Dog Vomiting, Diarrhea and Stomach Problems
Most dogs vomit or have loose stool now and then, and most episodes settle within a day. The skill is telling the ordinary upset apart from the few situations that cannot wait, and knowing what to watch so you can give your vet a useful account if it comes to that.
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Vomiting or regurgitation?
The first question a vet will ask is whether your dog vomited or regurgitated, because the two point to different parts of the body. Vomiting is active: the belly heaves, there is usually warning (drooling, lip-licking, pacing, swallowing) and what comes up is partly digested food, foam or yellow bile.
Regurgitation is passive. Food slides back up with little or no effort, often soon after eating, and is usually undigested and sometimes tube-shaped. It points to the oesophagus rather than the stomach. An occasional episode after gulping food is common. Regurgitation that keeps happening needs a vet, partly because food can be breathed into the lungs.
When it is an emergency
Go to a vet the same day (or an emergency clinic out of hours) if your dog is retching without bringing anything up while the belly looks swollen or tight (this is the classic sign of bloat, or gastric dilatation-volvulus, which can kill within hours and is most common in large, deep-chested breeds).
The same applies to vomiting that will not stop or means your dog cannot keep water down, vomit with fresh blood or "coffee grounds" in it, black tar-like stool, a known or suspected toxin or swallowed object, collapse, pale gums, or a dog that is in obvious pain or very flat. Puppies, elderly dogs and dogs with existing illness dehydrate faster, so the threshold for calling is lower for them. An unvaccinated puppy with vomiting and diarrhea should be seen promptly because of the risk of parvovirus.
What to note before you call
A clear history saves time and often money. Note when it started, how many times it has happened, what it looked like (a phone photo is genuinely useful), whether your dog is drinking, eating and passing stool, and whether there has been any change of food, treats, scavenging, a missing toy or sock, or access to medicines, plants or the garden shed.
The table below is a rough guide to what different appearances can point to. It is a starting point for a conversation with your vet, not a diagnosis.
| What you see | Common explanations | How urgent |
|---|---|---|
| Yellow foam or bile, often early morning | Empty stomach, bilious vomiting | Usually low, if otherwise well |
| White foam, once or twice | Irritated or empty stomach | Low to moderate |
| Undigested food soon after eating | Eating too fast, or regurgitation | Low once, vet if it repeats |
| Fresh red blood in vomit | Irritation, ulcer, swallowed object | Same day |
| Unproductive retching, swollen belly | Bloat / GDV | Emergency, now |
| Red streaks or jelly in stool | Colitis, stress, diet change | Low to moderate |
| Black, tarry stool | Bleeding higher in the gut | Same day |
Common questions
Should I stop feeding my dog after vomiting?
For an adult dog that has vomited once or twice and is otherwise bright, many vets suggest resting the stomach for a few hours while offering small amounts of water, then reintroducing a small, bland meal. Do not withhold food from puppies, toy breeds or diabetic dogs without speaking to a vet, because they can become dangerously low on blood sugar.
How long is too long for diarrhea in a dog?
Mild diarrhea in an otherwise well adult dog often settles within 24 to 48 hours. Call a vet if it lasts longer than that, if there is a lot of blood or black stool, if your dog is also vomiting repeatedly, stops drinking or seems lethargic, or if the dog is a puppy, a senior or already unwell.
Can I give my dog human anti-diarrhea medicine?
Not without a vet’s advice. Some human products contain ingredients that are unsafe for dogs or for particular breeds, and stopping diarrhea can hide a problem that needs treatment. A vet can recommend a dog-appropriate option and a dose for your dog’s weight.
Reviewed by Winzah, Editor, on . How we research and check articles.