Canine Vomiting and Diarrhea in Dogs

Vomiting and diarrhea are very common in dogs and they’re something people usually don’t pay much attention to. However, sometimes they can be a sign that something more serious is going on. Therefore, you shouldn’t take them for granted. Stay alert to any problem your dog has, no matter how small it can be.

This article provides information on the dangers that come or can come with vomiting and diarrhea. Pay close attention and take notes to protect your pet’s health.

Vomiting and diarrhea can be fatal to your dog

According to veterinarians, untreated gastroenteritis can be fatal. Also, it actually is the cause of death for many dogs. Most people tend to think that when a dog vomits, they have eaten something rancid, and they usually don’t think it’s serious, even though it probably is. 

According to veterinarians, one of the main causes of vomiting and diarrhea is intolerance of certain foods. So, even if the animal stops vomiting, if the vomiting and diarrhea come back after a few days, your dog could have an unknown food allergy that could cost them their lives.

Main causes of vomiting and diarrhea in dogs

There are several things that can cause vomiting and diarrhea in dogs. Make sure that these don’t last more than couple of days. If they do, it could be a sign of more serious issues that will be more difficult to deal with, such as the following:

• Infections. These could be caused by different diseases such as hepatitis, parvovirus, leptospirosis, or distemper. Any of those can damage your pet’s digestive system, causing bothersome vomiting and diarrhea.
• Parasites. Because of ingesting certain foods or dirty water, your dog may have parasites in their stomach that cause them to vomit or have diarrhea. These parasites won´t be a problem if they’re treated in time. However, waiting too long can be fatal to your dog.
• Poisoning. Your dog might have eaten or drunk something poisonous without you noticing it. This is one reason why you should take your canine friend to the vet right away, because in most cases when dogs drink cleaning product, it can cost them their lives. So, when in doubt, see a specialist as soon as you see your dog vomiting.
• Low temperatures. With cold weather comes lowered defenses, so the animal is more prone to get viruses that cause gastroenteritis. Keep your dog warm in the winter and in a warm environment.
• Eating objects. If your animal has eaten plastic or other objects that their body can’t digest, they will probably expel them through vomiting and diarrhea.

How to prevent vomiting and diarrhea in dogs

Your dog’s health mostly depends on you preventing them getting gastroenteritis, which causes vomiting and diarrhea. Therefore, follow these basic, simple tips that will allow you to help keep your pet healthy:

• Balanced diet. Dogs need to get nutrients from their food. However, sometimes people give their dogs leftovers, either because they think their dog likes it more, or to save money by not buying special dog food. This is a mistake, because this type of food doesn’t help their digestive system function properly.
• Exercise. Being healthy as a result of exercising is an excellent way to prevent your pet from getting gastroenteritis.
• Vaccines. Keep your pet’s immunization card up-to-date, so that their immune system will be ready for anything.
• Watch their toys. If you see your dog biting through a toy made from toxic materials, then give them something else to chew on. In the end, they’ll probably ingest parts of it, which will cause discomfort.