When your dog is throwing up and has diarrhea and drooling at the same time, it can be alarming.
These three symptoms often indicate a serious disturbance in your dog’s gastrointestinal or nervous system and should not be ignored.
We outline the common causes, and when veterinary intervention is necessary.
Dog Throwing Up and Diarrhea and Drooling: Why It Happens
Dog throwing up and diarrhea and drooling often occur together due to gastrointestinal distress, toxin ingestion, infections, or systemic illness.
These symptoms are the body’s way of reacting to something harmful or irritating—vomiting and diarrhea expel unwanted substances, while drooling often signals nausea or pain.
Common causes include eating spoiled food, ingesting toxins, pancreatitis, parasites, or organ dysfunction.
This combination of symptoms indicates that the dog’s digestive system is overwhelmed.
Common Causes of Dog Throwing Up and Diarrhea and Drooling
1. Ingesting Toxic Substances
One of the most serious causes of dog throwing up and diarrhea and drooling is poisoning.
Dogs often explore the world with their mouths, and they may ingest harmful substances like chocolate, xylitol (from sugar-free gum), household cleaners, insecticides, or toxic plants.
These toxins irritate the gastrointestinal lining and disrupt the normal functioning of the nervous system, leading to symptoms like vomiting, uncontrollable drooling, and watery diarrhea.
In severe cases, toxins may also cause tremors, seizures, or organ failure.
Related: Dog is Vomiting, Has Diarrhea, and Not Eating (Causes and treatment)
2. Gastroenteritis
Gastroenteritis is the inflammation of the stomach and intestines and is a leading cause of vomiting and diarrhea in dogs.
When severe, it can also cause nausea-induced drooling.
Gastroenteritis may result from eating spoiled food, sudden diet changes, food allergies, or bacterial and viral infections.
A dog with gastroenteritis may vomit multiple times, have diarrhea with mucus or even blood, and drool excessively due to nausea.
If not treated promptly, dehydration can set in rapidly.
3. Pancreatitis
Pancreatitis, or inflammation of the pancreas, is another common reason for dog throwing up and diarrhea and drooling.
This condition often occurs after a dog consumes fatty foods, which triggers an inflammatory reaction in the pancreas.
Symptoms include persistent vomiting, foul-smelling diarrhea, abdominal pain, and thick drooling.
Pancreatitis can become life-threatening if not treated early, especially in small breeds or older dogs.
4. Foreign Object Ingestion
If your dog has swallowed a foreign object such as a toy, bone, or cloth, it can obstruct the intestines or stomach.
This can lead to projectile vomiting, watery or bloody diarrhea, and drooling due to abdominal discomfort and nausea.
Dogs with a gastrointestinal blockage often appear lethargic and may refuse to eat.
The buildup of stomach contents due to the blockage causes nausea and drooling, while the body tries to expel the object through vomiting and diarrhea.
5. Motion Sickness or Anxiety
Some dogs experience motion sickness when traveling in cars.
This can trigger a combination of vomiting and drooling, often followed by diarrhea due to stress or nervousness.
Similarly, anxiety—whether caused by fireworks, thunderstorms, or separation—can disrupt a dog’s digestion and result in a similar trio of symptoms.
Stress hormones affect gut motility, leading to rapid bowel movements and watery stool, while also causing hypersalivation and vomiting from the gut-brain connection.
Related: Dog throwing up and bloody diarrhea (What it meand and what to do)
6. Heatstroke
During hot weather, dogs can suffer from heatstroke—a potentially fatal condition.
Along with excessive panting, a dog may start throwing up and develop diarrhea.
Drooling is also a telltale sign of overheating.
As their body temperature rises, internal organs can become damaged, leading to gastrointestinal distress and neurological signs.
Dogs left in cars, exercised in hot conditions, or without access to water are at a high risk of heatstroke.
This condition demands emergency veterinary care.
7. Oral or Dental Issues
Dogs suffering from oral pain, abscessed teeth, or gum infections often drool excessively.
These dental problems can also lead to nausea, causing vomiting.
If the dog swallows bacteria or pus from an oral infection, it may irritate the stomach and cause diarrhea.
A dog throwing up and diarrhea and drooling may therefore sometimes indicate advanced dental disease that needs attention.
8. Parasites
Intestinal parasites such as roundworms, hookworms, and giardia can cause a dog to develop vomiting, diarrhea, and drooling.
Drooling may occur as a response to nausea, and dogs may vomit worms or have blood-streaked diarrhea.
Puppies and immunocompromised dogs are especially at risk.
Regular deworming and fecal tests are essential for prevention.
9. Liver or Kidney Disease
Organ failure, particularly of the liver or kidneys, often presents with gastrointestinal symptoms.
Vomiting and diarrhea are common, while drooling may result from nausea and toxin buildup in the bloodstream.
Dogs with chronic organ disease may also lose weight, become lethargic, and have bad breath.
Bloodwork and urine tests are required to diagnose these conditions.
10. Side Effects of Medication
Some medications prescribed for pain, allergies, or seizures can cause digestive issues.
If your dog recently started a new drug and you notice vomiting, diarrhea, and drooling, contact your vet immediately.
Some medications may irritate the stomach or alter your dog’s appetite and hydration levels.
What to Do if Your Dog Is Throwing Up and Has Diarrhea and Drooling
If your dog is throwing up and diarrhea and drooling all at once, consider the following steps to help stabilize them and determine whether veterinary intervention is necessary.
1. Withhold Food Temporarily
Allow your dog’s stomach to rest by withholding food for 12–24 hours.
However, ensure they still have access to fresh water to avoid dehydration.
If your dog can’t keep water down, this is a red flag.
2. Monitor for Additional Symptoms
Take note of other signs like:
Lethargy
Pale gums
Seizures or tremors
Bloody vomit or diarrhea
Bloating or abdominal pain
Collapse or disorientation
Any of these warrant immediate veterinary attention.
3. Offer a Bland Diet (if symptoms improve)
If vomiting and diarrhea begin to settle within a day, slowly reintroduce food using a bland diet.
Boiled chicken and white rice in small portions can help soothe the digestive system.
Avoid feeding fatty or spicy food during recovery.
4. Hydrate
Encourage your dog to drink small amounts of water regularly.
You can offer ice cubes or an electrolyte solution (specifically made for dogs) to keep them hydrated.
5. Visit the Vet
Seek veterinary care if your dog’s symptoms persist for more than 24 hours, worsen, or are accompanied by blood, lethargy, or neurological signs.
Puppies, senior dogs, or those with pre-existing conditions are especially vulnerable and should be seen sooner rather than later.
Your vet may recommend tests such as:
Blood panels
Fecal examination
X-rays or ultrasound
Urinalysis
Toxicology screening
These will help identify whether your dog is suffering from an infection, organ dysfunction, poisoning, or a physical blockage.
Key Takeaway
The combination of dog throwing up and diarrhea and drooling is more than just a messy inconvenience—it can signal an urgent medical issue.
Whether it’s caused by poisoning, stress, diet change, infection, or a chronic illness, this trio of symptoms should not be taken lightly.
Acting quickly by identifying possible causes, monitoring for red flags, and seeking prompt veterinary care can mean the difference between a simple upset and a life-threatening emergency.
If you notice your dog showing these symptoms together—especially with lethargy, blood in stool or vomit, or refusal to drink water—contact your veterinarian immediately.
Early treatment improves the chances of full recovery and helps protect your dog’s long-term health.