If your dog is throwing up and peeing excessively or unusually, it could point to several underlying issues—some mild, some quite serious.
Both symptoms can signal your dog’s body is in distress, and it’s crucial to observe for other signs and act quickly if things worsen.
Dog Throwing Up and Peeing: Why It Happens
When a dog is throwing up and peeing excessively or unusually, it often points to an underlying health issue affecting multiple body systems.
This combination of symptoms can be caused by conditions such as kidney disease, diabetes, urinary tract infections, poisoning, liver problems, stress, or medication side effects.
Vomiting may result from toxins or imbalances in the body, while changes in urination often reflect how the body is trying to manage fluid loss or flush out harmful substances.
Dog Throwing Up and Peeing But Acting Normal
A dog that vomits and urinates inappropriately but still acts normal may be experiencing early or mild illness.
This could include temporary digestive upset, mild infection, stress, or dietary indiscretion. Some dogs continue to eat and behave normally even when internal systems are mildly irritated.
However, “acting normal” does not always mean the dog is fine. If vomiting and urinary accidents continue or repeat, veterinary evaluation is needed to prevent progression into more serious illness.
Dog Throwing Up and Peeing: Common Causes
Urinary tract infection (UTI)
A UTI in dogs doesn’t just cause peeing accidents—it can also lead to discomfort and nausea, which may result in vomiting.
The infection can spread and irritate the kidneys, affecting their ability to filter toxins, which can in turn cause vomiting.
If your dog is throwing up and peeing more than usual, especially in small amounts or with signs of discomfort, a urinary tract infection is a likely cause.
You may also notice signs like straining to pee, blood in urine, or licking the urinary area excessively.
Related: Dog throwing up and pacing (Here’s why)
Kidney disease
Kidney dysfunction is one of the more serious causes of a dog throwing up and peeing frequently.
When the kidneys aren’t working properly, toxins accumulate in the bloodstream, leading to nausea and vomiting.
At the same time, the dog’s body attempts to flush out toxins through increased urination.
This condition can develop gradually or occur suddenly due to toxin exposure or infection.
Symptoms can include foul breath, dehydration, weight loss, pale gums, and lethargy.
Diabetes mellitus
Dogs with diabetes often exhibit symptoms like throwing up and peeing more frequently.
When glucose levels are poorly controlled, excess sugar is excreted in urine, leading to increased urination and thirst.
If the disease progresses without treatment, it may result in ketoacidosis—a dangerous condition that can cause vomiting, dehydration, and weakness.
If your dog is suddenly throwing up and peeing a lot, especially if accompanied by extreme thirst or appetite changes, diabetes is a possibility that requires urgent veterinary attention.
Toxin ingestion
Poisoning is another major reason a dog may be throwing up and peeing.
Ingesting toxic substances such as antifreeze, medications, household cleaners, or certain foods (like grapes or chocolate) can irritate both the digestive and urinary systems.
Many toxins are filtered by the kidneys, which can lead to increased urination as the body tries to eliminate the toxins.
In these cases, vomiting is the body’s way of trying to expel the harmful substance. Immediate treatment is essential if poisoning is suspected.
Related: Dog is Vomiting, Has Diarrhea, and Not Eating (Causes and what to do)
Liver disease
The liver plays a vital role in detoxifying the blood and regulating many bodily processes.
A dog throwing up and peeing more than normal may have underlying liver dysfunction.
Liver disease may cause vomiting due to toxin buildup, and the inability to process waste can result in increased urination as the body attempts to compensate.
Yellowing of the eyes or gums, a bloated abdomen, disorientation, and weakness are signs that may accompany vomiting and urination in liver disease cases.
Hormonal imbalances
Conditions like Cushing’s disease (hyperadrenocorticism) can cause a dog to pee frequently and vomit due to imbalances in hormone levels.
Dogs with Cushing’s may develop a pot-bellied appearance, hair thinning, increased appetite, and restlessness, along with digestive issues and excessive urination.
Hormonal diseases can affect many organs and lead to vomiting through metabolic disturbances.
Stress or anxiety
Stress is often an overlooked but powerful trigger for physical symptoms in dogs.
If your dog is throwing up and peeing inappropriately, and there’s been a recent change in the home environment—such as a move, a new pet, loud noises, or visitors—emotional stress could be the root cause.
Dogs under stress may suffer gastrointestinal upset, leading to vomiting, as well as behavioral peeing or increased urination due to anxiety-induced adrenaline release.
This is especially common in younger or high-strung dogs.
Side effects of medications
Some medications can cause vomiting and urination changes in dogs.
For instance, corticosteroids like prednisone may increase thirst and urination, while also causing stomach irritation and vomiting.
Diuretics used for heart conditions can also result in increased peeing and dehydration, which might cause nausea.
If your dog starts throwing up and peeing more frequently after beginning a new medication, consult your vet about possible side effects.
