Dog Throwing Up, Drooling, and Shaking: What It Means

Why Your Dog Might Be Throwing Up, Drooling, and Shaking

Several medical and behavioral conditions can lead to your dog exhibiting these symptoms:

1. Nausea and Gastrointestinal Upset

Nausea is one of the leading causes of dog throwing up, drooling, and shaking.

When dogs feel nauseous, they often start drooling due to excessive salivation. This is typically followed by vomiting.

The shaking can come from the discomfort or pain associated with the upset stomach.

Common causes of nausea include:

• Eating something toxic or spoiled

• Sudden diet changes

• Motion sickness during car rides

• Bacterial or viral infections

• Parasites

A dog with gastrointestinal upset may also show signs such as whining, restlessness, licking lips, or refusing food.

Related: Dog throwing up and drooling (What it means)

2. Toxin or Poison Ingestion

If your dog is drooling, vomiting, and shaking all at once, poisoning is a top concern.

Dogs are curious creatures and can easily ingest toxic substances from around the home or yard.

Common toxic items include:

• Human medications (ibuprofen, antidepressants)

• Pesticides or rodent poison

• Chocolate, grapes, onions, xylitol

• Household cleaners

• Certain plants (e.g., sago palm, lilies)

Toxins irritate the stomach lining and affect the nervous system, triggering symptoms like excess drooling, vomiting, and shaking.

This is a medical emergency — contact your veterinarian immediately.

3. Pain or Internal Injury

Dogs express pain differently than humans. If your dog is throwing up, drooling, and shaking, it could be due to pain from an internal injury or illness.

Examples include:

• Pancreatitis

• Gastric dilatation-volvulus (bloat)

• Intestinal blockage

• Liver or kidney disease

Dogs in pain may also hide, whimper, refuse to eat, or exhibit changes in posture.

When accompanied by vomiting and drooling, this is a red flag for serious conditions that require urgent care.

4. Severe Anxiety or Stress

Not all causes are physical. Sometimes, dog drooling, shaking, and vomiting can stem from extreme anxiety or fear.

Dogs that suffer from separation anxiety, fear of loud noises (like thunderstorms), or car rides may react physically to stress.

When under stress:

• Dogs may pant heavily

• Begin to drool excessively

• Shake uncontrollably

• Vomit due to gastrointestinal tension

Stress-related symptoms can mimic those of physical illness, so it’s important to rule out medical causes first.

Related: Dog throwing up and shaking head (Here’s why)

5. Heatstroke or Overheating

If your dog has been in a hot environment and is now throwing up, drooling, and shaking, heatstroke could be the culprit.

Dogs don’t sweat like humans do, so they rely on panting and drooling to cool off.

Symptoms of heatstroke include:

• Excessive drooling

• Vomiting or diarrhea

• Shaking or collapsing

• Bright red gums

• Rapid heartbeat

Heatstroke is a life-threatening emergency.

Move your dog to a cooler area, offer small amounts of water, and get to a vet immediately.

6. Neurological Disorders

In rare cases, dog shaking, drooling, and vomiting can result from neurological conditions such as seizures or vestibular disease.

These disorders affect a dog’s balance, coordination, and muscle control.

Additional symptoms may include:

• Head tilting

• Eye twitching

• Disorientation

• Involuntary urination

If you notice these signs along with drooling and vomiting, it may indicate a neurological issue needing urgent diagnosis.

7. Side Effects of Medication

Some medications can cause a dog to develop nausea, hypersalivation, and trembling as side effects.

Common offenders include:

• Pain relievers

• Antibiotics

• Sedatives

• Chemotherapy drugs

If your dog has recently started a new medication and now shows these symptoms, consult your veterinarian to adjust the dosage or switch the prescription.

Dog Throwing Up, Drooling, and Shaking: What to Watch For

While mild cases of vomiting or drooling may resolve on their own, a combination of all three symptoms warrants a closer look.

Here are warning signs that you should seek veterinary help immediately:

• Persistent vomiting lasting more than 12–24 hours

• Bloody vomit or stool

• Foaming at the mouth

• Seizures or loss of coordination

• Signs of pain like whining or hiding

• Lethargy or collapse

• Loss of appetite for more than a day

• Pale or blue gums

These may indicate poisoning, internal injury, or systemic disease.

What to Do if Your Dog is Throwing Up, Drooling, and Shaking

If your dog is exhibiting these concerning symptoms, take the following steps:

1. Remove access to food and dangerous items.
   Don’t offer food until vomiting subsides. Make sure your dog can’t ingest anything further.

2. Monitor their hydration.
   Dehydration can quickly follow vomiting. Offer small sips of water every 30–60 minutes.

3. Check for toxins.
   Inspect your home and yard. Look for chewed packaging, spilled chemicals, or missing medications.

4. Keep your dog calm.
   Anxiety may worsen the symptoms. Speak softly, keep them in a quiet space, and limit movement.

5. Call your vet.
   Describe your dog’s symptoms and get professional advice. If it’s after hours, contact an emergency animal clinic.

Preventing Vomiting, Drooling, and Shaking in Dogs

Prevention often starts with awareness. Here’s how to reduce the risk of your dog developing these symptoms:

• Avoid sudden food changes; transition diets gradually over a week.

• Keep toxic substances out of reach. This includes human food, cleaning agents, and plants.

• Provide a stable, low-stress environment.

• Use parasite prevention to guard against intestinal worms and infections.

• Avoid overheating by providing shade, water, and never leaving your dog in a car.

• Give medications exactly as prescribed.

When It’s a Puppy or Senior Dog

Puppies and older dogs are more vulnerable. Their immune systems are weaker, and they can dehydrate quickly.

Vomiting, drooling, and shaking in these age groups is an urgent matter that should not wait.

Key Takeway

Dog throwing up, drooling, and shaking can be distressing to witness, but they are important symptoms that should never be ignored.

Whether due to nausea, poisoning, stress, or something more severe, these signs often indicate that your dog’s body is under serious distress.

Early veterinary care can prevent complications, reduce suffering, and save your dog’s life. If you ever notice these symptoms — especially all at once — don’t hesitate. Contact your vet right away.