Dogs are interesting animals and will do lots of things that can be fascinating to observe.
In humans, it’s common to try and throw up when something bad has been consumed. It is a natural reflex and one that does work in making sure a poisonous element doesn’t go all the way through the digestive system.
However, can dogs make themselves throw up?
Dogs can make themselves throw up and do this by eating shallow grass. When swallowed whole, grass will induce vomiting in dogs.
For most dogs, the reason they will want to throw up is when they have an upset stomach. Otherwise, they will rely on their strong digestive system to handle what they have consumed and/or their body’s organic ability to throw up if necessary.
If you notice a dog eating shallow grass then it might be dealing with an upset stomach and trying to throw up. It’s their reaction to wanting to get rid of the upset stomach.
This article will look at understanding how a dog will try to throw up on their own.
Table of Contents
Best Probiotic for Dogs (EDITOR’S CHOICE)
- Stomach and Gut Health - These probiotics for dogs can help your dog feel relief from gas, bloating, diarrhea, constipation,...
- Veterinarian Formulated - Our advanced 3-in-1 formula for these dog chews combines a powerful combination of prebiotics,...
- All-Natural Ingredients - These chicken flavored dog probiotic chews are free of corn, dairy, soy, and artificial...
Last update on 2023-09-06 / Affiliate links / Images from Amazon Product Advertising API
Ways A Dog Can Throw Up On Their Own
1. Eating Shallow Grass
The most common way a dog will vomit on its own is by eating shallow grass.
The idea is to find natural grass nearby and try to take huge bites. They will look to eat as much shallow grass as possible within a short timeframe to induce vomiting.
Dogs that vomit will do so because the shallow grass doesn’t respond well with their digestive system. As a result, their body is going to want to expel it out along with the rest of the stomach’s contents.
This is something dogs have naturally learned over the years and it is something that comes naturally to them.
If you ever notice a dog rushing to eat grass then they are likely dealing with digestive issues. There are all sorts of problems a dog could be dealing with in a situation such as this. Some will have stomach pain while others might feel nauseous all the time.
As a dog owner, you should be taking the dog to the vet if you notice this type of behavior.

2. Organic Vomiting
This is another way dogs will try to induce vomiting.
In this case, they are going to look to wait for the body to vomit. This can be done by eating lots of food and/or drinking water as a way to get the digestive system churning.
Once it is active, the digestive system is going to respond to the upset stomach by throwing up. It is important to note, this won’t always happen but it is very similar to how humans respond to an upset stomach.
This is something that does matter for those who want to ensure their dog is healthy.
Vomiting is just the body’s way of removing something that can’t be digested. Dogs eat lots of things they are not supposed to and that is why vomiting can happen from time to time.
It is best to speak to a vet if this happens a lot.

3. Rapidly Consuming Organic Material
The speed at which a dog eats can also help with throwing up.
A dog that throws up is going to try rapidly eating organic material. The goal here is to make sure their body is consuming as much of the organic material as possible within a short period.
By doing this, the body will organically want to get rid of the stomach’s contents.
Of course, dogs will up the ante by trying to eat shallow grass at a rapid pace.
This initiates an immediate response both due to the speed and due to what is being consumed.
Related Questions
1. Can a Dog Make Themselves Throw Up For Attention?
Dogs can throw up for attention depending on how trained they are to elicit a response from you. If pretending to be sick gets them love, treats, and more, they will try to reenact the same behavior again.
2. Why Do Dogs Force Themselves To Throw Up?
Dogs can force themselves to throw up when they have an upset stomach, motion sickness, and/or may have consumed too much food over a short period. It’s a way to reset their digestive system and make sure they can move freely without discomfort.
Final Thoughts
Can dogs make themselves throw up?
Dogs can easily make themselves throw up with the help of shallow grass. Consuming a lot of grass in seconds will make it easier for the body to throw up.
Here’s more on dogs – giving cassava flour to a dog, advice for unclogging a dog’s nose, preparing a dog for a long road trip, and tips for keeping dogs busy in crates.