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Why Does My Dog Throw Up After Drinking Water?
Written By Alex Olsson
Published: 07/22/2017Updated: 10/04/2024
Veterinary reviewed by Michele K.
Why Does My Dog Throw Up After Drinking Water?
As pet parents know all too well, our dogs will throw up — it’s just what they do. Maybe it happens after one too many treats, or after a walk in the park where they found something rogue to nibble on, or even, oddly enough, after simply drinking water.
And there are actually many reasons why your dog may vomit after drinking water. It can be as simple as drinking their water too fast, especially on hot days or after hectic playtime. If this only happens every now and then, there’s most likely no cause for concern.
But, if it’s happening all the time, there’s likely an issue with your dog's health. If your dog throws up clear mucus after drinking water, for example, you might want to call the vet. The sickness could be related to some disease, infection or condition that’s affecting your dog’s health.
Let’s take a closer look at what could be causing this problem for your pup, what it means, and how you can prevent it from happening.
What’s causing your dog to be sick after drinking water?
There are a few different reasons why your pup might be throwing up after hydrating:
- Esophageal dysfunction
- Bacteria from contaminated water
- Parasites
- Gastrointestinal blockage
- Exercise or stress
Esophageal dysfunction
A condition called megaesophagus is a rare condition that affects the esophagus when it fails to contract as it normally would. Due to a weakness in the muscles, water and food can build up in the throat, and as your dog drinks more, it causes a reflex action which ejects anything sitting in the esophagus.
Bacteria from contaminated water
While your dog’s bowl may look clean, if you haven’t washed it for a few days it can become contaminated (especially outdoor water bowls). Additionally, stagnant pools of water, lakes, canals, or puddles can contain contamination from animal or human waste, which contains bacteria including Salmonella, campylobacter and Leptospira and can cause your dog to throw up after drinking.
Another concern is the elevated level of toxic blue-green algae that may be present in these types of waters. So in short, it’s best to keep your dog from sipping random puddles of water on their walks and jumping into canals or lakes, no matter how much they may want to.
Parasites
These nasty species love living around water or may be in feces that have infected the waterway. Protozoans such as Giardia and cryptosporidium in particular can cause sickness. Usually, this particular issue shows up as diarrhea, but your dog may be extra sensitive to these parasites and may even vomit after drinking water.
Gastrointestinal blockage
Is your dog constantly vomiting after drinking, and not eating? This could be a sign of some kind of blockage. When your dog eats objects that cannot be digested, these objects can cause vomiting and stomach upset. Usually, if this is the case, your dog will be looking quite sick, and you may notice them vomiting or dry heaving to try and remove the object.
Brachycephalic Obstructive Airway Syndrome (BOAS) can also cause difficulty breathing due to both compromised airways and gastrointestinal issues. If your dog suffers from this condition, it may be a reason behind their difficulty in keeping water down.
Exercise or stress
After a full day of exploring and running and sniffing and jumping, your pup might have pushed themselves to the limit. Going for a drink directly after that might send them over the edge, and lead them to throw it back up.
Even after bouts of separation anxiety, stress, or fear, their overwhelming feelings might cause them to not be able to handle eating or drinking anything for a while.
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What to do if your dog throws up after drinking water
Depending on what’s caused your pup’s vomiting, there are different things you can try:
Medication and antibiotics
If your dog has esophageal dysfunction, your vet will be able to advise on treatment for your dog. Treatment through drugs and antibiotics are focused on the management of the underlying disease.
Clean water and bland diet
Simpler cases of bacterial infections often respond to a 24-hour withholding of food (with clean water allowed) followed by a bland diet of white meat (ex. fish or chicken) along with boiled white rice. It can take around three days for your dog to return to normal.
It’s always advisable to check with your vet as some bacterial infections are nasty and will need antibacterial medications to clear them up. Leptospira, for example, can result in liver and kidney damage and death.
It’s always advisable to check with your vet as some bacterial infections are nasty and will need antibacterial medications to clear them up. Leptospira, for example, can result in liver and kidney damage and death.
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Immediate vet treatment
Blue-green algae exposure needs immediate vet attention. While classed as a bacterium, they deserve special mention on their own as they produce colonies of blooms on the surface of ponds and pools of water, especially during the hot summer months.
If your dog swims in this type of water, they may either get a few mouthfuls of bloom-infected water or ingest it when he is grooming himself. This algae can produce vomiting, diarrhea, seizures, collapse and death — unfortunately, it’s extremely serious. While there’s no antidote for the toxin produced by the algae, the sooner you can get your dog to the vet for supportive care the better the chance for survival.
