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My dog threw up plastic. Should I take her to the vet if she's sick?

Updated On September 23rd, 2025

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

My dog has been throwing up intermittently for about 24 hours. She threw up a piece of plastic which I thought was the problem and has vomited once more since. She is acting relatively normal but is definitely more tired. She has had one normal bowel movement during this time. She doesn't want to eat much and isn't drinking as much as I want her to. It has been 12 hours since she vomited. Should I take her into the vet?

2 Answers

Most Helpful Answer

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Answered By Stacey Anstaett, DVM

Veterinarian

Published on June 21st, 2018

If its been 12 hours since she vomited and she's drinking some and able to keep it down, and has eaten even just a bit and kept it down as well, its reasonable to watch her at home through the night and see how she is in the morning. If she is progressively lethargic, if she starts to seem painful, if she starts to "prayer posture" (this is when they stretch their front legs out and bow down with their hips still up-- this is a sign of abdominal pain) if she starts having watery or bloody diarrhea or if she starts vomiting again, take her in. Offer her small amounts of a cooked, plain chicken and white rice. You can also offer ice cubes if she likes those. If she doesn't want to eat in the morning or still seems dumpy, take her in! Thanks for asking Petco Pet Education Center, formerly Petcoach, I hope thats helpful!

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    Answered By Dr. Melanie, BVSc MS

    Veterinarian

    Published on

    Poor Quinn! Given that she has thrown up some plastic, I would be concerned that there may be more in her GI tract leading her to not want to eat, drink, and be lethargic. Because a foreign body has been seen in her vomit, I do think taking her into the vet is best to make sure there isn't more plastic in her system. Definitely take her into a vet today. Best of luck.

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