Your dog throwing up white hard chunks is the reason for many underlying situations like ingestion of foreign objects, gastrointestinal disorders, acid buildup in the stomach, wrong diet, and much more. In this article, we will discuss a few of them and what can you do about the other than taking your dog to the vet.
However, if you notice white chunks in your canine’s vomit, then the best thing to do is to take him to the vet. You can ask him the reason and what to do next. The vet will examine your canine’s body and determine the exact cause of the white hard chunks.
Let us find out more about the causes of white hard chunks in your dog’s vomit.
Indigestion
Indigestion in humans is very common. In fact, you can also see it in canines. And it is a potential reason for your dog to throw white hard chunks. We have a belief that canines have a stronger digestive system than us. However, selective breeding and domestication are 2 factors that have made canines’ digestive systems a lot weaker.
There are various causes for indigestion, but it has 3 stages:
- Acid reflux
- Heartburn
- Nausea
The most common symptoms of indigestion in dogs include:
- Vomiting out white hard chunks
- Bad breath
- Flatulence
- Weight loss
- Bloating
- Diarrhoea
- Lethargy
- Vomiting bile or other liquid or food
- Smacking lips continuously
Gastrointestinal Disorders
If your canine is vomiting white hard chunks very frequently, then it is a cause for concern. Moreover, if you find a white foamy things along with it, then it is very urgent.
There are various things that affect your canine’s gastrointestinal tract and they can end up in your dog throwing up white hard chunks.
Conditions that can affect your canine’s digestive system or gastrointestinal tract include:
- Ulcers
- Parasites
- Cancer
- Pancreatitis
- Toxic substances
- Inflammatory disease
- Ingestion of foreign objects
- Viral or bacterial infections
Wrong Dog Food
Some canines are sensitive to particular dog foods or food items and the ingredients they have. And this can be a reason for your dog to throw up white hard chunks. Therefore, it is very important to understand your canine’s body and choose a dog food that do go bad in heat and suitable for him.
Food sensitivity or food allergy in canines can lead to an upset tummy and if the canine is still eating the same dog food then it leads to chronic inflammation of the stomach and intestinal tract.
If you notice your canine frequently vomiting after eating a specific food or having gases, then you must switch to a different dog food with different ingredients. In a few cases, you may also need to add probiotics, kefir, or any digestive enzymes to your canine’s diet. However, in most cases, finding a different dog food brand.
There are various ingredients that usually contribute to indigestion in canines like:
- Legumes
- Wheat or other grains
- Soy
When you are comparing dog food, you must inspect the ingredients and choose the brand that has animal proteins first. Moreover, you can go for grain-free or soy-free canine foods. Many canine owners and vets see improved digestion when switching to this type of dog food.
In a few cases, you may need to go from dry food to canned food or even to fresh food altogether. Although dry food is available everywhere and is purchased in high amounts, it can cause vomiting with white hard chunks in dogs especially when the dog eats it very quickly.
Choked Up On A Bone Or Some Toys
Canines love to chew on certain chewable toys or bones. It is good but it can turn out to be brittle. Because these objects are breakable, brittle pieces can get stuck in the canine’s throat and cause the canine to throw up.
The most common examples of brittle objects include bully sticks, rawhide, chewable toys, and bones. The pieces can get stuck in the dog’s throat or mouth and cause vomiting of white hard chunks.
You should remove the pieces from your dog’s mouth asap. Or else, you can take the dog to the vet. The vet will treat the canine properly if any piece is stuck in the throat.
Human Food
Many dog owners think that if some food is healthy for them, it is the same for canines. However, canines have very different nutritional needs than us. If your canine has consumed some of your food then there is a chance that he will vomit it out.
The canine’s body does not accept human foods like pizza, sugary candy, chips, pies, chocolates, etc, and it vomits it in the form of hard white chunks. To prevent this, you must avoid feeding these food items to your dog and keep an eye on your dog as well.
Stomach Acid Buildup
If your canine is throwing up white hard chunks, one of the common reasons is stomach acid buildup. In this scenario, the dog throws up white chunks because his stomach is empty or has little food.
