If your dog has thrown up, you might wonder what to feed them next. Generally, you should wait a few hours after your dog vomits before offering any food again. This rest period allows the stomach to settle down. If your dog throws up only once, especially if it was just dog vomiting clear liquid, you can usually manage this at home by resting the gut and then slowly introducing gentle foods.
Why Dogs Vomit: Quick Insights
Vomiting in dogs is common. It happens when the stomach muscles push contents out through the mouth. It is often the body’s way of getting rid of something bad.
Common Reasons for Vomiting
Dogs sometimes eat things they shouldn’t. If your dog ate something bad vomiting soon after, that is a likely cause. Other reasons include:
- Eating too fast.
- Sudden food changes.
- Motion sickness.
- Bacterial or viral infections.
- Ingesting toxins (this is serious).
If your dog has repeated vomiting, you must seek professional help.
The Crucial First Step: Resting the Stomach
The most important step after a dog throws up is to let the stomach rest. Do not rush to feed them right away. Pushing food too soon can trigger more vomiting.
How Long Should a Dog Fast After Vomiting?
A short fast is often best. For adult dogs, fasting for 6 to 12 hours is standard after a single episode of vomiting. For puppies or small breeds, keep the fast shorter, perhaps 4 to 6 hours, and watch them very closely. Fasting means no food at all. They can still have small amounts of water during this time, unless the water also comes back up.
If your dog is dog vomiting after eating, wait even longer. The stomach needs time to calm down after dealing with a meal.
Managing Water Intake
Water is vital, but too much at once can restart vomiting.
- Offer small amounts of water frequently.
- Use ice cubes they can lick slowly.
- If they drink a lot and then vomit, take the water away for an hour. Then try offering only a few tablespoons at a time.
If your dog keeps vomiting water for several hours, it is time to call your veterinarian.
Reintroducing Food: The Bland Diet Approach
Once the fasting period is over and your dog has kept water down for a few hours, you can begin reintroducing food after dog vomiting. The goal here is to feed something easy to digest. This is where the bland diet for dogs comes in.
A bland diet is low in fat and fiber. It gives the gut a break while still providing necessary nutrients.
What Foods Make Up a Bland Diet?
The classic bland diet has two main parts: a lean protein source and a simple carbohydrate.
Lean Protein Sources
These should be cooked thoroughly with no added fats, salt, or seasonings.
- Boiled, skinless, boneless chicken breast: This is the gold standard. Boil it until it is very tender.
- Lean ground beef (90% lean or higher): Drain off all the fat after cooking.
- Plain, cooked turkey: Similar to chicken, ensure it is lean.
Simple Carbohydrates
These provide energy and bulk that is easy on the digestive tract.
- Plain white rice: Cooked very soft. Use more water than usual when cooking to make it mushy.
- Plain boiled white potato: Skin removed. Do not add butter or milk.
- Plain cooked pasta: Use small shapes.
Combining the Bland Diet Components
The usual ratio for a bland diet is one part protein to two parts carbohydrate.
Example Bland Meal:
| Component | Amount | Preparation Note |
|---|---|---|
| Boiled Chicken | 1/4 cup | Shredded finely |
| Cooked White Rice | 1/2 cup | Very soft and watery |
This mixture provides easy fuel for the recovering gut. This diet is perfect for when you are managing dog stomach upset remedies at home.
Feeding Schedule After Vomiting
Do not give your dog their normal amount of food right away. You must reintroduce food slowly over several days.
Phase 1: The First Small Meal
After the fast, offer a very small amount of the bland diet—about one teaspoon to one tablespoon, depending on your dog’s size.
- Wait 30 to 60 minutes after this first small bite.
- If your dog keeps it down (no vomiting), you can offer another small amount an hour later.
Phase 2: Small, Frequent Meals
For the next 12 to 24 hours, continue feeding small amounts every few hours instead of two or three large meals. This keeps the stomach from getting too full, which can trigger more vomiting.
Phase 3: Gradually Increasing Volume
If your dog handles the small, frequent meals well for a full day, you can slowly start increasing the portion size closer to their normal meal size, while keeping the diet bland.
Phase 4: Transitioning Back to Regular Food
This transition should take 3 to 5 days.
- Day 3 (or when stools look normal): Start mixing 75% bland diet with 25% regular dog food.
- Day 4: Mix 50% bland diet with 50% regular dog food.
- Day 5: Offer 75% regular food and 25% bland diet.
- Day 6: Return to 100% regular food, provided there is no more vomiting or diarrhea.
This slow process minimizes the chance of a relapse. If you are also dealing with what to feed a dog with diarrhea and vomiting, the bland diet is still the correct first step.
What If Vomiting Continues? Dealing with Setbacks
If your dog vomits again after starting the bland diet, it means their stomach is still too irritated.
- Stop Food: Remove all food immediately.
- Resume Fast: Return to a short fast (4 to 6 hours).
- Re-evaluate Water: Ensure water intake is slow and controlled.
- Consult Vet: If vomiting happens more than twice after restarting food, or if it happens again after the short fast, it is time to call the vet.
Special Considerations: Puppies and Seniors
Young puppies and senior dogs need different handling when they vomit.
Feeding Sick Puppies
Puppies dehydrate very quickly. They usually cannot fast for long periods.
- If a puppy vomits, keep the fast very short (2-4 hours maximum).
- Call your vet much sooner if a puppy is vomiting repeatedly.
- When reintroducing food, use very small amounts of easily digestible food immediately after the short fast.
Feeding Older Dogs
Senior dogs might have underlying health issues making them vomit. Be very cautious with fasting times and monitor them closely for signs of weakness or dehydration.
