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My dog vomited pinkish-red and has diarrhea. Should I see a vet?

Updated on September 23rd, 2025

Pet's info: Dog | Mixed Breed Small (up to 22lb) | Male | neutered | 1 year and 9 months old | 19 lbs

My dog vomited pinkish red. Only once. He seems normal. I gave him white rice with fish. He ate it all. After, I noticed he went to his pad. His stool was soft. Brownish. A few drops of liquid. -seemed like diarrhea. I read this color of vomit could indicate internal bleeding. Should I take him to the vet?

5 Answers

Most Helpful Answer

Answered By Andrea M. Brodie, DVM

Veterinarian

Published on September 30th, 2018

The color of the vomit could be caused by some blood (e.g. an injury in the esophagus) or coloring of the food he ate or severe inflammation somewhere in the gastrointestinal tract.
Diarrhea and throwing up can have many causes. It is basically a problem with the stomach and intestines caused by a food over sensitivity, eating something that does not agree with the dog, intestinal parasites, bacterial infection, viral infection, the weather, food change, stress, etc.
I would fast Max for 24 hours and then put him on bland food for two days, such as boiled white rice and boiled white boneless chicken meat, fed in small quantities over several feeds and then transition back to his regular food slowly over a few days. If this does not clear up the diarrhea or if the vomiting increases, or stays bloody, or if he gets lethargic, he needs to see a veterinarian for an exam as there may be something more serious such as an infection going on.

18Pet Parents found this answer helpful

Related Answers from Veterinarians

Answered By Linda G, MS, DVM
Veterinarian
Published on October 15th, 2019
Hello. The pink tinge could be some coloring from food or something else Bella ingested, or it can be a touch of blood. It is not unusual for a small capillary to break & cause bleeding in the esophagus during a vomiting episode. The more important issue here is to try & find out why she is vomiting. You should have her evaluated by your veterinarian to get to the bottom of her illness. Once this is done, appropriate treatment can be started & everything should heal up just fine. Thanks for using Petco Pet Education Center, formerly Petcoach.
1Pet Parents found this answer helpful
Answered By Jessica Desrosiers
Veterinary Technician
Published on May 17th, 2024
That is very red vomit, however, this color could be linked to a number of things including blood in the vomit, inflammation of the GI tract, having chewed on a toy this color, eaten a food item this color, or gotten into a plant or other item this color.

If the vomiting continues, worsens, or other symptoms appear such as a painful or bloated abdomen, diarrhea or blood in the stool, or severe distress, I would schedule a veterinary appointment right away to rule out more severe issues.

In the meantime I would continue the bland diet for 24 hours, and monitor for any additional vomiting or illness symptoms.
2Pet Parents found this answer helpful
Answered By Sara Farmer, DVM
Veterinarian
Published on August 31st, 2018
It’s difficult to say - it looks pretty similar in color to the chew stick and there seem to be little pieces of something in the vomit. The dye from the chew could discolor the rest of the stomach contents. Chicken bones also certainly could cause damage to the stomach that could cause bleeding. It would probably be best to see your vet - they can take an x-ray to make sure the chicken bones aren’t causing an obstruction and potentially prescribe medication to help protect the stomach lining.
1Pet Parents found this answer helpful
Answered By Lindsey Edwards MVB, BSc, IVCA
Veterinarian
Published on June 23rd, 2017
Food sensitivities can arise at any stage but I would also be concerned he may have a foreign body in the stomach which may be causing irritation and bleeding or may have reflux. Xrays or endoscopy may provide more information and surgery may be required to remove it
1Pet Parents found this answer helpful

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