My new 10-year-old mastiff is dry heaving. What should I do?

Thank you for contacting Petco Pet Education Center, formerly Petcoach with your question about Hoyt. He could be dry heaving because he's nauseous. Feed him a bland diet of boiled white meat chicken (no bones) and white rice in small amounts several times a day for a couple of days. Then slowly add back in his normal diet. If he keeps dry heaving, he vomits the bland diet, develops diarrhea, stops drinking water, starts vomiting water, or becomes very lethargic, he will need to see a vet right away. Best of luck.

It isn’t normal for a puppy to dry heave. However it is a good sign that he is still active and eating well. He may be eating too fast and it’s getting stuck in his upper GI tract ( esophagus,stomach). He also may have a motility issue (unable to move his food along at a proper pace). You can try purchasing a maze bowl from your local pet store or online store. Also you can try feeding him canned food instead for a week or two to see if this makes a difference. Feeding him smaller portions more frequently throughout the day may also help. If he is still dry heaving after a week or two of trying these suggestions, then it’s best to have him seen by your vet for a thorough physical exam. The vet may suggest trying him on acid reducer medication and/or promotility medication. I hope this helps and best wishes with your puppy Jasper. Take care.

Poor Zephyr! I can give a home remedy for him to see if that helps. Withhold food for 12-24 hours, then feed a bland diet of boiled white meat chicken (no bones) and white rice in small amounts several times a day for a couple of days. Then slowly add back in his normal diet. If the vomiting continues in the absence of food, he vomits the bland diet, develops diarrhea, stops drinking water, starts vomiting water, or becomes very lethargic, he will need to see a vet right away.

The peroxide can be very irritating to the esophagus and stomach lining. It is the main reason we do not recommend using it to induce vomiting. You can try withholding food for 12-24 hours, allowing small, frequent amounts of water or unflavored PediaLyte. Resume feeding a soft, bland diet in small, frequent amounts until symptoms resolve. Start with 1 tablespoon of food every hour and gradually increase the amount if there is no dry heaving or vomiting. Feed bland until symptoms resolve then transition slowly to Gene's regular diet. If the dry heaving persists, have him physically examined by your veterinarian.

Poor Maximus. You can try a home remedy for him to see if that helps. Feed him a bland diet of boiled white meat chicken (no bones) and white rice in small amounts several times a day for a couple of days. Then slowly add back in his normal diet. If he refuses to eat the bland diet, he vomits the bland diet, develops diarrhea, stops drinking water, starts vomiting water, or becomes very lethargic, he will need to see a vet right away.

Hello, I am so sorry for your concerns about Louis vomiting. If he is continuing to vomit, or is continuously retching, then yes, he should be seen by his veterinarian. But if he is quiet, then you can rest his stomach for about 12 hours. Then introduce a bland diet of 25% boiled, skinless chicken & 75% boiled white rice. If Louis is hungry, only give him a tablespoon or two every hour or so. Continue this for a day, then transition him back to his regular diet. If he refuses all food, or continues to vomit after eating &/or drinking, please have Louis evaluated. I hope he is feeling better soon. Take care.

It could be Suede has an upset stomach. Withhold food for 12-24 hours, then feed a bland diet of boiled white meat chicken (no bones) and white rice in small amounts several times a day for a couple of days. Then slowly add back in her normal diet. If she vomits the bland diet, develops diarrhea, stops drinking water, starts vomiting water, or becomes very lethargic, she will need to see a vet right away. Best of luck.