If your dog is throwing up and walking funny, it’s more than just an odd coincidence.
These two symptoms can be signs of a range of health problems that need immediate attention.
Vomiting combined with unsteady movement, wobbling, or staggering may point to a deeper issue.
We outline the common causes of dog throwing up and walking funny, explain the signs to watch for, and guide you on what to do and when to seek veterinary help.
Dog Throwing Up and Walking Funny: Why It Happens
Dog throwing up and walking funny usually happens due to issues affecting the nervous system, inner ear, or overall body balance—such as vestibular disease, toxin ingestion, inner ear infections, or neurological disorders.
These conditions can disrupt a dog’s equilibrium, causing dizziness, nausea, and vomiting.
In some cases, metabolic problems like low blood sugar or heatstroke may also lead to disorientation and gastrointestinal upset.
When these symptoms occur together, they often signal a serious underlying issue requiring immediate veterinary attention.
Common Causes of Dog Throwing Up and Walking Funny
Vestibular Disease
Vestibular disease is a common cause of both vomiting and walking funny in dogs.
The vestibular system, responsible for balance and coordination, can be affected by inner ear infections, trauma, or age-related degeneration (commonly known as “old dog vestibular syndrome”).
When this system is disrupted, a dog may show signs of walking in circles, falling over, tilting their head, and vomiting from dizziness.
Vestibular disease is not usually life-threatening, but it can be frightening to witness.
The symptoms of dog throwing up and walking funny often appear suddenly, and may resemble a stroke.
Related: Dog is Vomiting, Has Diarrhea, and Not Eating (Causes and what to do)
Toxin Ingestion
Poisoning is another critical cause of a dog throwing up and walking funny.
Dogs that ingest toxic substances such as rat poison, xylitol (found in sugar-free gum), alcohol, certain human medications, or antifreeze may show symptoms of vomiting, tremors, seizures, and loss of coordination.
Neurological signs such as wobbling, staggering, or twitching often accompany gastrointestinal symptoms when a dog is poisoned.
Time is crucial in such cases. The earlier a dog receives treatment, the better their chances of recovery.
If you suspect your dog ingested something toxic, seek veterinary help immediately.
Canine Distemper
Canine distemper is a serious viral infection that can cause vomiting, coughing, lethargy, twitching, and walking funny.
This disease often affects unvaccinated puppies and dogs, spreading through respiratory droplets or contaminated surfaces.
As the virus progresses, it can reach the nervous system, leading to signs such as tremors, head tilt, and a drunken gait.
If your dog is throwing up and walking funny, especially with a fever or nasal discharge, distemper should be ruled out by a vet.
Ear Infections
Inner ear infections (otitis interna) can affect a dog’s sense of balance.
These infections can cause nausea and vomiting due to vertigo, along with visible symptoms such as head shaking, scratching at the ear, or walking in circles.
A dog walking funny due to an inner ear infection may seem dizzy or off-balance, and the nausea from the imbalance may lead to vomiting.
Antibiotics or antifungal medications prescribed by a vet usually clear up the infection, but early diagnosis is key.
Related: Dog throwing up and pacing (Here’s why)
Stroke or Neurological Issues
Though less common, strokes and neurological conditions can cause a dog to throw up and walk funny.
Signs of a stroke may include sudden loss of balance, vomiting, falling to one side, or an inability to stand.
Brain tumors, encephalitis, or spinal injuries can also lead to symptoms involving both the gastrointestinal system and coordination.
These cases are medical emergencies and require immediate diagnostic testing like MRIs or CT scans.
Heatstroke
Heatstroke can cause severe internal damage in dogs. When a dog is overheated, you may see vomiting, drooling, and collapse.
The dog might walk funny due to muscle weakness or confusion caused by extreme body temperature.
Dogs with short noses (brachycephalic breeds like Bulldogs), overweight dogs, and those left in hot environments are especially at risk.
If your dog is throwing up and walking funny during hot weather or after intense physical activity, cool them down immediately and take them to a vet.
Hypoglycemia
Low blood sugar can make a dog act disoriented and cause vomiting.
Small breed puppies, diabetic dogs on insulin, or dogs that haven’t eaten for an extended period are especially vulnerable.
If your dog is walking funny and throwing up, and you suspect they haven’t eaten or have had a drop in blood sugar, this may be the culprit.
Hypoglycemia is a medical emergency and can lead to seizures or coma if left untreated.
Seizure Recovery
After a dog has a seizure, they may throw up and appear disoriented, wobbly, or dazed. This postictal phase (recovery phase) can last from minutes to hours.
If your dog has epilepsy or has experienced a seizure recently, this could explain why your dog is throwing up and walking funny.
Even if the seizure is over, the post-seizure state can include muscle weakness, temporary blindness, and nausea.
Motion Sickness
Some dogs, especially puppies, suffer from motion sickness. If your dog has just been in a moving car, they might be throwing up and walking funny due to dizziness.
Though usually temporary, repeated motion sickness may need treatment.
Related: Dog throwing up and drinking a lot of water (Here’s why)
What to Do if Your Dog is Throwing Up and Walking Funny
When your dog is throwing up and walking funny, it’s important to take swift and careful action. Here’s what you should do:
1. Observe closely:
Document the symptoms—what time they started, how often your dog is vomiting, and how they’re walking.
Take note of anything unusual your dog may have eaten, environments visited, or changes in behavior.
2. Prevent further harm:
Keep your dog confined in a calm, quiet area where they can’t fall or injure themselves.
If poisoning is suspected, remove any substances they may have ingested and take a sample or label to the vet.
3. Don’t attempt home remedies:
Vomiting and walking funny are serious symptoms that should not be treated with over-the-counter medications without professional guidance.
Certain human medications are toxic to dogs.
4. Check hydration:
Try to offer small sips of water to prevent dehydration, but don’t force your dog to drink.
Excessive vomiting may worsen with forced intake.
5. Call the vet immediately:
If your dog’s symptoms persist more than an hour, worsen, or are accompanied by other symptoms like tremors, loss of consciousness, or seizures—seek veterinary help right away.
Sudden onset of these symptoms in puppies, elderly dogs, or chronically ill pets is especially concerning.
Related: Dog throwing up and not eating (Here’s why)
When to Seek Veterinary Help Immediately
Contact your vet or an emergency animal hospital right away if your dog is:
Throwing up repeatedly or vomiting blood
Unable to stand, swaying, or collapsing
Showing signs of seizure or stroke
Displaying sudden changes in behavior, confusion, or aggression
Experiencing high fever, rapid breathing, or heatstroke
Suspected of ingesting toxic substances
A puppy, senior dog, or has pre-existing conditions like diabetes or heart disease
Key Takeaway
Dog throwing up and walking funny isn’t a symptom combination that should be brushed off.
These signs often point to more than just a stomach bug—they can indicate poisoning, neurological issues, infections, or other serious conditions.
If your dog starts showing these behaviors suddenly, remains off-balance, or has repeated episodes of vomiting, don’t wait.
Veterinary intervention can make the difference between a quick recovery and a life-threatening situation.
Early detection and treatment are the keys to helping your dog return to their healthy, playful self.
Keep an eye on their behavior, be aware of what they eat and how they respond to environmental changes, and don’t hesitate to seek help when something seems off.
By acting promptly, you not only reduce suffering for your pet but potentially save their life.