Seeing your dog vomit or regurgitate causes immediate concern to pet parents. It’s natural to respond in worry and you are not alone. Most pet parents rush their dogs to the veterinarian when their dog regurgitates. One of the main reasons pet owners become scared is because regurgitation is similar to vomiting but it looks and sounds worse. The following information will help you understand the difference between vomiting and regurgitating and let you know what you can do to help your dog!
What is canine vomiting?
Dogs vomit when liquid or food is expelled from the upper small intestine or stomach. Dogs make a retching sound as they vomit and the episode is usually over quickly.
What is canine regurgitation?
Regurgitation originates from within the muscular tube responsible for propelling water, food, and saliva into the stomach, which is also referred to as the esophagus. The material that comes up during regurgitation consists of undigested food, saliva, and water. This material often comes up without warning and causes audible retching.
Dogs are often surprised by the regurgitation because on occasion, the larynx doesn’t have enough time to close which causes some of the regurgitation to go into the lungs. If a large amount of material goes into the lungs it can lead to aspiration pneumonia.
Symptoms of regurgitation in dogs
- Appetite loss
- Regurgitating mucus, food or water
- Bad breath
- Weight loss
- Pale or white gums
- Clearing throat and coughing
- Frequent swallowing
- Difficulty swallowing
- Lumps in the throat
- Tiredness
- Increased body temperature
- Abdominal pain
Types of regurgitation in dog
There are two types of regurgitation in dogs. The first one is called acquired regurgitation which is usually caused by esophageal or throat disease. The second type is congenital regurgitation which is a birth defect that is sometimes found in specific dog breeds. Get a more detailed look at the causes behind canine regurgitation here.
How to help your dog
For most dogs regurgitation originates from simply eating too fast and not swallowing their food properly. Often, you will notice the food that your dog regurgitates looks exactly the way it does before it gets eaten. You can take steps to help prevent your dog from eating too fast by feeding them a well-balanced diet and putting their kibble and treats in an interactive toy to slow down their chewing habits.
If you think your dog has other underlying health issues that are causing the regurgitation you need to consult with a veterinarian for further assistance immediately.
Since most dogs that regurgitate don’t experience severe health issues, improving their diet and including an all-natural high fiber supplement to their daily diet like Bernie’s Perfect Poop will help improve their digestive system. Bernie’s include fiber, prebiotics, probiotics, and enzymes, which are essential ingredients that support a healthy gut! You can help prevent frequent regurgitation episodes when you feed your dog a balanced and complete diet with added fiber!
