Seeing your dog vomit or develop diarrhoea can be worrying, but the good news is that these problems are very common and are often mild. In many cases, they happen because a dog has eaten something that doesn’t agree with them, eaten too much, or had a sudden change in diet. This can irritate the stomach and intestines, leading to a condition called gastroenteritis.
Most dogs recover quickly with simple care. However, vomiting and diarrhoea can occasionally be signs of poisoning or a more serious illness, so it’s important to know when to seek veterinary advice.
Always contact your vet if your dog is repeatedly vomiting, has ongoing diarrhoea, seems unwell, or if they are a puppy, an older dog, or have an existing health condition.
Gastroenteritis means inflammation of the stomach and intestines. Dogs with gastroenteritis usually develop vomiting and diarrhoea and may feel uncomfortable or off their food. Thankfully, many cases settle within a few days with the right treatment and care.
A more serious form, called haemorrhagic gastroenteritis, can cause bloody vomit or diarrhoea and needs urgent veterinary attention.
Dogs with an upset stomach may show a combination of the following:
If these signs come on suddenly, worsen, or don’t improve, it’s important to speak to your vet promptly. While rare, severe gastroenteritis can be life-threatening, particularly in young dogs.
There are many possible causes, ranging from minor to serious. These include dietary upsets, infections, parasites, food allergies, stress, and swallowing something they shouldn’t. In some cases, vomiting or diarrhoea can be linked to conditions affecting other organs, such as the pancreas, liver or kidneys.
Your vet will help work out the most likely cause, based on your dog’s symptoms, history and a physical examination.
If your dog vomits once and then seems bright, comfortable and otherwise normal, you may be able to monitor them closely at home. However, you should contact your vet straight away if you notice any of the following:
Trust your instincts, if something doesn’t feel right, it’s always best to seek veterinary advice.
Your vet will usually start with a full examination and ask questions about your dog’s recent diet, behaviour and surroundings. This helps them assess whether your dog may have eaten something unsuitable or been exposed to toxins.
If a more serious condition is suspected, further tests such as blood work, X-rays or scans may be recommended.
Treatment depends on the underlying cause and how unwell your dog is. Many dogs are treated with medication to settle vomiting and diarrhoea, alongside a short period on a bland, easily digestible diet.
Keeping your dog hydrated is vital. Mild cases can often be managed at home, but more severe cases may need fluids, through a drip, to prevent dehydration.
Most dogs start to feel better within a few days. If your dog isn’t improving, or their symptoms worsen, please contact your vet.
If your dog has had a mild bout of vomiting or diarrhoea and seems otherwise well, your vet may suggest supportive care at home, such as:
Never fast puppies, elderly dogs or dogs with other illnesses, unless your vet advises it.
These can look similar but have different causes:
Vomiting requires effort to bring up digested or partially digested stomach contents.
Retching is gagging without producing much vomit. Repeated retching can be a medical emergency.
Regurgitation is the passive bringing up of undigested food, often soon after eating.
If you’re unsure which your dog is experiencing, your vet can help.
What your dog brings up can give useful clues about what’s going on in their stomach and photos are a great help to your vet.
Vomit may contain:
Bile (stomach acid): usually yellow or green in colour and often frothy or foamy.
Food: this may be partially digested or completely undigested and is commonly brown but can vary depending on what your dog has eaten.
Blood: this can appear bright red, dark brown or black. Blood that has been partially digested may look like coffee grounds.
If you notice blood in your dog’s vomit, contact your vet straight away.
Grass: many dogs eat more grass when they feel nauseous, so it’s not unusual to see this in vomit.