Choosing Soft Food for Sick Dog Options
Sometimes, boiling chicken and rice is too much effort, or your dog refuses it. You need options for soft food for sick dog recovery.
Commercial Options
Some high-quality commercial foods are excellent for sensitive stomachs.
- Prescription Gastrointestinal Diets: These are balanced, low-fat, and easily digestible. They are often recommended by vets for ongoing issues.
- Canned Puppy Food (Low Fat Varieties): Sometimes, the soft texture of certain canned foods works well, but check the fat content. High-fat content can worsen vomiting.
Homemade Alternatives (Use with Caution)
Always talk to your vet before relying only on homemade diets for recovery, as they can be nutritionally incomplete long-term.
- Canned Pumpkin (Plain, not pie filling): This is great for both vomiting and diarrhea due to its fiber content. A teaspoon mixed into the bland diet can help firm up stools.
- Baby Food Meat (Plain): Meat-only baby foods (like turkey or chicken) have no added spices or onions and are often very smooth and easy to swallow. Ensure there are absolutely no onion or garlic powders listed in the ingredients.
When to Call the Vet Immediately
While occasional vomiting is normal, some signs mean you must seek medical attention. Knowing when to call vet for dog vomiting is crucial for your dog’s safety.
Do not attempt home remedies if you see any of the following:
- Profuse or continuous vomiting: Vomiting more than 3-4 times in a few hours.
- Blood in the vomit: This looks red or like coffee grounds.
- Vomiting along with severe lethargy or weakness.
- Signs of pain: Whining, restlessness, or a tense abdomen.
- Vomiting clear liquid that continues aggressively for over 12 hours without stopping.
- Known ingestion of toxins or foreign objects.
- Vomiting combined with severe, watery diarrhea. If you have both dog diarrhea and vomiting, dehydration happens fast.
If your dog seems generally unwell, or if the vomiting started after a known incident, like if your dog ate something bad vomiting but you are unsure what, call your vet for advice right away.
Fathoming Post-Vomiting Care Beyond Food
Recovery is more than just what you feed them. Other factors influence how quickly your dog feels better.
Monitoring Stool Quality
When transitioning off the bland diet, watch the stool closely. Soft, mushy, or very loose stools mean the digestive system is still sensitive.
- If diarrhea starts or continues, keep the food bland and slightly increase the rice ratio or add a bit of plain canned pumpkin. Pumpkin helps firm things up.
Hydration Status
Dehydration is the biggest danger after severe vomiting. Watch for these signs of dehydration:
- Gums feel tacky or dry instead of slick and moist.
- Skin over the shoulder blades stays tented when gently pulled up (skin turgor test).
- Sunken eyes.
If you suspect dehydration, call your vet immediately, as they may need subcutaneous fluids.
Activity Levels
Keep your dog calm during the recovery period. Limit vigorous exercise. A short, slow walk for potty breaks is usually fine, but no running or rough play for at least 24-48 hours after the last vomit episode. Rest allows the body to heal the inflamed stomach lining.
Summary of Gentle Feeding Steps
Here is a quick checklist for feeding your dog after they throw up:
| Step | Action | Duration/Notes |
|---|---|---|
| 1. Initial Fast | Withhold all food. Monitor water intake. | 6 to 12 hours (adult dogs) |
| 2. Water Test | Offer small amounts of water frequently. | Wait until water stays down for 2-4 hours. |
| 3. First Feed | Offer 1 teaspoon of bland diet. | Wait 30-60 minutes before the next small amount. |
| 4. Bland Diet Phase | Feed small, frequent meals of bland diet. | For 24 to 48 hours, if tolerated well. |
| 5. Transition | Slowly mix regular food back into the bland diet. | Over 3 to 5 days. |
| 6. Watch Closely | Monitor for any return of vomiting or diarrhea. | Continue watching stool quality during transition. |
By following this gentle approach, you give your dog’s system the best chance to recover without further irritation. Always remember that these steps apply to simple, one-off vomiting incidents. If vomiting is severe or persistent, professional medical help is necessary.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)
Can I feed my dog yogurt after vomiting?
Generally, no, not immediately. Dairy products often contain lactose, which can be hard to digest, especially when the stomach is already upset. If your dog tolerates the bland diet perfectly for several days, you might try adding a tiny bit of plain, unsweetened yogurt later on, as the probiotics might help, but only after the stomach has fully settled.
My dog vomited and now has diarrhea. What diet should I use?
You should stick to the bland diet for dogs described above (boiled chicken and rice). When managing what to feed a dog with diarrhea and vomiting, increase the rice content slightly relative to the chicken for the first day or two, as rice helps bind the stool. Keep portions small and frequent.
Is it okay if my dog vomits bile (yellow liquid)?
Vomiting yellow or greenish-yellow liquid usually means your dog’s stomach is empty, and they are vomiting bile from the small intestine. This often happens after a prolonged fast or if they haven’t eaten for a long time (bilious vomiting syndrome). If this happens, call your vet, as they may advise you to give a small meal earlier than you planned to keep the stomach from staying empty too long.
How soon can my dog drink normally after vomiting?
After the initial 4-6 hour food fast, if your dog has not vomited again, you can offer small amounts of water. If they drink a whole bowl and keep it down, let them have small amounts freely. If they gulp it down and immediately vomit, restrict access for another hour, then offer only a few ice cubes or a few tablespoons of water at a time.
What if my dog threw up dry kibble?
If your dog vomited their regular kibble, this confirms the kibble was too hard for the irritated stomach to process. Follow the standard fasting guidelines. When you reintroduce food after dog vomiting, the kibble must be soaked in warm water until it is completely soft, or switched entirely to the boiled chicken and rice bland diet first.