Nobody likes seeing their dog vomit. Not only is it an unpleasant sight, but it can also cause some dog owners to panic, especially if you catch them doing it during the night.

Since dog owners are with their dogs a lot of the time, there is a high chance you will catch them throwing up in the middle of the night. And if this happens, you may be wondering why they’re doing this and whether you should call your vet.

The answer to that is complicated. Dogs are complex creatures. There are many things that can cause them to vomit, and they aren’t in control of when that happens. But to help you put your mind at ease, we’ve created this in-depth guide.

In this article, we’ll be getting into the possible reasons your dog may be vomiting in the middle of the night and how you can get to the bottom of it.

Why Is My Dog Throwing Up at Night?

Dogs are curious animals. On top of that, they have a complex biological system. So, there isn’t one reason that dog’s vomit, even if they only do it in the middle of the night.

Finding out the reasons that your dog is vomiting is a great way to figure out the right treatments or action plans. Additionally, it will be much easier to explain your dog’s condition to the vet.

So, if you caught your dog vomiting in the middle of the night, here are some things that can cause that;

They Ate Something They Shouldn’t Have

When left to their own devices, dogs will wander around and explore. That’s part of their nature. And when this happens, it’s common for dogs to find themselves in places they shouldn’t be, eating things that aren’t good for their body.

A common example of this is a dog eating grass after running around the backyard. Or, if you keep your dog with you inside, they might have gotten into the kitchen and eaten garlic or other ingredients that are bad for their stomach.

When dogs eat something they shouldn’t, the body tries its best to expel that ingredient. So, if your dog ate something at around 5 PM – 6 PM, their body might try to expel the food at around 9 p.m. or 10 p.m., which is why your dog is vomiting in the middle of the night.

If you find specific solids in your dog’s vomit that looks like something they shouldn’t eat, then they likely vomited to remove that certain food from their system.

Acid Reflux and Systemic Conditions

If you notice that your dog’s vomit is yellow, that can indicate that they’re vomiting bile. This means that they are vomiting on an empty stomach, which could be caused by a range of conditions.

However, acid reflux and other systemic conditions are known to act up in the evening or in the early morning. This condition will cause your dog to start vomiting bile, which could be the reason your dog vomits in the middle of the night.

With that said, to confirm whether or not your dog has any of these conditions, it’s best to see a vet.

How To Find the Reason Your Dog Vomited

So, you catch your dog vomiting in the middle of the night. As an experienced pet owner, you already know not to panic as dogs can vomit for a variety of reasons. Now, you have to figure out why your dog may be vomiting.

To do that, you need to follow these steps:

Look At the Vomit

While it may be gross and a hassle to do, it’s important to look at your dog’s vomit and examine it. This is because the color, consistency, and texture of your dog’s vomit can tell you a lot about what caused it. For example, if your dog’s vomit is brown and contains kibble-like bits, then that could mean they ate too much or the wrong type of kibble.

On the other hand, your dog’s vomit may have a white and foamy substance on top. This could cause a lot of pet parents to panic, but keep in mind that this is very common. If you want to learn more about this, click here to find out why dogs vomit white foam.

Examine Your Dog

The next thing to do is observe your dog. If your dog vomits once in the middle of the night, goes back to sleep, and seems fine the next day, you likely have nothing to worry about. However, if your dog is exhibiting other symptoms like diarrhea and lethargy, this could indicate something more serious.

That’s why it’s recommended to observe your dog for 24-36 hours after they vomit. That way, you can determine if there are any other symptoms that come along with it.

Conclusion

If you catch your dog vomiting in the middle of the night, don’t panic. While this can sometimes be caused by serious conditions, there are also times when it’s nothing to worry about at all.

What’s important is that you take the proper measures to check on your dog and make sure they aren’t exhibiting other symptoms.

If you notice your dog persistently vomiting and exhibiting other symptoms, schedule an appointment with your vet immediately.