If your dog has diarrhea and is also vomiting, we outline the potential causes of dog diarrhea and puking, as well as what to do and when to seek help.
Here’s why dog diarrhea and puking happens
Dog diarrhea and throwing up of food sometimes occur together because of a gastrointestinal problem and swallowed food vomited as either digested, partly digested, or undigested food due to several underlying health conditions which include:
- A sudden change of diet
- Food intolerance or allergy
- Gastrointestinal infections
- Inflammatory bowel disease
- Ingestion of toxins
- Stress
- Gastrointestinal obstruction
- Intestinal parasites
- Dietary indiscretion`
- Pancreatitis
- Medication side effect
What is puking in dogs?
Vomiting in dogs, also known as “puking,” is the act of expelling the contents of the stomach through the mouth. This can happen due to a variety of reasons.
A dog that is vomiting may also experience other symptoms such as loss of appetite, abdominal discomfort, and dehydration.
Vomiting can be a sign of a serious issue and also if a dog is showing other signs of illness or the vomiting persists.
Is it normal for dogs to diarrhea and vomit?
It is normal for dogs to experience occasional episodes of diarrhea and/or vomiting, especially if they have eaten something they shouldn’t have, however, it is not normal for dogs to have diarrhea and vomiting on a regular basis.
These symptoms can be caused by a variety of factors. They can be caused by both minor and serious issues, such as eating spoiled food, or a more serious condition like an infection or cancer.
What To Do
When your dog has diarrhea and throws up and if there is no blood in the vomit or stool, the first action is to monitor them at home.
Withhold feeding them for 24 hours to allow their stomach to settle down and heal. During this time, only provide them with clean drinking water.
If there is continual vomiting and diarrhea, seek medical attention within 8 -12 hours after the onset of diarrhea and vomiting.
And if vomiting and diarrhea reduce after 24 hours, introduce a bland diet consisting of boiled white rice with boiled chicken. If after eating they still vomit and have diarrhea, contact your veterinarian.
When To Seek Help For Dog Diarrhea And Puking
Always contact the veterinarian within 8 to 12 hours when your dog has diarrhea and is vomiting continuously.
If your dog’s stool and vomit have blood in whichever form, that is either little spots of blood, fresh or brown, small or large volume of blood, do not hesitate to contact your veterinarian.
These two symptoms can quickly dehydrate a dog which can be fatal. Diarrhea and vomiting lead to dehydration and loss of electrolytes from a dog’s body and if treatment is not provided in time, this can be life-threatening.
Diarrhea and vomiting of blood can also be symptoms of a serious or life-threatening condition and if not treated early can result in bad outcomes.
The veterinarian will conduct a full physical examination, and analyze your dog’s medical history, and other circumstances leading up to diarrhea and vomiting. In addition to this, different tests will be conducted to reach a diagnosis.
Treatment of dog diarrhea and puking
The severity of diarrhea and vomiting depends on the length of time and presentation of other symptoms which indicates a serious health condition as the underlying cause.
In most cases, dog diarrhea and puking are due to an upset stomach and the symptoms pass after the initial treatment with bland food.
In some cases, the situation takes a turn and a dog may continue having diarrhea and vomiting after monitoring their condition.
In this case, medical attention by a veterinarian is required. Diarrhea and vomiting cause a dog to lose water and electrolytes which leads to severe dehydration, which is life-threatening.
The initial treatment consists of the provision of anti-nausea medication to stop the vomiting, pain relief medication in case of abdominal pain, and antacids.
If a dog is dehydrated, intravenous fluids are provided for rehydration and replacement of lost electrolytes.
The treatment provided also depends on the results of the tests conducted to determine the underlying cause of the vomiting.
How to prevent dog diarrhea and vomiting
There are ways to prevent your dog from diarrhea and vomiting. This includes:
Slow transition to a new diet
Dog diarrhea and vomiting are commonly due to a sudden change in their diet, which leads to stomach upset because a dog’s stomach has not adjusted to the new food.
To prevent this from happening, always consult with your veterinarian on any diet change and introduce a new diet or food slowly for 5-7 days to allow your dog’s stomach to adjust to the new food.
This can be done by mixing the new food in small amounts into the current food and gradually fully replacing the current diet.
Also, monitor your dog’s diet to observe whether diarrhea and vomiting are due to their current diet. In most cases, diarrhea is triggered by a dog’s diet.
Some diets contain ingredients that may cause indigestion, food intolerance, or allergy. With the help of your veterinarian, you can identify the diet as a problem and be able to change their diet.
Stress management
Dog diarrhea and puking due to stress can be prevented by not exposing your dog to stress triggers. Stress triggers include loud noise, a change in their routine, meeting new people, or being in a new home.
Other methods to relieve stress include exercise, stress management training, and music therapy. These will help a dog to manage stress better.
Keep up with routine check-ups
When health conditions are discovered early, they can be treated and/or managed which prevents a dog from developing conditions that can result in diarrhea and vomiting.
Therefore routine health checkups are important to allow your veterinarian to examine your dog to ensure they are healthy and continue to thrive.
Prevent access to toxins
Ingestion of household products such as cleaning products, antifreeze, or garden chemicals causes throwing up and diarrhea.
These products are potential toxins to your dog and should be securely kept away to prevent your dog from accessing them.
Takeaway: Dog diarrhea and puking
A dog with diarrhea and throwing up is concerning to any dog parent. These two symptoms can quickly dehydrate a dog which can be fatal.
Diarrhea and vomiting can be due to underlying health conditions. If your dog has other symptoms, and vomiting or diarrhea is continuous, always seek medical attention.
There are also ways you can put in place to prevent your dog from throwing up and suffering from diarrhea.
By following the tips discussed above, such as keeping an eye on what your dog eats, managing stress, or preventing access to household products, you can prevent vomiting and diarrhea from occurring.
Interested in learning more about dog diarrhea and how to take proactive steps to manage it? Our comprehensive guide on dog diarrhea offers a wealth of information, including causes, treatment options at home, preventive measures, and more. Don’t miss out— explore the complete guide.