Dog Upset Stomach: What to Give and How to Help

Few things pull at your heartstrings quite like watching your furry friend hunched over, tummy gurgling, clearly not feeling their best. If you're searching for what to give a dog for upset stomach and vomiting, you're not alone — an upset stomach is one of the most common reasons pet parents reach for Google in a panic.

The good news is that most cases of an upset stomach in dogs are mild and clear up with a little at-home care. In this post, we'll explore what causes a dog's upset stomach, the signs to watch for, what to feed your pup, and when it's time to see a vet — so by the end, you'll feel calm and confident about helping your four-legged friend back to their happy self.

What is gastroenteritis?

When your dog has an upset stomach, your vet may use the word "gastroenteritis." In plain English, gastroenteritis in dogs means inflammation of the stomach and intestines — the parts of the digestive system that break down food. This inflammation irritates the gut, which triggers the classic combo of vomiting and diarrhoea (or, if you're reading from across the pond, vomiting and diarrhoea).

There are a few forms worth knowing. Acute gastroenteritis comes on suddenly and usually passes within a day or two. Chronic gastroenteritis lingers or keeps coming back and points to an underlying health condition. And haemorrhagic gastroenteritis (HGE) is a more serious version involving blood — this one always needs veterinary attention.

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Common causes of a dog's upset stomach

Dogs are curious creatures with a talent for eating things they really shouldn't. Understanding the cause helps you decide whether home remedies will do, or whether it's time to contact your vet. Here are the usual culprits behind gastrointestinal upset.

Beyond these everyday causes, a dog's upset stomach can stem from something more serious. Toxins and poisons — including toxic foods like chocolate, grapes, raisins, onions, garlic and the sweetener xylitol — can make your pup very ill. A swallowed foreign body or foreign object may cause an intestinal blockage (a gut blockage or obstruction), while a bacterial infection (campylobacter, salmonella) or a viral infection such as canine parvovirus can hit puppies especially hard.

Longer-term, conditions like pancreatitis, inflammatory bowel disease (IBD), irritable bowel syndrome, stomach ulcers, kidney disease, liver disease, bloat and, rarely, cancer can all show up as tummy trouble. A stomach ulcer, for example, irritates the lining of the gastrointestinal tract and can cause repeated dog vomiting. That's why persistent symptoms deserve a proper check.

What are the symptoms of an upset stomach in dogs?

Because our pups can't tell us how they feel, spotting the symptoms early makes all the difference. Some signs are obvious; others are subtle bits of body language worth learning to read.

Signs of upset stomach in dogs

How to tell if your dog has an upset stomach

Alongside the big signs, look for the little tells: eating grass to try to settle the tummy, abdominal discomfort when you gently touch their belly, and behaviours like restlessness or pacing. Excessive drooling paired with a decreased appetite often means your pup is feeling queasy. A dog owner who knows their pet's normal routine will quickly notice when something's off.

The symptoms that should prompt real concern are blood in their vomit or stool. Fresh, bright red blood in vomit, or blood in the stool, means your pup needs to see a vet straight away — don't wait.

When to contact your vet

Most mild cases of GI upset resolve at home, but some situations are a genuine emergency. Trust your instincts — you know your dog best.

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When you should be worried about an upset stomach

As a rule of thumb, if the vomiting and diarrhoea continue beyond 24 to 48 hours, if your dog can't keep water down, or if lethargy tips into collapse, it's time to see a vet. Ongoing dog vomiting that won't ease off, especially after eating something they shouldn't, always deserves a professional opinion. Puppies with suspected canine parvovirus and dogs showing signs of haemorrhagic gastroenteritis (HGE) need emergency care. A veterinarian can check for underlying health issues, provide anti-sickness medication and, if needed, fluid therapy to correct dehydration. Your veterinarian may also recommend a specific treatment once they've pinpointed the cause.

What to give a dog for upset stomach and vomiting

Once you've ruled out an emergency, here's the tried-and-tested approach vets often recommend for mild stomach upset. This gentle at-home treatment gives the gut the best chance to settle — follow these steps.

1. Start with fasting

   For an adult dog, a short fast helps the digestive tract rest and recover. Withholding food for around 12 hours (never more without a vet's say-so) gives the gut a chance to calm down. Do not fast puppies or senior dogs — they need regular fuel.

