Dogs and cats can develop the symptoms of vomiting and diarrhea. We frequently get questions and see pets to treat this very common problem.
There are many reasons for vomiting and diarrhea. Causes can range from minor problems such as diet changes, dietary indiscretion, viral and bacterial infections to life-threatening obstructions or organ failure.
Below are instructions we use to treat minor problems. If your dog or cat is lethargic, weak, or the vomiting or diarrhea is consistent, please call us at (740) 587-1129. He or she may need some tests to help determine the underlying cause and/or medications to help treat the problem.
Below are our recommendations for dogs followed by cats.
For dogs – The general rule for feeding a bland diet is as follows:
- Withhold both water and food for 3 – 6 hours.
- If there is no vomiting after that period of time, water can be started. Start with only a couple tablespoons or even an ice cube. If there is no vomiting, offer more water 20 to 30 minutes later. Only offer small amounts at a time. There is a natural desire to sometimes over-drink which can immediately lead to more vomiting. Go slow. If there is no vomiting of the water after 2 to 3 hours, then you may slowly begin a bland diet.
- A bland diet can be made from boiled lean meat (chicken, hamburger or turkey) mixed 50/50 with boiled white rice. Do not use any additives such as butter, salt, garlic, or seasoning. Start with a very small amount such as one tablespoon or a small meatball sized portion. If there is no vomiting after 2 hours, you can offer a little more.
- Gradually the quantity can be increased and the frequency increased. For example, instead of 2 Tbsp. every 2 hours, you can gradually increase the amount to maybe a ½ cup every 3 or 4 hours. This will differ based on the size of your pet.
- Generally if this plan is working, you can feed this diet for 1 to 2 days then begin gradually mixing in your pet’s normal food. Over the following couple days, slowly decrease the bland diet and increase the regular food until he or she is back on his normal food.
- If your pet continues to vomit, has diarrhea, you notice blood in the vomit or stool, is lethargic or won’t eat – please call us.
For cats – we do the following:
- Withhold both water and food for 3 – 6 hours.
- If there is no vomiting after that period of time, water can be started. Start with only a tablespoon or even an ice cube.
- If there is no vomiting of the water after 2 to 3 hours, then you may slowly begin a small amount of food such as a bland canned food. We like a prescription food made by Hills Science Diet called ID (which stands for intestinal diet). I/D is available at our office. An alternative can be a small amount of chicken baby food or even a small amount of canned tuna or chicken. Start with a very small amount such as one teaspoon. If there is no vomiting after 2 hours, you can offer a little more. Gradually the quantity can be increased and the frequency increased.
- Generally if this plan is working, you can mix in some of your cat’s regular food.
- If your cat continues to vomit, has diarrhea, you notice blood in the vomit or stool, is lethargic or won’t eat – please call us.
With Thanksgiving fast approaching, we commonly see vomiting and diarrhea from pets being fed foods that they aren’t used to eating. Please carefully consider what you give your pets. If you have company and your pet has a history of a sensitive stomach, you may want to advise them as well not to feed your pet.
Another common Thanksgiving hazard is dogs and cats getting into the trash and eating the turkey wrappers and string used to tie the legs together. These are very appealing items to dogs and cats and are dangerous. Ingestion of these things can lead to life-threating symptoms that require surgery to remove the ingested foreign materials.
Please have a safe and happy Thanksgiving.
