It can be worrying when your dog is throwing up without an apparent cause, but German Shorthaired Pointers can make it look so casual! Even if your GSP seems unbothered by his puking, it’s still best to figure out the cause.
Here are 10 possible reasons why your German Shorthaired Pointer keeps throwing up:
- He ate something indigestible, such as plastic or metal.
- He ate human food.
- Morning bile has upset his stomach.
- He ate grass.
- He has acid reflux.
- He’s suffering from canine bloat.
- He’s stressed.
- He’s suffering from Addison’s disease.
- He’s eating and drinking too much or too fast.
- He has other serious health concerns, such as pancreatitis.
I’ll now explore these causes in more depth and include some recommendations for easing your dog’s discomfort.
1. He Ate Something Indigestible, Such as Plastic or Metal
German Shorthaired Pointers are energetic and inquisitive, so seeing your dog vomit may instinctively lead you to the garbage can to see what weird thing he’s eaten. In some cases, this instinct may prove correct.
If your GSP eats something inedible, such as plastic, metal, or a rock, he will naturally be forced to regurgitate it. Inedible items should be easy to spot within your dog’s vomit, and you should check for them first.
For a regular garbage-eater, you should monitor his access to the areas where he’s retrieving these items and ensure your garbage has an efficient sealing mechanism.
2. He Ate Human Food
It’s okay for your Pointer to indulge in some human food as a treat, but you should ensure that you don’t feed him any human food that’s toxic to dogs.
Feeding your dog anything on the following list will likely lead to digestive issues:
- Citrus fruit
- Chocolate, caffeine, coffee (cacao seed products)
- Coconut
- Avocado
- Overly salty foods, such as salty potato chips or pretzels
- Nuts – especially macadamia nuts
- Milk and dairy
- Grapes and raisins
- Alcohol
- Onions, garlic, scallions, leeks
Dogs are primarily carnivorous, and it’s inadvisable to feed them human food regularly. For a treat, you could try giving your GSP some air-popped corn, boiled chicken, or a small amount of cranberry sauce.
3. Morning Bile Has Upset His Stomach
If your dog regularly vomits bile in the morning, he isn’t alone! A trait common in GSPs, morning bilious vomiting, can happen when your dog waits too long between dinner and breakfast.
Your dog’s gut prepares stomach acid in anticipation of a meal, and when he waits too long, his gut gets irritated and forces him to vomit. Bilious vomiting is typically foamy with a yellow or green color.
Morning bilious vomiting can be fixed by feeding your dog his dinner late in the evening, such as after 9 PM. You could also give him probiotics, strengthening his gastrointestinal system by adding good bacteria to his gut. Amazon has several probiotics. I have never giving my dogs probiotics so I cannot recommend a brand. If you are unsure, reach out to your vet for recommendation.
4. He Ate Grass
If your dog is feeling sick, he might instinctively eat grass to make himself vomit up the irritant in his stomach.
Paradoxically, repeatedly eating grass can make nausea worse in dogs. The rough fibers in the grass will agitate your dog’s digestive system further, leading to a cycle of vomiting, eating grass, then vomiting again.
By then, the original stomach issue might be over, and now it’s just the indigestible plant matter causing sickness.
Prevent your GSP from eating more grass, even if he whines to get into the yard for more, and monitor his situation after the grass is banned.
5. He Has Acid Reflux
GSPs are highly active, which means acid reflux can irritate them more than other breeds. In fact, along with morning bile, acid reflux is one of the most common causes of vomiting in German Shorthaired Pointers.
If your dog is moving a lot, an overproduction of stomach acid can cause vomiting. If you suspect acid reflux is the culprit, you can try giving your Pointer antacids to combat his puking.
Pepcid AC can be given to your dog once or twice daily for two to three days, but don’t exceed 0.5mg (500 μg) per pound (0.45 kg) of your GSP’s body weight. If his stomach hasn’t settled after this period, don’t continue to dose him.
6. He’s Suffering From Canine Bloat
Bloat – or Gastric dilatation/volvulus syndrome (GDV) – is a severe condition that is most likely present in dogs with deep narrow chests, making GSPs susceptible.
The stomach swells with gas and food, compressing veins in the abdomen and making it impossible for gas to escape. Eventually, the stomach can twist, cutting off blood supply to the area.
If your GSP is trying to vomit, but nothing is coming out, check if his stomach is swelling. If he appears to have a gas build-up, immediately take him to your veterinarian. GDV can be fatal within three hours and requires professional treatment.
Familiarizing yourself with the symptoms of bloat can be crucial to recognizing it early and getting your pet treatment before it’s too late.
7. He’s Stressed
Like humans, dogs can throw up as a symptom of stress.
A common source of stress in dogs is separation anxiety, wherein a dog becomes agitated when its owner leaves the house. Your GSP may also get stressed out from loud noises, other animals, or unfamiliar situations.
Anxiety in GSPs will probably also cause destructive behavior alongside vomiting, like chewing furniture or barking incessantly.
8. He’s Suffering From Addison’s Disease
Addison’s disease is also known as hypoadrenocorticism, and GSPs are particularly prone to adrenal insufficiency.
Frequent vomiting is a symptom of Addison’s disease, which a vet must diagnose through blood tests. Vomiting will typically be accompanied by other symptoms, such as tremors, muscle weakness, and diarrhea.
9. He’s Eating and Drinking Too Much or Too Fast
GSPs are very eager dogs, and your pet might be prone to inhaling his meals.
Eating or drinking too much at once or too quickly can cause your dog to throw up. It’s also suspected to increase the chance of bloat.
Try feeding your dog smaller portions or purchase a slow-eating dog bowl to minimize this issue. The Outward Hound Fun Feeder is a great value and will help your dog eat slower.
10. He Has Other Serious Health Concerns, Such as Pancreatitis
Unfortunately, there are various possible reasons why your GSP may be throwing up. Some of these conditions could be very serious and are best diagnosed by a vet using X-rays and other tests. Luckily, these illnesses don’t typically require the same immediate treatment as bloat.
Some illnesses which can cause vomiting in GSPs are pancreatitis, kidney disease, cancer, and liver disease.
Remember, you should always consult a veterinarian if your dog is sick for more than half a week.