Few symptoms are more alarming than seeing a dog vomit blood or pass bloody stool — and when both happen together, it signals a potentially serious medical emergency.
Blood appearing from both ends means the digestive tract is severely irritated, damaged, or internally bleeding.
We outline the common reasons for a dog vomiting blood and pooping blood, what you can do at home, and when to seek veterinary help.
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Dog Vomiting Blood and Pooping Blood - Why It Happens
A dog vomiting blood and pooping blood may be suffering from gastrointestinal bleeding, infections, ulcers, toxin exposure, foreign objects, hemorrhagic gastroenteritis, pancreatitis, or trauma. Because blood loss and dehydration can escalate rapidly, this combination always deserves urgent attention.
Dog Vomiting Blood and Pooping Blood: Common Causes
Severe Gastric or Intestinal Irritation (Gastroenteritis)
Severe inflammation of the stomach and intestines can cause both vomiting blood and bloody stool. When the digestive lining becomes irritated enough, small blood vessels rupture and leak into the stomach contents and stool.
This irritation may begin as mild vomiting or diarrhea but progresses rapidly when inflammation intensifies.
Dogs with severe gastroenteritis often vomit repeatedly, causing the stomach lining to erode and bleed. Blood in vomit may appear bright red or look like coffee grounds if partially digested.
The intestines also become inflamed, producing dark, tarry stool or bright red blood depending on the bleed’s location.
As fluid loss worsens, lethargy, shaking, and a sunken appearance may develop.
Because irritation can spread quickly and cause significant blood loss, any dog with both vomiting and bloody stool needs immediate care.
Read more: Dog Suddenly Not Eating and Vomiting (Why it happens)
Hemorrhagic Gastroenteritis (HGE)
Hemorrhagic gastroenteritis is one of the most dramatic causes of vomiting blood and pooping blood.
HGE causes the digestive tract to leak large amounts of blood and fluid, leading to sudden vomiting, explosive bloody diarrhea, and rapid dehydration.
The stool often looks like raspberry jam — loose, bloody, and gelatinous. Vomit may contain bright blood or streaks of red mixed with foam or bile.
Dogs with HGE become lethargic quickly because their blood volume drops, and without treatment, HGE can lead to shock.
Small breeds like Yorkies, Miniature Schnauzers, Pomeranians, and Toy Poodles are especially prone, but any dog can develop HGE. The exact cause is unknown, but bacterial toxins, stress, immune reactions, and dietary indiscretion are suspected triggers.
Vomiting or Swallowing Blood From GI Ulcers
Gastric ulcers can cause internal bleeding that appears in both vomit and stool. Ulcers occur when the protective lining of the stomach erodes, exposing blood vessels underneath. When these vessels rupture, blood enters the stomach and irritates it further, triggering vomiting.
Dogs with ulcers may vomit bright red blood or dark, coffee-ground-like clots. As the dog swallows some of the blood, it travels through the intestines and appears in the stool as dark, tarry melena or as streaks of red blood.
Ulcers can develop from certain medications (especially NSAIDs), stress, kidney disease, liver disease, or underlying systemic illness. When ulcers bleed heavily, a dog may become weak, pale, and lethargic.
Foreign Object or Gastro Intestinal Obstruction
A foreign object lodged in the stomach or intestines can cause severe irritation, tearing, and internal bleeding. The result may be vomiting blood and bleeding from the lower digestive tract due to damage or blockage.
When an object partially blocks the intestines, pressure builds behind the obstruction. This pressure can rupture delicate blood vessels, causing blood to leak into both vomit and stool.
Dogs may drool excessively, retch, pace, or adopt unusual postures due to abdominal discomfort.
Sharp objects — such as bones, sticks, or toys — can cut the lining of the digestive tract and cause sudden, heavy bleeding. As the condition progresses, lethargy, collapse, or dehydration may occur rapidly.
Parvovirus (Especially in Unvaccinated Dogs)
Parvo is a highly contagious viral infection that attacks the intestines, causing severe vomiting and bloody diarrhea.
