Seeing your puppy vomit and refuse to eat can be a deeply unsettling experience—especially if they were bouncing with energy just hours before.
While puppies can have sensitive stomachs, vomiting combined with loss of appetite isn’t something to brush off.
Understanding the possible causes and knowing when to seek help is critical.
Puppy Vomiting and Not Eating: Why It Happens
When a puppy is vomiting and not eating, the reasons can range from mild digestive upset to life-threatening illnesses such as parvovirus, parasites, or toxin ingestion.
Puppies are especially fragile, and their symptoms can escalate rapidly. Even skipping one or two meals paired with vomiting may signal a serious issue.
Because of their small size and developing systems, these signs can quickly spiral into dehydration or more severe illness.
Puppy Vomiting and Not Eating: Common Causes
1. Parvovirus (Parvo)
Parvo is one of the most dangerous and deadly illnesses in puppies, especially those under 6 months old and not yet fully vaccinated.
It causes persistent vomiting, bloody diarrhea, extreme lethargy, and complete refusal to eat or drink.
Parvo spreads rapidly in kennels and shelters. A puppy showing these symptoms needs immediate emergency care—without it, the virus can be fatal within days.
2. Intestinal Parasites
Puppies commonly suffer from parasites like roundworms, hookworms, giardia, or coccidia.
These invaders irritate the gastrointestinal tract, leading to vomiting, poor appetite, diarrhea, weight loss, and bloating.
Regular deworming and fecal exams are essential during the first few months of life.
If vomiting persists or your puppy stops eating, your vet may recommend a fecal test to check for hidden infections.
Related: Dog vomiting and not eating (Causes and when to worry)
3. Dietary Indiscretion
Puppies are curious and often chew or swallow things they shouldn’t—garbage, toys, plants, or table scraps.
This can result in mild to severe vomiting, stomach pain, and refusal to eat.
If your puppy has recently gotten into something they shouldn’t have, they may experience a mild upset or something more serious like a gastrointestinal blockage, which can become an emergency if left untreated.
4. Food Intolerance or Sudden Diet Change
Changing your puppy’s food too abruptly can cause digestive upset, including vomiting and loss of appetite.
Puppies need time to adjust to new diets, and poor-quality food can trigger vomiting as well.
Always switch foods gradually over 7–10 days, and stick with puppy-formulated, vet-approved diets to avoid unnecessary irritation.
5. Overeating or Eating Too Quickly
Some puppies gulp down food and end up vomiting shortly afterward. Others may overeat, leading to digestive discomfort and refusal to eat their next meal.
While less serious, this habit can lead to bloating and gastrointestinal distress if not corrected.
Using slow-feeder bowls or feeding smaller, more frequent meals can help regulate your puppy’s eating pace.
What to Do If Your Puppy Is Vomiting and Not Eating
If your puppy has vomited once or twice but seems otherwise active and alert, you may try limited home care—but act quickly if things worsen. Here’s what to do:
Withhold food for 4–6 hours to allow the stomach to rest.
Offer small amounts of water or ice chips to prevent dehydration.
After fasting, offer a bland diet like plain boiled chicken and rice.
Avoid treats, rich food, or human food—these may worsen the issue.
Monitor for additional signs, like diarrhea, shaking, bloating, or lethargy.
Do not give over-the-counter medications without veterinary guidance—many are dangerous for puppies.
When to Call or Visit Your Vet
Seek veterinary care right away if your puppy:
Vomits more than twice in 12 hours
Refuses food for more than 8–12 hours
Has diarrhea, especially with blood or mucus
Becomes lethargic, weak, or trembles
Has a bloated belly or seems to be in pain
Is under 12 weeks old or not fully vaccinated
May have ingested something toxic or indigestible
Your vet may perform bloodwork, fecal testing, x-rays, or even hospitalization if your puppy is dehydrated or showing signs of systemic illness.
Related: Puppy Vomiting Not Eating or Drinking (What it means)
Key Takeaway
Puppy vomiting paired with a refusal to eat is never something to wait out casually.
Puppies have very little room for error when it comes to hydration and nutrition, and early intervention can prevent a minor problem from turning into a critical situation.
If your puppy is showing these signs, it’s always better to err on the side of caution. Contact your vet, monitor closely, and take comfort in knowing that with the right care, most puppies bounce back quickly and happily.