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Vomiting and Diarrhea in Dogs
Written By Alex Olsson
Published: 05/29/2017Updated: 07/23/2024
Veterinary reviewed by Michele K.
What is Vomiting and Diarrhea?
At some point in your dog’s life, they might experience both vomiting and diarrhea — it’s completely normal for these to happen separately every now and then. These occasional tummy troubles could just be a simple reaction to something they ate.
But, if your dog is vomiting and has diarrhea frequently or for extended periods of time, it could be time to visit the vet.
Let’s take a look at what the causes of vomiting and diarrhea are, what to do if this happens to your pup, and how to prevent it from happening altogether.
Why Vomiting and Diarrhea Occurs in Dogs
There are many factors that can cause vomiting and diarrhea in dogs, ranging from simpler dietary issues to more serious health conditions.
Some common reasons include:
- Certain foods: New or very rich foods can upset your dog's stomach
- Bacterial imbalances: An imbalance in gut bacteria can cause digestive issues
- Stress and anxiety: Changes in routine or environment can cause your furry friend anxiety, and even lead to stomach problems
- Toxic substances: Ingesting something toxic, like pesticides, can cause immediate vomiting and diarrhea
- Viruses: Infections like parvovirus or coronavirus can contribute to digestive troubles
- Parasites: Worms and other parasites can wreak havoc on your dog’s digestive system
- Organ failure: Liver, pancreatic, or kidney failure can cause gastrointestinal symptoms
- Intestinal obstruction: This serious condition where the intestines are obstructed can make bathroom breaks difficult for your pup, and can even lead to runny diarrhea
- Inflammatory Bowel Disease: Chronic bowel inflammation can lead to bloody diarrhea
Bloody diarrhea and vomiting in dogs: a red flag
Blood in vomit or stool is a major concern. This could indicate something serious like poisoning, severe infection, or a gastrointestinal injury. Immediate vet care is a must if you notice this happening to your dog.
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What to do if your Dog is Vomiting and Diarrhea
What should you do when you notice your dog’s not doing too well? If your dog suddenly starts vomiting and has diarrhea, follow these steps:
- Remove food and water: Let their stomach settle. Try offering small amounts of water to prevent dehydration, but don’t give too much.
- Monitor for 24 hours: Keep an eye on your pup and give them some time to rest and recover.
- Reintroduce bland food: After 24 hours, try giving them small amounts of bland food to not overload their system. Chicken and rice is a good option to try.
- Vet visit: If you see no improvement after these steps, or if there are new symptoms, it’s time to take your pup to the vet.
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Prevention of Vomiting and Diarrhea
Here’s how to keep your furry friend’s tummy happy:
- Diet management: Stick to dog food (whenever you can) and avoid table scraps. A balanced diet is key.
- Supervision: Keep an eye on your dog when spending time outside to keep them from eating anything rogue or harmful.
- Regular vet visits: Keep up with regular vaccinations and check-ups to help catch and prevent infections or parasite infestations early.
- Safe environment: Keep toxic substances out of reach to prevent accidental ingestion.
For more on keeping your dog healthy, find out how to keep your dog safe from diseases and discover some of the best budget-friendly dog foods for your pup.
Cost of Vomiting and Diarrhea
The cost of treating vomiting and diarrhea varies based on the underlying cause. Some examples of costs include:
- Inflammatory bowel disease treatments can range from $500 to $1,500
- Parasite treatments typically cost between $150 and $300
- Poisoning treatments can range from $1,500 to $3,000
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FAQs about vomiting and diarrhea in dogs
My dog is vomiting and has diarrhea, but she’s acting normal. Is this okay?
If your dog is vomiting or has diarrhea but is otherwise acting normal, it could still be something minor like a dietary indiscretion. It’s important to monitor them closely — even if they're not showing signs of distress, persistent symptoms shouldn't be ignored.
My dog has diarrhea and has been vomiting for 3 days. When should I worry?
It’s definitely time to contact your vet if you haven’t already in this case. Prolonged symptoms like this can lead to dehydration, and might indicate a much more serious underlying condition.Worried about the cost of treating your pet's symptoms?
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Vomiting and Diarrhea Questions and Advice from Veterinary Professionals
French Bulldog
Five Months
29 found this helpful
29 found this helpful
My pet has the following 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
Answered by Dr. Sara O. DVM
29 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
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German Shepherd
One Year
85 found this helpful
85 found this helpful
My pet has the following symptoms:
Diarrhea
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
Answered by Dr. Linda S. MVB MRCVS
85 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
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