Dog Throwing Up or Has Diarrhea? What to Do Next
Dog Throwing Up or Has Diarrhea? What to Do Next
By the Humarian Research Team · Updated September 15, 2026
Quick Answer
Occasional vomiting or diarrhea in dogs is usually caused by something they ate, a fast diet change, or a mild stomach bug, and it often settles down within a day with a short rest for the gut, a bland diet, and fresh water. But a few symptoms mean you should skip the home remedies and call your vet right away. Once the episode has passed, a daily probiotic can help support your dog's normal digestion going forward.
Call Your Vet Now If Your Dog Has:
- Blood in the vomit or stool, or vomit that looks like coffee grounds
- Repeated vomiting, or vomiting/dry heaving that doesn't stop
- Diarrhea or vomiting lasting more than 24 hours
- Lethargy, weakness, or a dog that seems "not right"
- Signs of dehydration: not drinking, tacky or dry gums, skin that doesn't spring back when gently pinched
- A puppy, a senior dog, or a dog with an existing health condition
- A swollen or painful belly, or you suspect they swallowed a toxin, plant, or object
- A fever, or any other symptom that worries you
Think your dog ate something toxic? Call ASPCA Animal Poison Control at (888) 426-4435, available 24/7.
Common Causes of Vomiting and Diarrhea in Dogs
Most cases trace back to something ordinary:
- Dietary indiscretion — getting into the trash, table scraps, or spoiled food
- A sudden food change or a new treat their stomach isn't used to
- Eating too fast or overeating
- Food allergies or intolerances
- Intestinal parasites
- Stress, especially after travel, boarding, or a change in routine
- A mild viral or bacterial infection
Less common but more serious causes include pancreatitis, swallowing a toxin or a foreign object, inflammatory bowel disease, kidney or liver disease, and in puppies, parvovirus. These need a vet visit, not a home remedy — see the red-flag box above.
What to Do in the First 24 Hours
First, check for red flags. If your dog has any of the symptoms in the box above, call your vet before trying anything at home.
Ask your vet about a short rest for the gut. Many vets recommend briefly withholding food for a dog with a single episode of vomiting, giving the stomach a chance to settle. This isn't right for every dog — puppies, toy breeds, seniors, and dogs with health conditions can be at risk from even a short fast, so check with your vet first.
Never withhold water. Keep fresh water available at all times to help prevent dehydration.
Reintroduce food with something bland. Once your dog is ready to eat again, a small portion of boiled, unseasoned chicken and plain white rice is a gentle place to start.
Go slow getting back to normal food. If the bland diet stays down, gradually mix in your dog's regular food over several days rather than switching back all at once.
Watch closely. If vomiting or diarrhea continues past 24 hours, comes back, or your dog seems worse at any point, call your vet.
When a Daily Probiotic Can Help
A probiotic is not a treatment for the causes above, and it will not fix a toxin ingestion, a blockage, or an infection that needs veterinary care. What it can do is support the balance of bacteria in your dog's gut — a balance that gets knocked around by diet changes, stress, and normal digestive upset, and that plays a real role in regular stool and day-to-day digestion. Once the acute episode has passed and your vet has ruled out anything serious, a daily probiotic is a simple way to support your dog's digestive health going forward.
How Probonix for Dogs Works
Probonix is a liquid probiotic, not a pill or a powder, built around 8 of the most effective probiotic strains for general gut health and digestion:
- Bifidobacterium lactis
- Lactobacillus rhamnosus
- Enterococcus faecium
- Streptococcus thermophilus
- Lactobacillus acidophilus
- Lactobacillus casei
- Bifidobacterium bifidum
- Lactobacillus plantarum
The strains are carried in a proprietary acid-based formula designed to help more of the live culture survive the trip through your dog's stomach and reach the gut, rather than being broken down before it can do anything. Because it's a liquid, there's nothing to hide in food and nothing for a picky dog to spit out.
How to Use It
- Shake well before use. No refrigeration required.