Puppies and unvaccinated dogs are most at risk. The infection destroys the intestinal lining, causing it to slough off and bleed, which is why stool often contains dark or bright red blood.
Vomiting blood occurs when the stomach or esophagus becomes damaged from repeated vomiting or viral attack.
Dogs with parvo become lethargic quickly due to intense dehydration and blood loss. They may refuse food, hide, tremble, or collapse.
Parvo is life-threatening but survivable with aggressive treatment, especially when caught early.
Poisoning
Certain toxins — especially rodenticide (rat poison) — prevent the blood from clotting properly. As a result, internal bleeding can occur anywhere in the body, including the stomach and intestines.
Dogs exposed to these toxins may vomit blood and pass bloody stool as the digestive tract hemorrhages.
Other toxic triggers, such as NSAIDs, household chemicals, poisonous plants, or human medications, can cause severe gastrointestinal bleeding within hours. Dogs may show pale gums, shaking, confusion, lethargy, bruising, or collapse.
Poisoning progresses fast, making toxin-related blood vomiting and bloody stool one of the most urgent medical emergencies.
Pancreatitis
Pancreatitis can cause severe abdominal inflammation that affects surrounding organs, including the stomach and intestines.
When the pancreas becomes inflamed, digestive enzymes leak out and irritate tissues, causing vomiting that may contain blood. If inflammation spreads to the intestines, bloody diarrhea may follow.
Dogs with pancreatitis often appear lethargic, uncomfortable, and nauseated. They may stretch into a prayer position, refuse food, or become restless. Severe cases can cause internal bleeding and systemic shock.
Fatty food consumption is a common trigger, but pancreatitis can occur unexpectedly in any dog.
Trauma or Internal Injury
Any blow to the abdomen — such as being hit by a car, falling from a height, or rough handling — can cause internal bleeding in the stomach or intestines.
This bleeding may appear in vomit if it reaches the stomach, and in stool if the lower intestines are affected.
Dogs suffering trauma often become lethargic immediately due to pain and blood loss. They may pant, tremble, hide, or collapse. Even minor trauma can cause internal injuries not visible from the outside.
Read more: Dog vomiting bile in the morning (Understanding the causes)
What to Do If Your Dog Is Vomiting Blood and Pooping Blood
Move your dog to a calm, quiet place and try to keep them still, as activity can worsen bleeding. Do not offer food or treats, as eating may exacerbate stomach irritation or obstruction.
Offer small sips of water only if your dog is alert and not vomiting actively — but never force water. Monitor your dog closely for breathing changes, worsening lethargy, signs of pain, or pale gums.
Check your surroundings for any signs of poison, chewed objects, or missing household items. If your dog may have eaten something toxic or indigestible, tell your veterinarian immediately.
Because blood from both ends indicates significant irritation or bleeding inside the digestive tract, home care alone is never enough. Your dog needs prompt veterinary evaluation to diagnose the cause, stop the bleeding, and restore hydration.
When to Call or Visit Your Vet
Seek emergency care immediately if your dog:
• Vomits blood more than once.
• Has bright red or dark, tarry bloody stool.
• Is lethargic, weak, or unable to stand.
• Has pale, white, or gray gums.
• Vomits continuously or cannot keep water down.
• Shows a swollen or painful abdomen.
• Has diarrhea combined with vomiting blood.
• Recently ate garbage, toxins, bones, or foreign objects.
• Is a puppy, senior dog, or unvaccinated.
• Shows signs of dehydration, shaking, or collapse.
Any amount of blood from both ends is considered an emergency.
Read more: Dog vomiting undigested food hours later (Here’s why)
Key Takeaway
A dog vomiting blood and pooping blood is experiencing significant digestive bleeding, irritation, or injury. This combination of symptoms often signals a medical emergency.
Getting immediate veterinary help gives your dog the best chance of a full recovery, regardless of whether the cause is infection, poisoning, ulcers, obstruction, or pancreatitis.