When vomiting starts after eating fibrous seeds
A 7 kg dog vomiting after eating a handful of coriander seeds is reacting to the physical irritation, not toxicity. The seeds' rough texture and sudden fiber influx stretch the stomach lining, triggering the vomit reflex typically within 30-90 minutes. Smaller dogs like terriers have faster gastric emptying than large breeds, so signs appear sooner than if a 30 kg dog ate the same amount.
Watch for undigested seeds in the vomit — this confirms the stomach is simply clearing the irritant. If vomiting continues beyond four hours or contains bile (yellow foam), the stomach may need veterinary support to settle. Meanwhile, withhold food but offer a tablespoon of water every 20 minutes to prevent dehydration.
Why seed form changes the risk
Whole coriander seeds pose different risks than ground spice or fresh leaves. Their hard shells resist digestion, acting like tiny scrub brushes in the gut. For a 7 kg dog, a handful could mean 50-70 seeds — enough to cause mechanical irritation without blocking the intestines. Ground coriander would distribute more evenly but might cause faster absorption of oils.
Check her gums: pale or tacky gums suggest dehydration from persistent vomiting, while normal pink moist gums indicate her body is handling the irritation. Press a finger gently on her gums — the white spot should return to pink within two seconds if circulation is good.
The next 12 hours with a small terrier
After the first vomit, move her to an easy-to-clean area with water access. Small dogs dehydrate faster than larger ones — a 7 kg terrier losing just 200 ml of fluid from vomiting is equivalent to a 70 kg human losing 2 liters. Offer ice cubes if she won't drink, letting her lick them slowly to prevent gulping.
Expect her to be quieter than usual for 6-8 hours as her stomach settles. Normal behavior would include: seeking water by 4 hours post-vomiting, passing normal stool within 24 hours, and showing interest in food (but wait 12 hours before offering a bland meal). Panting, continued retching, or lethargy beyond this window warrants a vet call.
When to distinguish upset from obstruction
While coriander seeds rarely cause blockages, a handful could clump in a small dog's intestines. Warning signs include: vomiting that starts 6+ hours after eating (suggesting intestinal rather than stomach irritation), distended abdomen, or crying when touched near the ribs. Terriers often hide pain, so watch for reluctance to lie down or unusual stillness.
Save a sample of any further vomit to show the vet — seeds should appear whole, not broken. If she produces diarrhea later, check for whole seeds there too; their presence means they've passed through safely. No bowel movement for 36 hours would be unusual after this amount and warrants examination.
The full verdict, portion guidance and serving notes are collected on the Coriander food facts page.