Dogs can vomit for many different reasons. They may have eaten something that didn’t agree with them, or they may have a mild infection in their gastro-intestinal tract.

If your dog is very depressed, or has bloody vomiting and diarrhea, you must take them to your veterinarian straight away. However, in most cases, their tummy upset is not serious, and you can try some home remedies to see if they help your dog to feel better.

The first thing you need to do if your dog has an upset stomach is to stop feeding them. Don’t give them any food for 24 hours and let their gastro-intestinal tract settle down.
This is the most important part of their treatment. If they are feeling quite well, they may not understand why they are missing dinner and be quite upset by it. You do need to be strong and resist those pleading eyes!

Ginger is very effective in stopping nausea. You can give your dog ginger tablets, fresh or dried ginger root, or even give them ginger tea to drink. As a last resort, offer your dog a ginger nut biscuit.

Peppermint is another excellent herb for soothing upset stomachs. Many dogs won’t willingly eat peppermint leaves, so try and get them to sip a mild peppermint tea.

After 24 hours, you can then offer your dog small frequent meals of a very bland food. Boiled chicken and white rice, or cottage cheese and white rice are ideal for this purpose. Keep them on this diet for around two days and if they tolerate it well, you can gradually re-introduce their regular diet.

In Summary – Home remedies are always handy to have on hand for common dog problems such as vomiting, and they can be safe and effective. If at any time your dog appears to deteriorate, or they become very lethargic, it’s time to call your vet. Vomiting can lead to dehydration and electrolyte imbalances, and will make your dog very ill indeed.