
Jump to section
Throughout a dog’s life, he will have occasional bouts of vomiting and diarrhea. Sporadic vomiting and diarrhea is typically nothing to be concerned about, and sometimes foods may not agree with your dog’s system and cause them to have an upset stomach. However, if a dog is vomiting and has diarrhea (or has one or the other) often and for extended periods of time, this could point to a more serious condition which needs to be looked at by a veterinarian.
A dog can have vomiting without the diarrhea, and vice versa. Knowing what your dog is eating and giving him a healthy lifestyle will keep you more aware of why he may be vomiting or having runny stools. If your dog is vomiting and has diarrhea, or one or the other, and you are concerned that he may have eaten something he should not have or is having other symptoms, do not hesitate to contact your veterinarian.
Many situations can cause a dog to have vomiting, diarrhea, or both simultaneously. Reasons your dog may be ill include:
There are several different reasons why your dog may be having an upset stomach. Several of the reasons are less worrisome than others, as they not a sign of an underlying health condition. A few reasons, however, can show signs of an underlying health condition, especially if your dog is having the vomiting and diarrhea for more than a day or has other symptoms. If you are unsure of as to why your dog is having an upset stomach, it is always safest to call your veterinarian.
Reasons as to why this illness can occur include:
Reaction to Certain Foods
If your dog is on a diet that just does not agree with him, he could suffer from an upset stomach more often than not. If your dog has a bacteria imbalance in his gut, this can make him ill.
Stress and Anxiety
Just like people, when dogs become very stressed or anxious, they can get an upset stomach. Stressful situations in the home or punishing your dog in an ineffective manner can make him stressed, and he can have stomach issues from the anxiety.
Toxic Substances
The ingestion of toxic substances can poison your dog. Vomiting and diarrhea are often the first signs of poisoning, and are sometimes accompanied by bloody stools or even blood in the vomit.
Viruses
Your dog may vomit or have diarrhea caused by a viral infection in his intestines, such as rotavirus or coronavirus. Annual wellness checks and vaccines are two ways to prevent the infection caused by many viruses.
Parasites
Parasites that invade your dog’s intestines can cause your dog to vomit and have diarrhea. Whipworms, roundworms, tapeworms, and other parasites can cause your dog to have many symptoms, including a very upset gastrointestinal system.
Organ Failure
Liver or kidney failure can occur in older dogs or with dogs that have liver disease or kidney disease. One symptom of these diseases is concurrent diarrhea and vomiting. Other serious issues with your dog’s glandular or organ systems, such as pancreatic abnormalities or diabetes may be characterized with the symptoms of vomiting or diarrhea.
Inflammatory Bowel Disease
If there is an inflammation in your dog’s stomach or upper intestine, it can lead to a highly-inflamed colon. Diarrhea with this condition may contain blood and mucus as well.
Intestinal Obstruction
If your dog has a twisted bowel or other intestinal obstruction, he may vomit and have runny diarrhea leaking from him. This is a serious condition and must be attended to by a veterinarian as soon as possible.
Top
If you notice that your dog has started with symptoms of an upset stomach, remove all food and water to allow his gastrointestinal tract to calm down. If he continues to eat or drink, he will continue to vomit or have diarrhea. It is important, however, to give your dog very small amounts of water to prevent dehydration. You may choose to monitor the situation on your own for 24 hours to see if your pet’s stomach settles down. If you see other symptoms, such as blood in the stool or vomit, or any other alarming symptoms, such as your dog vomiting consistently over a short time, contact your veterinarian immediately.
After 24 hours, you may begin to reintroduce very bland food into his diet, as well as water. You may want to boil chicken and give him a little chicken with rice, but only give him a little at a time. Be sure he drinks water as well. Continue to monitor him to see if he continues to throw up or have diarrhea. If this is the case, you should call your veterinarian.
Once you arrive at the veterinarian, he will perform a complete examination on your dog. He will ask you questions about his symptoms, such as when the vomiting and diarrhea began, how long it has lasted and the frequency of each.
