Reasons My Pet Is Throwing Up

Seeing our pets become ill can be concerning. We all want them to feel healthy, and if they start to throw up it could be a sign of an underlying issue. Throwing up could signal there is a gastrointestinal health problem such as an infection, fungus, or parasite. Or, it could simply be something your pet ate out of the garbage can.

Throwing up isn’t always an emergency. Usually, it is simply the body reacting poorly to a foreign substance. However, if your pet starts to throw up constantly and is exhibiting other symptoms such as fever or lethargy, it may be time for a check-up.

Reason #1

Ingesting Spoiled Food

Pets can get food poisoning just like humans. Sometimes they may eat leftover food that’s been sitting out in the sun for too long, or they may sniff around in the garbage and end up eating raw chicken contaminants. If they eat food or other foreign substances that have gone bad, their stomachs will pay the price and bring them uncomfortable symptoms such as diarrhea, loose stools, and vomiting.

Reason #2

Medication Reaction

Some medications can have adverse side effects. If your pet has a pre-existing medical condition, their medication could be the vomiting culprit. Prescription antibiotics, antiinflammatories, or cancer drugs like chemotherapy could all cause a pet to feel sick. Many of these medications, while beneficial, can cause irritation to the gut lining and lead your pet to throw up.

Reason #3

Bacterial Infection

Bacterial infections can often be a sign of a weakened immune system in pets. If left untreated, these infections could be fatal or lead to chronic, long-lasting effects. Common bacterial infections that can cause vomiting or other gastrointestinal problems in pets include salmonella, clostridium, or E. coli.

Reason #4

Intestinal Parasite

Parasites can live anywhere in the body. However, many of them end up staying in the walls of the intestines. When a pet contracts a parasite, it may have aggravating GI symptoms such as abdominal swelling and vomiting. Parasites that commonly are seen in pets include tapeworm, giardia, and heartworm.

Reason #5

Kidney Disease

Kidney disease, or signs of kidney failure, can be lethal. Healthy kidneys are vital to keeping a pet’s blood pressure under control and to filter out toxic, harmful substances in the body. Key symptoms of kidneys in distress are vomiting, diarrhea, and a decrease in appetite.

When To See a Vet

It’s never fun to watch our beloved pets start to throw up. Before panicking or becoming anxious, start by observing their eating behaviors to see if they have gotten into any old food scraps. If you suspect food is not the cause of their vomiting, consult with your local veterinarian to find the cause of their gastrointestinal upset.