Is This Normal? Finder · Eating and drinking

My puppy is throwing up. Should I worry?

By Dr. Steve Pelton, DVM

The short answer

One vomit in a puppy who's bright, playful and eating afterward is usually nothing to rush in for. More than once in a day is a call to your vet today. Vomiting over and over, not keeping water down, or vomiting with a tired, flat puppy means go now, especially if he isn't done with his shots.

Why it happens

Puppies eat fast, eat grass and eat things that were never food, and the stomach is where a lot of that shows up first. They also run on small reserves, so a puppy who keeps vomiting dries out and runs low on fuel much faster than a grown dog.

Which door?

WATCH means usually normal, keep an eye on him. CALL TODAY means call your vet today. GO NOW means head to your vet or an emergency clinic now.

WATCHOnce, then he's bright, playful and eating.
CALL TODAYMore than once in a day, or he's quieter than usual.
GO NOWOver and over, can't keep water down, a swollen belly, or he's tired and flat with it.

Usually normal

One vomit after gulping his food or eating grass, then bright and hungry
Food that slides right back up once after a fast meal, with no heaving (that's often regurgitation)

When to call

Tick what fits and see which door you're at.

CALL TODAYMore than once in a day, in a puppy who's still bright
CALL TODAYVomiting plus diarrhea or not eating, in a puppy who's still bright: call right away
GO NOWOver and over, or he can't keep water down
GO NOWVomiting with a tired, flat or weak puppy, or one who isn't done with his shots and won't eat
GO NOWA swollen, hard belly, or retching that brings nothing up
GO NOWHe might have swallowed something, and now he's vomiting
GO NOWAny blood in the poop plus vomiting

Your door: WATCHWATCH

Nothing ticked and he's bright, playful, eating and drinking? Keep an eye on him, jot down what you see, and call in the daytime if it doesn't settle.

What helps

Take a photo or a short video, and note the time of each one
Think back: could he have chewed up a sock, a toy, string or a corn cob?
No human stomach medicines unless your vet says so
Never skip meals on a toy or very young puppy to rest his stomach. Call instead

Toy breed? A tiny puppy who's vomiting or not eating can't keep his fuel up. Call today, and go now if he's quiet or wobbly. Toy-breed puppies and low blood sugar

Under 16 weeks, a toy breed, or not done with his shots? Then warning signs count for more: a WATCH sign moves up to CALL TODAY, and a CALL TODAY sign means call now, not tomorrow. Normal puppy stuff is still normal.

GO NOW means: Head to your vet, if they're open and can see him right away, or to the nearest emergency clinic. Call on the way so they're ready for you.

Not sure which door you're at? That's a call. Call your vet.

Worried right now? Walk through the Three Doors check and land on one door.

Is this an emergency?

General education, not veterinary advice. Your vet's plan for your puppy comes first.