My dog vomited pinkish-red and has diarrhea. Should I see a vet?
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.
Updated on September 23rd, 2025