Dog vomiting and diarrhea are among the most common reasons pet owners rush to emergency veterinary clinics. These symptoms can range from a minor digestive upset to signs of a life-threatening condition.
Knowing when to worry and when to wait can make all the difference in your dog's recovery. This guide will help you recognize the warning signs that require immediate attention and understand the steps to take when your dog experiences digestive distress.
Top Questions About Dog Vomiting and Diarrhea
When should I take my dog to an emergency clinic for vomiting and diarrhea?
Dog vomiting and diarrhea require emergency care when they happen repeatedly or contain blood. Three or more vomiting episodes in 24 hours or watery, frequent diarrhea can quickly lead to dehydration, especially in puppies and senior dogs. Blood in either vomit or stool always warrants quick veterinary attention.
Other emergency signs include low energy, collapse, pale gums, or a painful, swollen stomach. If your dog shows these symptoms alongside vomiting and diarrhea, call an emergency veterinary clinic right away.
How can I tell if my dog's vomiting and diarrhea are serious?
Mild stomach upset typically involves one or two episodes of vomiting or slightly soft stool with normal energy levels. Your dog will still drink water, respond to you, and show interest in surroundings.
Serious cases involve repeated vomiting, watery diarrhea, or visible discomfort. Your dog may appear unusually tired, refuse water, or show a hunched posture. Young puppies, senior dogs, and those with existing health conditions need veterinary care sooner as they can become dehydrated quickly.
Should I give my dog food or water when they're vomiting and having diarrhea?
Withhold food during active vomiting episodes to avoid triggering more vomiting. Call your veterinarian for specific feeding instructions based on your dog's condition.
For water, offer small amounts (a few tablespoons for small dogs, up to ¼ cup for larger dogs) every hour if your dog can keep it down. Stop if this causes more vomiting and call your veterinarian immediately. Proper hydration is crucial, but forcing water can sometimes worsen symptoms.
Why Dogs Get Vomiting and Diarrhea
Dog vomiting and diarrhea happen when the digestive system becomes irritated or inflamed. Common triggers include eating something inappropriate, sudden food changes, or infections. Stress, medication side effects, and exposure to harmful substances can also upset your dog's stomach.
More serious causes include inflammation of the pancreas, stomach blockages from swallowed objects, or chronic conditions. Some dogs develop food sensitivities that trigger digestive upset when they eat certain ingredients.
Spotting Mild Cases
Mild cases of dog vomiting and diarrhea typically involve infrequent episodes with normal behavior between them. Your dog maintains good energy, continues drinking water, and shows no signs of pain. The vomit contains only food or clear fluid without blood, and diarrhea is soft but not watery.
These mild cases often clear up within 24 hours as the digestive system recovers. However, even seemingly mild symptoms warrant veterinary attention if they last beyond a day, happen in very young puppies or senior dogs, or occur in dogs with existing health conditions.
Recognizing Serious Cases
Serious cases of dog vomiting and diarrhea come with concerning additional symptoms. Repeated vomiting (more than three times in 24 hours) indicates a potentially urgent situation. Diarrhea containing blood signals internal bleeding or severe inflammation.
Other warning signs include extreme low energy, refusal to drink water, stomach pain when touched, or a visibly distended stomach. Weakness, collapse, or pale gums require quick veterinary care. Dogs who have ingested known harmful substances or foreign objects need emergency evaluation even if symptoms appear mild initially.
What To Do
Step 1: Check how serious it is
Watch your dog closely to determine the severity. Count how many times vomiting or diarrhea happens within a few hours. Check if there's blood, unusual color, or foreign material in the vomit or stool.
Note your dog's energy level, willingness to drink water, and any signs of pain like whining or a hunched posture. This information helps both you and your veterinarian understand the urgency.
Step 2: Call a veterinary clinic
Contact a veterinary clinic before heading in, even in emergencies. Describe all symptoms in detail, including when they started and how frequently they're happening.
Ask if they can accommodate emergency cases and what their current wait times are. Some clinics may refer you to a specialized emergency facility depending on your dog's symptoms.
Step 3: Offer small sips of water
Provide small amounts of water to help prevent dehydration. For small dogs, offer one tablespoon every 30 minutes; for larger dogs, offer a few tablespoons. Stop if this triggers more vomiting and call your veterinarian for guidance.
Never force your dog to drink, as this can cause stress and worsen symptoms. Call your veterinarian immediately for further hydration instructions if your dog refuses water entirely.
Step 4: Prepare for the vet visit
Keep your dog comfortable during travel to the veterinary clinic. Line your car seat or carrier with absorbent pads or towels in case of accidents. Bring a small sample of vomit or diarrhea if possible, as this can help with diagnosis.
Bring your dog's medical records and a list of any medications or supplements they take regularly. Stay calm during transport, as your dog can sense your stress.
Potentially Dangerous Conditions
Bloat presents with repeated unsuccessful attempts to vomit, a swollen stomach, and rapid deterioration. This condition requires quick emergency care as it can be fatal within hours if untreated. Large, deep-chested breeds face higher risk, but bloat can affect any dog.
Stomach blockages from swallowed objects cause persistent vomiting, stomach pain, and low energy. Dogs may strain to defecate without producing stool. Puppies and dogs who chew toys or household items are particularly vulnerable.
Parvovirus causes severe bloody diarrhea, vomiting, and extreme low energy, especially in unvaccinated puppies. This highly contagious virus requires immediate care. Inflammation of the pancreas triggers sudden vomiting, diarrhea, and severe stomach pain, often after consuming fatty foods.
Helping Your Pet Before the Vet Visit
Withhold food temporarily
Do not offer food while your dog is actively vomiting. This gives the digestive system time to settle. Call your veterinarian for specific instructions about when to reintroduce food and what type to offer.
Never withhold food for extended periods, especially for puppies or small breeds, without veterinary guidance. Some conditions require special feeding approaches that only a professional can recommend.
Keep your dog calm and comfortable
Keep your dog in a quiet, comfortable space away from other pets and household activity. Excessive movement can worsen nausea and trigger more vomiting or diarrhea. Speak softly and move calmly around your dog to minimize stress.
Provide a comfortable resting area with easy access to the outdoors for bathroom needs. Watch for any changes in symptoms while keeping the environment as peaceful as possible.
We're Here to Help
Our hospitals offer care for dogs experiencing vomiting and diarrhea. Our teams can quickly assess your pet's condition and determine whether the symptoms represent a mild upset or a more serious problem.
For mild symptoms like occasional soft stool or a single vomiting episode with normal energy levels, your primary care veterinarian can provide appropriate care during regular hours. For severe symptoms such as repeated vomiting, bloody diarrhea, or low energy, call our emergency service right away.
Our veterinary teams work closely with your primary veterinarian to ensure coordinated care. If you're not sure, call us — we can talk you through the situation.
Key Takeaways
- Dog vomiting and diarrhea with blood, repeated episodes, or accompanying symptoms like low energy always warrant quick veterinary attention.
- Dehydration can develop rapidly, especially in puppies and senior dogs, and may require professional fluid therapy.
- When in doubt about your dog's symptoms, call a veterinary professional – early care often leads to faster recovery.
The information contained in the article is for informational purposes only and is not intended to take the place of the advice of a veterinarian.
