Dogs throw up for various reasons, which can range from minor to serious health issues. Common causes include eating something disagreeable or indigestible (e.g., garbage, foreign objects, spoiled food), gastrointestinal disturbances like gastritis or intestinal parasites, infections, food allergies or intolerances, ingestion of toxins or poisons, motion sickness, stress, or excitement. Serious causes can involve organ failure (kidneys, liver), pancreatitis, cancer, or infections like parvovirus. Occasional vomiting can be normal, especially if a dog has eaten too fast or ingested grass. However, persistent vomiting, vomiting with blood, signs of pain, lethargy, diarrhea, or other abnormal behaviors warrant immediate veterinary attention. Vomiting can also be differentiated from regurgitation by the effort involved and the nature of the expelled material. In summary, dogs throw up because their body is trying to rid itself of something harmful or because of underlying health conditions affecting the digestive or other systems. Monitoring other symptoms and consulting a vet is important if vomiting continues or is severe.