Your veterinarian will examine the stomach by palpating it to check for bloat and to check your dog’s gastrointestinal organs. He may then choose to take blood work, a urinalysis, and a biochemistry profile to take a closer look at what is going on in his body. Once those tests come back, they will guide him as to whether additional laboratory work is required. These tests may include radiography or an ultrasound of your canine’s abdominal area. The veterinarian may also use an endoscope to take a look at the esophagus and stomach. Your veterinarian will know which tests to perform in order to come to a definitive diagnosis as to what is causing your dog to be ill.
Top
There are several things you can do to prevent your dog from having diarrhea or bouts of vomiting. Monitoring his diet and making sure he only eats dog food, rather than human food, can help prevent an upset stomach. When he goes outside, monitoring him to be sure he does not eat anything foreign can also prevent an upset stomach.
Keeping up-to-date with his flea and tick prevention and also keeping him out of harsh environments, such as areas that are heavily soiled and away from murky water can prevent parasites from infesting your dog. Also, making sure you take your dog to the veterinarian on a regular basis for checkups can keep parasites and other infections at bay. Your veterinarian will routinely check for abnormalities in your dog if need be, and, if anything, can diagnose situations early before they cause your dog any sickness.
Making sure your dog lives in a healthy and safe environment, free from toxic substances within his reach, such as rodent killer or antifreeze, is another way to prevent your dog from vomiting and having diarrhea due to a toxic substance that has been ingested.
Top
If your dog has been diagnosed with inflammatory bowel disease, it may cost approximately $2800. Other illnesses, such as parasite infestation can cost approximately $300. The treatment of poisoning from antifreeze can cost approximately $3000, and Rotavirus treatment may cost $850.
Top
*Wag! may collect a share of sales or other compensation from the links on this page. Items are sold by the retailer, not Wag!.
Ask a Vet
French Bulldog
Five Months
Unknown severity
1 found helpful
Unknown severity
Has Symptoms
my puppy has been having consistent Diarrhea for about 3 week and some vomiting then and there we took him to the vet and they said he had virus in his small intestine which is contagious they gave him medication foe 5 days . his been on his medication for 3 days now but i see no change and now he doesn’t want to eat him food
Feb. 4, 2021
Owner
Dr. Sara O. DVM
1 Recommendations
Hello, he may need to be on a different medication or for a longer time. I would recommend that you take him back to the vet for a recheck. YOu can also give him a probiotic to help with the diarrhea. Many times antibiotics will kill the bad bacteria as well as the good bacteria in your dog's intestines. Also, consider feeding him a bland diet of boiled chicken and rice until his stool returns to normal.
Feb. 5, 2021
Was this experience helpful?
German Shepherd
One Year
Unknown severity
16 found helpful
Unknown severity
Has Symptoms
Yesterday my 21 month old male GSD had one normal bowel movement then diarrhea then two normal. Then today he had diarrhea and vomited once. My dog has never been sick before and is up on all his shots.
Dec. 29, 2020
Owner
Dr. Linda S. MVB MRCVS
16 Recommendations
I'm sorry to hear this. Vomiting and diarrhoea can have a wide range of causes including parasites, a viral infection, a bacterial infection, toxin ingestion, a gut obstruction, a new food allergy or sensitivity, pancreatitis etc. The main thing is that he remains alert and active, has a good appetite and has wet and pink gums with no abdominal bloating. Ensure his parasite prevention is up to date and consider providing a probiotic. I would feed a bland diet of chicken and rice for 1-2 days and then gradually re introduce his regular diet if he settles. If signs continue, a vet check is best.
Dec. 29, 2020
Was this experience helpful?
king charles spanial
Eight Years
Unknown severity
4 found helpful
Unknown severity
Has Symptoms
My dog has had nausea off and on since Thanksgiving. He now started throwing up and has diarrhea. He is drinking water and acting normal. I think he may have reflux as well.
