YIKES! MY DOG IS VOMITING

This article exclusively written for Carnivora™ by Brenda Hagel

Pet food is one of the more common returns at pet stores, with pet parents citing that it made their dog vomit. Why would a dog vomit when eating a new food? There are several reasons this might happen and it’s not likely there’s anything wrong with the food itself. Let’s take a look.

Wild vs Urban

In the wild, canines (think wolves, coyotes, foxes) vomit for a few reasons. Adult canines may regurgitate food to feed their young pups. This is a perfectly normal introduction to a more solid food. They may vomit if they eat something that disagrees with their stomach or is difficult to digest such as large bones or other indigestible materials in the prey diet. This is perfectly normal. Vomiting can also serve as a method to expel harmful toxic substances from their bodies. Makes sense right?  These behaviours are part of natural survival strategies that contribute to the health of an individual animal. Wild canines consume a wide variety of species-appropriate foods; mostly prey items like stolen eggs from nests and some seasonal vegetation. They consume dirt while eating off the ground and they sometimes eat the feces of prey animals. They cache meat, which when consumed at a later time will contain any number of bacterial stuff.  They also fast according to what foods are available to them. Wild, rural, and city dogs evolved as scavengers and throughout history have not only survived but multiplied eating human trash!

On the other hand, the majority of dogs today tend to eat a limited diet from a sterile bowl. Most pets eat the same food every day. Some pets get a small amount of human food, or perhaps a “topper” added to the food. Then, out of nowhere, an entirely new type of food or protein source might be fed. The new food might be higher in fat than usual. A different vegetable (or vegetables) might be introduced. A commercially prepared food might contain any number of supplemental ingredients never before fed.

The stomachs of dogs that are not accustomed to a diverse range of foods might have something to complain about when offered a new food as compared to their wild counterparts!

Of course, there are “those dogs” that eat too fast and regurgitate their meal only to promptly, (much to your disgust,) re-eat it just as fast. Some dogs suffer from reflux and an empty stomach can cause havoc at feeding time resulting in vomiting. Rarely, a dog may be intolerant or even allergic to one or more ingredients in the new diet, leading to vomiting as the body reacts. Sometimes, the issue isn't the new food itself but the quantity being fed. Overfeeding, especially with a new food could lead to vomiting. And what about feeding frozen food frozen? It’s always best to serve at room temperature creating easier digestion.

However, the most common reason a dog will vomit when a new food is introduced or there is a sudden change in diet is due to disruption of the gut flora (microbiome), leading to digestive upset. Think about the wild canines, the scavenger, and their diverse diet vs the urban dog. But let’s discuss what the microbiome is first.

The Microbiome

The microbiome refers to the vast community of microorganisms, including bacteria, fungi, viruses, and other microbes, that live on and inside the body. These microorganisms are primarily found in places like the gut, skin, and mouth. The gut microbiome, which is the most studied, plays a crucial role in digesting food, protecting against pathogens, and regulating the immune system. Research has shown that the balance and diversity of these microbial communities are vital for overall health, influencing everything from metabolism to mental well-being.

Your dog’s microbiome is unique, similar to a fingerprint. Several factors contribute to this uniqueness:

1. Genetics: An individual’s genetic makeup can influence which microbes are more likely to thrive in their body.
2. Birth: The method of birth (vaginal delivery versus cesarean section) affects the initial types of microbes that colonize the newborn’s body.
3. Diet: What a dog eats significantly shapes their microbiome. Different foods or diets promote the growth of different types of microbes.
4. Environment: Exposure to various environments throughout life, including interactions with other people and animals, impacts microbial diversity.
5. Health and Disease: Certain health conditions and medications can alter the microbiome in ways that are sometimes specific to the individual’s health scenario.
6. Age: The microbiome evolves as an animal ages, influenced by changes in diet, lifestyle, and physiology over time.

These factors result in a microbiome that is highly personalized and dynamic, changing in response to shifts in lifestyle, environment, health status, and age.

How does changing my dog's diet affect the Microbiome?

Changing your dog's diet can significantly affect its gut microbiome creating havoc or no change at all! It all depends on the dog as an individual! The dog that never eats a variety of different foods in its diet, that is never exposed to dirt or other animals poop, and that lives in what they feel is a stressful environment is more likely to react to dietary changes, as the microbiome has not been exposed to such diversity. When a new substance or food is introduced, the microbiome change can potentially create a negative response in the gut.

While diet change is a cause of vomiting, it's also possible that your dog has an underlying health issue unrelated to the diet change. If the vomiting persists or is accompanied by other symptoms (like lethargy, diarrhea, or loss of appetite), it's important to consult a veterinarian. To minimize the risk of vomiting and other digestive issues when changing your dog's diet, make the transition gradually over a period of 7-10 days, slowly increasing the proportion of a new food while decreasing amounts of the currently fed food. This gradual change allows your dog's digestive system and microbiome to adjust without causing upset. If problems persist, consult your veterinarian for advice, as they can help identify any specific sensitivities or health concerns that may need to be addressed.

Copyright^© Brenda Hagel