When your dog is vomiting water and not eating, it’s a troubling sign that shouldn’t be brushed off.
While it may appear that your dog is simply regurgitating water, frequent vomiting of clear liquid paired with refusal to eat can signal a deeper problem.
We outline why this happens and when to seek medical care for your dog.
Dog Vomiting Water and Not Eating: Why It Happens
A dog vomiting water and not eating can be caused by gastrointestinal irritation, kennel cough or respiratory infections, esophageal problems, kidney disease, or foreign objects in the digestive tract.
These underlying issues prevent the normal digestion of water and food, often making your dog nauseous or unable to keep fluids down.
Dog Vomiting Water and Not Eating: Common Causes
1. Gastrointestinal Upset or Empty Stomach
Dogs with sensitive stomachs may vomit water if they drink too quickly on an empty stomach.
When there’s no food to help absorb the liquid, it can come right back up, often mixed with clear mucus or frothy fluid.
This is especially common first thing in the morning or after exercise.
An empty stomach can also produce bile and gastric irritation, making your dog feel nauseated and uninterested in eating.
Mild cases may resolve on their own, but persistent vomiting can escalate to dehydration and should not be ignored.
Related: Dog vomiting and not eating (Causes and when to worry)
2. Drinking Water Too Fast or After Exercise
Dogs that gulp water too quickly—especially after exercise—may vomit it back up.
This often occurs in excited or overheated dogs that drink excessively without pause.
The water expands the stomach rapidly and triggers regurgitation or vomiting.
While this might seem harmless, repeated episodes can stress the digestive tract or lead to choking.
Slowing down your dog’s drinking by using a no-gulp bowl or offering smaller amounts at a time can prevent this.
3. Esophageal or Swallowing Disorders
Conditions like megaesophagus, a disorder in which the esophagus doesn’t push food and water into the stomach properly, can cause dogs to regurgitate liquids soon after drinking.
These dogs may also refuse food due to discomfort or the inability to swallow safely.
Dogs with esophageal issues often have poor posture while eating, regurgitate undigested material, and may cough or show signs of aspiration.
These conditions require veterinary diagnosis and often long-term management strategies.
4. Respiratory Infections or Kennel Cough
If your dog is coughing and vomiting water or clear foam, it could be related to kennel cough or another respiratory infection.
Sometimes, the coughing is so intense that it triggers vomiting. These dogs often have reduced appetites, nasal discharge, and a low-grade fever.
Although kennel cough is usually self-limiting, other infections like pneumonia or canine influenza can be more serious and need medical attention—especially if your dog is lethargic or not eating.
Related: Dog Vomiting Yellow Bile and Not Eating
5. Kidney Disease
In dogs with kidney problems, the body cannot effectively process waste, which builds up in the bloodstream and causes nausea.
These dogs often drink large amounts of water, then vomit it up because their systems are overwhelmed. Loss of appetite follows quickly due to the nausea.
Chronic kidney disease is more common in older dogs and can present subtly at first.
Symptoms include vomiting, weight loss, bad breath, and changes in urination patterns. Bloodwork and urine tests are essential to confirm this diagnosis.
6. Foreign Object or Obstruction
If your dog swallowed something they shouldn’t—like a toy, sock, or bone—it could cause a blockage in the stomach or intestines.
Water might pool in the stomach and come back up because it cannot pass the obstruction.
Dogs with an obstruction typically refuse food, vomit repeatedly, and may become lethargic or develop a bloated abdomen.
This is a medical emergency and often requires surgery to resolve.
What to Do If Your Dog Is Vomiting Water and Not Eating
If your dog vomits water once and returns to normal, it may just be a passing upset.
But if vomiting continues or your dog refuses food, take these steps at home while keeping a close eye:
Limit water intake temporarily. Offer small sips or ice chips every 15–30 minutes to prevent vomiting and dehydration.
Withhold food for 6–12 hours to allow the digestive system to rest.
After the rest period, offer bland foods like boiled chicken and white rice in small portions.
Keep your dog calm and in a cool environment, especially if heat or stress may be a factor.
Avoid over-the-counter medications unless prescribed by your vet.
Mild, short-lived cases may resolve with rest and dietary adjustments, but worsening symptoms call for veterinary care.
Related: Dog Vomiting White Foam and Not Eating
When to Call or Visit Your Vet
Seek veterinary care if your dog is vomiting water and not eating and:
Vomiting occurs more than 2–3 times in 24 hours
Your dog becomes lethargic or shows signs of dehydration
There’s blood in the vomit or stool
Your dog is also coughing, shivering, or shaking
Your dog has a bloated abdomen or cries when touched
You suspect they may have swallowed something harmful
Prompt treatment can prevent complications like aspiration pneumonia or severe dehydration, especially in puppies, small breeds, or seniors.
Key Takeaway
A dog vomiting water and not eating may be showing signs of anything from a mild digestive upset to a more serious health concern.
What might seem like a simple case of over-drinking can quickly turn into dehydration if vomiting continues.
The refusal to eat is often a dog’s way of signaling that something is wrong.
With prompt care and close observation, you can determine whether the issue is temporary or something that needs a vet’s attention.
Don’t hesitate to act early—your dog’s health and comfort depend on it.