2. Keep up hydration

   Offer plenty of water in small amounts. If your dog won't drink, try ice cubes or ice chips to lick. Watch closely for dehydration — dry gums, tacky mouth and low energy are warning signs a dehydrated dog needs a vet.

3. Reintroduce a bland diet

   After the fast, offer small frequent meals of bland food in small amounts. The classic bland diet is boiled chicken and rice — more on that below. Feed small portions and watch how the tummy responds.

4. Ease back to their regular diet

   Once the vomiting and diarrhoea settle, do a gradual transition back to your dog's regular food over a few days. Rushing it — like other sudden diet changes — can restart the whole cycle.

Fasting a dog with diarrhoea

Fasting sounds harsh, but a short fast is one of the kindest things you can do for a healthy adult with an upset stomach. When you withhold food for a spell, the intestines aren't asked to process anything, so the inflammation can settle. Twelve hours is plenty for most dogs — and always keep fresh water available even while food is off the menu.

The exception, again: puppies, senior dogs, tiny breeds and any dog with low body weight should not fast, as they're prone to dangerous blood-sugar dips. When in doubt, consult your vet before withholding food.

Hydration is key

Vomiting and diarrhoea flush fluids out fast, so hydration is your top priority. Always offer fresh water, and encourage small, frequent sips rather than letting your pup gulp a whole bowl (which can trigger more vomiting). A little low sodium broth, low sodium bone broth or plain bouillon can tempt a reluctant drinker.

For dogs losing a lot of fluid, your vet may suggest electrolytes — a product like Pedialyte, used only under veterinary guidance. Severe dehydration is treated with fluids given as fluid therapy at the clinic. If your dog is clearly dehydrated, don't rely on home fixes alone.

What to feed a dog with an upset stomach

When your pup is ready to eat again, gentle foods that are easily digestible and low in fat give the digestive system the best chance to bounce back.

Chicken and rice

Chicken and rice is the gold-standard bland diet for a reason. Use plain, boiled white meat — boiled chicken with no skin, oil or seasoning — mixed with plain white rice. White rice is easier to digest than brown rice when the gut is fragile. Serve it in small portions. Chicken or turkey both work well as a lean protein your dog can handle while recovering.

Best foods to soothe your dog's upset stomach

A small amount of pumpkin adds soluble fibre that can firm up loose stools, and for ongoing sensitive stomachs your vet may suggest a fibre supplement (or fibre supplement) alongside a sensitive-stomach diet.

Home remedies for a dog's upset stomach

Beyond food, a few simple home remedies can support your dog's recovery. Just remember these are for mild cases only — home remedies are no substitute for veterinary care when the signs are serious.

Dietary adjustments for quick relief

Small tweaks often bring quick relief. Feed small frequent meals rather than one big bowl, slow down a fast eater with a slow feeder, and avoid table scraps and rich human food that upset a sensitive gut. Any change in diet is best made gradually, since even a well-meant change in diet can unsettle a fragile tummy. If your dog frequently reacts to food, work with your vet to pinpoint food allergies or food intolerance.

Probiotics for gut health

Probiotics help restore healthy gut flora after a bout of tummy trouble. A dog-specific probiotic can rebalance the digestive system and support smoother recovery. Ask your vet which probiotics suit your pup.

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How to help a dog's upset stomach

Recovery is as much about comfort as it is about diet. Give your pup a quiet, cosy spot to rest and recover, keep walks short and gentle, and keep stress and anxiety to a minimum — a calm dog is a happier patient. Managing stress matters more than many pet owners realise, since anxiety alone can trigger stomach upset. As a caring pet owner, sticking to gentle, easily digestible meals and avoiding sudden diet changes will help your furry friend heal faster.

Most mild cases improve within one to two days. Keep offering fresh water, monitor those symptoms, and if things aren't improving after 24 hours — or worsen at any point — consult your vet. For puppy feeding questions during recovery, our guide on switching from puppy to adult dog food is a helpful read, and if you're ever unsure about intake, see how much water your dog should drink.

Quick questions

Sources & further reading

• PDSA Pet Health Hub — vomiting and diarrhoea advice
• Tuff Pets — How Much Water Should My Dog Drink?
• Tuff Pets — How Often Should My Dog Poop?