dry heaving

Question
my dog is a 2 yr old soft haired wheaton. He dry heaves a few times a week for no reason and sometimes vomits. He is not sick. he has plenty of energy and eats good.besides the dry heaving he's normal. Is this normal?

Answer
Hi Kevin,

Your dog is attempting to vomit.
With or without any food coming up, the indication is the same: he has a stomach ache. If it persists for a week or longer, it suggests the problem is more than just a transient batch of food that disagreed with his system. He may have parasites, an infection, food allergy, gastritis, or other ailment. It's also possible that something is stuck in your dog's throat.

You should feed him mild dog food, such as lamb and rice, or chicken and pasta to see if it clears up after a day or two of being on the bland diet. Do not add any spices or other foods. If he continues to dry heave, then he should be examined by your veterinarian.

Best of luck,

Patti