To Worry or Not to Worry: Top 5 Causes of Vomiting and Diarrhea in Dogs

Your dog is whining and scratching at the door. You know what that means. They need to go for a walk. 

No sooner than you put your shoes on, they find a nice spot on your carpet to vomit. You chalked it up to them eating something they shouldn’t have outside. It should clear up in a few days.

It doesn’t. The vomiting and diarrhea continue through to the latter half of the week. What are the causes of vomiting and diarrhea in dogs and how can you help your fur baby feel better?

You might be able to treat them at home but for the most part, they’ll need the attention of a vet. Check out this guide to find out what might be ailing your pup and what you can do.

Bad Reaction to Food

When you pick up a new brand of food for your dog, you’re supposed to slowly introduce it to them by mixing it in with a bit of their old food. It stops the new food from being such a large shock on their body. If you fail to do this, it will cause vomiting in dogs.

Even if you do introduce their new food using the correct method, some foods don’t agree with all dogs. Fixing the issue might be as simple as going back to their old food.

Dogs are like toddlers. They’ll put anything and everything in their mouths during a walk. Sometimes you can stop them, sometimes you can’t.

If you can’t and they consume something that they shouldn’t, it can cause a bacterial imbalance in their gut which will cause vomiting and diarrhea.

They’re Stressed Out 

Do you know that horrible, upset stomach feeling you get when you’re stressed out about something? Dogs get it too. If they are pacing, barking at what seems like nothing, whining a lot, drooling all over themselves, shedding, and panting on top of experiencing vomiting and diarrhea, it might be anxiety.

To fix the problem you’ll need to find out the source of their stress and stop it. You may need to change your disciplinary measures. If you have a new dog, they might be stressed out because of the new environment.

Dogs have sensitive ears. If your new neighbors are noisy that might be the cause. Dogs don’t like to be left alone for long periods of time. If you’re leaving a lot due to work, you should consider having someone come watch the dog while you’re gone.

They Ate a Toxic Substance 

Again, dogs will put anything and everything in their mouth. As long as it smells and looks like food, it’s fair game to them. That doesn’t mean that it’s good for them.

Look for blood in their vomit and diarrhea. If you see any, you need to get them to a vet right away. They may have eaten a toxic substance and need immediate medical attention.

Organ Failure 

One symptom of pancreatitis in dogs is vomiting and diarrhea. Excessive vomiting could also mean other organ problems such as liver and kidney disease. They might be developing diabetes.

If they’re drinking or urinating more than they normally do, dragging themselves around the house, or experiencing sudden and dramatic weight loss, get them to the vet. They’ll need to check them over to find out for sure but something serious might be wrong with your pupper.

They Have Inflammatory Bowel Disease 

Blood in your dog’s stool doesn’t always point to eating a toxic substance. They may also have inflammatory bowel disease.

Inflammatory bowel disease occurs when their stomach or upper intestine becomes inflamed. If left unchecked, it will lead to an equally inflamed colon. On top of having blood in their stool, you also may spot a mucus-like substance.

Should You Be Worried? 

Nobody likes seeing their dog suffer. Your knee jerk reaction when they start vomiting and having diarrhea will be to take them to the vet. This isn’t necessary unless you spot blood or if their condition doesn’t start lightening up after a few days.

Start by giving them a bland diet of rice and boiled chicken for a day or two. If you don’t have chicken, white fish will work as well. Some people starve their dog for at least 24 hours before starting the bland diet treatment but you don’t have to do that.

Make sure that their water bowl is never empty. You can also try using products such as Canikur to ease diarrhea. If none of this works then it’s time to consult your vet.

How Can the Vet Help?

The vet will do a number of things to try and diagnose your dog’s condition. They’ll do some blood work, they may use an X-ray or ultrasound to see if anything is lodged in their stomach.

If they think that your dog might have some kind of infection, they’ll need to get a stool sample. If the cause of your dog’s problem is dehydration, they’ll use a fluid IV drip to replenish the dog’s fluids.

If it’s a simple issue, they’ll prescribe a bland dog food and give them antibiotics to ease their stomach.

Common Causes of Vomiting and Diarrhea in Dogs and How You Can Help  

There are many causes of vomiting and diarrhea in dogs. Sometimes it’s a simple case of your puppy eating something that they shouldn’t have. If there is blood in their stool the problem might be a little more serious, however.

If your dog ate something toxic or they’re having an organ problem, you’ll need to get them to a vet right away to get them the help that they need.

Is your dog showing other signs of being sick? We can help you diagnose the problem. Check out our blog daily for more articles like this one.