Why Do Dogs Eat Their Vomit: The Moment Bruno Made Me Gag in the Garden

Let me set the scene: it’s a sunny afternoon. I’m planting basil by the back fence, Pixie is lounging on a patio chair like a proper queen, and Bruno—my sweet, drool-prone lab mix—is suspiciously quiet behind the hydrangeas.

Naturally, I go to investigate.

And what do I find? Not only has Bruno tossed up his breakfast, but before I can even reach for the hose—he eats it. Again. Cheerfully. Like he’s just discovered a secret stash of dog treats.

Cue the gag reflex.

So, of course, I did what any dog mom slash amateur pet detective would do: I washed my hands three times after clean up and started researching.

And now I know why dogs eat their vomit—and more importantly, what we can do about it.

Instinct Over “Ick”: Why Dogs Eat Their Vomit

Two instincts probably top all others. One is to avoid gross stuff.

Avoiding gross = staying away from things that can make you sick.

Dogs avoid pottying where they sleep or eat, because they instinctively know this.

But another instinct often competes with disgust. And that's survival. Sometimes, dogs will overcome the gross-out factor because survival is an even stronger motivator.

Now, is a dog eating vomit gross to a dog? That's questionable.

Dogs might not share our squeamishness about this. What we see as disgusting, they often see as just... leftovers. It still smells like food.

And (sorry in advance for saying this, but) it's warm. Their survival instinct is telling them not to waste good food.

Is It Harmful for a Dog to Eat Vomit?

No. If it's their own, it's probably not going to hurt them. Occasional vomiting and eating of that regurgitation is not an automatic sign of a health issue. As I said, it's pretty normal.

But if a sick dog (not your dog) vomited because of parasites, a virus, food poisoning, or a toxin, then it certainly could make your dog sick.

This is a habit to break. So let's look at some top causes we might be able to control.

Possible Causes: From Benign to Concerning

Too Much, Too Fast

If Bruno scarfs his food like he’s competing in a speed-eating contest, he’s more likely to vomit—and then eat it again before anyone notices.

Slower feeding and puzzle bowls can help with that. It's also important for a dog to know their bowl is safe from other dogs. When we adopted Pixie, one of the first things she did was dive into Bruno's dog bowl even though I had just set her own bowl right in front of her.

From what I could tell, this caused Bruno some resentment toward his new sister, and he began to eat faster after that.

Mild Digestive Upset

Some dogs throw up if they’re a little off—maybe from grass, fatty scraps, or stress. If this is occasional and they eat it and seem fine, no need to panic. Still… ew.

Some steps you can take to reduce throwing up in the first place include:

• Helping your dog manage stress more effectively
• Avoiding excessive saturated fat. I opt for grass-fed marrow bones and treats. They are lower in saturated fat and higher in gut-soothing omega-3 fats.
• Don't overfeed with dog treats or human food. Dog treats should be no more than 10% of the diet. And stick with nutritious dog treats that promote dog health, like beef marrow bones for dogs.
• Dietary Deficiencies

Dogs who eat weird stuff (including their own vomit) might be lacking key nutrients. Their body knows this even if they aren't consciously aware of it, causing their survival instinct to rule decision-making.

Supporting dog health through a balanced, protein-rich diet can make a big difference. A quality kibble is nutritionally balanced for a dog. Some dogs aren't getting enough protein and other key nutrients from their dinners.

I add a few beef marrow dog bone chew sessions to the weekly meal plan to ensure they're getting enough. Another easy dog treat to add to their diet is beef lung dog treats. 

Dog Digestive Health Issues

A weak stomach lining can cause everyday foods to become irritating. One of the best things you can do to support the stomach lining is to ensure it's getting enough collagen. The digestive lining is made of this structural protein.

Organ meat is a great source of collagen for dogs.

So, we use beef dog treats for training. These dog treats are single-ingredient snacks with no questionable additives, such as colors, flavors, or sugar.

Pica

For some pups, eating non-food things—or previously-eaten things—is a compulsive habit called pica. It can be tied to boredom or anxiety.

So, addressing these mental health challenges can also reduce the behavior. Dogs need mental stimulation just like the next person.

For a dog, chewing on dog bones is entertainment. It can ease anxious feelings and help them feel content.

Positive reward training can also reduce boredom and anxiety. Not only is the act of learning very enriching for a dog. These science-backed training methods teach dogs human words, enhancing your communication with them. Experts believe dogs can learn around 120 distinct verbal commands.

When you can communicate with your dog, they become less anxious. They "get" you and know what you want. And your dog becomes more manageable at the same time.

Habitual Behavior

Some dogs just learn to eat their vomit from an early age. You can break the habit by teaching them the leave it and drop it command. With leave it, basically, you'll reward them with a dog treat that's a whole lot better than vomit when they ignore the vomit. These commands are useful for so many things.

To learn more about the benefits of positive reward training, be sure to sign up for the 7-Day Dog Training Challenge.

It Could Be Something Serious

If your dog vomits frequently, seems lethargic, refuses food, or you notice blood or foam, call your vet. Better safe than sorry.

Don't try to fix it yourself. They need a professional.

And that about sums it up. You don't have to settle for a vomit-eating dog. While it is a normal behavior, you can take clear steps to reduce their desire to make breakfast into their midday snack.