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Vomiting and Diarrhea

Dog or cat vomiting or diarrhea? We can see them today.

Vomiting and diarrhea in dogs and cats often come from a simple upset stomach, but they can also signal a swallowed object, infection, pancreatitis, or a toxin. Encino Pet Hospital & Emergency sees dogs and cats for vomiting and diarrhea same day, seven days a week.

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Same day
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Call Us Right Away If

When vomiting or diarrhea can't wait.

One soft stool in a bright, hungry dog is usually not a crisis. These signs are different, and they mean your pet should be seen now.

  • ✓Your dog is retching with nothing coming up, especially with a swollen belly
  • ✓Vomiting happens several times in a few hours, or your pet can't keep water down
  • ✓There is blood in the vomit, or the stool is bloody or black and tarry
  • ✓You know or suspect your pet swallowed a toy, sock, bone, corn cob, or string
  • ✓Your pet may have eaten a toxin such as chocolate, grapes, xylitol, medication, or rat bait
  • ✓Your pet is a puppy, kitten, or senior, or has an existing medical condition
  • ✓There is weakness, pale gums, or a painful belly

Unproductive retching with a bloated belly can be bloat, a life-threatening twisting of the stomach most common in large, deep-chested dogs. Please head to our emergency and urgent care team right away. After 7:30 PM, if it can't wait until we open at 7:30 AM, go straight to the nearest 24-hour emergency hospital.

Common Causes

Why dogs and cats throw up or get diarrhea.

Vomiting and diarrhea are symptoms, not a diagnosis. The cause might be minor or serious, and the pattern helps us tell the difference.

  • ✓Dietary indiscretion: garbage, table scraps, or a sudden change in food
  • ✓Intestinal parasites such as roundworms, hookworms, or Giardia
  • ✓Viral infections, including parvovirus in puppies that are not fully vaccinated
  • ✓Swallowed objects that block the stomach or intestines
  • ✓Pancreatitis, often after a fatty meal
  • ✓Kidney disease, liver disease, or hormonal conditions
  • ✓Inflammatory bowel disease or food sensitivities

In cats, frequent vomiting is not just hairballs. In older cats, it can be linked to kidney disease, thyroid problems, or intestinal disease.

At Your Visit

What happens when you bring your pet in.

We start with a thorough exam and a conversation about what your pet ate, when the symptoms began, and what the vomit or stool looked like. A phone photo helps.

A fecal test checks for parasites. Bloodwork looks at hydration, organ function, and infection, and many results come back in under an hour. Digital X-rays can show many swallowed objects and signs of a blockage, and abdominal ultrasound gives a closer look at the stomach, intestines, and pancreas. X-ray and ultrasound studies are read by a board-certified veterinary radiologist.

If your pet swallowed something that is still in the stomach, it can sometimes be retrieved with endoscopy, a camera passed through the mouth with no incision. Objects that have moved into the intestines or caused a blockage usually need surgery, including GI foreign body removal.

Many pets go home with anti-nausea medication, a feeding plan, and clear instructions. Pets who are dehydrated or can't keep anything down may need IV fluids and close monitoring through pet hospitalization. Families come to us from across the Valley, Santa Clarita, Palmdale, Lancaster, and Ventura, so if you are driving from Santa Clarita, call on the way.

Common Questions

Vomiting and diarrhea FAQ.

When should I worry about my dog vomiting?
Worry when vomiting happens more than once or twice, comes with diarrhea, lethargy, or belly pain, contains blood, or your dog can't keep water down. Retching with nothing coming up and a swollen belly is an emergency. Unsure? Call us at (818) 922-2209.
Why is my dog throwing up but acting normal?
A single episode in a dog who is eating, drinking, and playing is often a mild stomach upset from something they ate. If the vomiting repeats, your dog stops eating, or you think they swallowed an object or toxin, call us for a same-day visit.
How long is too long for dog or cat diarrhea?
Diarrhea that lasts more than a day or two, keeps coming back, or appears with vomiting, blood, or low energy should be checked by a vet. Puppies, kittens, and seniors can become dehydrated faster, so they should be seen sooner. Black, tarry stool needs attention the same day.
Is my cat vomiting just hairballs?
Not always. An occasional hairball can happen, but a cat that vomits often, loses weight, or has a change in appetite may have an underlying problem such as intestinal, kidney, or thyroid disease. A vet exam and bloodwork are the best way to find out.
Can I give my pet human medicine for an upset stomach?
Please do not give human medications, including anti-diarrheal or antacid products, without talking to a veterinarian first. Some are unsafe for pets. Call us and we will guide you on next steps.

Worried about vomiting or diarrhea?

Call us or walk in during open hours, 7:30 AM to 7:30 PM every day, and we will see your dog or cat today.

Book a visit(818) 922-2209