Dogs are particular about what and when they eat.
This is why dog owners will get confused when their dog doesn’t follow those set patterns. This is often an indication of something being wrong with the dog whether it has to do with its health or psychological well-being.
One of the questions people can ask is, why is the dog not eating but drinking water and vomiting?
Dogs can stop eating and only drink water when they are dealing with a gastrointestinal issue, infection, and/or digestive blockage. This can cause vomiting with an increase in water intake. Treat this as an emergency and get a vet to diagnose the condition.
In a lot of cases, this can prove to be fatal for the dog.
You have to take action and make sure the dog’s health is being assessed in great detail. This includes taking the time to focus on its symptoms while also assessing how it is doing internally.
A vet can help with this every step of the way.
This article will take a look at some of the reasons why a dog is not eating but drinking water and vomiting.
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Reasons Why A Dog Is not Eating But Drinking Water And Vomiting
1. Gastrointestinal Issue
It’s possible the dog is dealing with a gastrointestinal issue.
This can include bleeding, blockages, and/or infections. It’s essential to clear this problem before it starts impacting the dog’s quality of life.
The pain and discomfort that come with this medical condition can make it difficult for the dog to eat. They will not want to consume food and will try to eradicate the problem by drinking as much water as possible.
This is due to the dehydration they feel as they deal with the issue.
It’s important to note, the dog will continue to get dehydrated as it vomits. This is an uncomfortable situation for the dog and can cause it to start to panic.
It will try to drink even more water leading to more vomiting. It is a vicious cycle that requires medical intervention with the help of a vet.

2. Infection
This can happen depending on what the dog has been up to.
If the dog has been outdoors a lot, it is possible they have picked up an infection. This infection can happen based on what the dog has been eating and/or chewing on.
If they are infected, this will cause them to get dehydrated. They will also have a long list of additional symptoms depending on the type of infection they are dealing with.
You will want to consult with a vet as soon as possible.
They will take the time to assess what type of infection the dog is dealing with and how to treat it. This is key information to make sure the dog does get better and it doesn’t lead to a situation where the dog faints.

3. Digestive Blockage
This is a common reason for a dog vomiting.
They will be dealing with a digestive blockage based on what they have been eating. This can make it hard for the dog to eat anything as it will be in a state of discomfort.
The dog may try to drink a lot of water to get rid of the blockage but it will not work.
This is why it’s important to speak to a vet.
Otherwise, the dog is going to continue to drink water and it will struggle to get past the vomiting stage.
Help your dog and speak to a vet as soon as you can.
Related Questions
1. Why Is My Dog Not Eating And Throwing Up Water?
Dogs can stop eating and throwing up water when they are dehydrated, dealing with an infection, and/or having gastrointestinal issues.
2. What Do I Do If My Dog Won’t Eat And Is Throwing Up?
If a dog won’t eat and is throwing up, the best course of action is to withhold food for at least six hours. If it continues, it’s best to seek medical assistance with the help of a vet. Otherwise, you will have to gradually transition to smaller portions after the six-hour mark as the dog gets better.
Final Thoughts
Why is the dog not eating but drinking water and vomiting?
It is important to understand the root cause of this problem. Most dogs will be dealing with an internal condition or infection that causes them to act like this.
It can include infections, gastrointestinal issues, and/or blockage. You will want to act fast in a situation such as this and speak to a vet.
Here’s more on dogs – dealing with the grief of a dead dog, how to help a dog nurse, how dogs detect cancer, and how to clean house for sick dogs.