How To Support Your Pet During a Flare - Vomiting in Dogs & Cats

Flare Tactics: Vomiting in Dogs and Cats

Vomiting is one of the most stressful flare-ups for pet parents to witness, and it’s common to feel overwhelmed or uncertain about what to do next. Here’s a holistic, step-by-step guide to help you confidently support your pet through these moments and advocate for their best care.

1. Pause & Assess

Before jumping in with food, supplements, or medications, the very first thing is to pause. Vomiting is your pet’s body signaling that something is out of balance—this could be a reaction to food, supplements, medications, or even stress. The gut is incredibly sensitive when it’s healing.

• Is this an isolated incident, or has vomiting occurred multiple times in a short period?
• Is your pet still bright, alert, and responsive, or do they seem lethargic and unwell?
• Any other symptoms like diarrhea, blood, or abdominal pain?
• Is there any chance they ate something and have an obstruction?

Red Flag: If your pet is vomiting repeatedly (more than 2-3 times in a few hours), becomes lethargic, is unable to keep water down, or you see blood—please seek veterinary care right away. These are not times to “wait and see.”

Questions to Ask Your Vet During a Vomiting Flare

• Can you help me understand what you think is causing the vomiting? (Is it dietary, infectious, toxin-related, a medication reaction, or a possible obstruction?)
• What diagnostic tests do you recommend and why? (Are bloodwork, x-rays, or an abdominal ultrasound needed? Are there less invasive options we can try first?)
• Do you think my pet needs to stay in the hospital, or is home monitoring appropriate right now?
• Is my pet dehydrated? How can I monitor hydration levels?
• What are the risks if we wait and monitor at home versus starting treatment now?
• If medications are recommended (e.g., anti-nausea, acid reducers, fluids): What are the benefits and possible side effects? How long should I use this medication, and what signs should prompt me to stop or call you?
• Is there a specific diet or type of food you recommend during recovery? When and how should I reintroduce food? Are there foods or treats I should avoid?
• If fluids are given: Are subcutaneous fluids an option, or is IV fluid therapy needed?
• Could supplements or medications I’m currently giving be contributing to the vomiting? Would you like a list of everything my pet is taking? Are there any supplements or medications I should stop temporarily during recovery?
• Are there red flag signs I should watch for at home that would mean I need to return immediately? (e.g., continued vomiting, inability to keep down water, blood, lethargy, pain)
• How will we monitor progress, and when should I schedule a recheck or follow up?

Tip: Always bring a list of your pet’s current supplements, herbs, and medications (with doses and brands) to share with your vet. Most veterinarians are not trained in supplements/herbs, so you may hear warnings that don’t always reflect the evidence or your pet’s unique needs. 

2. Remove All Food and Most Supplements (For Now)

For a single episode or a mild flare, remove all food for at least 12 hours for dogs and 8–12 hours for cats (never fast a kitten, puppy, small breed dog, diabetic, or frail senior). This gives the gut a chance to rest and reset.

Water is important: don’t restrict water unless vomiting continues with water intake, but offer it in small, frequent amounts. You can also offer bone broth and/or coconut water for electrolytes and nutrients (ensure no garlic or onion powder).

3. Gentle, Gut-Soothing Supplements to Consider

Instead of immediately using prescription medications, here are gentle, evidence-informed supplements that can support your pet’s gut lining and calm inflammation during and after a vomiting flare. These supplements are meant to be used short-term to manage symptoms, but are safe if needed long-term. Working with an integrative veterinarian is recommended to repair and restore gut health after the initial flare-up.

