When your pet suddenly has an upset tummy
Vomiting, diarrhoea, soft stool, reduced appetite and low energy are some of the most common reasons pet owners search for help online. Sometimes it is a mild tummy upset from a diet change, stress, scavenging or eating something unusual. Other times, it can be an early sign of something more serious.
This guide is designed to help you know what you can do at home, when to call your vet, and which supportive products may help your pet recover more comfortably.
At Pet Furmacy, our go-to tummy upset support options include:
- Pro-Kolin Advanced for gut support and stool consistency
- Lectade for oral rehydration support
- Prime100 as a gentle recovery food option for dogs with sensitive stomachs
First: check for emergency signs
Before reaching for home care, check whether your pet needs urgent veterinary attention.
Please contact your vet or emergency vet immediately if your pet has:
- Repeated vomiting
- Blood in vomit or stool
- Black, tarry stool
- Severe diarrhoea
- A swollen or painful belly
- Collapse, weakness or extreme lethargy
- Pale gums
- Trouble breathing
- Signs of dehydration
- Suspected toxin ingestion, such as chocolate, grapes, rat bait, lilies or human medication
- A swallowed foreign object, such as a toy, bone, sock or string
- Vomiting or diarrhoea in a puppy, kitten, senior pet or medically fragile pet
Repeated vomiting, bloody diarrhoea, toxin exposure and sudden deterioration should be treated seriously. RSPCA Victoria lists severe or repeated vomiting as a condition requiring medical help, especially when blood or diarrhoea is also present. Vet Voice also advises contacting a veterinarian if vomiting or diarrhoea persists or the pet deteriorates.
Common causes of tummy upset in pets
A sudden upset stomach can happen for many reasons, including:
- Eating rich, fatty or unfamiliar food
- Sudden diet change
- Scavenging from the bin or garden
- Food intolerance or sensitivity
- Stress, travel or boarding
- Parasites
- Gut infection
- Pancreatitis
- Foreign body ingestion
- Toxin exposure
- Underlying liver, kidney, endocrine or gastrointestinal disease
Because many causes look similar at the start, the safest approach is to monitor closely, support hydration, and seek veterinary advice if symptoms are not mild and improving.
Step 1: Support hydration
With vomiting or diarrhoea, pets can lose fluid and electrolytes quickly. Hydration is especially important for small dogs, cats, puppies, kittens and older pets.
Offer small amounts of water frequently. Do not let your pet gulp a large bowl of water immediately after vomiting, as this may trigger more vomiting.
For pets with diarrhoea or mild dehydration risk, Lectade can be useful as oral rehydration support. Zoetis describes Lectade as an oral, non-antibiotic supportive therapy for diarrhoea that provides rehydration support in dogs, cats and young animals.
Pet Furmacy recommendation: Lectade
Best for:
Pets with diarrhoea, fluid loss, mild dehydration risk, post-travel stress or reduced water intake.
How to use:
Use according to the label directions or your vet’s advice. If your pet will not drink, continues vomiting, or appears weak or dehydrated, do not delay veterinary care.
Step 2: Support the gut
When your pet has soft stool or diarrhoea, the gut can become irritated and unsettled. This is where a gut support paste can be helpful.
Pro-Kolin Advanced is a commonly used veterinary probiotic paste for dogs and cats. Protexin describes Pro-Kolin Advanced for dogs as a vet-approved probiotic paste that provides support for gastrointestinal health. The cat version is described as a palatable paste with a syringe dosage wheel for easy administration.
Pet Furmacy recommendation: Pro-Kolin Advanced
Best for:
Dogs and cats with soft stool, diarrhoea, tummy upset, stress-related gut changes, or diet transition issues.
Why we like it:
It is easy to give, suitable for short-term gut support, and commonly used by pet owners when stools become loose or the gut needs settling.
Important note:
Pro-Kolin Advanced is supportive care. It does not replace a vet diagnosis if your pet is very unwell, has blood in the stool, is vomiting repeatedly, or symptoms are not improving.
Step 3: Feed a gentle recovery food
Once vomiting has settled and your pet is ready to eat, offer small, frequent meals. Avoid rich food, fatty treats, bones, table scraps and sudden diet changes.
For dogs recovering from tummy upset, a single-protein, easy-to-feed option may be helpful. Prime100 Single Protein Diets are designed for dogs with sensitive tummies, using one selected animal protein to help reduce digestive stress. Prime100 also describes its rolls as Australian made, complete and balanced single-protein diets.
Pet Furmacy recommendation: Prime100
Best for:
Dogs recovering from mild tummy upset, dogs with sensitive stomachs, and dogs needing a simple, controlled food option.
How to feed during recovery:
Start with small portions. If tolerated, gradually increase the meal size over 24 to 48 hours. Avoid mixing too many foods at once, as this makes it harder to know what is helping or worsening the stomach.
Tip:
For dogs with recurrent tummy upsets, itchy skin, ear issues or suspected food sensitivity, speak to your vet about whether a structured diet trial is appropriate.
Simple tummy upset first aid plan
For a mild tummy upset where your pet is still bright, drinking, and not showing emergency signs:
1. Pause rich foods and treats
Stop table scraps, chews, fatty foods and new treats.
2. Offer water in small amounts
Frequent small drinks are safer than gulping large amounts after vomiting.
3. Use oral rehydration support if appropriate
Consider Lectade for diarrhoea or mild fluid loss support.
4. Add gut support
Use Pro-Kolin Advanced according to the label or vet advice.
5. Feed small recovery meals
Use a gentle recovery food such as Prime100 for dogs, introduced in small portions.
6. Monitor closely
Watch appetite, energy, stool quality, vomiting frequency, water intake and gum colour.
When to call the vet
Call your vet if:
- Vomiting continues
- Diarrhoea lasts more than 24 to 48 hours
- Your pet becomes lethargic
- Your pet refuses food
- Your pet cannot keep water down
- There is blood in vomit or stool
- Your cat is not eating
- Your pet is very young, old, pregnant or has existing disease
- You suspect toxin or foreign body ingestion
Cats need extra caution. A cat that is not eating, hiding, vomiting or showing urinary signs should not be left too long without veterinary advice.
Pet Furmacy tummy upset support kit
For pet owners who want to keep a basic tummy care kit at home, we recommend:
1. Pro-Kolin Advanced
For gut support and stool consistency.
2. Lectade
For oral rehydration support during diarrhoea or fluid loss.
3. Prime100
A gentle food option for dogs recovering from tummy upset or sensitive stomach episodes.
Having these ready can make the first 24 hours less stressful, especially when symptoms begin after hours or during travel.
Mild tummy upsets are common in dogs and cats, but they still need careful monitoring. The key is to support hydration, settle the gut, feed gently, and know when symptoms are no longer suitable for home care.
For mild cases, Pro-Kolin Advanced, Lectade and Prime100 can be useful supportive options to help your pet through a short tummy upset. For severe, persistent or worrying symptoms, always contact your vet.
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