Dog Vomiting: When to Worry
Blood in the vomit, retching with nothing coming up, a swollen belly, repeated vomiting, or collapse? Phone your own vet or the nearest emergency vet now. Find an emergency vet. Might it have eaten something? My dog ate something.
Quick answer
PDSA says to contact your vet immediately if there is blood in the vomit, if your dog keeps retching without bringing anything up, or if its belly looks bloated, which can be a twisted stomach (GDV). It also lists continuous vomiting, lethargy, a painful belly, collapse and signs of dehydration as reasons to call. A fit dog that vomits once and seems fine may not need a vet straight away, but call if it continues or your dog is not right after 24 hours.
From PDSA and VCA. Not veterinary or financial advice. Worried about your pet now?
On this page (7 sections)
Call your vet now if
- There is blood in the vomit (red, black, brown, or like coffee grounds).
- Your dog keeps retching without bringing anything up, especially with a bloated belly: this can be GDV, a life-threatening emergency. See bloat (GDV) in dogs.
- The vomiting is continuous, or there is bloody diarrhoea.
- Your dog is lethargic, has a painful belly, is disoriented or collapses.
- There are signs of dehydration, such as sticky gums or sunken eyes.
Source: PDSA Pet Health Hub, Vomiting in dogs. VCA also advises urgent care for a pet that has vomited more than twice in 24 hours, is not eating or is lethargic. Source: VCA Urgent Care, Diarrhea or vomiting.
A single episode
PDSA says that if your dog is normally fit and well, has vomited only once and seems otherwise fine, it may not be necessary to contact your vet immediately. It advises calling your vet for advice if your dog keeps vomiting, does not seem right after 24 hours, or gets worse at any point. Puppies, older dogs and dogs with other health problems are a different case: if in doubt, call. Source: PDSA Pet Health Hub, Vomiting in dogs.
Vomiting or regurgitation?
PDSA explains that vomiting is when a dog feels sick, retches and brings up stomach contents. Regurgitation is bringing up undigested food with no retching or heaving, usually soon after eating; a one-off may mean the dog ate too fast, but regular regurgitation can be a sign of a condition such as megaoesophagus and needs a vet appointment. Source: PDSA Pet Health Hub, Vomiting in dogs.
Common causes
PDSA lists many, from an upset stomach (gastritis or gastroenteritis) and eating something unsuitable, to poisoning, a gut blockage, GDV, parvovirus, worms, travel sickness, food allergies, pancreatitis, pyometra in unspayed females, and kidney, liver or hormonal disease. A vet works out which. If your dog may have eaten something it should not have: my dog ate something. Source: PDSA Pet Health Hub, Vomiting in dogs.
What to tell the vet
When, how often, and what the vomit looked like helps: PDSA describes bile as green or yellow and often foamy, and blood as red, black, brown or like coffee grounds. A photo can help. Also mention anything your dog might have eaten, any medicines, and whether it is drinking and passing urine. Source: PDSA Pet Health Hub, Vomiting in dogs.
Questions people ask
When should I worry about my dog vomiting?
PDSA says to contact your vet immediately for blood in the vomit, retching without bringing anything up, or a bloated belly, and to call for continuous vomiting, lethargy, a painful belly, collapse or signs of dehydration.
My dog vomited once but seems fine. Should I call the vet?
PDSA says a normally healthy dog that has vomited once and seems otherwise fine may not need a vet immediately, but to call if it keeps vomiting, does not seem right after 24 hours, or gets worse.
What is the difference between vomiting and regurgitation?
PDSA explains that vomiting involves retching and bringing up stomach contents, while regurgitation brings up undigested food with no retching, usually soon after eating.
Why is my dog retching but nothing comes up?
PDSA says continuous retching, especially with a bloated belly, can be a sign of GDV (a twisted stomach), a life-threatening emergency. Contact your vet immediately.
Sources
- PDSA Pet Health Hub, Vomiting in dogs, read 7 November 2026.
- VCA Urgent Care, Diarrhea or vomiting, read 7 November 2026.
Related pages
Dog diarrhoea: when to see a vet, bloat (GDV), my dog ate something and pet emergency: what to do now.