• Slippery Elm Bark: Mucilaginous, soothes the GI tract, reduces irritation, nausea, and helps mild diarrhea or vomiting.
  • Dosage: 1/2 teaspoon per 10 pounds of body weight mixed into water/broth/coconut water, 1-3 times daily.
  • Give at least 30 minutes away from medications. 
  • Brands:
    • Vital Nutrients Slippery Elm powder
    • Animal Essentials Slippery Elm tincture (follow dosing on label)
    • NOW Slippery Elm 400mg capsules or powder
    • Mountain Rose Herbs tincture or powder
• Marshmallow Root: Calms and coats inflamed gut lining; particularly helpful with gastritis, mild reflux, or gut sensitivity.
  • Dosage: 1/4 teaspoon powder per 10 pounds of body weight, 1-3 times daily. Or if using a tincture: Give 3-10 drops 2-3 x a day as needed for symptoms.
    • Tea form - brew a cup of tea, remove the tea bag and offer cooled tea water:
      • <25lbs: 1 tsp 3-4 x day
      • 25-50lbs: ⅛ cup 3-4 x day
      • >50lbs: ¼ cup 3-4 x day 
  • Give 1-2 hours away from medications. These herbs can be given directly or mixed with broth/water/coconut water, and their demulcent properties help form a protective layer in the digestive tract. 
  • Brands:
    • Standard Process Marshmallow Root 1:5 Glycetract
    •  Buddha Organic Marshmallow Tea
    • Mountain Rose Herbs Marshmallow Root Extract/Powder/Tea
    • Starwest Botanicals Marshmallow Root Powder
• L-Glutamine: Preferred fuel source for intestinal cells; supports gut lining repair. This is helpful when there are recurring gut health issues to help repair the gut and reduce the burden on the gut lining.
  • General Dosage Guidelines:
    • Cats: Typical range is 125–250 mg once daily.
      • Most cats tolerate 1/8 to 1/4 teaspoon (approximately 125–250 mg) mixed with food. 
    • Dogs: Typical range: 250–500 mg per 25 lbs (11 kg) body weight, given once or twice daily.
      • For small dogs (under 25 lbs): start at 250 mg once daily.
      • For medium dogs (25–50 lbs): 250–500 mg once or twice daily.
      • For large dogs (50–100 lbs): 500–1,000 mg once or twice daily.
  • Mix the L-glutamine powder into bland, easily digestible food after vomiting has stopped and the pet is stable.
    • Start with the lowest dose, especially in sensitive pets.
    • Monitor for tolerance—if any signs of digestive upset occur, discontinue use and consult your veterinarian.
  • Always use pure L-glutamine powder with no added flavors, sweeteners, or fillers.
  •  Brands:
    • Pure Encapsulations L-Glutamine powder 
    • Designs for Health L-Glutamine powder 
    • Thorne L-Glutamine powder
• Deglycyrrhizinated Licorice (DGL): Soothes and repairs the stomach lining. DGL is considered safe for short- to moderate-term use because the glycyrrhizin (the compound that can affect blood pressure/potassium) is removed.
  • Use pet-safe DGL with no added sweeteners, like toxic xylitol (also called birch sugar)
  • Dosage: 
    • Dogs: Standard dose: 100–200 mg per 10 kg (22 lbs) body weight, given twice daily.
      • Small dogs (under 25 lbs): 100–200 mg twice daily
      • Medium dogs (25–50 lbs): 200–400 mg twice daily
      • Large dogs (50–100 lbs): 400–800 mg twice daily
    • Cats: Standard dose: 50–100 mg twice daily

• • Brands: 
    • Vital Nutrients DGL Powder
    • Thorne Vet Gut Health Powder (contains other gut healing herbs and supplements)
      • Follow dosing information on the label
• Aloe Vera (Inner Leaf Only): Anti-inflammatory, supports mucosal healing.
  • Use only a pet-safe, purified inner leaf gel (never whole leaf/aloin which can cause diarrhea).
  • Dosages: 
    • Dogs
      • Small dogs (<25 lbs): 1/2 to 1 teaspoon (2.5–5 mL) once or twice daily
      • Medium dogs (25–50 lbs): 1–2 teaspoons (5–10 mL) once or twice daily
      • Large dogs (>50 lbs): 2–4 teaspoons (10–20 mL) once or twice daily
    • Cats
      • 1/4 to 1/2 teaspoon (1–2.5 mL) once or twice daily
  • Brands:
    • George’s Aloe Vera Juice 
    • Adored Beast Canine/Feline Gut Soothe (contain this and many of the above healing herbs)
    • DGL Plus (also contains DGL, slippery elm, marshmallow root)
      • Dosages: 
        • Dogs
          • Small dogs (<25 lbs): 1/4 capsule 1-2 x day
          • Medium dogs (25–50 lbs): 1/2 capsule 1-2 x day
          • Large dogs (>50 lbs): 1 capsule 1-2 x day
        • Cats
          • 1/4 capsule 1 x day 
• Bone Broth (Unsalted, No Onion/Garlic) and/or Coconut Water: Provides hydration and easy calories as pets begin to recover.
  • Gentle, nourishing, and rich in gut-healing nutrients. 
  • Provides hydration and easy calories as pets begin to recover.
  • Pro tip:
    • Freeze bone broth in ice cube trays for easy single-serve portions—great for rehydration, encouraging appetite, or a gentle treat after GI flare-ups.
  • Brands: 
    • Native Pet Bone Broth
    • Honest Kitchen Bone Broth
    • CARU Beef Broth
    • Open Farm Grass-Fed Bone Broth 
• Chamomile or Ginger Tea (Cooled): Both are anti-nausea, anti-spasmodic, and gentle on the stomach.
  • Brew a cup of tea, remove the tea bag and offer cooled tea water:
    • <25lbs: 1 tsp 3-4 x day
    • 25-50lbs: ⅛ cup 3-4 x day
    • >50lbs: ¼ cup 3-4 x day 
  • Brands: 
    • Buddha Organic Tea 
    • Mountain Rose Herbs (can buy in bulk)
    • Any organic tea option 
• Homeopathics:
  • For chronic health conditions, please work with a practitioner certified in homeopathy. 
  • Nux vomica: great for acute vomiting.
  • Arsenicum album: useful if there is both vomiting and diarrhea.
  • Boiron brand 30C potency: 3–4 pellets by mouth or dissolved in water, 2–3x/day for a few days. Discontinue if no improvement.

