What to Feed Dogs after They’ve Vomited – Simple Recovery Tips

Seeing your dog vomit or feel unwell can be a heart-wrenching experience. As pet parents, we often find ourselves unsure about what to do next, and the conflicting tips on the internet don’t make it any easier. Should you feed your dog if they’ve vomited? Should you offer something light or bland or just stick to a liquid diet?

Vomiting in dogs can happen for many reasons — from simple stomach upset to life-threatening conditions like poisoning. No matter the cause, it’s important to know when to feed your dog, what foods are safe, and when it’s time to head to the vet’s clinic.

In this blog, we’ll go over the most important steps to take after a dog vomits and the best dog foods to feed them to help them recover quickly and safely.

Should You Feed Your Dog if They’ve Vomited?

No, you should not feed a dog immediately if they’ve vomited. We understand it is easy to give in to those puppy eyes, and you may want to try to comfort them with their favourite food, but your dog’s stomach needs time to settle. Offering food to your dog or trying home treatments in such situations can be dangerous and may trigger more vomiting.

Whether it is an emergency situation or not, your dog’s tummy needs rest for a certain period of time to recover, depending on their size, before they start eating again. But this too shall eventuate only in the mild cases of vomiting. If the cause is serious, you should see your vet immediately.  

When to Start Feeding a Dog after Vomiting?

If your dog has vomited once or twice but seems otherwise normal, then probably (at least it is safe to say so in most cases) it is a mild stomach upset, perhaps from eating something unusual. In a mild or acute case of vomiting, you don’t need to rush to the vet—rather, you can simply stop feeding them for some time.

Depending on the size/age of your dog, you can offer them food within 4-12 hours of vomiting.

• For Puppies & Smaller Dogs: After 4-6 hours
• For Adult & Larger Dogs: After 12 hours

Even in the mild cases of vomiting, you must not deprive your dog of food if your dog is diabetic or has a medical condition (kidney failure or pancreatic tumours) or is at risk of hypoglycemia.

If your dog’s vomiting is a one-and-done kind of situation, monitoring your dog’s energy, appetite, and behaviour is just enough to ensure nothing else is concerning. Always trust your instincts, and always err on the side of caution if unsure.

How to Tell if Your Dog’s Vomiting is an Emergency? 

Your dog needs an emergency veterinary clinic visit if they have thrown up and any of the following are applicable:

• Your dog is very young or old
• Your dog is chronically ill
• Your dog has vomited more than thrice in a day
• Your dog’s vomit has blood
• Your dog is unable to breathe properly
• Your dog has vomiting with diarrhea
• Your dog is refusing to drink water
• Your dog has ingested toxins, medicines, or harmful substances
• Your dog is throwing up undigested food frequently
• Your dog is trying but is unable to throw up

If your dog’s vomiting needs medical attention, rapid evaluation and timely action are critical for preventing life-threatening conditions.  

What to Feed Your Dog After Vomiting?

So your dog’s vomiting stemmed from acute causes, and you have withheld food for an appropriate fasting period. Now what? You can gradually begin introducing a bland diet to help your dog’s stomach recover. The goal is to choose easily digestible foods that are gentle on their stomach and intestines.

Here are some of the best bland foods for dogs after vomiting:

• Boiled Chicken: Chicken breast (without skin or bones) is one of the most recommended foods after a dog vomits. Chicken is lean and provides protein without being too rich for the stomach. Simply boil the chicken (without seasoning) and serve at room temperature.
• Cooked Rice: Plain, white rice is highly digestible, which makes it a great food option for dogs that have vomited recently. Rice contains low amounts of protein and fat and therefore is easier on the gut.
• Boiled Potatoes: If you don’t have rice on hand, boiled and mashed potatoes (without butter or seasoning) can also be a good option. They’re easy on the stomach and can provide some much-needed energy.
• Plain Yoghurt: Some dogs tolerate small amounts of dairy after vomiting. Low-fat, plain yoghurt (without added sugar or artificial sweeteners) can be a gentle addition to their diet. It provides a good source of protein and beneficial probiotics to aid digestion.

Although homemade food options do not offer complete and balanced nutrition, they are lighter on the stomach and can be given for 2-3 days until your dog recovers well.

Alternatively, if you are unable to feed homemade food to your dog for any reason, you can consider readymade options like Hill’s Science Diet Adult Sensitive Stomach & Sensitive Skin Wet Dog Food or Advance Sensitive Skin & Digestion Chicken Dog Food.

After about 24 to 48 hours, once your dog has tolerated the bland food, you can start mixing their regular dog food back in. Start with offering a small amount of their regular dog food, and monitor for any signs of gastrointestinal upset. Slowly increase the proportion of their regular dog food over the next few days until they’re back on their usual diet.

Recovery Tips for Dogs after Vomiting

Hydration:

• Make sure to provide fresh water to keep your dog hydrated. Dehydration is a serious risk after vomiting, so it’s essential to ensure proper hydration.
• If your dog tends to tank, fill the water bowl to a low level and refill at regular intervals to encourage them to drink small amounts frequently.
• If your dog is not drinking water, offer ice chips, ice cubes, or low-sodium chicken broth to boost fluid intake.

Feeding:

• Always prefer wet dog food over dry food, as wet foods are generally more digestible and the water content will help you keep the dog hydrated.
• Do not start with a full meal after their fasting period. Offer 25% of their normal meal size, and if the dog does not vomit again, increase the amount gradually in the next meal.
• Avoid fatty, greasy, spicy, or heavily seasoned foods. These can irritate your dog’s stomach, making the problem worse.
• Avoid giving your dog any human food that is toxic to pets, such as chocolate, grapes, onions, or garlic.

Prevention & care:

• Always keep an eye on your pet while they’re playing to ensure that they don’t swallow any objects or pieces that could cause blockages.
• Do not allow your dog to eat table scraps at the dinner table, as certain food items can delay your dog’s recovery or worsen their condition.
• Consider offering probiotic supplements to restore the balance of good bacteria in their gut. These can help bring your dog’s digestive system back on track faster.

Final Note

We know that dealing with dog vomiting is stressful and can make you worry about your dog’s health. But with patience, hydration, and a gentle diet, most dogs recover quickly from mild vomiting. Always monitor your dog’s behaviour, and if vomiting persists or worsens, contact your vet immediately. Strictly avoid home remedies unless advised by a professional, and remember that your vet is always the best resource for safe, personalised care.