When is a pet vomiting serious?

February 25, 2021

Regurgitation or vomiting can be a normal digestive function of a cat or dog. You may have already experienced this and in most cases it is nothing more than a result of eating something they shouldn’t have, a tummy bug, or as a result of eating their food too quickly.

But when is it more serious? If your pet continues to vomit and are not their ‘usual selves’; perhaps they don’t want to eat, are lethargic or have diarrhoea, this might suggest that they will need to see a vet. If your pet develops other symptoms such as a bloated abdomen or blood in their vomit then it’s important to seek advice quickly.

This is particularly important for young puppies and kittens and pets under 6 months old. Just like human babies, they can become dehydrated and very unwell very quickly if they do not receive treatment quickly. Vomiting and diarrhoea together can speed up this dehydration process so again, it’s important to seek veterinary advice.

‘Unproductive’ vomiting, or vomiting that does not produce any stomach contents, could suggest a foreign body. This occurs when a pet eats a non-food object which cannot pass through the gastrointestinal tract i.e. sock. This requires urgent veterinary attention as it can also cut off the blood supply making the issue potentially fatal.

If you are ever concerned about any aspect of your pet’s health, please do call the team who are trained to ask the right questions so as to understand yours and your pet’s needs. You can call on 01772 639800 OR 01253 766352 or why not open a chat on PetsApp.