If your dog has diarrhea and is also vomiting undigested food, we outline the potential causes of dog diarrhea and vomiting of undigested food, as well as what to do and when to seek help.
Here’s why dog diarrhea and vomiting of undigested food happens
Dog diarrhea and vomiting of undigested food sometimes occur together because of an upset stomach and swallowed food vomited before being digested 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
Dog diarrhea and vomiting undigested food
Dog diarrhea is characterized by loose watery stool that is produced more often than usual. Diarrhea may also be accompanied by abdominal pain, dehydration, and loss of appetite.
Vomiting of undigested food means that the food a dog ate has not been broken down properly in their stomach and has been regurgitated back up. The stomach content that is brought back into the esophagus and mouth comes out as undigested food that is often mixed with mucus or bile.
The vomit may also have a strong odor and be accompanied by other symptoms, such as lethargy, loss of appetite, and diarrhea.
This can happen for a variety of reasons, such as eating too quickly or eating something that doesn’t agree with them.
Occasional episodes of diarrhea and vomiting in dogs are common and normal, however, when these symptoms are frequent, occur together, or are accompanied by other concerning symptoms, this can be a sign of a serious underlying problem.
Diarrhea and vomiting happening at the same time can be due to a variety of causes. These symptoms may also be accompanied by other symptoms.
Is it normal for dogs to have diarrhea and vomit undigested food?
It is normal for dogs to experience occasional episodes of diarrhea and/or vomiting of undigested food, especially if they have eaten something they shouldn’t have, however, it is not normal for dogs to have diarrhea and vomit 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.
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What To Do About Dog Diarrhea And Vomiting of Undigested Food
When your dog has diarrhea and throws up undigested food 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 Vomiting Undigested Food
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, along with 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 vomiting undigested food
The severity of diarrhea and vomiting of undigested food 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 vomiting of food 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.
Managing dog diarrhea requires knowledge and understanding. Our guide on dog diarrhea serves as a valuable resource, providing a detailed roadmap to help you navigate this condition. Visit the article to unlock effective strategies for keeping your dog happy and healthy.
How to prevent dog diarrhea and vomiting undigested food
There are ways to prevent your dog from diarrhea and vomiting undigested food. This includes:
Slow transition to a new diet
Dog diarrhea and vomiting of food are commonly due to a sudden change of 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 vomiting 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 vomiting undigested food
A dog with diarrhea and vomiting is concerning to any dog parent. These two symptoms can quickly dehydrate a dog which can be fatal.
Diarrhea and vomiting of undigested food 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.