By Dial A Vet Veterinary Team
Vomiting and regurgitation can leave the same mess on the floor, yet they come from different parts of the body and point to different problems. Vomiting pushes contents up from the stomach or upper intestine. Regurgitation brings food back up from the oesophagus (the food pipe) before it ever reaches the stomach. Telling your vet which one you saw can shorten the path to the right tests, and with regurgitation there is a hidden risk: food can be breathed into the lungs and cause aspiration pneumonia.
Key takeaways
- Vomiting is active, with heaving of the belly, and often follows nausea signs such as drooling and lip licking.
- Regurgitation is passive. Food or fluid slides out with little or no effort or warning.
- Regurgitated food is often undigested, may be tube-shaped and can be coated in mucus.
- Repeated regurgitation can lead to aspiration pneumonia, weight loss and dehydration.
- Megaoesophagus, oesophageal inflammation, strictures and foreign bodies are common causes of regurgitation.
How to tell them apart
Vomiting
- Warning signs first: restlessness, drooling, lip licking, swallowing, seeking out grass
- Strong contractions of the abdomen and retching
- Contents may be partly digested food, yellow bile or froth
- Can happen at any time after eating
Regurgitation
- Little or no warning, the pet lowers its head and food comes out
- No abdominal heaving
- Undigested food, sometimes in a sausage shape, with mucus or saliva
- Often soon after eating or drinking, though it can be delayed
- Pets may try to eat the material again straight away
Coughing and gagging can confuse the picture too. A dog with canine cough may gag up white froth after a coughing bout, which is neither true vomiting nor regurgitation.
Common causes
Of vomiting
- Dietary indiscretion, sudden diet changes
- Gastroenteritis, intestinal parasites and infections
- Pancreatitis, kidney disease, liver disease and hormonal disorders
- Toxins, including some plants, human foods and medicines
- Intestinal blockages from foreign bodies
- In cats, hairballs, inflammatory bowel disease, hyperthyroidism and food sensitivity
Our guide to vomiting and diarrhoea in dogs covers vomiting in more depth.
Of regurgitation
- Megaoesophagus: a dilated, floppy oesophagus that cannot move food to the stomach. It can be congenital or acquired, for example with myasthenia gravis or hypothyroidism. See megaesophagus in dogs.
- Oesophagitis: inflammation, sometimes after reflux, anaesthesia or swallowing irritants. In cats, some tablets can irritate the oesophagus if they are not followed by food or water.
- Foreign bodies: bones, chews and toys lodged in the oesophagus.
- Strictures: narrowing from scar tissue.
- Vascular ring anomalies: a birth defect in puppies that causes regurgitation once they start solid food.
When to see a vet
Emergency now: repeated unproductive retching with a swollen belly (possible bloat), suspected toxin ingestion, vomiting blood, collapse, severe weakness, struggling to breathe, or a suspected swallowed bone or object. Any cat or dog that is regurgitating and coughing or breathing fast may have aspiration pneumonia.
Same day: vomiting or regurgitation more than two or three times in a day, a pet that is lethargic or not drinking, a young puppy or kitten, an older pet with other illnesses, or vomiting with diarrhoea.
Book a visit: a single episode in a bright pet that then eats and drinks normally can often be watched closely. Repeated episodes over days or weeks, weight loss, or regular regurgitation after meals need a check.
What to do
- Note the timing, what came up, and whether there was heaving. Take a photo if you can.
- A short video of an episode is extremely helpful.
- Keep fresh water available, but ask your vet before withholding food for long periods, especially in puppies, kittens and small breeds.
- Do not give human anti-nausea or reflux medicines.
- Pick up toys, bones and chews if you suspect something is stuck.
How vets diagnose and treat
Your vet will ask detailed questions, then examine your pet. Chest x-rays are often the first test for regurgitation because they can show a dilated oesophagus, a foreign body or aspiration pneumonia. Contrast studies, endoscopy, blood tests and specific tests for conditions such as myasthenia gravis may follow. Vomiting is usually investigated with blood and urine tests, abdominal imaging and faecal testing.
Treatment is directed at the cause. Pets with megaoesophagus are often managed with upright feeding, food consistency changes and treatment of any underlying disease. Foreign bodies may be removed by endoscopy or surgery. Your vet will tailor a plan to your pet.
FAQ
Can a pet both vomit and regurgitate?
Yes. Some conditions, such as severe reflux, can cause both, which is why a video is so useful.
Is regurgitation in cats usually hairballs?
Hairballs are normally vomited, not regurgitated. A cat that regurgitates regularly should be checked.
Why does my dog regurgitate after eating fast?
Gulping food and air can bring food straight back up. A slow-feeder bowl may help, but regular regurgitation should still be checked by a vet.
Talk with a vet
If you are unsure whether your pet vomited or regurgitated, a Dial A Vet consult lets you describe or show the episode and get help deciding what to do next. If your pet is collapsing, struggling to breathe or may have eaten a toxin, see an emergency vet in person straight away.
References
- Merck Veterinary Manual: Megaesophagus in Small Animals
- Merck Veterinary Manual: Diseases of the Esophagus in Small Animals
- Cornell Feline Health Center: Vomiting in Cats
Disclaimer: Educational only. This page does not replace an examination or advice from your own veterinarian. Persistent vomiting or regurgitation needs professional assessment.