Diarrhoea and vomiting in dogs and cats: what to do with an upset stomach

Vomiting and diarrhoea are among the most common issues faced by cats and dogs. It's a common thing to see at emergency veterinary practices . Vomiting is consistently one of the most common pet insurance claims insurers see too. The good news is many cases of gastrointestinal (GI) upset can be resolved with supportive care and time. The less good news, however, is that GI upset can also be a serious problem. But how can pet parents know when to be worried? Let’s take a deeper dive into GI upset and how you can look after your pets. Causes of diarrhoea and vomiting in dogs and cats Many pet parents wonder what causes diarrhoea and vomiting in dogs and cats. It’s important to note that these symptoms, like diarrhoea vomiting in dogs or cats, may not always originate in the gut. Almost any of our pet diseases can present with vomiting as the primary concern owners bring up at the vet. Here’s a list of causes of diarrhoea and vomiting in pets that come to mind. Gastrointestinal causes of vomiting and diarrhoea in cats and dogs Non-gastrointestinal causes of vomiting and diarrhoea in cats and dogs I could go on, but I think this list helps give people an idea of how non-specific vomiting and diarrhoea are as a clinical sign in our pets. It’s important for pet owners to keep this in mind when seeking veterinary care for tummy upset because any hints from the pet's history leading up to the event can help find the cause and treat the problem. What does your pet’s vomit or diarrhoea mean? We know talking about what your pet’s vomit or diarrhoea looks like is not everyone’s favourite topic of conversation, but your vet is usually keen on a description or a picture. It can really help us figure out what caused it, as well as how serious the scenario might be. Some pet vomit colours to look out for are: Should you starve a dog with diarrhoea? No, you shouldn’t starve a dog with diarrhoea unless your vet advises otherwise. In most cases, allow a short fasting period (a few hours) and then offer bland food such as boiled chicken with plain white rice. Puppies and small dogs should never be starved as they lack energy reserves. Always ensure your pet has access to water. For most healthy adults, giving them a few hours post-vomiting to let them settle and then offering a small amount of their food or something bland is typically safe. For example, if your dog vomits one time and is otherwise happy and still interested in food, I would tell a client to give them a break for the afternoon and then offer a third to half of their normal food amount for dinner. If they keep this down you can slowly work back to full amounts over the next few days. I never recommend withholding water. Repeated episodes of GI upset or your pet showing other clinical signs should warrant a trip to your vet for further investigation. Concerning changes at home would include them being lethargic, weak, not interested in food, disoriented, or even restless and agitated. What should I give to my cat or dog experiencing stomach upset? What to give a dog vomiting and diarrhoea? Bland and easily digestible foods like boiled chicken breast or turkey with white rice or boiled sweet potato are great options. Avoid fibre-heavy foods like pumpkin as they aren’t practical for pets. I don’t often recommend people use things like sweet potato, pumpkin or squash for fibre supplementation because the amount you need to give to make an impact is fairly large – it's just not practical. Similarly, I don’t often recommend chicken and rice for diarrhoea cases because that’s just protein and starch with little fibre, so it usually goes in one end and out the other. Feeding a combination of things like this is ok for short-term use only, as it’s more of a supportive measure and not a long-term balanced diet. Using a veterinary gut support diet like Royal Canin Gastrointestinal is a safe bet if people want something easy and balanced. It comes in wet and dry for both dogs and cats. Veterinary diets like this one are balanced maintenance diets for pets and potentially can be fed long-term for those with a sensitive gut. When should I see a vet about vomiting and diarrhoea? It depends on how long your dog or cat has diarrhoea and vomiting and its severity. While some cases of diarrhoea vomiting in dogs or cats resolve quickly, others require immediate veterinary care. Knowing when to act is crucial for your pet’s health. As previously mentioned, if your pet vomits or has soft stool once or maybe twice but is otherwise acting happy, energetic, and interested in food, then monitoring them at home and feeding them a bland meal may be enough to help them through. Some of the following, however, suggest your pet should be seen by a vet (and not after waiting several days): What should I do if a kitten or puppy has sickness and diarrhoea? Things are more serious if your kitten or puppy has vomiting and diarrhoea as they become dehydrated very quickly. Contact your vet immediately if the condition isn't a one-off, and offer them water to keep them hydrated. For younger pets, the signs to call a vet are: Monitor your puppy or kitten closely and don't put off going to the vet or an emergency vet if they're unwell. Dehydration is a serious issue in young pets. How can I tell if my pet is dehydrated? Symptoms of dehydration include: You must see a vet if you suspect dehydration. How will a vet treat my pet for vomiting and diarrhoea? Your vet will recommend therapy depending on their overall picture of your pet (their history, a physical examination, etc.). For happy, bouncy and well-hydrated pets, the vet may suggest that monitoring or simple symptomatic therapy is warranted. This can include things like anti-nausea medications, probiotics, anti-diarrhoea medications, gastrointestinal-friendly diets, or even subcutaneous fluids. Most online pharmacies can affordably fulfil and quickly dispense anti-nausea and anti-diarrhoea medication prescriptions. For older pets or pets with other clinical changes, your vet will likely suggest further testing and more intensive therapies such as blood tests, faecal samples, imaging of the abdomen (x-rays, ultrasound), and intravenous fluids/medications. How can I prevent diarrhoea and vomiting in cats and dogs? Common preventative measures include: Diet and nutrition Hydration Preventative care What breeds are prone to diarrhoea and vomiting? Gastrointestinal issues tend to affect smaller dogs, especially toy breeds. Overall, these breeds can have gastrointestinal issues more than others: How pet insurance can help Because pets can become dehydrated very quickly with persistent vomiting or diarrhoea, keeping pets for treatment in the vet hospital or out-of-hours vet is fairly common. That can mean that treatment costs for diarrhoea and vomiting can be much higher than you’d expect. The right pet insurance policy will give you peace of mind that you’ll be able to get your pet the treatment they need, when they need it, even if it’s out of hours or they need an overnight stay to get them hydrated, healthy and recovered.

Diarrhoea and vomiting in dogs and cats: what to do with an upset stomach

Content

Pet passports vs Animal Health Certificates: what’s the difference, and which one do you need?

Your springtime guide to protecting your pet from poisonous plants

Pet CVs for renting: how to get a landlord to accept your pet (2026)

Kirsten Ronngren DVM MRCVS

The four stages of a female dog's heat cycle, explained

How much does it cost to neuter a dog in the UK?

How much does a vet prescription cost in the UK?

12 best low-maintenance dog breeds for easy-going pet owners

The cost of neutering a cat in the UK

Our plans

Resources

Company

Follow us

Country