If you’ve caught your dog eating leaves and throwing up afterward, you’re not alone.
Many dog parents have noticed their dogs nibbling on foliage during walks or in the backyard, only to see them vomit not long after.
While it might seem like a quirky behavior, this combination of symptoms could point to deeper issues that need attention.
We break down the most common causes, what signs to watch for, and what you should do to help your dog feel better.
Here’s Why Dog Eating Leaves and Throwing Up Happens
A dog eating leaves and throwing up often happens due to an upset stomach, instinctual behavior, or an attempt to self-soothe nausea. Dogs may eat leaves out of boredom, curiosity, or in response to gastrointestinal discomfort, but the fibrous plant material can irritate their stomach lining and trigger vomiting.
In some cases, it may signal more serious issues like parasites, toxic plant ingestion, or dietary deficiencies.
Dog Eating Leaves and Throwing Up: Common Causes
1. Dietary indiscretion
Dogs are naturally curious creatures, and some will eat just about anything they can chew—including leaves.
This is especially true in puppies and younger dogs.
Unfortunately, leaves can be difficult to digest, and the irritation they cause in the stomach may result in vomiting.
If your dog is eating large amounts of leaves out of boredom or play, this is likely a form of dietary indiscretion.
Additionally, some leaves may be coated in pesticides or insecticides from landscaping treatments, which can be toxic and lead to vomiting or more serious gastrointestinal symptoms.
Related: Dog throwing up and not eating (Here’s why)
2. Upset stomach or gastrointestinal irritation
When a dog eats leaves and throws up, one likely explanation is an upset stomach.
Some dogs may instinctively eat leaves when they feel nauseous in an effort to induce vomiting and get rid of what’s bothering them.
However, the leaves themselves can then irritate the stomach lining, leading to even more vomiting.
This creates a cycle—your dog feels queasy, eats leaves to relieve it, but the leaves further upset their stomach.
Dogs with sensitive stomachs are especially prone to this.
3. Intestinal parasites
Intestinal parasites, such as roundworms, hookworms, or giardia, can sometimes make a dog feel nauseous or create abnormal cravings (a condition known as pica), which includes the desire to eat non-food items like leaves or grass.
In cases like these, you may notice your dog eating leaves and throwing up more frequently, possibly alongside diarrhea, weight loss, or a bloated stomach.
Parasites irritate the digestive tract, leading to vomiting, and the dog’s instinctual response might be to eat foliage as a way to soothe their discomfort—even though it backfires.
4. Toxic plants
Not all leaves are safe. Some common household or yard plants, like azaleas, hydrangeas, oleander, and sago palm, are toxic to dogs.
If your dog is eating leaves and throwing up, and you suspect they had access to toxic plants, this could be a veterinary emergency.
Symptoms of plant poisoning can vary but often include vomiting, diarrhea, drooling, weakness, and in severe cases, seizures or collapse.
5. Stomach obstruction
Eating too many leaves, especially large, fibrous ones, can create a blockage in your dog’s gastrointestinal system.
This is more likely to happen if your dog swallows big chunks or consumes leaves along with twigs or stems.
A partial or full obstruction can cause repeated vomiting, loss of appetite, lethargy, abdominal pain, and inability to pass stool.
If you suspect your dog may have a blockage, immediate veterinary care is required.
6. Nutritional deficiencies or behavioral issues
Some dogs that eat leaves and throw up may be trying to satisfy a nutritional need that isn’t being met by their diet.
Dogs lacking certain minerals or fiber might turn to plants as a source of roughage or nutrients.
While this is more common in underfed or malnourished dogs, it can also occur in otherwise healthy dogs with an imbalanced diet.
Behavioral issues, such as anxiety, boredom, or obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD), can also drive a dog to obsessively eat leaves.
Dogs suffering from anxiety may chew on or eat leaves to soothe themselves, which may then lead to vomiting.
7. Seasonal allergies and irritation
In some cases, dogs may eat leaves during allergy seasons when their mouths or throats feel itchy or irritated.
The texture of the leaves may provide temporary relief, but the end result is stomach upset and vomiting.
If your dog also shows signs of scratching, red eyes, or sneezing, it’s possible that environmental allergies are contributing to their leaf-eating habit.
8. Reaction to medication
Certain medications can upset your dog’s stomach, making them seek out leaves to induce vomiting.
If your dog has recently started a new medication and is now eating leaves and throwing up, consult your vet immediately.
Never discontinue medication without veterinary guidance.
Related: Dog throwing up and drinking a lot of water (Here’s why)
9. Ingestion of other irritants
Sometimes, a dog eating leaves and throwing up may not be reacting to the leaves themselves, but to something else they ingested.
For example, they might have eaten spoiled food, garbage, or something they found while exploring.
In these cases, the leaves are often a secondary attempt to self-treat nausea or digestive discomfort.
What to do if your dog is eating leaves and throwing up
If your dog is repeatedly eating leaves and throwing up, here are steps to take:
1. Observe and remove access to plants
Limit your dog’s unsupervised time outdoors or in areas with plants.
Make sure your backyard or walk route doesn’t contain toxic plants.
Remove any access to houseplants or garden areas they frequent.
Supervise their outdoor activities to prevent future incidents.
2. Check for additional symptoms
Take note of any other symptoms such as diarrhea, drooling, lethargy, decreased appetite, or changes in behavior.
These signs can help your vet determine if the cause is serious and requires immediate attention.
3. Examine the vomit
While unpleasant, checking the vomit for clues (presence of leaves, foam, blood, or other materials) can be helpful for your vet.
If there’s blood or a foul odor, get help right away.
4. Review recent diet or medication changes
If your dog recently started a new food or medication, this may be contributing to nausea or a change in appetite.
Reintroducing their old food or discussing alternatives with your vet can help.
5. Rule out toxins or poisoning
If there’s any chance your dog consumed a toxic plant or chemical along with the leaves, don’t wait—call your vet or poison control.
Toxins can act quickly, and early treatment makes a huge difference.
6. Schedule a veterinary exam
If vomiting continues for more than 24 hours, or if your dog is vomiting multiple times in a short period, a vet visit is necessary.
Bloodwork, fecal exams, or imaging may be needed to identify infections, parasites, or obstructions.
7. Enrich your dog’s environment
Provide chew-safe toys, puzzle feeders, and plenty of exercise to deter boredom and reduce the chances of your dog eating leaves for entertainment or stress relief.
8. Improve their diet
Make sure your dog’s food is high-quality, nutritionally balanced, and appropriate for their age and size.
Consider adding fiber (as advised by your vet) or rotating safe, vet-approved fruits and vegetables into their diet to help satisfy any cravings for plant matter.
When to seek emergency veterinary care
Seek emergency care if:
Your dog is vomiting persistently and can’t keep water down
There is blood in the vomit or stool
Your dog appears weak, disoriented, or collapses
There are signs of poisoning (seizures, tremors, foaming at the mouth)
Your dog has not passed stool or vomit in over 24 hours
Your dog is a puppy, senior, or has pre-existing conditions
Key Takeaway
While the occasional episode of a dog eating leaves and throwing up may not be cause for panic, frequent or severe incidents should not be ignored.
This behavior may indicate dietary issues, gastrointestinal discomfort, stress, poisoning, or more serious health conditions.
Preventative care, close observation, and a timely vet visit can help you uncover the cause and restore your dog’s health.
By identifying the underlying reasons behind a dog eating leaves and throwing up, you can keep your furry friend safe, comfortable, and on the path to recovery.