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My puppy dry heaves after eating fast. Is this normal for puppies?

Updated on September 23rd, 2025

Pet's info: Dog | Mixed Breed | Male | neutered | 2 months and 11 days old | 17 lbs

Is it normal for a puppy to dry heave? My puppy acts like he’s going to throw up maybe once every 1-2 days. Only once has he actually thrown up, and there were solid pieces of kibble- so maybe he’s eating too fast? I am a worry wart and just want to make sure it isn’t anything serious. He hasn’t had any diarrhea and acts normal/happy.

1 Answer

Most Helpful Answer

Answered By Destini R. Holloway, DVM

Veterinarian

Published on December 16th, 2017

It isn’t normal for a puppy to dry heave. However it is a good sign that he is still active and eating well. He may be eating too fast and it’s getting stuck in his upper GI tract ( esophagus,stomach). He also may have a motility issue (unable to move his food along at a proper pace). You can try purchasing a maze bowl from your local pet store or online store. Also you can try feeding him canned food instead for a week or two to see if this makes a difference. Feeding him smaller portions more frequently throughout the day may also help. If he is still dry heaving after a week or two of trying these suggestions, then it’s best to have him seen by your vet for a thorough physical exam. The vet may suggest trying him on acid reducer medication and/or promotility medication. I hope this helps and best wishes with your puppy Jasper. Take care.

1Pet Parents found this answer helpful

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