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Why is my dog throwing up every night at 3 AM? No diet change.

Updated on September 23rd, 2025

Pet's info: Dog | Mixed Breed | Female | spayed

My dog has been throwing up every night around 3 am. No recent changes in diet or daily routine. What's wrong?

4 Answers

Most Helpful Answer

Debi Matlack

Answered By Debi Matlack

Veterinary Technician

Published on January 24th, 2016

Vomiting in dogs has multiple causes and can sometimes be a symptom of a greater underlying condition. In the absence of additional symptoms (lethargy, diarrhea, loss of appetite, abdominal pain), most cases of vomiting can be managed at home with a bland diet fed in small frequent amounts until symptoms resolve. Gradually transition over 5-7 days to the regular diet afterwards. If vomiting persists for 24 hours or more, or if new symptoms develop, a visit to your veterinarian is recommended. That said, what you have described may be a condition known as bilious vomiting syndrome. The exact cause is unknown and it can affect dogs of any breed or age. Too long of a time between meals is thought to contribute to the condition. Bile, which is quite irritating, may enter the empty stomach and can cause vomiting. Pet parents report a foamy, yellow vomit late at night or early in the morning. Since Tickles has been vomiting so frequently, an exam with your veterinarian would be recommended to either confirm bilious vomiting syndrome or to diagnose and treat another cause. Blood work and abdominal x-rays may be suggested after the exam. A bland diet and antacids may be dispensed. Offering a small meal just before bedtime may help as well.
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Related Answers from Veterinarians

  • Answered By Jeffrey Milner

    Veterinarian

    Published on July 13th, 2017

    Vomiting multiple times over the course of three or four days is certainly a cause for concern, since at this point we can't really write it off as some sort of transient nausea episode. Some of the most common causes of vomiting that we see in younger dogs include pancreatitis, gastroenteritis, irritable bowel syndrome, foreign bodies in the GI tract, and several other infectious and inflammatory conditions. If things do not look significantly better within the next 24 hours, I would probably recommend having him checked out by your veterinarian. They may want to obtain some blood work and/or x-rays to help in diagnosing the issue. Hope this helps!

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    1Pet Parents found this answer helpful

  • Answered By Dr. Melanie, BVSc MS

    Veterinarian

    Published on January 21st, 2017

    Poor Hunter! I agree, his behavior was trying to tell you that something was wrong and that he felt unwell. The vomiting could be caused by eating something he wasn't supposed to, which Labs are notorious for doing! Other causes of vomiting in puppies include a GI illness, pancreatitis, and a foreign body. Given that Hunter has only vomited twice in two days, I will give you a home remedy to try before having to take him to the vet. 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.

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    1Pet Parents found this answer helpful

  • Answered By Dr. Massimo Orioles, DVM, Cert AVP, MRCVS

    Veterinarian

    Published on February 6th, 2018

    In puppies these occasional vomiting episodes are not unusual at all and can be related to dietary indiscretion most of the times.
    As a first line approach, I would suggest to start feeding with a bland diet based on boiled chicken and rice in small portion every 6 hours for the following 48hours. Then gradually reintroduce the normal diet over 5 days.

    I would definitively recommend a veterinary check up if the signs persist or you notice diarrhoea, more vomiting, lethargy or inappetence.
    Please do not hesitate to contact us again on the forum or by requesting a consultation if you have any more questions or to discuss it any further.

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    1Pet Parents found this answer helpful

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