Treating a dog with diarrhoea & vomiting

When your dog is vomiting and/or has diarrhoea, you'll naturally want to help them feel better. Many owners worry they need to see a vet, but this isn't always the case. Often, you can begin treatment at home, which we'll guide you through here.

Please note: This advice is for adult dogs in good general health. Your dog should not have blood in their stools or vomit, and they need to be able to keep down food and water. If you're unsure, we recommend contacting a digital vet. As a Lassie customer, unlimited calls to a digital vet are included in your insurance.

Home treatment

Step 1: Rest their stomach. Withhold food for 6-8 hours (this applies to adult dogs only; puppies should not be starved as they are sensitive to low blood sugar).

Soft food diet

Step 2: Once their stomach has rested, start feeding soft food. This is recommended as it contains plenty of liquid, helping to prevent dehydration.

There are specialised soft foods designed for dogs with diarrhoea and vomiting.
If your dog weighs less than 10kg, start with 1 teaspoon of soft food per hour for the first day. For dogs over 10kg, give 1 tablespoon per hour.

After the first day, you can gradually increase portion sizes, but continue to offer 6-8 small meals per day. Stick to a special diet until your dog's stomach has been settled for at least 2 days.

Transition back to normal food

Once your dog has tolerated the bland diet well for at least 2 days, you can gradually reintroduce their regular food over a few days. Introducing food or water too quickly or in large amounts can cause vomiting and/or diarrhoea to return. Always ensure your dog has free access to water.

Acute diarrhoea

If your dog has acute diarrhoea, you can give supplements (probiotics) alongside the bland diet. Administer twice daily according to the package instructions. Supplements can help resolve diarrhoea and contain beneficial bacteria that help stabilise your dog's gut flora.