- Suggested dose: 8 drops daily for medium/large dogs, or 6 drops daily for small dogs.
- Directions: Add the daily dose to your dog's food or water, once a day.
- Made with filtered water and natural liver flavor (non-GMO). Organic and non-GMO, and free of gluten, dairy, sugar, soy, eggs, fish/shellfish, and peanuts/tree nuts.
- For use in dogs only. If your dog's condition worsens or doesn't improve, stop use and consult your veterinarian.
Probonix for Dogs: Price & Guarantee
$37.97 per bottle (30-day supply, 0.5 oz). Subscribe & Save takes 25% off every order, or buy 2-3 bottles and save 12%, 4 or more and save 20%. Standard shipping is free on all US orders.
Backed by a 100% money-back guarantee: a full refund up to 30 days after purchase if you're not happy.
Dog Vomiting & Diarrhea FAQ
Why is my dog throwing up?
Most one-off vomiting is caused by something ordinary: getting into the trash, a sudden food change, eating too fast, or a mild stomach bug. Less common causes like parasites, pancreatitis, a swallowed object, or an infection need a vet's attention. If your dog is otherwise acting normal after one episode, it's usually safe to watch closely; if vomiting repeats or your dog seems unwell, call your vet.
Why does my dog have diarrhea?
Common causes include dietary indiscretion, a new food or treat, food intolerance, intestinal parasites, and stress from travel, boarding, or a change in routine. Diarrhea lasting more than a day or two, or paired with blood, vomiting, lethargy, or weight loss, should be evaluated by a vet.
What can I give my dog for an upset stomach?
For a mild, one-off upset in an otherwise healthy adult dog, many vets suggest a short rest from food (check with your vet first, especially for puppies or small dogs), constant access to fresh water, and then a bland meal of boiled chicken and plain rice once your dog is ready to eat. A daily probiotic like Probonix can support normal digestion once the acute episode has passed.
How long should I withhold food if my dog is vomiting?
This depends on your dog and should be confirmed with your vet. Some vets recommend a short window without food for a single vomiting episode in a healthy adult dog, but puppies, toy breeds, seniors, and dogs with health conditions can be at risk from fasting and shouldn't go without your vet's input.
Should I still give my dog water if they're vomiting?
Yes. Fresh water should always be available to help prevent dehydration, even when food is being withheld. If your dog can't keep water down, that's a reason to call your vet.
When should I take my dog to the vet for vomiting or diarrhea?
Call your vet if you see blood, repeated vomiting or diarrhea, symptoms lasting more than 24 hours, lethargy, dehydration, a swollen belly, a suspected toxin or foreign object, or if your dog is a puppy, senior, or has an existing health condition.
Can probiotics help a dog with diarrhea?
Probiotics support the balance of bacteria in the gut, which plays a role in regular digestion and stool consistency. They're a support tool for ongoing gut health, not a treatment for the underlying cause of diarrhea, so anything beyond a mild, short-lived episode should still be checked by a vet.
How do I give my dog Probonix?
Probonix is a liquid. Shake well, then add the suggested dose (8 drops daily for medium/large dogs, 6 drops for small dogs) to your dog's food or water once a day. No refrigeration needed.
Is Probonix safe for puppies?
Probonix is formulated for dogs, but every puppy is different. Talk to your veterinarian before starting any new supplement with a puppy.
How much does Probonix for Dogs cost?
Probonix for Dogs is $37.97 per 0.5 oz bottle (a 30-day supply) at humarian.com. Subscribe & Save takes 25% off every order, buying 2-3 bottles saves 12%, and 4 or more saves 20%. Standard shipping is free on all US orders, backed by a 100% money-back guarantee within 30 days.
Sources: VCA Animal Hospitals, Vomiting in Dogs · VCA Animal Hospitals, Diarrhea in Dogs · American Kennel Club, Dog Vomiting: When Should You Go to the Vet? · ASPCA Animal Poison Control Center