Dog & Cat Vomiting: When to Worry and Go to Emergency Vet
Most single vomiting episodes aren't emergencies. However, repeated vomiting (3+ times), blood in vomit, inability to keep water down, or vomiting with lethargy requires immediate veterinary care.
Your dog or cat just threw up - should you rush to the emergency vet or wait and see? This guide helps you assess severity, understand what different vomit colors mean, and know exactly when your pet needs urgent care vs when you can safely monitor at home.
🚨 Quick Severity Assessment: Is This an Emergency?
Single episode with:
- • Normal energy/behavior
- • Still drinking water
- • No blood in vomit
- • No abdominal pain
Action: Withhold food 6-12 hours, offer water
Call your vet if:
- • Vomited 2-3 times
- • Not eating for 24+ hours
- • Lethargic but responsive
- • Yellow bile vomit (repeated)
Action: Schedule vet appointment
Get to ER immediately:
- • Blood in vomit
- • Can't keep water down
- • Vomiting 4+ times
- • Weak, collapsing
- • Distended abdomen
- • Suspected toxin ingestion
Action: Emergency vet NOW
Vomiting vs. Regurgitation: Key Difference
| Feature | Vomiting | Regurgitation |
|---|---|---|
| Effort | Active heaving, abdominal contractions | Passive, effortless |
| Content | Partially digested food, bile, liquid | Undigested food, tubular shape |
| Timing | Any time after eating | Usually within minutes of eating |
| Warning Signs | Nausea, drooling, restlessness | Little to no warning |
What Vomit Color Means
Yellow or Bile Vomit
Meaning: Empty stomach, bile from small intestine
Common Causes: Ate too fast, went too long between meals, "bilious vomiting syndrome"
Concern Level: Low if single episode. Moderate if repeated.
White Foam or Froth
Meaning: Stomach irritation, air and stomach fluids
Common Causes: Ate grass, indigestion, ate too fast
Concern Level: Low if single episode and pet acts normal
Blood (Red or Coffee-Ground Appearance)
Meaning: Bleeding in stomach or esophagus
Common Causes: Ulcers, foreign object, toxin ingestion, severe gastritis
Concern Level: HIGH - Go to emergency vet immediately
Brown
Meaning: Digested food, possibly digested blood
Common Causes: Ate something brown, or blood that's been in stomach (turns brown/coffee color)
Concern Level: Moderate to high if coffee-ground appearance
Green
Meaning: Ate grass, bile
Common Causes: Grass consumption (dogs/cats eat grass when nauseous)
Concern Level: Low if occasional. Monitor if repeated.
Common Causes of Vomiting
Mild/Acute Causes (Usually Self-Limiting)
- • Ate too fast or overate
- • Dietary indiscretion (ate garbage, table scraps)
- • Sudden diet change
- • Mild gastritis (stomach irritation)
- • Eating grass
- • Motion sickness (car travel)
- • Hairballs (cats)
Serious Causes (Require Veterinary Care)
- • Pancreatitis - inflammation of pancreas
- • Intestinal obstruction - foreign object blocking intestines
- • Toxin ingestion - chocolate, antifreeze, medications
- • Kidney disease (see cat kidney values)
- • Liver disease
- • Diabetes (especially diabetic ketoacidosis)
- • Addison's disease
- • Infections (parvovirus in puppies, FIP in kittens)
- • Inflammatory bowel disease (IBD)
- • Cancer
- • Bloat/GDV (dogs - life-threatening emergency)
Track your pet's vomiting episodes
Use VetLens to log vomiting frequency, vomit appearance, and associated symptoms to share with your veterinarian for accurate diagnosis.
Try VetLens FreeHome Treatment for Mild Vomiting
Only if pet is alert, responsive, and had 1-2 vomiting episodes:
Step-by-Step Home Care
- 1. Withhold Food (6-12 hours):
- • Dogs: 12 hours
- • Cats: 6-8 hours (cats shouldn't go longer without food)
- • Puppies/kittens: 4-6 hours maximum
- 2. Offer Small Amounts of Water:
- • Ice chips or small sips every 30 minutes
- • If vomits water, go to vet immediately (can't stay hydrated)
- 3. Bland Diet (After Fasting Period):
- • Boiled chicken breast (no skin) + white rice (2:1 rice to chicken ratio)
- • OR prescription bland diet (Hill's i/d, Royal Canin GI)
- • Feed small meals (1-2 tablespoons) every 2-3 hours
- 4. Gradually Return to Normal Diet:
- • Day 2-3: Mix 75% bland diet + 25% regular food
- • Day 4-5: Mix 50/50
- • Day 6-7: Mix 25% bland + 75% regular food
- • Day 8: Back to normal diet
⚠️ NEVER give human medications (Pepto-Bismol, Imodium, etc.) without vet approval. Many are toxic to pets.
