It can be alarming for dog owners when a canine companion starts throwing up in the middle of the night. Sudden vomiting may indicate a minor stomach upset or a more serious health issue that requires veterinary attention. By understanding some of the most common causes of nighttime vomiting in dogs, owners can better determine when it may be an emergency.
Quick answers
– Dogs may throw up at night due to common causes like eating grass, eating too fast, motion sickness, or infections. It can also indicate more serious conditions like pancreatitis, kidney disease, or cancer.
– Puppies are more prone to vomiting at night since their digestive systems are still developing.
– Signs of concern in night vomiting include blood in the vomit, accompanying diarrhea, lethargy, loss of appetite, and abdominal pain or bloating.
– To prevent night vomiting, feed smaller meals, don’t exercise right after eating, keep trash and toxins out of reach, and schedule a vet visit if vomiting persists.
Why vomiting happens at night
Vomiting is the forceful ejection of contents from the stomach out through the mouth. It tends to happen at night in dogs for several reasons:
- Active digestive system at night – Dogs tend to be most active in eating and digesting their food at the beginning and end of the day.
- Sensitivity on empty stomach – Dogs may vomit bile or stomach acid if the stomach has been empty for too long.
- Delayed response – Ingesting something earlier in the day may not cause vomiting until hours later at night.
- Less distraction at night – Dogs may seem more bothered by nausea and make the effort to vomit at night when they are resting.
Common causes of nighttime vomiting
Some of the most frequent diagnoses for vomiting that occurs during the night include:
Dietary indiscretion
Eating new foods, rich fatty foods, or simply eating too much or too fast can cause vomiting later at night when the food has had time to digest. Puppies still learning are especially prone to dietary indiscretion vomiting.
Inflammatory bowel disease
Inflamed intestines make dogs prone to nausea and vomiting, especially as irritation peaks overnight after food has passed through the system.
Food allergies
Allergies to components of food may manifest as delayed vomiting several hours after eating the irritants.
Gastroenteritis
Infections from bacteria, viruses, or parasites can attack the gastrointestinal tract and cause vomiting among other symptoms.
Kidney disease
When kidney function declines, dogs are unable to regulate hydration, leading to fluid buildup and vomiting.
Pancreatitis
Inflammation of the pancreas causes significant abdominal pain and nausea in dogs.
Cancer
Tumors affecting the stomach, intestines, pancreas, or liver may lead to vomiting.
Medication reaction
Side effects of some drugs include nausea and vomiting that can manifest at night.
Motion sickness
Riding in vehicles and activities earlier in the day can cause dogs to vomit from motion sickness during the night.
Eating grass
Some dogs naturally graze on grass but have trouble digesting it, causing later vomiting.
Bilious vomiting
Yellow vomit upon waking may indicate bile reflux upsetting an empty stomach.
Are puppies more likely to vomit at night?
Puppies have a higher tendency to vomit at night compared to adult dogs. Reasons that puppies are prone to nighttime vomiting include:
- Immature digestive system – The gastrointestinal system is still developing in puppies, making them more sensitive to foods and eating habits.
- Improper feeding habits – Owners may be overfeeding or feeding incompatible foods that puppies struggle to digest.
- Increased susceptibility – Younger immune systems and vaccines that aren’t fully developed make puppies more prone to infections that can cause vomiting.
- Lack of control – Puppies have less voluntary control over vomiting and are more likely to throw up spontaneously.
- Pica behavior – Young dogs are infamous for attempting to eat anything, which can lead to upset stomachs.
While puppies may vomit frequently at night early on, this behavior should lessen as their digestive system matures around 6-12 months old.
Warning signs of a serious problem
Occasional vomiting is normal for many dogs. However, nighttime vomiting paired with any of the following symptoms can indicate a potentially serious health issue requiring emergency veterinary care:
- Multiple episodes of vomiting
- Vomit containing blood or a coffee grounds appearance
- Vomiting combined with diarrhea
- Loss of appetite or refusal to eat
- Signs of abdominal pain including whimpering, stretching, or exaggerated breathing
- Distended or painful abdomen
- Increased body temperature along with vomiting
- Lethargy or weakness
- Difficulty breathing
- Trouble walking or standing
- Crying out or whining from pain
Any vomiting accompanied by concerning symptoms like lethargy, bloody diarrhea, or intense pain warrants an immediate trip to the emergency vet.
