Digestive upsets are extremely common in spaniels. Most cases are mild and pass quickly, but diarrhoea, vomiting, constipation, or repeated stomach problems can also be a sign of something that needs proper veterinary help.
Spaniels are enthusiastic scavengers, they explore with their mouths, and many have sensitive stomachs when food changes suddenly or when stress and excitement run high. This hub will help you work out what’s likely going on, what you can do straight away, and when it’s time to contact the vet.
Important: If your dog seems unwell, is deteriorating quickly, or you’re worried, always contact your vet. Gut issues can become serious fast if dehydration sets in.
Key guides in this section
Diarrhoea and constipation help
- What can you give a dog to stop diarrhoea?
- How to help a dog with constipation
- Will bran flakes help my dog poo?
Vomiting and nausea behaviours
Grass eating and scavenging risks
Related health hubs
- Routine vet care and checkups
- Emergency symptoms and urgent health issues
- Ear problems and infections
Common signs of digestive problems in spaniels
Digestive issues don’t always look the same. Common signs include:
- diarrhoea (loose stools, mucus, increased frequency)
- vomiting (once or repeated)
- gagging / retching
- reduced appetite
- nausea (lip licking, drooling, reluctance to eat)
- eating grass repeatedly
- constipation or straining
- windy stomach / gas
- stomach gurgling
- lethargy or “not themselves”
- drinking more or less than normal
Some spaniels will still act “normal” while their digestion is off — especially active working types — so pay attention to patterns.
When to contact a vet urgently
Some digestive symptoms should not be “waited out”. Contact your vet urgently if your spaniel has:
- repeated vomiting (more than once or twice)
- vomiting and can’t keep water down
- vomiting plus diarrhoea together (risk of dehydration)
- blood in vomit or stool
- severe lethargy, collapse, or weakness
- a swollen or painful abdomen
- pale gums, shaking, or signs of significant pain
- diarrhoea lasting more than 24–48 hours
- suspected poisoning or foreign body ingestion (toy, bone, sock)
- a puppy with vomiting/diarrhoea (they dehydrate fast)
If you’re unsure, it’s safer to treat it as urgent.
➡️ Related hub: /spaniel-health/emergencies/
The most common causes of stomach upsets in spaniels
Digestive issues are a symptom, not a single diagnosis. These are the causes that show up most often:
1) Dietary change (too fast)
Sudden switching of food, new treats, new chews, rich scraps, or “tasting everything on walks” can trigger diarrhoea quickly.
2) Scavenging and eating things outdoors
Spaniels often eat:
- animal droppings
- old food on the ground
- rotting plant matter
- random items (sticks, toys, tissues)
Even if it doesn’t cause a blockage, it can upset the gut.
3) Stress and excitement
Stress can affect digestion directly, and many spaniels get “stress tummy” during:
- travel
- changes in routine
- visitors
- separation issues
- highly stimulating days
4) Parasites
Worms and other parasites can cause:
- diarrhoea
- mucus
- weight loss
- bloating
- inconsistent appetite
A prevention routine matters here.
➡️ (Health hub to build next) /spaniel-health/parasites/
5) Sensitive stomach / food intolerance
Some spaniels react repeatedly to certain foods or certain ingredients, but “sensitivity” is not always the same as a true allergy. Many dogs simply do better on a consistent, simple diet with gradual transitions.
6) Constipation
Constipation can happen after:
- not drinking enough
- eating something dry/odd
- too many chews
- reduced movement
- stress
- mild dehydration after diarrhoea
Vomiting: what it usually means (and what to watch for)
Many dogs vomit once and recover quickly. What matters is the pattern, the number of times, and how your dog looks afterwards.
Vomiting once, then normal
Often caused by:
- eating too fast
- mild upset stomach
- exercise too close to a meal
- eating grass or something disagreeable
Repeated vomiting (especially over a few hours)
More concerning. Possible causes include:
- infection
- pancreatitis or irritation (vet needed)
- foreign body risk (sock/toy)
- toxin exposure
- worsening dehydration
If vomiting repeats, speak to your vet.
Diarrhoea: what’s common vs not
Diarrhoea can be mild or severe. The key is hydration and the dog’s overall condition.
Mild diarrhoea (dog otherwise fine)
Often linked to:
- food change
- scavenging
- minor gut irritation
- stress
Diarrhoea with red flags (needs vet support)
- blood in stool
- watery diarrhoea repeatedly
- diarrhoea plus vomiting
- lethargy / weakness
- diarrhoea lasting more than 24–48 hours
Eating grass: is it normal?
Many spaniels eat grass occasionally. It doesn’t always mean illness.
Some dogs eat grass because:
- it’s a habit
- it’s appealing in the moment
- it triggers vomiting (sometimes)
- their stomach feels unsettled
If grass-eating is frequent, obsessive, or linked to repeated vomiting, treat it as a digestive pattern worth addressing.
Constipation: common signs and what to do
Signs of constipation include:
- straining with little output
- hard, dry stools
- discomfort when toileting
- reduced appetite
- restlessness
Constipation can sometimes look like “they need to poo but can’t”, which can be uncomfortable and frustrating.
If your dog is straining repeatedly, seems in pain, or you suspect they’ve eaten something they shouldn’t, speak to a vet.
The “48-hour plan” for mild tummy upset (practical and safe)
If your spaniel has a mild upset (and no red flags), your aim is to support recovery while monitoring closely.
Step 1: Prioritise hydration
Dehydration is the big risk with diarrhoea and vomiting. Encourage drinking regularly.
If your dog won’t drink, seems weak, or is worsening — contact your vet.
Step 2: Keep activity calm
Skip intense exercise. Excitement can worsen nausea and urgency.
Step 3: Keep food consistent (avoid constant changes)
One of the biggest mistakes is reacting to upset stomach with repeated food swaps, lots of new “solutions”, and rich extras.
If your dog is well enough to eat, keep meals:
- smaller
- simpler
- spaced out
Step 4: Track the pattern
Write down:
- how many times they vomited
- stool consistency/frequency
- appetite level
- water intake
- energy levels
This makes it far easier to decide if it’s improving or needs vet support.
Travel sickness and nausea (common in spaniels)
Some spaniels feel sick in the car due to:
- anxiety
- motion sensitivity
- excitement and over-arousal
- poor associations with travel (vet trips)
If travel sickness is ongoing, treat it as a training + management issue rather than something to “push through”.
➡️ Related post: /how-to-stop-your-dog-from-being-travel-sick-in-the-car/
Gut issues that are actually “behavioural”
Some digestive-related behaviours aren’t digestion at all — they’re habits:
- eating poo (scavenging behaviour)
- eating vomit quickly (opportunistic behaviour)
These still matter because they can trigger stomach upset and create illness risk.