almost swallowing it whole. In such cases, the food simply does not have time to pass normally through the esophagus into the stomach, and some of it is regurgitated back.
- Intolerance to ingredients in food. Some components of food can cause an allergic reaction in the pet or are simply poorly digested by its body. This leads to disruptions in the digestive system and regurgitation of food.
- Gastrointestinal tract diseases. Gastritis, stomach ulcers, pancreatitis and other similar diseases are often accompanied by such a symptom as regurgitation of eaten food. In these cases, it is a consequence of the underlying disease.
- Esophageal blockage. Foreign bodies, tumors, congenital anomalies, hernias of the esophageal opening of the diaphragm – all this can lead to partial or complete blockage of the esophagus, due to which food does not pass into the stomach and is rejected back.
- Stress and anxiety. Dogs are very emotional creatures, and stress can have a significant impact on the functioning of all their organs and systems, including the digestive system. Anxiety and nervousness of a pet due to sudden changes in life, travel, or simply character is a common cause of regurgitation.
As you can see, regurgitation in dogs can be a symptom of a number of serious problems, so it is important to consult a veterinarian to determine and eliminate the true cause of this phenomenon.
How to Recognize Regurgitation in a Dog?
First of all, it is important to distinguish regurgitation from vomiting, as these are different processes that require a completely different approach. Vomiting is usually accompanied by strong spasms and tension of the abdominal muscles, during which stomach and intestinal contents mixed with bile come out of the mouth or nose. The act of vomiting itself is extremely unpleasant for the dog and causes it severe stress.
Regurgitation occurs much more calmly and painlessly for the pet. In this case, undigested food comes out of the esophagus or stomach as a rather compact lump or liquid without foreign impurities. The dog regurgitates food through the mouth without much tension in the abdominal muscles, as if it were simply regurgitating it back.
Important signs of regurgitation are:
- The release of undigested food from the esophagus or stomach through the dog’s mouth shortly after eating.
- No gagging, spasms or strong tension in the abdominal muscles.
- The food that comes out usually has the form of a solid lump or liquid without any admixture of bile or gastric juice.
After regurgitation, the dog usually behaves calmly and after a while is ready to continue eating. If the attack is accompanied by painful vomiting, severe anxiety of the pet, dehydration and other alarming symptoms, this is already a sign of a more serious disorder that requires urgent intervention of a veterinarian.
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It is very important to distinguish between regurgitation and vomiting, as this helps to determine the correct tactics of action and treatment in each specific case.
What to do if a Dog Vomits After Eating?
If your dog periodically regurgitates the food it has eaten, you should not immediately panic. But you should not ignore this problem either, especially if the regurgitation occurs regularly. There are several effective ways to help you cope with this scourge:
1. Temporary fasting
If regurgitation occurs infrequently, you can simply give your pet’s digestive system a short break. Do not feed your dog for 12-24 hours, giving only a little water. After that, introduce an easily digestible diet such as boiled rice water or special veterinary feeds into the diet.
2. Slow feeding
One of the most common causes of regurgitation is eating too quickly. To solve this problem, use special maze feeders or simply divide the portion of food into several parts, placing them in different bowls or even on the floor. This will force the dog to eat more slowly and steadily.
3. Vertical feeding
Try feeding your pet in an upright position using an elevated feeder or a special Bailey chair. After eating, the dog should remain in this position for at least 15 minutes to allow the food to reach the stomach. Similarly, the animal should be given water to drink to prevent regurgitation of liquid.
4. Change the consistency of the food
Some dogs do better on food that is more mushy or has a firm meatball consistency. Experiment with different options. Also, try feeding a high-quality, nutrient-dense food to reduce the overall portion size.
5. Change of food
If regurgitation may be caused by intolerance to some ingredients in the current diet, try changing the food to a hypoallergenic one or a line from another manufacturer.
If the above measures do not help, and regurgitation occurs regularly, do not delay a visit to the doctor. The cause may be a more serious disease that requires treatment or a special diet.
Preventing Regurgitation in Dogs
As you know, it is better to prevent a disease than to treat it. The same is true for regurgitation in dogs. There are a number of preventive measures that will help prevent this unpleasant phenomenon:
- Feeding several portions per day. Divide your pet’s daily ration into 2-3 portions and feed it in the morning, afternoon and evening, respectively. This will prevent the dog from getting hungry and eating too much at one time, overloading the digestive system.
- Use of special feeders. Maze feeders, bowls with balls or protrusions force the dog to eat more slowly and steadily, which prevents regurgitation due to swallowing food too quickly.
- Eliminate stress factors. Try to create the most calm and comfortable environment for your pet, avoiding sudden changes in its life. Stress can cause many problems, including digestive disorders.
- Regular deworming . Worms can be one of the causes of gastrointestinal disorders in dogs. Timely treatment for parasites will help to avoid many problems associated with digestion.
Be sure to monitor the quality and composition of the food you give your pet. Avoid cheap, low-quality food that may contain components that are difficult to digest.
Take your dog for regular preventive checkups at the vet. Early detection of problems will help you deal with them more easily and quickly, without causing serious consequences.
Answers to Frequently Asked Questions About Regurgitation in Dogs
My puppy is spitting up food, what should I do?
If your puppy periodically regurgitates the food it has eaten, you should not worry too much. The digestive system of young dogs is not yet fully formed, so such incidents are not uncommon in the first months of life. In this case, it is recommended to: transfer the puppy to more frequent but smaller portions of food, use special feeders, and if regurgitation occurs frequently, consult a veterinarian to rule out dangerous health problems.
What dog breeds are prone to regurgitation?
Regurgitation can occur in any breed of dog, but some are actually more susceptible to this problem due to a genetic predisposition to digestive tract diseases.
For example, wire fox terriers and miniature schnauzers often suffer from megaesophagus – a congenital widening of the esophagus, due to which food does not pass into the stomach properly and is regurgitated. This disease is also diagnosed in German shepherds , shar pei and dogs of mixed breeds.
Dogs with brachycephaly , that is, with a shortened muzzle ( pugs , bulldogs and others), are also prone to various types of esophageal pathologies that can cause regurgitation.
Why Does a Dog Vomit after Eating: Summing Up
As we have found out, regurgitation after eating is a fairly common problem among dogs. This unpleasant phenomenon can be caused by a number of reasons, ranging from banal greed when eating food to diseases of the gastrointestinal tract or esophagus.
In most cases, occasional regurgitation does not pose a health risk to the pet and can be corrected with simple measures: reducing portions, using special feeders, changing the consistency of food, and so on.
However, if regurgitation occurs regularly, this problem should not be ignored. Systematic regurgitation of undigested food indicates problems with the dog’s digestive system. The cause may be gastritis, blockage of the esophagus by a foreign body or tumor, diaphragmatic hernia, stress, and many other diseases.
In such cases, it is very important to consult a veterinarian as soon as possible. Only an experienced specialist can correctly diagnose the problem, prescribe the necessary tests and therapy. Self-medication and delay can lead to complications and deterioration of your pet’s condition.
Therefore, if regurgitation occurs frequently after eating, and if it is accompanied by such alarming symptoms as refusal to eat, lethargy, dehydration, etc., you should immediately contact a veterinary clinic. Timely diagnostics and properly selected treatment will help quickly get rid of this scourge and prevent the development of more serious health problems for your four-legged friend.
