Pets

Dog with an upset tummy

by Chris Brown
Thursday, February 21, 2008
Every week Dr Chris Brown answers your pet questions — submit your own or browse our archives.

Question

"My fox terrier vomits pretty much on a daily basis and has always done so. She is also quite nervous with car trips and vomits then too. What can I do?"
— Natalie

Answer

Considering just what a dog will delight in calling "dinner", it's not so surprising to see the odd vomit appear. But every day is just too often and certainly no delight for you or your foxie. So what could be happening? Well, nervous dogs and vomiting do tend to go together. That's because being a little frantic around food can have its downsides.

For starters, anxious dogs eat more quickly. Add to that the fact that being nervous slows down the ability of their stomach to digest food and you have a problem; lots of food coming in but nowhere for it to go. So what happens? You guessed it, vomit time!

To get around this with your foxie, try feeding her dinner over four small meals spaced half an hour apart. That gives her stomach a chance to cope with the food and not hit the panic button, therefore avoiding the unsightly post-dinner pile of you-know-what.

Check for other problems: Something as long-standing as this is a worrying issue, so speak to your vet about the variety of medications and tests that might be of benefit to your foxie lady.
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