Related: Dog throwing up and drinking a lot of water (Here’s why)
Dog Throwing Up and Peeing Blood
Vomiting combined with blood in urine is a serious warning sign in dogs and should be treated as an emergency. This combination may indicate severe infection, poisoning, kidney or bladder disease, trauma, or internal organ damage.
Blood in urine suggests the urinary system is affected, while vomiting shows the body is also struggling systemically.
A dog showing both symptoms should be seen by a veterinarian immediately. Delaying care can lead to rapid deterioration, especially if there is internal bleeding, toxin exposure, or kidney failure involved.
Dog Throwing Up and Peeing in House
When a dog vomits and starts peeing in the house, it often indicates illness affecting both digestion and bladder control.
Conditions such as infections, gastrointestinal upset, pain, fever, or urinary tract problems can cause loss of normal control and behavior changes. Stress or weakness may also contribute to accidents indoors.
If this behavior is sudden, it should not be ignored. Repeated vomiting combined with loss of house training can signal a more serious underlying medical issue that requires veterinary evaluation.
Dog Throwing Up and Peeing on Himself
A dog that is vomiting and urinating on itself may be very weak, nauseous, or unable to control its body due to illness or distress.
This can occur with severe gastrointestinal disease, poisoning, seizures, infections, or advanced systemic illness.
It is often a sign that the dog is too unwell to maintain normal control of bladder function.
This condition requires urgent attention, especially if the dog is also lethargic, unresponsive, or refusing food and water. Immediate veterinary care is important to identify and stabilize the cause.
Dog Throwing Up, Peeing, and Diarrhea
When vomiting, diarrhea, and urinary accidents occur together, it usually indicates a significant systemic problem affecting multiple body systems.
Causes can include severe infections, poisoning, parasites, gastrointestinal disease, or organ dysfunction. This combination quickly leads to dehydration and weakness.
This is a high-risk situation and should be treated urgently. Veterinary care is necessary to stabilize fluids, identify the cause, and prevent rapid deterioration. Even short delays can make the condition more serious.
Old Dog Throwing Up and Peeing
In older dogs, vomiting combined with urinary accidents can indicate age-related organ decline, infections, diabetes, kidney disease, or neurological issues affecting control and coordination.
Senior dogs are more vulnerable to dehydration and rapid health deterioration when multiple symptoms appear together.
Even if symptoms seem mild at first, this combination should be taken seriously in elderly dogs.
A veterinary examination can help determine whether the issue is manageable or part of a more advanced condition requiring supportive care.
What to Do and When to Seek Help
If you notice your dog throwing up and peeing at the same time or repeatedly, don’t ignore it.
Even if the symptoms seem mild at first, the combination can point to serious internal issues.
Here’s what you should do:
Monitor symptoms closely
Keep a journal of how often your dog is vomiting and peeing, and note the color, consistency, and timing.
Check for additional symptoms such as:
Lethargy
Loss of appetite
Weight loss
Dehydration (check for sticky gums or skin tenting)
Blood in vomit or urine
Sudden accidents in the house
Weakness or collapse
The more details you can provide to your vet, the easier it will be to diagnose the issue.
Withhold food, but not water
If vomiting is mild and your dog is otherwise alert, you can withhold food for about 12 hours to rest the stomach.
However, always offer fresh water to prevent dehydration.
If your dog continues throwing up after drinking, this warrants immediate vet care.
Look for toxin exposure
Try to identify any potential toxins your dog may have gotten into—such as cleaning chemicals, plants, medications, or spoiled food.
This information is critical for emergency treatment.
Schedule a vet visit immediately
If your dog is throwing up and peeing excessively for more than 24 hours, or the symptoms worsen or are accompanied by others like fever, disorientation, or collapse, see a vet immediately.
Diagnostic tests like bloodwork, urinalysis, and imaging may be needed to determine the root cause.
Early diagnosis can make a major difference, especially with conditions like kidney disease, poisoning, or diabetes.
Support Recovery at Home
Once your vet has diagnosed the problem and started treatment, follow care instructions closely.
This may include a special diet, medications, or hydration support.
Keep your dog’s environment calm and stress-free, and monitor recovery progress.
Key Takeaway
If your dog is throwing up and peeing more than usual, it could be more than just a random upset—it might be a sign of an underlying condition like a urinary tract infection, diabetes, kidney or liver disease, toxin exposure, or medication reaction.
In some cases, stress or hormonal issues may be to blame.
While one or two episodes may not be alarming, persistent or severe vomiting and unusual urination patterns require professional veterinary attention.
Identifying the cause early and seeking timely treatment can prevent complications and help your dog recover comfortably.
Always keep a close eye on your dog’s symptoms and behavior.
Trust your instincts—if something feels wrong, it probably is. Getting help early is the best thing you can do for your dog’s health and well-being.