Parasitic control
Parasites are one case that definitely needs vet assistance, as your dog will require symptomatic treatment and medications that can speed up their recovery. Most dogs will respond well to prompt treatment, supportive care and a course of antibiotics.
Identify a potential blockage
Blockages of the digestive tract may need some investigation. Is it an external source causing the problem (a stone or toy part), or could it be a diseased tissue such as a growth that needs identifying? Your vet will find the source and treat accordingly.
It’s always better to take your pet to their vet as soon as you can before it develops into a serious, life-threatening condition. Removal of the blockage will be done under anesthesia via surgical means, with supportive care after that.
It’s always better to take your pet to their vet as soon as you can before it develops into a serious, life-threatening condition. Removal of the blockage will be done under anesthesia via surgical means, with supportive care after that.
Help them relax
Luckily, stress or over-exertion is one of the simpler issues to tackle — once your dog settles down and is no longer anxious, they should return to normal. But keep an eye on them and make sure that if it happens again you contact your vet right away.
Preventing your dog from throwing up after drinking water
If this becomes a regular occurrence, here are some things you could try to help your furry friend:
Helping your pup to drink slower can help avoid digestive issues; if your dog gulps their water in massive amounts, try putting ice cubes in their water bowl. If that doesn’t work, consider just giving them small rations of water at a time, but make sure they do get all they need.
How much water should your dog drink per day? Find out to make sure they’re always well-hydrated.
A good rule of thumb is to always discourage your dog from drinking from puddles, ponds, swimming pools (because of the chemicals) and other stagnant sources of water. You never know what kind of bacteria, parasites or poisons that could be lurking there.
When you’re out walking, be sure to take along a bottle of water so that your pup isn’t tempted to drink from other sources. Make sure your dog’s bowl is always clean, and change the water daily.
When you’re out walking, be sure to take along a bottle of water so that your pup isn’t tempted to drink from other sources. Make sure your dog’s bowl is always clean, and change the water daily.
If this is a recurring habit for your dog, it could mean something more serious. To avoid high vet care expenses, secure pet health insurance today — give Wag! Compare a try. Compare top insurance plans and find the right one for you and your dog. The sooner you insure your pet, the more protection you’ll have from unexpected vet costs.
The cost of vomiting after drinking water
Throwing up after drinking water isn’t a great sign and depending on the cause, you might have to loosen the purse strings a bit to cover treatment for your pup.
If they’re drinking too much too quickly, or over-exerting themselves before drinking, then there aren’t any formal costs involved — just a bit of pet management. Other conditions such as megaesophagus, can cost between $500 and $6,000 depending on the severity of the condition (average cost $2500), while gastrointestinal blockages can range from $800 to $5000 with the average cost being $2500.
Bacterial infection treatments range from $250 to $2000 with the average cost being $1,600.
Bacterial infection treatments range from $250 to $2000 with the average cost being $1,600.
Worried about the cost of treating your pet's symptoms?
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Why Does My Dog Throw Up After Drinking Water? Questions and Advice from Veterinary Professionals
Labrador Retriever
Three Years
36 found this helpful
36 found this helpful
My pet has the following symptoms:
Drinking A Lot Of Water And Moping Around
He keeps drinking water walks away and streets drinking more. He went outside and hid and threw up a little bit
March 6, 2021
Answered by Dr. Sara O. DVM
36 Recommendations
Hello, some dogs will drink a lot of water and then vomit shortly after from just drinking too fast. She could also have GI issues and would need to see your vet for prescription nausea medication such as cerenia. For dogs that are vomiting, you can also try chicken and rice to help calm her stomach.
March 6, 2021
Was this question and answer helpful?
Siberian Husky
Three Years
18 found this helpful
18 found this helpful
My pet has the following symptoms:
Vomiting
Mix breed possibly with Mara-mar. Having bowel and bladder incontinence episodes after being outside and going each time several times throughout the day. Unusually soft stool but doesn’t look any different than what’s normally been passed before. Drinks quite a bit of water but lately has been unable to keep most if not all of it from coming back up. He’s very athletic and outgoing but I haven’t been able to get any weight on him he’s practically all skin and bones in his back area.
Feb. 24, 2021
Answered by Dr. Linda S. MVB MRCVS
18 Recommendations
I'm sorry to hear this.
These signs are very concerning and could have multiple causes including a neurological disease, infection, kidney failure etc.
A vet visit is important to check him over and run some tests such as a blood and urine test.
We can then start the most appropriate treatment.
Feb. 24, 2021
Was this question and answer helpful?
lab mix
thirteen years
22 found this helpful
22 found this helpful
My pet has the following symptoms:
Vomiting
Dog wakes up, drinks a lot of water and then throws up. Had a spleenectomy in November to remove a mass but all her bloodwork has been normal since, checking every few weeks.