When to Go to the Vet
🚑 EMERGENCY - Go to ER Immediately:
- • Vomiting blood (red or coffee-ground appearance)
- • Cannot keep water down (vomits immediately after drinking)
- • Vomiting 4+ times in 24 hours
- • Weak, lethargic, unresponsive
- • Pale gums (sign of blood loss/shock)
- • Distended, painful abdomen
- • Suspected toxin ingestion
- • Projectile vomiting in dogs (possible bloat/GDV)
- • Puppy/kitten vomiting repeatedly (dehydrate quickly)
Call Vet Within 24 Hours:
- • Vomiting 2-3 times in 24 hours
- • Not eating for 24+ hours
- • Lethargic but still responsive
- • Vomiting continues after fasting/bland diet
- • Chronic vomiting (weekly episodes)
What the Vet Will Do
Diagnostic Tests
- • Physical Exam: Check hydration, abdominal pain, temperature
- • Bloodwork: CBC and chemistry panel to check organ function (see blood test guide)
- • X-rays: Look for obstruction, foreign objects
- • Ultrasound: Examine organs, look for masses or pancreatitis
- • Fecal Test: Check for parasites
Treatment
- • IV Fluids: Rehydrate and correct electrolyte imbalances
- • Anti-Nausea Medications: Cerenia (maropitant), ondansetron
- • Stomach Protectants: Famotidine, omeprazole
- • Antibiotics: If bacterial infection suspected
- • Pain Medication: If abdominal pain present
- • Surgery: If foreign object obstruction confirmed
Differences Between Dogs and Cats
Dogs:
- • More likely to eat inappropriate items (garbage, toys)
- • Can fast for 12-24 hours safely
- • Bloat (GDV) is an emergency unique to dogs (especially large breeds)
- • More resilient to single vomiting episodes
Cats:
- • Cannot go more than 8-12 hours without food (risk of hepatic lipidosis)
- • Hairballs are common and usually normal
- • More sensitive to dietary changes
- • Chronic vomiting more commonly from IBD, food allergies, hyperthyroidism
- • May vomit from eating too fast or eating right after vigorous play
Prevention Tips
- • Feed smaller, more frequent meals
- • Use slow-feeder bowls if pet eats too fast
- • Avoid sudden diet changes (transition over 7-10 days)
- • Keep garbage secure, avoid table scraps
- • Remove access to string, rubber bands, small toys
- • Regular deworming
- • Brush cats regularly to reduce hairballs
- • Manage underlying conditions (allergies, IBD, etc.)
Track Your Pet's Health Patterns
Document vomiting episodes with VetLens:
- ✓ Log frequency and vomit appearance
- ✓ Track food intake and symptoms
- ✓ Monitor patterns over time
- ✓ Share detailed logs with your vet
Related Reading
- • Pancreatitis in Dogs – common cause of vomiting in dogs
- • Dog Ate Chocolate – toxin that causes vomiting
- • Cat Kidney Values – kidney disease causes chronic vomiting
- • How to Read Dog Blood Test Results – understanding diagnostic bloodwork
Frequently Asked Questions
When should I worry about my dog or cat vomiting?
Seek emergency care if: vomiting is persistent (3+ times in 24 hours), contains blood, accompanied by lethargy/weakness, involves abdominal pain, or pet cannot keep water down. Single vomiting episode with normal behavior usually isn't urgent.
What does yellow vomit mean in dogs and cats?
Yellow or bile vomit typically indicates an empty stomach. Common when pet hasn't eaten recently or vomits first thing in morning. Usually not serious if single episode, but repeated bile vomiting needs vet evaluation.
What does it mean when my pet vomits blood?
Blood in vomit (red or coffee-ground appearance) is always serious and requires immediate veterinary care. Causes include ulcers, foreign objects, toxins, or internal bleeding.
Can I give my pet anything at home for vomiting?
For mild, single-episode vomiting: withhold food for 6-12 hours (keep water available), then offer small bland meals. Never give human medications without vet approval - many are toxic to pets.
What's the difference between vomiting and regurgitation?
Vomiting involves abdominal effort and brings up digested food with bile. Regurgitation is passive, brings up undigested food shortly after eating, and often indicates esophageal issues.
How long is too long for a pet to vomit?
Vomiting more than 2-3 times in 24 hours, or vomiting that continues for more than 24 hours, requires veterinary evaluation. If pet cannot keep water down, go to ER immediately as dehydration develops quickly.