1‑minute quick check
Vomiting (from the stomach)
- Active retching/heaving before material comes up
- Usually digested food, bile, foam; may be yellow
- Can include nausea signs: drooling, licking lips
Regurgitation (from the esophagus)
- No heaving — food/passive fluid just falls out
- Often undigested, tubular, with mucus; no bile
- Can happen soon after eating or drinking
What is vomiting?
Vomiting is an active process where the stomach and abdominal muscles forcefully expel contents. Common causes include dietary indiscretion (ate something new), gastroenteritis, parasites, toxins, pancreatitis, foreign bodies, kidney/liver issues, and motion sickness.
Typical signs
- Retching/heaving, abdominal contractions
- Drooling, licking lips, restlessness
- Material may be digested food, bile (yellow), foam
When we worry more
- Repeated vomiting, blood, coffee‑ground material
- Swollen/painful abdomen, lethargy, collapse
- Puppy/kitten, senior, diabetic, or known disease
What is regurgitation?
Regurgitation is passive backflow from the esophagus, often without warning. Causes include esophagitis (after vomiting or reflux), esophageal obstruction (like a bone or toy), megaesophagus, strictures, and congenital issues.
Typical signs
- No abdominal effort; happens shortly after eating/drinking
- Food often undigested and tube‑shaped with mucus
- May lead to coughing from aspiration
When we worry more
- Repeated episodes, weight loss, poor appetite
- Coughing, fever, or breathing changes (aspiration risk)
- Known risk of foreign body (bone, rawhide, toy)
Red flags — go now or urgent in‑person
- Bloated, hard, or very painful abdomen
- Repeated vomiting (>3 times in 6 hours) or blood
- Weakness, collapse, pale gums, or dehydration
- Young puppies/kittens, seniors, or chronic illness
- Suspected toxin, foreign object, or heatstroke
Safe home steps (if no red flags)
- Hold food for 6–12 hours (not water). Offer small sips of water or ice chips every 30–60 minutes.
- If no vomiting for 6 hours, feed a bland diet: boiled chicken/turkey with plain white rice in small frequent meals.
- Avoid fatty, spicy, or new foods. No bones or rawhide.
- For regurgitation, feed meatball‑sized portions and keep head elevated during and 10–15 minutes after meals.
- If symptoms persist beyond 24 hours or worsen, contact a vet.
When to see a vet or use TeleVet
TeleVet is ideal for triage, home‑care plans, and deciding on next steps. We can often help rule out red flags and guide you on safe over‑the‑counter options. We will always direct you to in‑person care immediately if needed.
Average wait ~2 minutes • Prescriptions when appropriate
What to tell your vet
- Onset, frequency, and timing relative to meals
- Description of material (undigested vs. bile/foam)
- Any access to trash, toxins, plants, or foreign objects
- Other signs: lethargy, diarrhea, fever, pain, cough
- Diet change, treats, chews, or medication history
FAQ
Can I give over‑the‑counter meds for vomiting?
Some OTC options are safe in dogs, but dosing depends on weight and health history, and many human meds are unsafe in cats. Chat with a vet before giving anything.
How do I reduce regurgitation at home?
Small, frequent, meatball‑sized meals; elevate head during and after eating; avoid large water chugs; and trial a softer diet. Persistent cases need imaging to rule out obstruction or megaesophagus.
When should puppies or kittens be seen immediately?
Any repeated vomiting, blood, lethargy, dehydration, or inability to keep fluids down is urgent. Young animals dehydrate quickly and decline fast.