Note: Always introduce supplements one at a time and in small doses once your pet is eating again. If you’re unsure, reach out in our community for guidance.

4. Reintroduce Food Slowly

Once vomiting has stopped for 8–12 hours and your pet is acting normally, offer a small amount of a bland, easily digestible food.

• For dogs: Gently cooked turkey or white fish (no skin, fat, or seasonings) with pureed pumpkin or butternut squash. Choose ingredients your pet tolerates if food sensitivities exist.
• For cats: Small amount of plain poached chicken or a bland, balanced wet food. Meat baby food (no onion/garlic—Beechnut is a good option, but always check ingredients). Add B12 (Feline Essentials) for energy support.

Start with 1–2 teaspoons for small pets, 1–2 tablespoons for large dogs. Wait 1–2 hours. If no vomiting, repeat. Gradually increase to normal meals over 24–48 hours.

5. Why Avoid Jumping to Medications?

Medications like omeprazole, cerenia, or metoclopramide can be helpful in acute, severe cases or when prescribed for a clear diagnosis (e.g., chronic reflux, intractable nausea).

But...

Long-term or unnecessary use can suppress the body’s natural healing, alter the microbiome, and cause new problems (decreased nutrient absorption, microbial imbalances, rebound acidity).

Our goal is to support the body’s healing—calming inflammation, allowing the gut lining to recover, and preventing future flares by identifying and addressing the root cause.

6. When to Use Medications

If your pet:

• Is unable to keep water down after 4–6 hours
• Is very uncomfortable or in pain
• Has chronic medical issues where your vet has advised early intervention

—then a prescribed medication may be needed short-term. Always follow with gut-healing support and address the underlying root cause, AND reach out to your regular veterinarian to rule out an abdominal obstruction! Never give cerenia if there’s a risk of obstruction; if you give cerenia and your pet still vomits, seek veterinary care immediately.

7. Look for Patterns & Root Causes

If vomiting is a recurring issue, this is where our Better Gut Health Blueprint process shines—digging deeper to uncover and heal the root cause, rather than just suppressing symptoms.

• Is there a pattern with certain foods, stress, changes in environment, or new supplements or treats?
• Have you completed gut testing (like Innovative Pet Lab (use code NaturalPet25 for a discount), HTMA, or AnimalBiome) to check for deeper imbalances?
• Are there environmental or emotional triggers?
• Has your pet received flea/tick/heartworm products or vaccines recently?

If you're ready to get personalized gut health support with a holistic vet to help your pet truly heal and feel their best again, schedule a free discovery call to learn more about how we partner with pet parents like you to heal at the root cause level. 

8. A Gentle Roadmap (Summary)

• Pause food/supplements
• Hydrate (small sips of water or broth)
• Soothe with gentle supplements (slippery elm, marshmallow root, bone broth, aloe, etc.)
• Once stable, slow reintroduction of bland food
• Track & learn: is this a one-off, or a pattern? Do you see triggers?

Remember: Healing isn’t linear, and flare-ups are not failures—they’re feedback. The more you learn what your pet’s body is telling you, the more confident you’ll feel next time.

Disclaimer: This resource is intended for educational purposes only and does not replace individualized veterinary care. Always consult your veterinarian before making changes to your pet’s health regimen. The content provided herein may not be reproduced, copied, or distributed in any form without the express written permission of Dr. Katie Woodley and The Natural Pet Doctor. Unauthorized sharing or duplication is strictly prohibited. If you wish to apply ideas contained in thenaturalpetdoctor.com, you are taking full responsibility for your actions. Please consult your veterinarian for medical advice for your own pets. Dr. Katie Woodley cannot answer specific questions about your pet’s medical issues or make medical recommendations for your pet without first establishing a veterinarian-client-patient relationship.  Links in the blog are typically affiliate links that let you help support us.