Why your puppy is vomiting without diarrhoea
Curious puppies love to taste-test everything, but sometimes they eat things they shouldn't. Objects can cause blockages in the gastrointestinal tract, which might mean a trip to the vet.
Causes of vomiting without diarrhoea in puppies
A common reason for your puppy vomiting without diarrhoea is that they’ve swallowed something that their body is trying to expel. This is the body's way of signalling that the object shouldn't travel further down the intestinal tract, and often explains the vomiting.
Depending on what's in the vomit, you might get a clue as to why your puppy is being sick – for example, if a large piece of chew or another object is present. However, sometimes puppies vomit bile only. This is a yellow liquid with no food or other recognisable items. This can mean your puppy needs food and is vomiting because their stomach is empty, which isn't ideal for puppies. But there's another reason your puppy might be vomiting without diarrhoea: they could have developed a severe case of gastritis, requiring supportive treatment from a vet.
Some common items that can cause digestive tract blockages:
Socks, gloves, or other clothing
Dog toys, especially if parts are chewed off
Corn on the cob
Chestnuts
Strings or cords
Plastic items
Foam rubber
Earplugs
Tampons or bandages
How to prevent your puppy from eating inappropriate items:
Always supervise your puppy closely, both indoors and outdoors.
Puppy-proof your home by removing anything that could be dangerous for your puppy to ingest. Find out more about puppy-proofing your home
If you can't supervise your puppy constantly, confine them to a safe area with appropriate chew toys and nothing dangerous.
When to contact the vet
It's vital to take vomiting in your puppy seriously. Puppies that can't keep food or water down are at risk of becoming dehydrated very quickly. If your puppy is vomiting frequently, or you suspect they’ve ingested something that could cause an intestinal blockage, contact a vet immediately for help.
