Vomiting and Diarrhea in Dogs: When to Worry and What to Do
Vomiting and diarrhea are among the most common reasons dog owners seek urgent veterinary care. While an occasional upset stomach isn’t unusual, persistent vomiting or diarrhea can indicate a more serious health issue.
At Furgent Care Veterinary Urgent Care, we understand how stressful it is when your dog isn’t feeling well. This guide will help you determine when to monitor at home and when it’s time to bring your dog in for urgent care. When you're at the vet's office they'll determine what type of diagnostic testing your pet will need.
Disclaimer: This content is for informational purposes only. If your dog is experiencing symptoms, consult a veterinarian.
Common Causes of Vomiting and Diarrhea in Dogs
Dogs are naturally curious, often eating things they shouldn’t. Here are the most frequent causes of digestive issues:
1. Eating Something They Shouldn’t (Garbage Gut or Dietary Indiscretion)
Many dogs love to scavenge—whether it’s table scraps, spoiled food, or even non-food items like socks or toys. This can lead to vomiting, diarrhea, and discomfort.
2. Bacterial or Viral Infections
Parvovirus (especially in unvaccinated puppies) can cause severe vomiting, diarrhea, and dehydration.
Bacterial infections (e.g., Salmonella, E. coli) from contaminated food or water lead to gastrointestinal distress.
3. Parasites
Intestinal parasites like roundworms, hookworms, whipworms, or giardia can cause chronic diarrhea, weight loss, and bloating, especially in puppies. These worms are often in contaminated soil, grass, or feces left by infected animals. Some dogs can ingest infected rodents, birds, or raw meat containing parasite eggs or larvae.
4. Pancreatitis
A high-fat meal, such as bacon, fried food, or leftover holiday ham, can cause pancreatitis. This is an inflammation of the pancreas. It leads to symptoms like vomiting, diarrhea, abdominal pain, and lethargy.
5. Inflammatory Bowel Disease (IBD)
Chronic vomiting and diarrhea may indicate inflammatory bowel disease, a condition where the immune system attacks the intestines.
6. Liver, Kidney or other Systemic Disease
Older dogs or those with underlying health conditions may experience persistent vomiting and diarrhea because of organ dysfunction.
When to Monitor at Home vs. When to Seek Urgent Care
Not all cases of vomiting and diarrhea need an urgent vet visit. However, it is still always a good idea to call your local vet and voice your concerns. Here’s how to assess your dog’s condition:
Mild Cases (Usually OK to Monitor at Home)
Your dog vomits once but is otherwise acting normally and eating well
Your dog has soft stool or mild diarrhea for less than 24 hours and is still eating and drinking and acting normally
When to Seek Urgent Care
Take your dog to a vet if they show any of the following symptoms:
Repeated vomiting (more than twice in a few hours)
Diarrhea lasting more than 24 hours (loose stools, watery stools, etc)
Blood in vomit or stool (bright red or dark, tar-like)
Lethargy, weakness, or refusal to eat/drink
Signs of dehydration (dry gums, sunken eyes)
Abdominal pain or bloating
Gagging or retching without producing vomit
Known ingestion of a toxic substance
What to Expect at Furgent Care
If your dog needs urgent care for vomiting or diarrhea, our team will:
Perform a thorough exam to assess hydration, abdominal pain and any overt cause of the symptoms
Discuss and perform in-house diagnostics such as bloodwork, x-rays, or stool tests to help direct the treatment plan.
Provide treatment, including fluids, anti-nausea medications, probiotics, or prescription diets.
Discuss a care plan and send a detailed report to your primary vet for follow-up.
Preventing Digestive Issues in Dogs
To reduce the risk of vomiting and diarrhea:
✔️ Feed a consistent, high-quality diet and avoid table scraps.
✔️ Keep toxic foods for dogs out of reach (such as chocolate, grapes, garlic/onions, xylitol (sugar-free gum) etc)
✔️ Supervise outdoor activities to prevent scavenging.
✔️ Ensure routine deworming and vaccinations.
✔️ Introduce new foods gradually to prevent stomach upset.
Worried About Your Dog’s Vomiting or Diarrhea? We Can Help!
At Furgent Care, we offer after-hours veterinary care for non-life-threatening emergencies. This includes digestive issues, minor injuries, skin problems, and more.
Located in Virginia Beach | Open Weekdays 2 PM – 10 PM (closed Tuesdays) | Weekends 10 AM – 10 PM
You don't need an appointment—join our Virtual Waiting Room and bring your dog to our veterinary urgent care today. Our team is here to help guide you through your emergency and provide peace of mind.
If you have any specific questions call us at 757-656-5650 and one of our techs will be happy to help you.