Seeing your dog vomiting blood and not eating is deeply alarming—and rightly so.
Whether it’s bright red or dark and grainy like coffee grounds, blood in your dog’s vomit is a sign that something serious is happening internally.
When your dog also refuses food, it often means they’re experiencing significant pain or discomfort.
These are not symptoms to wait out—we outline the common causes and what to do.
Dog Vomiting Blood and Not Eating: Why It Happens
When a dog vomits blood and refuses to eat, it may stem from causes such as gastrointestinal ulcers, trauma to the stomach or throat, poisoning, pancreatitis, or severe infections.
The presence of blood suggests damage to internal tissues, while the lack of appetite signals the body’s stress response to illness or pain.
Dog Vomiting Blood and Not Eating: Common Causes
1. Gastric Ulcers or Intestinal Bleeding
One of the most common reasons for a dog vomiting blood and not eating is the presence of ulcers in the stomach or upper gastrointestinal tract.
These ulcers can bleed, releasing bright red or dark-colored blood into the stomach contents.
Ulcers may be caused by long-term medication use (such as NSAIDs), liver disease, or chronic stress.
Dogs with ulcers often stop eating because of pain, and vomiting is typically accompanied by lethargy, weakness, or dark tarry stools.
2. Ingested Toxins or Poisoning
Dogs who ingest toxic substances—such as rodenticides, certain plants, or human medications—can suffer internal bleeding and vomiting.
Blood in the vomit, combined with refusal to eat, often appears in the early stages of poisoning.
These dogs may also exhibit drooling, shaking, diarrhea, or seizures depending on the substance ingested.
If you suspect your dog has eaten something poisonous, don’t wait for symptoms to worsen—call your veterinarian or pet poison hotline immediately.
Related: Dog vomiting and not eating (Causes and when to worry)
3. Physical Trauma or Foreign Object Injury
If your dog swallowed something sharp (like bones, sticks, or plastic), it may cause physical trauma to the esophagus or stomach lining.
This can result in bleeding and intense nausea, which leads to vomiting blood and an unwillingness to eat.
Dogs with a foreign object injury may also show signs like pawing at the mouth, gagging, bloating, or straining to defecate.
X-rays or endoscopy may be necessary to identify and remove the object.
4. Pancreatitis
Pancreatitis—an inflammation of the pancreas—can cause vomiting that sometimes includes blood.
The digestive tract becomes inflamed and irritated, and the resulting pain often causes dogs to stop eating altogether.
Dogs with pancreatitis may also show signs of abdominal pain, fever, weakness, or dehydration.
It can be triggered by fatty food, stress, or underlying health conditions.
Treatment typically includes IV fluids, anti-nausea medication, and a strict, low-fat diet.
Related: Dog Vomiting Yellow Bile and Not Eating (Here’s why)
5. Severe Infections or Parvovirus (Especially in Puppies)
Parvovirus, a dangerous and often deadly infection in puppies and unvaccinated dogs, commonly causes vomiting with blood, as well as diarrhea, lethargy, and loss of appetite.
Infections like leptospirosis or severe bacterial overgrowth in the gut can also result in gastrointestinal bleeding.
If your dog is very young, not fully vaccinated, or showing other symptoms of systemic infection, urgent veterinary attention is needed.
Parvo, in particular, can become fatal within days without treatment.
Related: Dog Vomiting White Foam and Not Eating (Here’s why)
What to Do If Your Dog Is Vomiting Blood and Not Eating
This is not a condition you can treat at home. However, here’s what you should do immediately while arranging veterinary care:
Do not offer food or treats. Feeding can worsen vomiting or increase internal bleeding.
Withhold water temporarily if vomiting is constant, but offer small ice chips if your dog is not actively vomiting.
Avoid over-the-counter medications, even if they seem harmless—some can worsen ulcers or interact with toxins.
Gather information for your vet: when the vomiting began, the color/amount of blood, any exposure to toxins, and what your dog last ate.
Transport your dog carefully to the vet, especially if they are weak, unresponsive, or in pain.
Time is critical. Internal bleeding or poisoning can escalate quickly and become life-threatening without prompt care.
When to Call or Visit Your Vet
You should immediately contact your vet or go to the nearest emergency clinic if your dog is vomiting blood and not eating, especially if:
Vomit contains bright red blood or resembles coffee grounds
There’s also diarrhea (especially bloody or black)
Your dog appears weak, pale, or lethargic
Breathing is shallow or labored
Your dog has a known medical condition or is taking medications
Your dog is a puppy, senior, or otherwise vulnerable
Emergency treatment may include blood tests, imaging, IV fluids, medications to stop bleeding, and hospitalization.
Key Takeaway
A dog vomiting blood and not eating is showing urgent signs of distress that must be addressed immediately.
Whether it’s due to a bleeding ulcer, poisoning, infection, or another serious condition, early intervention is critical to survival and recovery.
As frightening as it is to see blood in your dog’s vomit, don’t panic—act quickly, call your vet, and get the help your dog needs.
Your awareness and prompt response can make all the difference.