Vomiting and diarrhea

What to do

1. Call your vet now if you see any of the warning signs on this page, or if your puppy has diarrhea.
2. Go to a vet straight away for blood in the vomit or poop, retching with nothing coming up, a swollen belly, or weakness or collapse.
3. If an adult dog has vomited once and is otherwise bright, let it rest at home and watch closely for more.
4. Offer fresh water little and often through the day.
5. Once the vomiting stops, give small, frequent meals of a bland food, such as plain boiled rice with cooked chicken breast, then switch back to normal food over two to three days.
6. Call your vet if your dog keeps vomiting, still isn't right after 24 hours, or gets worse at any point.
7. If a toy puppy is also weak, wobbly or very sleepy, it may have low blood sugar. Go to a vet now.

When to call your vet

• Vomiting again and again
• Blood in the vomit, or bloody or black poop
• Retching with nothing coming up, or a swollen belly
• Diarrhea for more than a day, or any diarrhea in a puppy
• Not eating, low energy or a painful belly
• Sticky gums or sunken eyes (dehydration)
• Weakness, confusion or collapse
• Your dog may have eaten something poisonous or swallowed an object

Why

Most cases are mild, but vomiting and diarrhea can also mean parvo, poisoning, a gut blockage or a twisted stomach. If it keeps going it can dehydrate a dog, and it's more serious in puppies.