If the food or water that went into your dog\u2019s mouth has suddenly come back out again, the last thing you probably want to do when you\u2019re cleaning up is carefully inspect it. But it\u2019s important to look at what your dog just expelled to see if it was vomitus or regurgitated material. They have different causes, and the potential diagnosis depends on whether your dog vomited or regurgitated.<\/p>\n
So what\u2019s the difference? Vomiting<\/a> is the forceful ejection of stomach contents and is usually associated with those familiar sounds of heaving and retching before it happens. Regurgitation is the passive emptying of food or fluid from the esophagus (the muscular tube that connects the mouth and stomach) with little or no warning. There\u2019s no retching or abdominal movement with regurgitation, and it typically happens shortly after eating or drinking. Vomit can be different colors, consistency and quantity, but regurgitated material is usually undigested food with possibly some slimy mucus.<\/p>\n Sometimes the answer is as simple as your dog gulped their water too fast or scarfed down their food too quickly. And sometimes the answer isn\u2019t as simple. If your dog regurgitates often, it\u2019s a good idea to have them checked by your veterinarian. Frequent regurgitation could cause aspiration pneumonia, which occurs when regurgitated fluid and food is inhaled into their lungs.<\/p>\n Some dogs have congenital issues with their throat or esophagus, which means they were born with the problem. For others, there could be underlying medical conditions causing the regurgitation that need to be addressed. These may include heartburn<\/a>, a foreign body stuck in their throat or esophagus, an esophageal disease, or megaesophagus.<\/p>\nWhy Do Dogs Regurgitate?<\/h2>\n
What Is Megaesophagus?<\/h2>\n