Vomiting & Diarrhoea in Dogs

We've all suffered the tribulations of an upset stomach, whether from a stomach bug or eating something just past its best, and dogs are no different. Vomiting and diarrhoea in dogs are very common and often stem from your dog eating something they shouldn't have. However, there are also several dog diseases where vomiting and diarrhoea are common symptoms, so if you're concerned, you should call your vet.

In this guide, we will discuss some of the more common causes of vomiting and diarrhoea in dogs, offer advice on managing their symptoms, and explain the key signs of when to call your vet.

Diarrhoea, or loose poo, occurs when the intestines stop working as they should. Usually, a dog's intestines work to digest nutrients, absorb water from the gut and ensure the smooth passage of food through the gastrointestinal system. However, when a dog's intestines aren't working as they should, dog faeces contain much more fluid than usual, causing it to pass through the intestine too quickly without properly absorbing nutrients.

Aside from the obvious signs of diarrhoea in dogs, you may also notice:

• Your dog going to the toilet urgently or more often
• Toilet accidents in the house
• Straining when trying to go toilet

Alternatively, your dog may go to the toilet as usual, but when they do, their faeces vary from loose stools to potentially explosive diarrhoea. You may also notice some mucus or blood in your dog's poo.

Dogs can have diarrhoea for many reasons, as diarrhoea is more often a symptom of a problem than a condition in itself. However, since a few conditions ranging from mild to severe can cause diarrhoea in dogs, finding the root cause can be a bit of a process of elimination.

Common causes of diarrhoea in dogs include:

• Changing foods too quickly
• Eating spoiled food/ food out of a bin
• Dog food allergies or intolerances
• Stress or anxiety
• Side effects of medication.

Depending on the cause of your dog's diarrhoea, it may clear up without treatment or vet intervention. This typically happens within two days, sometimes more, of the symptoms starting.

To help your dog through this time, give them a bland diet of easily digestible proteins and carbohydrates, such as boiled chicken or white fish, and rice in small amounts more frequently than their usual meals. Always ensure plenty of fresh water is available, too, as dogs with diarrhoea may be prone to dehydration.

You can help support your dog's digestive system by introducing a canine probiotic, such as the Protexin® Pro-Kolin or this Canikur Pro-Paste, to firm its stools.

If your dog's diarrhoea doesn't clear up or continues for more than four days, you should contact your vet, as something more serious may be the cause.

More severe causes of diarrhoea in dogs include:

• Infections (including bacterial, viral, or parasitic infestations)
• Gastrointestinal conditions (including but not limited to Inflammatory Bowel Disease (IBD), kidney or liver disease, cancer, or pancreatitis.)
• A foreign body in your dog's stomach (from eating something inedible, such as toys, socks, rocks, sticks, string, and more)
• Consuming something toxic (such as certain plants, chocolate, and more)

Some of the above-mentioned causes of diarrhoea in dogs can be life-threatening, which is why it's imperative you call your vet as soon as possible if your dog has continuous diarrhoea. 

Vomiting (or emesis) is when the content of your dog's stomach is brought back up and expelled through the mouth. This is often self-protection as your dog's body attempts to remove something that doesn’t ‘agree’ with it and could be harmful or toxic.

Any food brought up by dog vomiting will usually be digested and may be mixed with yellow bile or stomach juices. Your dog may also retch or bring up large amounts of saliva. If your dog is nauseous but not actively vomiting, they may seem unsettled, drool more than usual and lose their appetite. 

Vomiting is a common problem for many dogs, but most cases are transient and clear up on their own within 24-48 hours. However, your dog may be vomiting for more severe reasons and will need veterinary intervention to help it feel better.

Common causes of vomiting in dogs include:

• Changing your dog's diet
• Over-eating or eating too quickly
• Motion sickness
• Side effects of medication
• Stress and anxiety
• Food allergies or intolerances
• Your dog has eaten something they shouldn't (what they've eaten will typically be visible in the vomit, such as grass, bits of wood or sticks, plant matter, and more)

If your dog is nauseous or vomiting, it is recommended you feed small, bland meals (boiled chicken and rice, as mentioned above), as they're much easier to digest.

However, vomiting in dogs may hint at a more serious condition at work, and you should call your vet as soon as possible for advice.

Serious causes of vomiting in dogs include:

• Reaction to ingesting something toxic (such as certain plants, household chemicals or cleaners, anti-freeze and more)
• Heatstroke
• Infections (including viral, bacterial, or Parvovirus)
• Worm infestations (particularly in puppies)
• Gastrointestinal conditions (such as pancreatitis, liver or kidney failure, bloat, and cancer)

If you are ever concerned about your dog vomiting, call your vet as soon as possible. 

As we've mentioned, vomiting and diarrhoea, while concerning, are often transient, lasting up to two days or sometimes more. Depending on the reason for your dog's upset stomach, these symptoms may go away on their own without vet intervention.

However, you should call your vet if you also notice symptoms like:

• Lethargy
• Changes to behaviour
• Unable to keep food or fluid down
• Dehydration
• Pain
• There is blood in the vomit or diarrhoea

You should also contact your vet if your dog's vomiting or diarrhoea continues for more than two days.

To properly treat your dog, your vet must determine the root cause of the vomiting or diarrhoea. To do this, they will likely ask you questions about what your dog has been eating or doing over the past few days and any other symptoms you've noticed.

Your vet will then perform a physical exam on your dog, after which they may say what is causing your dog's symptoms and provide appropriate treatment.

However, if your vet isn't able to diagnose your dog during the consultation, they may decide to further investigate, which may include:

• Blood tests (to assess organ function, blood sugar levels, and more)
• X-rays and ultrasound scans (to see if there's something stuck or blocking the gut)
• Examining stool samples (especially if there's suspicion of infectious causes)

Treatment will vary depending on the cause of your dog's vomiting or diarrhoea and is at your vet's discretion.

Other treatments for vomiting and diarrhoea in dogs may include:

• Fluids by vein or drip (if your dog is dehydrated or vomiting a lot)
• Stomach protectants or medications (to stop your dog's vomiting or ease their nausea)
• Electrolyte solutions (to replace lost minerals)
• Antibiotics (if necessary)
• Anti-parasitic treatments (like dog wormers or flea treatments if needed)
• Dog probiotics (to firm up faeces)

It's never easy to know our pets are not feeling their best, and it's only natural to want to help. If your dog struggles with stomach problems, such as vomiting or diarrhoea, or you want to help support their digestive function when changing diets, browse our full range of dog digestion aids below to help settle their stomach and ease their symptoms at home.

This post is an opinion and should only be used as a guide. You should thoroughly discuss any change to your pet’s care or lifestyle with your vet before starting any program or treatment.