My Dog Keeps Eating and Vomiting (Here’s Why)

Common Causes of Dogs Eating and Vomiting

Here are some of the most frequent reasons why your dog keeps eating and vomiting:

1. Eating Too Quickly (Rapid Eating)

One of the simplest reasons your dog might keep eating and vomiting is that they eat too fast.

Dogs that gulp their food often swallow large amounts of air and food at once, which can upset their stomach and trigger vomiting.

Rapid eating doesn’t allow enough chewing or saliva to break down food, leading to indigestion and discomfort.

This can cause your dog to vomit soon after eating.

Try feeding your dog smaller portions multiple times a day instead of one large meal.

You can also use slow feeder bowls or puzzle feeders designed to slow down eating.

Related: Does eating grass grass upset a dog’s stomach?

2. Dietary Indiscretion (Eating Something They Shouldn’t)

Dogs are notorious for eating things they shouldn’t—trash, spoiled food, plants, or foreign objects.

If your dog keeps eating and vomiting, it might be because they are ingesting something irritating or toxic that upsets their stomach.

Even eating table scraps or too many treats can cause gastrointestinal distress and vomiting.

Keep hazardous items out of reach and monitor what your dog is eating closely.

If your dog is prone to scavenging, leash walks and supervised playtime can prevent ingestion of harmful substances.

3. Food Intolerance or Allergy

Some dogs develop food intolerances or allergies that cause vomiting after eating. Common allergens include beef, chicken, dairy, wheat, or soy.

If your dog vomits consistently after eating a specific food, food intolerance or allergy may be the cause. This leads to inflammation in the stomach and intestines, resulting in vomiting and sometimes diarrhea.

Switch to a hypoallergenic diet or limited-ingredient dog food. Consult your vet for allergy testing or dietary recommendations.

4. Gastritis or Stomach Inflammation

Gastritis is inflammation of the stomach lining that can cause your dog to eat and vomit frequently. It can be caused by infections, ingestion of irritants (like chemicals or spoiled food), or autoimmune reactions.

Dogs with gastritis often vomit bile or food soon after eating and may also show signs of lethargy or loss of appetite.

Your veterinarian may prescribe medication to soothe the stomach lining and recommend a bland diet to help your dog heal.

Related: Does eating grass after food (Here’s why)

5. Gastrointestinal Obstruction

If your dog eats and vomits repeatedly, a blockage in their digestive tract could be the cause. This might be caused by swallowed objects like toys, bones, or other indigestible materials.

An obstruction prevents food from passing through the intestines and causes vomiting, abdominal pain, and sometimes constipation.

Obstruction is a medical emergency requiring immediate veterinary attention.

If your dog vomits frequently and shows signs of pain or bloating, go to the vet immediately.

6. Parasites

Intestinal parasites such as roundworms, hookworms, or giardia can irritate your dog’s digestive tract and cause vomiting after eating.

Parasites can also lead to other symptoms like diarrhea, weight loss, and lethargy.

Regular deworming and fecal exams are essential. If your dog vomits regularly, consult your vet for parasite testing and treatment.

7. Infections

Viral or bacterial infections of the stomach and intestines, like parvovirus or bacterial gastroenteritis, can cause dogs to vomit repeatedly after eating.

Infections often cause additional symptoms such as diarrhea, fever, and lethargy.

Infections require prompt veterinary treatment, often including fluids and antibiotics.

Related: Does eating grass and not eating (Here’s why)

8. Pancreatitis

Pancreatitis is inflammation of the pancreas and a common cause of vomiting after eating. It often occurs due to eating fatty foods or other triggers.

Dogs with pancreatitis may vomit bile or food and show signs of abdominal pain, lethargy, and loss of appetite.

Pancreatitis requires veterinary diagnosis and treatment, including fasting, IV fluids, and special diets.

9. Other Medical Conditions

Chronic diseases such as kidney failure, liver disease, diabetes, or cancer can cause your dog to vomit after eating.

These conditions affect digestion, metabolism, and appetite regulation.

If your dog keeps eating and vomiting with no clear cause, or the vomiting worsens over time, a thorough veterinary examination and diagnostics are necessary.

What to Do When Your Dog Keeps Eating and Vomiting

When your dog keeps eating and vomiting, you can take some initial steps to help manage the problem while you determine the cause.

Monitor Your Dog’s Symptoms

Keep a close eye on your dog’s eating habits, vomiting frequency, vomit content (food, bile, blood), and any other symptoms like diarrhea, lethargy, or appetite changes.

Adjust Feeding Routine

Feed smaller, more frequent meals to reduce the chances of vomiting.

Avoid giving table scraps or sudden diet changes.

Provide Plenty of Fresh Water

Vomiting can cause dehydration, so always ensure your dog has access to clean water.

Encourage drinking but avoid forcing water if they are nauseous.

Avoid Human Medications

Never give your dog human medications without veterinary guidance, as some can worsen vomiting or cause toxicity.

When to Seek Veterinary Help for Vomiting After Eating

While occasional vomiting can be harmless, persistent vomiting after eating warrants a vet visit, especially if accompanied by:

• Vomiting more than twice in 24 hours

• Vomit containing blood or bile

• Signs of dehydration (sunken eyes, dry gums, lethargy)

• Abdominal pain or bloating

• Diarrhea or weight loss

• Refusal to eat or drink for more than 24 hours

• Signs of distress or weakness

• Known ingestion of toxins or foreign objects

If your dog keeps eating and vomiting regularly, a veterinary evaluation is important to diagnose the cause and prevent complications like dehydration, malnutrition, or organ damage.

Diagnosing the Cause of Eating and Vomiting

At the vet, your dog may undergo several diagnostic tests to determine why they keep eating and vomiting, including:

• Physical exam and history review

• Blood tests to check organ function and infections

• Fecal exam to detect parasites

• X-rays or ultrasound to check for obstructions or abnormalities

• Allergy or food intolerance testing

Treatment Options for Dogs Who Keep Eating and Vomiting

Treatment depends on the cause but may include:

• Dietary management (specialized or hypoallergenic diets)

• Medications to reduce nausea and inflammation

• Deworming or antibiotics for infections

• Surgery in case of obstructions

• Supportive care such as fluids and hospitalization for severe cases

Preventing Eating and Vomiting Issues in Dogs

Prevention can help reduce episodes of vomiting after eating:

• Feed a balanced, high-quality diet appropriate for your dog’s age and health

• Avoid sudden diet changes; transition gradually over 7-10 days

• Prevent your dog from eating garbage or non-food items

• Use slow feeder bowls if your dog eats too fast

• Keep harmful substances and toxins out of reach

• Maintain regular vet check-ups and parasite control

Key Takeaway

When your dog keeps eating and vomiting, it signals that something is upsetting their digestive system.

While occasional vomiting might not be serious, persistent vomiting requires veterinary evaluation to identify and treat the underlying cause.

Common reasons include rapid eating, dietary indiscretion, food allergies, infections, parasites, pancreatitis, or more serious medical conditions.

If your dog vomits repeatedly after meals, shows signs of distress, or refuses to eat and drink, seek veterinary help promptly.

Early diagnosis and treatment improve outcomes and help your dog recover quickly.