How to prevent vomiting at night
Pet owners can take steps to reduce instances of nighttime vomiting by:
- Feeding smaller, more frequent meals
- Avoiding excessive food and water before bedtime
- Slowing down feeding by placing large rocks in the food bowl
- Refraining from strenuous play after eating
- Keeping garbage and rotten food out of reach
- Securing access to toxins like household chemicals or medications
- Not making abrupt changes to diet
- Scheduling a vet visit for suspicious symptoms
- Starting car rides slowly to avoid motion sickness
When to see the veterinarian
A trip to the vet is recommended if night vomiting:
- Happens frequently – More than once a week
- Contains blood or has a strange color
- Is accompanied by other symptoms like lethargy or diarrhea
- Happens without eating first
- Continues more than 1-2 days
- Is projectile or extremely forceful
- Interferes with regular eating habits
- Occurs in puppies younger than 12 weeks old
Seeking prompt veterinary attention when vomiting seems abnormal or concerning can help diagnose and treat any underlying conditions early. In many cases, diseases will respond better when caught quickly.
Diagnosing the cause
To determine what is causing a dog’s nighttime vomiting, the vet will typically:
- Discuss medical history and recent activities
- Perform a physical examination checking temperature, abdomen, and other systems
- Run laboratory tests on blood and stool samples
- Conduct imaging tests like X-rays or ultrasounds
- Analyze a sample of the vomit
- Do an endoscopy to examine the stomach and intestines internally
Based on these diagnostic steps, the veterinarian can usually pinpoint if vomiting is due to infection, liver or kidney trouble, a blocked intestine, cancer, or another illness. They can then focus treatment on addressing the underlying cause.
Treatments for nighttime vomiting
Treatments the vet may recommend include:
- Diet change – Prescription food or limited ingredient diet for allergies, gastrointestinal disease, or kidney disorders.
- Medications – Antibiotics for infection, anti-nausea drugs, immune-modulating drugs for inflammation, chemotherapy drugs if cancer.
- IV fluids – Fluid therapy to prevent dehydration and restore electrolyte balances.
- Surgery – Removal of foreign objects if a blockage is found or biopsy if tumors are located.
- Home care – Withholding food temporarily, smaller meals, hydration support.
Most acute cases of vomiting resolve within 12-24 hours with treatment. If the underlying cause is diagnosed as something like kidney failure or cancer, ongoing care and observation will be required.
When to go to the emergency vet immediately
Take your dog straight to the emergency vet without delay if vomiting at night is accompanied by any of the following:
- Violent, continuous vomiting
- Vomit that is bloody, black, or pale
- Repeated vomiting along with diarrhea
- Severe pain or distended abdomen
- Shock with cold extremities, rapid heart rate, or collapse
- Inability to walk or stand
- Loss of consciousness or seizures
- High fever
- Signs of bloat like retching without vomit, tight swollen abdomen
Any indications that vomiting is coupled with extreme pain, debilitation, or systemic issues constitutes an emergency needing immediate veterinary assessment and care. Rapid dehydration and shock can develop quickly, so don’t wait to see if symptoms improve at home.
FAQs
Why does my dog throw up yellow liquid at night?
Yellow liquid vomit at night is likely bile from an empty stomach. The bile is normally kept in the gallbladder and released during digestion. When the stomach is empty, the bile can come up and cause irritation leading to vomiting. Feeding a small snack before bed may help.
How can I soothe my dog’s stomach after vomiting at night?
Gentle foods like boiled chicken and rice, canned pumpkin, or low-fat cottage cheese may help settle the stomach after vomiting. Avoid fatty, spicy, or rich foods. Small, frequent portions are best. Make sure your dog stays hydrated as well.
Should I feed my dog if he throws up at night?
It’s best to avoid feeding for 1-2 hours after vomiting at night to give the stomach a chance to rest. After this initial pause, small amounts of bland food can help calm the stomach. Don’t allow access to normal food until at least 24 hours with no vomiting.
How do I clean up dog vomit from carpet?
For carpet cleaning, first remove solid chunks. Next, blot remaining liquid vomit with paper towels. Spray with an enzymatic cleaner made for pet stains. Let sit 5-10 minutes before blotting again and rinse with water. Finally, allow the area to fully dry before permitting your dog onto the carpet.
Why does my puppy throw up undigested food at night?
Undigested kibble vomiting at night may indicate your puppy ate their meal too quickly. The food didn’t have time to properly digest before being expelled. Consider putting large rocks in your puppy’s bowl to force them to slow down eating and chewing their food more thoroughly.
The bottom line
It’s common for dogs to vomit occasionally at night due to dietary habits, activity during the day, or developing immune and digestive systems if still a puppy. Serious vomiting requires vet assessment, especially when paired with concerning symptoms. While vomiting can indicate a problem, it’s the body’s way of expelling something that shouldn’t be in the stomach. Call your vet if it continues beyond 1-2 days or causes distress.