Dec. 25, 2020
Owner
Dr. Sara O. DVM
4 Recommendations
Hello so sorry to hear about your dog. If he is vomiting and having diarrhea I would recommend you take him to the vet. You can try Imodium for the diarrhea you can also give Prilosec while waiting for an apointment.
Dec. 25, 2020
Was this experience helpful?
Maltipoo
Twelve Weeks
Unknown severity
6 found helpful
Unknown severity
Has Symptoms
He is vomiting all his food and having diharrea
Dec. 15, 2020
Owner
Dr. Linda S. MVB MRCVS
6 Recommendations
I'm sorry to hear this. In a young puppy we worry about dehydration and low blood sugar if they are vomiting and/or having a lot of diarrhoea. This is especially true if they are not eating or drinking. Red flags include lethargy or dry gums. It is best to have your little one seen by a vet. There are many causes for his symptoms including parasites, infection, a gut obstruction etc.
Dec. 15, 2020
Was this experience helpful?
golden rretreiver
Two Years
Unknown severity
8 found helpful
Unknown severity
Has Symptoms
Has had runny diarrhea since last night got sick once today
Dec. 5, 2020
Owner
Dr. Sara O. DVM
8 Recommendations
Hello, SO sorry to hear about your dog. There can be many things causing him to have GI issues. You can try boiled chicken and rice to help calm his stomach. You can also give him immodium. A 50# dog would take 1 adult tablet twice a day for diarrhea. If this does not help or he continues to vomit, it would be best to see your vet as there are many things that can be causing your dog to have these issues.
Dec. 9, 2020
Was this experience helpful?
Bailey
Cavalier King Charles Spaniel
1 Year
Mild severity
0 found helpful
Mild severity
Has Symptoms
2 weeks ago we gave our dog a Nexgard Flea and Tick tablet. The next day she vomited (only once) but then had diarrhea for the next 3 or 4 days. She seemed fine after that but then last night thru the night she vomited again and also had diarrhea. Could this be a side affect of the Nexgard or something else?
zummie
Rat Terrier
2 Years
Moderate severity
0 found helpful
Moderate severity
Has Symptoms
For almost a week my dog has had pretty bad diarrhea he can not hold it in, and a lot of the time it just comes out like water, and just tonight he started to vomit, i have no idea on what to do.
Sookie
Great Pyrenees/Border Collie Mix
3 Months
Moderate severity
0 found helpful
Moderate severity
Has Symptoms
My puppy suddenly started having diarrhea last night. She usually doesn't have accidents in the house anymore but had 4 episodes last night. Then this morning after she ate, she vomited everything up. Last night she was still energized and running around but this morning after vomiting she seems exhausted and just wants to lay on the couch by me. Last night I thought it might be stress or her acting out since I'm a teacher and just went back to work from summer since I got her. But now I'm worried it might be worse. I do have a hibiscus plant (I'm not sure what kind though) that she pulled a branch off of yesterday but I don't know that she consumed anything off of it.
Ned
German Shepherd
5 Months
Fair severity
0 found helpful
Fair severity
Has Symptoms
Ned had a puppy play date 2 days ago. He started licking / chewing his back paw while we were still there. Thought it was a hot spot seeing as nothing was in his paw. Yesterday he was really calm. Didn’t want to play much. We figured it was due to him getting to run around a lot and play with other dogs. He started to have some runny poop late last night and then this morning he woke up whining to go out. No blood, but his stool is complete liquid right now and he also threw up his first meal of the day. He’s been on the same food since we got him so we don’t think it’s related to that.
holly
Golden Retriever
5 Years
Fair severity
0 found helpful
Fair severity
Has Symptoms
my 5 year old golden retriever ate some grass ,now she throws up and has diarrhea,she doesn't eat but drinks a lot of water, last couple of nights she would wake me every couple of hours to go outside to do her businesses , was this caused by the grass and how long does it last . Thank you Winnipeg ,Manitoba
About Wag!
© 2020 Wag Labs, Inc. All rights reserved.
About Wag!
© 2020 Wag Labs, Inc. All rights reserved.
Security