Home Care for Dogs with Diarrhea and Vomiting

Vomiting and diarrhea are the most common symptoms seen in dogs. They can occur alone or in tandem and be a minor self-limiting problem or very significant problem.

Below are some common questions pet owners ask when their dog has vomiting and/or diarrhea:

What Are Diarrhea and Vomiting?

Vomiting is the act of expelling contents from the stomach through the mouth.

Diarrhea is the act of having abnormally loose or liquid stools. This can also be associated with an increased frequency of bowel movements. Some dogs will have a large amount of liquid or abnormally loose stools once and others will have semi-formed stools frequently, coupled with straining.

Why Does My Dog Have Diarrhea and Vomiting?

Causes of vomiting and diarrhea in dogs include eating too fast, eating too much, eating something that is not digestible, changes in diet, eating spoiled food or garbage, infectious agents (including bacteria, viruses or parasites), or systemic problems such as cancer, diabetes, pancreatitis, kidney disease, or liver disease.

Vomiting and diarrhea can affect your dog by causing extreme fluid loss, which leads to dehydration, electrolyte disturbances, and/or acid-base imbalances.

A common question that pet owners often ask is, “What can I do at home to help my dog?”

How Do I Treat Vomiting and Diarrhea for Dogs at Home?

Specific treatments of vomiting are dependent on the cause. Here is the general approach to treating vomiting and diarrhea:

• If your pet vomits once and/or has a small amount of diarrhea then eats normally with no further vomiting, has a normal bowel movement, and is acting playful, then the problem may resolve on its own.
• If you discover any predisposing cause, such as exposure to trash, change in diet, or ingestion of plants, always eliminate that cause.
• If your dog vomits several times, has diarrhea, and you cannot take your dog to your veterinarian (which is recommended), then you may try the following:
  • Dealing with both vomiting and diarrhea can be difficult. Often with vomiting, feeding should be avoided for 2 to 4 hours, possibly even longer if your dog also has diarrhea. If your dog is acting sick, lethargic, and the vomiting and/or diarrhea continues, see your veterinarian immediately.
  • Do not give any medications without consulting your veterinarian. Some medications can be toxic.
  • If your pet has not vomited following the 2-to-4-hour break from feeding, offer small amounts of water (a few tablespoons at a time). Continue to offer small amounts of water every 20 minutes or so until your pet is hydrated. Don’t allow your dog to drink to excess, as this may lead to vomiting.
  • If there has been no vomiting after the small increments of water are offered, then you may gradually offer a bland diet.
  • Small frequent feedings of a bland digestible diet, such as Hill’s Prescription Diet i/d, Iams Recovery Diet, Provision EN, or Waltham Low Fat, are usually recommended. You can make a homemade diet of boiled rice or potatoes (as the carbohydrate source) and lean hamburger, skinless chicken, or low-fat cottage cheese (as the protein source). Feed small amounts at a time and, if there is no vomiting, offer more about 1 hour later. Give small amounts frequently – every 3 to 4 hours – for the first day. You can gradually increase the amount and decrease the frequency based on your dog’s tolerance.

Vet Recommended At-Home Treatment for Vomiting and Diarrhea in Dogs

Many veterinarians recommend Pepcid AC® (generic name is Famotidine) to decrease stomach acid. The most used dosage is 0.25 to 0.5 mg per pound (0.5 to 1.0 mg/kg) every 12 to 24 hours. A 20-pound dog should get about 5 to 10 mg (total dose) once to twice daily. This is an oral medication, which can be found at most pharmacies in the antacid section. Pepcid (Famotidine) does not require a prescription. It is often used for 3 to 5 days.

Some veterinarians recommend Pepto-Bismol or Kaopectate® (for dogs only!). The active ingredients are generally subsalicylate and Bismuth. Two tablespoons of Pepto-Bismol contain almost as much salicylate as one aspirin tablet (which is toxic to cats). Do NOT give cats Pepto-Bismol or Kaopectate!

The subsalicylate, an aspirin-like compound, can decrease diarrhea caused by intestinal infection. The bismuth agent is a chalk-like compound designed to coat the lining of the stomach and intestines. This helps some pets with diarrhea.

The typical daily dose administered to dogs amounts to approximately 2 teaspoons (10 ml total) per 10 pounds, ideally split between two to four doses. This be found at most pharmacies and does not require a prescription. It is often used for 1 to 2 days. DO NOT USE IN CATS.

Diarrhea and Vomiting in Dogs: When to Worry

If the vomiting and/or diarrhea continues or worsens, if you note blood in the vomit or feces, or if other symptoms appear, call your veterinarian immediately. If your dog is not eating, acts lethargic, continues to vomit, or there are any other physical abnormalities, it is important to see your veterinarian.

Your pet needs the professional care your veterinarian can provide. If your pet is having the clinical signs mentioned above, expect your veterinarian to perform some diagnostic tests and to make treatment recommendations dependent upon the severity and the nature of the clinical signs.

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The information presented in this article is for educational and informational purposes only and does not constitute or substitute for the advice of a veterinarian.