Why Does My Dog Throw Up After Exercise?

Dogs are known for running around, having a good time, and just making the most of their day. Whether it’s playing a game of fetch, swimming in the pool, or going for a walk, there is always something to do for a dog to use up its energy. However, there are times where you are going to feel like something is off. This is when you might ask, why does my dog throw up after exercise?

A dog may throw up after exercise out of exhaustion, heat, and/or eating too fast before exercising. This can cause the food to not settle in the digestive system and eventually get regurgitated.

It’s essential to not go for a play session right after your dog has had a large meal. Instead, you should wait an hour or so for the dog’s meal to digest.

This is critical and it is a mistake many people make leading to questions such as, “Why does my dog throw up after exercise?”

The key factors include:

  • Timing of the Dog’s Meals
  • Type of Dog Food
  • Type of Activity

If it is difficult to not go for a walk or something else after the dog has eaten, it’s essential to not do something strenuous. This is what causes dogs to throw up during exercise. They will not be able to keep it in and that can lead to other health issues you don’t want to deal with!

It is still recommended to speak to a qualified vet to make sure nothing else is going on. Otherwise, reduce the dog’s activity time and make sure they don’t play aggressively right after a meal.

If you want to learn more about the question, “Why does my dog throw up after exercise?” it is best to go through this guide to learn about what causes a dog to vomit after exercising.

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How To Stop Dog From Throwing Up After Exercise

1. Avoid Exercising Right After a Large Meal

When it is time to start exercising, it is in your dog’s best interest to not do so after a large meal. This is a common issue as dogs may want to play and forget they have just consumed dinner.

This is why it is recommended to make sure the dog settles down for a bit before you go out for a walk or to play. This is a must!

Otherwise, your dog isn’t going to be healthy and you will continue asking “Why does my dog throw up after exercise?”

It is essential to pay attention to your dog’s digestive health. This is a must for those who want to make sure things are done the right way.

If you wait an hour or so, the dog is going to be fine and won’t throw up after working out.

why does my dog throw up after exercise

2. Reduce the Portion Sizes

There are situations where you are giving too much dog food per serving.

This means when a dog eats before exercising, they are going to eat too much. When this happens, they will naturally regurgitate the food and vomit.

The goal is to make sure you are controlling how much the dog is eating before exercising.

Cutting the portion sizes is a good way to make sure the dog doesn’t regurgitate its food after exercise, which is common with dry food.

If you cut the portions a bit, this problem is going to stop.

Another solution is to go with wet dog food as this tends to digest faster. The same doesn’t go for dry dog food as it is harder for the body to digest quickly.

why does my dog throw up after exercise

3. Avoid Excessive Activity on Hot Days

What is the temperature outside?

You want to make sure the dog isn’t having to exercise in the heat. This is okay for humans, but becomes quite challenging for a dog unless it is in a swimming pool.

If the dog has to play outdoors for too long, they are going to be panting and likely throwing up after exercise. This is why it is better to prepare for this in advance.

Dogs have thick fur, so heat impacts them significantly, which is why excessive activity is a recipe for disaster when it is sweltering hot outside.

If you avoid excessive activity with your dog on hotter days, they will be better off in the long-term.

This is going to make sure they don’t fall ill and playing isn’t hard for them.

Final Thoughts

“Why does my dog throw up after exercise?”

Some dogs will throw up after exercise because they ate too much and didn’t let it digest. Other dogs may be dealing with heat-related issues on a hot day and end up throwing up out of exhaustion.

Each situation is unique, which is why you have to take a look at the whole picture. It is also a good idea to consult with a vet as well to make sure nothing else is going on.

Here are additional articles to read through on dogs – giving lemon cake to a dog, dogs that don’t want to go outside, safe multivitamin for dogs, and how to keep dogs as calm as possible.