Vomiting & Diarrhea in Pets: When to Worry

Vomiting & Diarrhea in Pets: When to Worry & What to Do

Vomiting and diarrhea are common issues that affect dogs and cats. While often minor and self-limiting, they can sometimes signal serious health problems. This guide helps you understand when to monitor at home and when to seek veterinary care.

Understanding Vomiting in Pets

Common Causes:

• Dietary indiscretion (eating something they shouldn't)
• Sudden diet changes
• Food intolerance or allergies
• Hairballs (especially in cats)
• Motion sickness
• Stress or anxiety
• Infections (viral, bacterial, parasitic)
• Toxins or poisoning
• Intestinal blockages
• Chronic conditions (kidney disease, pancreatitis)

Types of Vomiting:

Regurgitation vs. Vomiting:

• Regurgitation: Undigested food comes up passively, shortly after eating, with no abdominal effort
• Vomiting: Active abdominal contractions, retching, bringing up digested food or bile

Acute vs. Chronic:

• Acute: Sudden onset, usually resolves within 24-48 hours
• Chronic: Persistent or recurring over weeks/months - requires veterinary investigation

Understanding Diarrhea in Pets

Common Causes:

• Dietary changes or indiscretion
• Food intolerance or allergies
• Intestinal parasites (worms, giardia)
• Viral or bacterial infections
• Stress
• Medications or antibiotics
• Inflammatory bowel disease
• Toxins
• Chronic conditions (liver disease, pancreatitis)

Types of Diarrhea:

Small Intestine vs. Large Intestine:

• Small intestine: Large volumes, watery, may contain undigested food, less frequent
• Large intestine: Small amounts, mucus or blood present, frequent straining, urgency

When to See a Vet IMMEDIATELY

Seek emergency veterinary care if your pet shows:

• Repeated vomiting (more than 2-3 times in a few hours)
• Vomit containing blood (red or coffee-ground appearance)
• Bloody diarrhea (bright red or black, tarry stools)
• Severe, watery diarrhea
• Signs of pain (hunched posture, crying, reluctance to move)
• Lethargy or weakness
• Refusal to drink water
• Dry gums or skin (signs of dehydration)
• Distended or bloated abdomen
• Pale gums
• Difficulty breathing
• Seizures or collapse
• Known ingestion of toxins or foreign objects
• Puppies or kittens (they dehydrate quickly)
• Senior pets or those with existing health conditions

These symptoms can indicate life-threatening conditions requiring immediate treatment.

When to Monitor at Home

If your pet has mild, isolated vomiting or diarrhea but is otherwise acting normally, you may be able to manage at home:

Signs It's Likely Minor:

• Single episode or 1-2 episodes in 24 hours
• Still eating, drinking, and active
• Normal energy levels
• No blood in vomit or stool
• No signs of pain or distress
• Adult pet in otherwise good health

Home Care Steps:

1. Fast for 12-24 Hours (Dogs Only)

• Withhold food to rest the digestive system
• Always provide access to fresh water
• Cats should NOT be fasted - consult your vet

2. Offer Small Amounts of Water

• Prevent dehydration with frequent small drinks
• Ice cubes can help if vomiting continues
• If vomiting after drinking, contact your vet

3. Introduce a Bland Diet

After fasting (dogs) or if appetite returns:

• Boiled chicken (no skin or bones) and white rice
• Boiled lean mince and pumpkin
• Plain boiled white fish
• Small, frequent meals (4-6 times daily)

4. Gradual Transition Back

• Once symptoms resolve (24-48 hours), slowly reintroduce regular food
• Mix bland diet with regular food over 3-5 days
• Increase regular food proportion gradually

5. Monitor Closely

• Watch for worsening symptoms
• Track frequency and appearance of vomit/diarrhea
• Check hydration (gums should be moist, skin should spring back)
• Note energy levels and appetite

Signs of Dehydration

Dehydration is a serious concern with vomiting and diarrhea:

• Dry, sticky gums
• Sunken eyes
• Loss of skin elasticity (skin doesn't spring back when gently pulled)
• Lethargy
• Decreased urination
• Panting

If you suspect dehydration, contact your vet immediately.

When to Call Your Vet (Non-Emergency)

Schedule a vet appointment if:

• Symptoms persist beyond 24-48 hours
• Vomiting or diarrhea is recurring
• Your pet is eating less or losing weight
• You notice changes in drinking habits
• Symptoms improve then return
• You're unsure or concerned

Prevention Tips

Diet Management:

• Feed high-quality, consistent diet
• Avoid sudden food changes - transition gradually over 7-10 days
• Don't feed table scraps or fatty foods
• Keep rubbish bins secure
• Monitor what your pet eats on walks

Parasite Control:

• Regular deworming as recommended by your vet
• Annual fecal checks
• Clean up after your pet promptly

Stress Reduction:

• Maintain routine during changes
• Provide safe, quiet spaces
• Consider probiotics for sensitive stomachs

Toxin Awareness:

Common NZ household toxins that cause vomiting/diarrhea:

• Chocolate, grapes, raisins, onions, garlic
• Xylitol (artificial sweetener)
• Rat poison and snail bait
• Lilies (toxic to cats)
• Human medications
• Cleaning products
• Garden chemicals and fertilizers

Special Considerations for NZ Pet Parents

Beach & Water Safety:

• Salt water ingestion can cause vomiting and diarrhea
• Rinse pets after beach visits
• Prevent drinking from rock pools or stagnant water

Native Plants:

• Some NZ native plants can be toxic
• Karaka berries are particularly dangerous
• Supervise outdoor exploration

Seasonal Risks:

• Summer: heat-related illness, BBQ scraps
• Autumn: fallen fruit fermentation
• Spring: garden chemicals, new plants

What to Tell Your Vet

When contacting your vet, provide:

• When symptoms started
• Frequency of vomiting/diarrhea
• Appearance (color, consistency, blood present?)
• What your pet has eaten recently
• Any known toxin exposure
• Other symptoms (lethargy, pain, etc.)
• Your pet's vaccination and deworming status
• Any medications or supplements

Supporting Digestive Health

Maintain your pet's digestive wellness:

• Quality Nutrition: Feed premium, easily digestible food like WildRoots GojiGlow air-dried nutrition
• Probiotics: Support gut health, especially after illness or antibiotics
• Hydration: Always provide fresh, clean water
• Regular Exercise: Supports healthy digestion
• Stress Management: Reduce anxiety triggers
• Routine Vet Checks: Catch issues early

The Bottom Line

While occasional vomiting or diarrhea is common and often resolves on its own, it's important to recognize when professional care is needed. Trust your instincts - if you're worried, contact your vet. It's always better to be cautious when it comes to your pet's health.

When in doubt, call your vet. They're there to help!

Emergency Vet Contacts:

Keep your local vet and nearest after-hours emergency clinic numbers saved in your phone. In New Zealand, most regions have 24-hour emergency veterinary services available.

This guide is for informational purposes only and does not replace professional veterinary advice. Always consult your veterinarian for diagnosis and treatment.