Last Updated: 10/06/2025
Dog vomiting? Learn common causes and what you need to know to help your pet.
Author: Dr Elise Barry BVSc (Hons)
Reading Time: 13 minutes - short read
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Why does my dog have diarrhoea?
Vomiting is one of the most common reasons for dogs to visit the vet and owners should be familiar with common conditions that can lead to vomiting in their pet. There are some different aspects of vomiting in dogs that can help to pinpoint the cause.
It's important to understand the difference between regurgitation and vomiting. Regurgitation is a passive process. The ingesta that is brought up is undigested and looks like the original food that was eaten. Regurgitation will occur directly after eating.
Vomiting is an active process where you will see your dog's sides heave and its stomach and upper intestinal contents forcefully expulsed. Vomiting occurs hours after eating and the contents can contain yellow bile (from the intestines), liquid or foam (saliva & stomach acid) and chunks (partially digested food). The vomitus also has a funky sour scent to it.
Colour is another important component to note in your dog's vomit. In some cases the colour can help to localise or narrow down the possible causes. It's also important to remember that dogs often eat a range of things they shouldn't, which can discolour the vomitus, so it is important to look at the colour of the vomit as just one part of the picture. In some cases, the reason for the vomiting can also be diagnosed by having a close look at the digested material - for example, bits of chewed up toys or foreign objects could signal an intestinal blockage.
Yellow Dog Vomit: Yellow, foamy vomit can indicate the presence of bile, indicating that the vomitus has come from the small intestine, just below the stomach. Just like in humans, bile is produced in the liver, stored in the gallbladder and then released into the duodenum - at the very top of the small intestine. Yellow vomit can be an indication of reflux of this bile, or underlying conditions such as intestinal diseases or liver disease.
Green Dog Vomit: Green vomit can be caused by similar conditions as yellow vomit, however toxins and poisons like rat bait can also turn your dog's vomit green.
Blood in Dog's Vomit: The presence of fresh red blood or digested blood ("coffee grounds" or "dregs") are considered serious complications, and an immediate trip to the vet is necessary. Causes of fresh or partially digested blood in the vomit can include blood clotting problems, ulcers in the gastrointestinal tract, gastritis (inflammation of the stomach), diseases of the oesophagus and bleeding lesions in the mouth.
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Veterinarian
Dr Elise graduated from the University of Sydney in 2007 and worked in mixed practice in the Central Tablelands before relocating to South East Queensland to work in small animal practice. Dr Elise has completed a diploma in wildlife management and furthered her studies in ophthalmology and animal behaviour. She enjoys helping pet owners to understand their pets and keep them happy and healthy.
If vomiting is persistent or frequent, or there are other symptoms such as lethargy or inappetance, we recommend a check up with your vet, so that the cause can be identified and treated appropriately. Your vet may recommend a Veterinary Prescription Gastrointestinal Diet for a short period of time while your dog is reocovering, to help support the digestive system.
If your dog has an occasional vomit, perhaps after eating something they shouldn't, or having a new food introduced too quickly, a bland diet such as poached chicken breast and boiled white rice can be offered for a few days, to help the gastrointestinal tract recover. If the vomiting resolves, their normal diet can then be reintroduced gradually, following the guidelines above.
Vomiting is a serious symptom of disease and if it is persistent or frequent or in conjunction with any other signs (like inappetence or lack of energy) then your veterinarian should be contacted.
Chronic mild or intermittent vomiting can be a sign of a sensitive stomach. If your dog is prone to tummy upset (and your vet has ruled out serious disease) take a look at our sensitive stomach diets.
For more information, take a read through our guide to the Best Sensitive Stomach Diets for Pets.