Feb. 20, 2021
Answered by Dr. Linda S. MVB MRCVS
22 Recommendations
I'm sorry to hear this.
Excessive thirst could indicate an underlying issue such as kidney disease, liver disease or a cystitis. Sometimes, dogs will drink so much that they bring it right back up.
It is also possible that the vomiting is not caused by the excessive thirst and is due to e.g. a gastroenteritis or infection.
Sadly, given the history of a splenic mass, there is a chance that there is a cancer and this sint always detectable on blood tests.
A vet check is best and it may be worth performing xrays and an abdominal scan.
Feb. 20, 2021
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Husky mix
Eight Years
6 found this helpful
6 found this helpful
My pet has the following symptoms:
Bloating
My fiancé and I started getting sick from a hotel we were staying at. We thought it was food poisoning until my nursing instincts realized it was from the water. I noticed my dog started feeling the same. She doesn’t go anywhere (since she’s obese), so it had to be from the food or water. She has the same symptoms as we did. The difference is, as a husky, she’s so vocal about it and doesn’t let me sleep much. I don’t know if I’m not being diligent enough or she’s really in worse pain than I was. Help please!!!!
Aug. 4, 2020
Answered by Jessica N. DVM
6 Recommendations
Hello-
Thank you for your question. I do think it would be a good idea to have her seen by your veterinarian today. Unfortunately pepto is not very effective in dogs. Your vet can prescribe medications to help with the GI upset as well as something for her pain and a bland GI diet to help her heal. I would also recommend having a stool sample checked to rule out a parasite such as giardia causing the GI upset. I hope you all feel better soon.
Aug. 4, 2020
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shepherd pit bull mix
3 months
7 found this helpful
7 found this helpful
My pet has the following symptoms:
Throwing Up And Not As Active
My puppy started throwing up clear liquid after drinking water. If he eats his food after drinking water or before then food comes up as well but the liquid is still clear. He is also very mopey and lazy but will dang sure raise his head up or a piece of chicken. I have reduced his water intake by giving him water from a syringe instead of letting him gulp down from his bowl. This has slowed down his vomiting tremendously but he is still mopey and lethargic.
July 29, 2020
Answered by Dr. Michele K. DVM
7 Recommendations
Thank you for your question. That is definitely not normal behavior for a puppy, and that would concern me. But these can be affected by parasites, infectious diseases like parvo virus, or intestinal infections. It would probably be a good idea to have your puppy examined by a veterinarian. They would be able to look at him, see what might be going on, and let you know what options for treatment there are. I hope that your puppy is okay.
July 29, 2020
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Blue Heeler
Zypp
11 Weeks
0 found this helpful
0 found this helpful
My pet has the following symptoms:
Diarrhea
Vomiting
Not Eating
Drinking But Throwing It Up Later.
I honestly dont know whats wrong with my pup.. Because he was fine all day and then after dinner he started getting sick. He drinks water but throws it up an hour or so later and has diarrhea. And refusing food.. Hes had his 1st set of shots. Someone please help!
Husky
Akira
9 Months
0 found this helpful
0 found this helpful
My pet has the following symptoms:
Lethargy
Weakness
Vomiting
Won'T Eat
My puppy is usually full of energy and eats and drinks like there's no tomorrow...today, all day, shewo t touch food, even her favorite doggie bones, and when she drinks, she throws up a few minutes later. She's really beginning to worry me...she's still slightly playful, but nothing like usual. What should I do???
Staffordshire Bull Terrier
Buster
6 Years
1 found this helpful
1 found this helpful
My pet has the following symptoms:
Vomits After Drinking Water
My staff vomits after drinking water, he can eat food in morning then later in day gulp water and he would vomit which would b undigested food. This is happening daily his happy within himself. I did take him to vets cost £700 x-ray medication and no further forward, his stools are fine and his regular. Any advise much appreciated
Thanks
Mix
Luna
5 Years
1 found this helpful
1 found this helpful
My pet has the following symptoms:
Regurgitation
My 5-year-old St. Berdoodle just started regurgitating her food right after eating. After trying to rule things out, I have noticed that it seems related to her drinking water right after eating. For example, I just fed her, she drank and immediately regurgitated. Then, I fed her again—she’s hungry—but I take away the water and the food stays down. However, she has always drank water after eating so... why would the regurgitation start now?
Rottweiler/Pitbull
Cheyenne
5 Months
0 found this helpful
0 found this helpful
My pet has the following symptoms:
Vomiting
We have a 4 month old Rottweiler/ Pitbull female. Cheyenne, yesterday she stopped eating and when she drinks water she throws up. She is lethargic shows no interest in food what so ever. No diarrhea. No bloody stools.
