Regurgitation versus vomiting

Regurgitation and vomiting are two distinct phenomena, often confused but of different origins, and telling them apart genuinely matters for diagnosis. Regurgitation is a passive expulsion of contents from the oesophagus or pharynx, without abdominal effort or active contractions, and the expelled material is often undigested, sometimes tubular in shape, appearing soon after the meal. Vomiting is an active process, preceded by nausea, drooling and visible abdominal contractions, and it expels contents from the stomach or proximal intestine, often partly digested and sometimes bile-stained (gastroenterology veterinary literature). The distinction points the clinician in different directions: regurgitation suggests oesophageal disorders, whereas vomiting suggests digestive, metabolic or many other causes. Eating too fast can promote regurgitation, which slow-feeder bowls may ease, and repeated episodes of either warrant veterinary advice. A genuinely useful tip: describing precisely what was seen, the timing relative to the meal and the appearance of the expelled material greatly aids diagnosis, so a short video or note can help the clinician. The marker: regurgitation is passive and oesophageal, vomiting is active and gastric, and naming the right one correctly speeds the right investigation, a practical distinction the [Petipedia glossary](/glossary) keeps clear alongside [fecal score](/glossary/fecal-score) and other digestive cues.

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