Dog vomiting and diarrhea: what to watch and when to call the vet

Short answer: many dogs have a mild tummy upset that settles within a day or two. The next step is to watch your dog closely. Call your vet if the vomiting keeps coming back, if the diarrhoea lasts more than a day, or if your dog seems unwell in any other way. If your dog is a puppy, older, or already has a health condition, a call is a good idea sooner. Your vet will tell you what to do next.

What is usually going on

Dogs often vomit or get loose stools after eating something that did not agree with them, such as scraps, rubbish or a sudden change of food. A dog who is bright, interested in life and has been sick only once or twice often settles quickly. Even so, vomiting and diarrhoea can have many causes, and your vet is the one who can tell them apart.

Your next step: note when it started and how often it has happened, and keep watching your dog.

Signs to watch for

Notice how your dog is acting, not only what comes out. Tell your vet if you see any of these with the vomiting or diarrhoea:

• Tiredness or low energy, or a dog who is quieter than usual
• Not wanting to eat, or not wanting to drink
• Blood in the vomit or in the poo
• A sore or tight tummy, such as crying out when picked up
• Vomiting again and again, or watery diarrhoea that does not stop

Your next step: if you see any of these, call your vet and tell them what you have noticed.

When to call your vet

Please call your vet, and do not wait to see if it passes, if:

• your dog keeps vomiting, or has vomited again and again over a day or two
• the diarrhoea has gone on for more than a day, or soft poo keeps coming back
• your dog has both vomiting and diarrhoea
• there is blood, or your dog is tired, off their food or in pain
• your dog is a puppy, is older, or has a health condition. They can get worse faster, so it is kinder to ring early.

Call your vet straight away if your dog is retching but nothing comes up, or if their belly looks swollen or feels hard. If your vet is closed, an emergency vet can help.

Your next step: ring your vet, even if you are not sure. They may be able to advise by phone, and they will tell you whether your dog needs to be seen.

If your dog may have eaten something harmful

Vomiting and diarrhoea can also happen when a dog has eaten something poisonous, or something that has got stuck, such as part of a toy or a bone. If you think this may have happened, call your vet and tell them what it was, how much, and when. Keep the packet or label to hand.

Your next step: call your vet and have the packaging with you. See our guide on dogs that eat trash on walks if this happens often.

What to do while you wait

Keep fresh water where your dog can reach it. Please do not give any medicine or try home remedies unless your vet tells you to. Your vet will say whether to change food for a while, and how and when to go back to normal meals.

Your next step: make a few notes for the call: when it began, how many times your dog has been sick or had diarrhoea, what it looked like, what they ate, and whether they are eating and drinking.

Sources: Blue Cross, vomiting and diarrhoea in dogs: bluecross.org.uk. Blue Cross, bloat in dogs: bluecross.org.uk. Dogs Trust, when to take your dog to the vet: dogstrust.org.uk. PDSA, dog diarrhoea: pdsa.org.uk. RSPCA, first aid for dogs: rspca.org.uk. Merck Veterinary Manual, vomiting in dogs: merckvetmanual.com. VCA Animal Hospitals: vomiting, diarrhea.

General education only, not veterinary advice or a plan for your individual dog. If your dog is vomiting or has diarrhoea and you are worried, please contact a vet. See our legal page.