When to see a vet about your dog’s digestion

The short answer: if you’re worried, call

Most upset tummies in dogs are mild, but a few digestive signs are genuine emergencies, and some quieter changes are worth a vet appointment even when your dog seems bright. The PDSA, whose Pet Health Hub is written by vets and vet nurses for UK owners, repeats one rule across its symptom pages: you know your dog, and if they don’t have the exact signs listed but you are still concerned, it’s always best to contact your vet.^[1],[4]

This guide sorts the commonest warning signs into three groups, using the sources’ own wording as closely as possible: signs that need a call to your vet immediately, signs that mean contacting your vet for advice as soon as possible, and slower changes that are worth booking in for. It is a guide to when to pick up the phone — not a way to work out what is wrong. Only a vet who has examined your dog can do that.

Call your vet immediately

These are the signs the PDSA describes as emergencies. Don’t wait to see whether your dog improves, and don’t wait until the morning if it happens at night — your practice’s phone line will direct you to its out-of-hours cover.^[3],[7]

Why retching and a swollen belly matter: GDV

GDV (gastric dilatation volvulus) is when the stomach fills with gas and twists, trapping the gas inside. The PDSA describes it as a painful, life-threatening emergency that often develops over just a few minutes. Signs it lists include sudden bloating (a hard, swollen belly), stomach pain, vomiting without bringing anything up, excessive drooling, pale gums, weakness and collapse. Deep-chested, large and giant breed dogs are most at risk — the PDSA gives Great Danes, German Shepherds and Greyhounds as examples — but its advice applies to every dog: contact your vet immediately if you notice any of these signs, and never wait to see if they improve. The sooner a dog with GDV is seen, the better their chance.^[3]

If your dog has swallowed something they shouldn’t

Phone your vet straight away and tell them what was eaten, roughly how much and when; if it is safe to do so, take the packaging with you. The PDSA is clear that you should never try to make your dog vomit unless your vet specifically tells you to. It also points out that although a dog may be sick soon after eating something harmful, symptoms often take a couple of days to appear — so a dog who seems perfectly fine still needs that call.^[4]

Contact your vet for advice as soon as possible

The PDSA suggests that a normally fit and well adult dog who has vomited once and seems otherwise fine may not need to see a vet immediately — but you should monitor them closely. Likewise, an otherwise well dog with mild diarrhoea for less than 24 hours may be settled at home first. The picture changes quickly, though. The PDSA advises contacting your vet as soon as possible if:^[1],[2]

Note that the PDSA’s first-aid guide goes further and lists vomiting or diarrhoea for more than 24 hours among the reasons a pet needs to see a vet as an emergency. If you are unsure which category your dog falls into, phone and let the practice decide.^[7]

Book an appointment: slower changes worth checking

Not every digestive concern is sudden. These are the gradual changes the sources say are worth raising with your vet, even if your dog otherwise seems well:

If you’re not sure whether your dog is losing weight, the PDSA suggests weighing them every few days for a couple of weeks and taking the record to the appointment, along with a note of what they have been eating. Our guide to weighing your dog at home walks through the easiest methods.^[6]

At a glance: sign and what to do

What to tell the practice when you call

Clear information helps the vet team judge how quickly your dog needs to be seen. Before or during the call, try to have to hand:

Evenings, weekends and out-of-hours care

Phone your own practice first, even out of hours. The PDSA’s first-aid guide explains that if it’s an evening or weekend you might hear a message giving details of the out-of-hours vet, and that emergencies may be seen at a different site. It recommends keeping your vet’s phone number and address saved in your mobile and somewhere safe at home, and not giving your dog anything to eat or drink unless your vet tells you to.^[7]

Many UK practices use a dedicated out-of-hours provider. Vets Now, for example, says it provides out-of-hours emergency care for pets from more than 60 UK locations on behalf of over 1,800 vet practices. Check now which service your practice uses, so you are not searching for it in a hurry.^[8]

Where a digestive supplement fits — and where it doesn’t

A daily supplement is not a substitute for veterinary care, and it is never a reason to wait. DIGEST+ is a complementary feed for daily digestive support, not a medicine: it is not intended to address any illness or symptom, including any of the signs on this page. If your dog is unwell, your vet’s advice comes first, and they can tell you whether, and when, to carry on with anything you give alongside their food.

For an otherwise healthy dog, the everyday habits that support a settled tummy are mostly about routine: a complete food, steady meal times, and changing food gradually rather than all at once. Our guide to building a daily feeding routine covers those in more detail.