My Dog Threw Up Hard White Chunks: 6 Causes & What To Do

You’ve just seen your dog throw up hard white chunks and you’re probably a bit freaked out. I’ve been there too. Let’s dive into some possible reasons and what you can do about it.

Vomiting vs Regurgitating: The Difference

First off, it’s really important to know whether your dog is vomiting or just regurgitating.

Vomiting usually comes with some effort; you’ll see your dog’s belly contract a few times before it happens. Regurgitating is different. It comes up easily, almost like a burp.

If your dog is vomiting, it usually means something is irritating their stomach.

Regurgitating? That might mean there’s a problem somewhere in their throat or esophagus. Knowing the difference helps a lot when you talk to your vet.

6 Things This Could Be

Let’s run through the six most likely things this is. We’ve consulted with veterinarians and other dog owners who’ve also experienced this.

Diet Issues

You know how sometimes we get a stomachache from eating too much junk food? Dogs can experience the same. If you’ve recently changed their food or given them table scraps, it might upset their stomach. Foods that are too fatty or new to them can trigger vomiting.

What to do: Stick to their regular dog food and avoid giving human food, especially if it’s spicy or greasy. If the vomiting stops, it was probably a minor issue.

According to Dr. Peter from Just Answer, hard chunks in vomit is oftentimes bile mixed with previously eaten food.

Foreign Object

Dogs are curious creatures. They often eat things they shouldn’t, like small toys or, you guessed it, bones. These foreign objects can irritate the stomach and cause them to vomit hard, white chunks.

What to do: Check around the house for missing objects your dog might have swallowed. Keep an eye on them and if they keep throwing up, go to the vet.

Undigested Food

Sometimes dogs eat too fast and throw up their food before it’s even digested. If you notice hard white chunks that look like kibble, it’s probably just undigested food.

What to do: Try a slow-feed bowl to encourage slower eating. Also, smaller, more frequent meals can help.

Gastritis

If you notice other symptoms like diarrhea or your dog seems really tired, it could be gastritis, which is inflammation of the stomach lining. It can happen if they eat something irritating or if they’re stressed.

What to do: A bland diet of boiled chicken and rice for a day or two might help. But if symptoms continue, consult your vet.

Infection

Vomiting can also be a sign of an infection like Parvo or a bacterial infection. These usually come with other signs like diarrhea, fatigue, or fever.

What to do: If you suspect an infection, don’t wait. Go to the vet for proper diagnosis and treatment.

Serious Health Issues

It’s uncommon, but chronic vomiting can sometimes be a sign of serious health problems like kidney or liver disease. This is very important: If the vomiting persists, you notice a drastic change in behavior, or see other symptoms, consult your vet.

What to do: Schedule a vet appointment for tests. This could include blood work or X-rays to get to the root of the problem.

Is This Generally Serious? Can You Deal With This at Home?

So, is this a rush-to-the-vet kind of thing?

Not always. Sometimes, a dog throwing up is a one-time event.

Maybe they just ate too fast. If your dog seems okay after, you can probably wait and watch.

But, if your dog keeps throwing up, acts really tired, or shows other symptoms, it’s vet time. You know your dog better than anyone. Trust your gut.

When To Consult a Vet

Here are some signs that you should take your dog to the vet:

• Throwing up multiple times in a short period
• Seems really tired or out of it
• Has diarrhea too
• You found a foreign object they might have swallowed

If you see these signs, don’t wait. Go to the vet. It’s always better to be safe.

How to Help Your Dog After Vomiting

While taking into consideration the above, here’s some more general advice to follow whenever your dog vomits (and is actually poorly). These steps are the best to help them get back on track.

Take Food Away for a Bit

After your dog has thrown up, it’s a good idea to take away their food for a little while. This gives their stomach a chance to settle. Try not to feed them for about 6 to 12 hours.

What to do: Remove their food bowl and keep an eye on them. Make sure they’re comfortable and have a quiet place to rest.

Offer Small Amounts of Water

Your dog might be thirsty after vomiting. However, too much water too quickly can make their stomach upset again. So go slow.

What to do: Offer a few sips of water every 10 minutes or so. If they keep it down, you can let them have a bit more over time.

Introduce a Bland Diet

Once your dog seems to be feeling better and hasn’t vomited for a while, you can start to reintroduce food. But don’t jump back into their regular kibble just yet.

What to do: Start with a bland diet like boiled chicken and rice. Keep portions small at first. If they keep that down, gradually reintroduce their normal food.

Keep an Eye on Behavior

After your dog has thrown up, keep a close eye on them. Are they acting normal, or do they seem tired, shaky, or just not themselves?

What to do: If something seems off or if your dog vomits again, it’s best to consult the vet.

Remember, you’re the one who knows your dog best. If you feel like something’s not right, it probably isn’t. In those cases, a vet visit is the safest option. Hope your fur baby feels better soon!

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