When a canine has a lot of stomach acid, its vomit mainly contains foam with saliva and some gastric juices. The mucus lining becomes irritated and the canine vomits foam or froth. Moreover, in a few cases, it also contains unidentified white hard chunks.
If your canine has stomach acid buildup, you may notice symptoms like coughing, swallowing, hiccupping, and licking the floor. You can get rid of stomach acid buildup by feeding the canine enough food each day
Vomiting Combined with Other Symptoms
Here are the symptoms of vomiting that can help the vet to diagnose the underlying cause and treat it with the right medication.
- Lack of appetite
- Diarrhoea
- Lethargy
- Increased urination
- Decreased urination
- Increased drinking
- Decreased drinking
- Bloody vomit
It is very normal for your pooch to get sick sometimes, especially after eating at a faster pace. However, when canines vomit more frequently, it is a cause of concern.
It is better to monitor your canine and take him to the vet if you find him vomiting more frequently and it combined with the symptoms listed above. Finding out the real cause and treating it will help your dog to get relieved from the discomfort and live a normal life once again.
Home Remedies for Nausea And Vomiting
Here are the 3 simple home remedies you can try for your dog’s nausea and vomiting.
- You can use Nux Vomica with 30c or 6x potency to treat your canine’s nausea and vomiting from smelling the food.
- For extreme nausea, excessive drooling, nervous movements, and keeping distance from water or food, you can try giving Ipecac root. To be more specific, use the 30c or 6x potency.
- Pulsatilla 30c or 6 is very useful for canines that are vomiting undigested food chunks.
However, it is better to ask your vet first. If he/she allows you to do any home remedy, then go ahead.
When To See A Vet?
There are specific situations when canine vomiting can mean an immediate medical emergency. Moreover, poisoning is the first reason for a dog owner to seek vet attention. Symptoms of poisoning include:
- Convulsions
- Vomiting
- Hives
- Diarrhoea
- Loss of control
- Foaming from mouth
Some reasons for common poisons include:
- Arsenic
- Household cleaners
- Antifreeze
- Pharmaceuticals
- Xylitol
- Toxic household plants
- Pesticides
- Toothpaste
- Chocolate
- Gum
If you think your canine has been poisoned, talk to your vet as soon as possible. Do not make your canine vomit unless you are sure about what your canine ingested. In a few cases, making your canine vomit can make things even worse.
Another cause of canine vomiting is kidney failure. If your canine has kidney failure, take him to the vet when he vomits. Here are some additional reasons to look for:
- Restlessness
- Vomiting
- Shaking
- Constipation
- Excessive panting
- Bloody stool
Final Words
In conclusion, I would say that, even if your canine is throwing up white hard chunks, it isn’t necessary for you to get tense. You should calmly find the root cause rather than panicking and making things even worse.
The symptoms you find in your canine can be because of various reasons that can be normal, a bit serious, or life-threatening. Therefore, consulting your vet is the best decision you can make.
I hope you enjoyed the article. I will be back soon with more interesting and informative pieces of writing. Till then, stay connected. Thank you.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can dogs throw up stones?
Consuming stones, sticks, hair, rubber balls, and other foreign objects can cause your dog to throw up stones. Intestinal parasites like roundworms can also be the reason for this. Moreover, viral infections like parvovirus and distemper and diseases like stomach ulcer, cancer and kidney disease are the potential reasons for a dog to throw up stones or white hard chunks.
Why is my dog throwing up hard yellow chunks?
The most common reason for your dog to throw up hard yellow chunks is an empty stomach. Zero food in the stomach can cause bile build-up and irritates the lining of your canine’s stomach. Therefore, depending on when your canine usually has meals, you can see your canine vomiting yellow chunks at night or in the morning.
What does parvo puke look like?
According to vet.asu.edu, Parvo puke can be brown, yellow, or colourless. Additionally, diarrhoea will contain blood and has a mustard or yellow colour. Moreover, your canine may also appear drooling or having foam in the mouth.