Why Is My Pug Throwing Up? How To Help

There’s nothing quite as unpleasant as vomit. And a Pug throwing up is never a sight you want to come home to.

But every Pug owner will face this unpleasant situation at one time or another. The important thing is to know when vomit is harmless, and when it’s something to worry about.

We’ve put our expert heads together to compile this go-to guide for all things Pug vomit.

That way you can rest assured that your Pug gets the help they need when they’re feeling a bit poorly.


Why Is My Pug Throwing Up?

Vomiting serves many functions and is a common symptom for a wide range of doggy issues. Sometimes the causes are mild, but sometimes there might be something more serious at play. That’s why it’s so important to know what signs to look out for and when it’s time to visit your vet.

So, what are some common reasons for Pugs throwing up?

1. Post-exercise

Just like us humans, if your Pug eats a heavy meal then gets the zoomies in the park … well, expect vomit to ensue. Ideally, we recommend not walking your Pug for at least two hours after eating. This will prevent any unwanted puking.

2. After drinking

No, I’m not talking about a few too many alcoholic beverages. When it comes to Pugs even drinking water too fast can stimulate their gag reflex. And we all know what that means. Yes, it means icky vomit.

However, if your Pug throws up a clear liquid, do not immediately assume that it is water. This could be signaling a digestive blockage for which you will need to visit your veterinarian.

3. Overeating

We all know how much Pugs love to eat. And these little chaps really don’t know when to stop. If your Pug has the opportunity to overeat, chances are they will. Overeating and eating too fast are classic causes of Pug puke.

4. Morning sickness

Some Pugs may experience morning sickness. Just like with humans this is sometimes due to pregnancy, but not always.

If your Pug’s sickness consistently occurs in the morning hours this could be a sign of various conditions such as colitis, pancreatitis, and inflammatory bowel disease.

5. Motion sickness

If your Pug vomits whilst riding in the car with you, chances are they are experiencing car sickness. Try to avoid feeding your Pug a heavy meal before a car ride to prevent nausea and vomiting on the route.

If your Pug experiences heightened stress or anxiety when traveling in a vehicle this might also result in your Pug throwing up.

6. Poisoning

If your dog eats something that disagrees with their stomach, or accidentally ingests a poisonous substance, they will vomit extensively. If you think that your pet has ingested toxic substances, you must visit your vet immediately.

7. Stomach ulcers

Stomach ulcers and/or cancer can cause vomiting. Red, black, or textured vomit is a sign of heavy bleeding. Visit your veterinarian immediately for treatment.

8. Intestinal blockage

An intestinal blockage can occur if your Pug eats something, they should not such as a plastic toy, ball, or other large items which could get lodged in their intestine. Symptoms include vomiting, abdominal pain, and constipation. Your vet will need to carry out an x-ray to locate the foreign body.

9. Infection

If your pooch has contracted an infection of any kind this could result in your Pug throwing up. Infections such as parvovirus typically present as high fever, diarrhea, and vomiting.

10. A neurological issue

Numerous neurological conditions can result in vomiting. Brain tumors, ear imbalances, or even psychological issues like anxiety or stress can cause your Pug to throw up unexpectedly.


Vomiting vs. Regurgitation: What’s The Difference?

Vomiting and regurgitation can sometimes look similar, but they are very different and have very different causes.

Regurgitation occurs when your Pug throws up undigested food from the esophagus. It will be covered in mucus, fluids, and saliva.

In contrast, vomit comes from the stomach and is usually mixed with yellowish bile and part-digested food.

Vomit Regurgitation
Causes Ulcers & obstruction

Inflammation of pancreas

Kidney disease

Liver disease

Reaction to medications

Pain

Swelling from trauma

Tumors

Hormonal disorders

Inflammation of esophagus

Megaesophagus

Myasthenia Gravis

Vascular ring anomaly

Process Active process – ejection of material and acid from the stomach and upper intestines. Passive process – Regurgitation is an ejection from the esophagus. There are no abdominal contractions.
Warning signs Retching

Nausea

Warning noises

No warning signs
Indications Possible problem with stomach or intestines. Possible problem with esophagus function.

 


Typical Pug Vomit Appearance

The appearance of your Pug’s vomit can tell you a lot about its cause. Knowing what to look out for can help you identify whether your Pug needs to visit the vet. Pug puke comes in all sorts of colors and textures, some of which signal serious health conditions.

Let’s take a look.

1. Yellow vomit

Yellow vomit is typical of dogs who vomit in the morning and could indicate the following conditions:

  • An upset stomach
  • Bowel problems
  • Liver problems
  • Stomach ulcers
  • Intestinal blockage
  • Pancreatic issues

2. Brown bile

Brown bile can look and smell very nasty. Some Pug owners even report that it smells like poop. Possible reasons why your Pug is throwing up brown bile include:

  • Malnutrition and hunger
  • Boredom, stress, or attention-seeking
  • Intestinal blockage
  • Internal bleeding (e.g. from an ulcer)

3. Green bile

Green bile is usually nothing to worry about and often occurs if your Pug has been eating lots of grass. Some dogs will do this when they feel bored or anxious. If you notice any plant matter in your Pug’s vomit, you can rest assured it’s just yesterday’s grassy snack.

4. Clear liquid

The clear liquid is a cause for concern. When a dog vomits clear, foamy, or slimy liquid it could be a sign of a more serious medical issue. Vomiting fluids are sometimes triggered by acute kidney, liver, or pancreatic illness, or acute gastritis. Visit your vet as soon as possible.

5. White foam

White foam is a fairly typical type of Pug vomit and can signify a wide range of issues at play. Because Pugs are a brachycephalic breed, regurgitating white foam is sometimes the result of blocked airways. Other possible causes include:

  • Indigestion
  • Kennel cough
  • Bloat
  • Rabies
  • Parvovirus
  • Kidney disease
  • Pancreatitis

Because of the wide range of possible causes, if your Pug is vomiting white foam, we recommend checking in with your vet. They will be able to assess your pet and identify the root cause.

6. Red or pink foam

Red or pink foam can be concerning because it indicates the presence of blood. In less serious cases, this may be caused by when capillaries burst – for example if your Pug has a tummy bug. In these cases, your Pug’s vomit will appear a paler, pinkish color.

If your Pug’s vomit is bright red or black in color, this is more serious and could indicate a stomach ulcer. Visit your vet immediately for treatment.


What To Do If Your Pug Is Vomiting?

If you’ve got a vomiting Pug on your hands (and you’ve ruled out any more serious concerns) there are some steps you can take to get things back under control.

First off, fast your dog for a period of time up to 24 hours. This will give their stomach a chance to rest. At the same time, make sure that they are not drinking too much water as this can cause further discomfort.

After the fast period, start to reintroduce food and water slowly and in small amounts. If vomiting stops then you can gradually get them back on to their usual diet.

However, if vomiting persists on an empty stomach it’s time to visit your vet.

Other reasons to call your vet, include:

  • Your Pug has been vomiting for more than 24 hours
  • Your Pug is experiencing extreme lethargy
  • Your Pug has a very high temperature
  • Your Pug is continuously retching
  • Your Pug has blood in their stool
  • Your Pug is projectile vomiting

How To Treat A Pug Throwing Up

If your Pug is throwing up, then it’s natural to be concerned. Vomiting is a common symptom of a wide range of health conditions and issues – some serious, others not. By knowing what to look out for, we can ensure our precious Pugs get the treatment they need and deserve.

And while you’re at it, why not check out this helpful video: