If your dog is throwing up yellow bile and foam, you may understandably be concerned. Although vomiting is a common issue for dogs to face and isn’t always something serious, it’s not something to ignore either. Learn more about what it means if a dog is vomiting yellow material and what you should do.
Yellow Dog Vomit: Shades and Consistencies
Your dog’s yellow vomit could have several different appearances. The following are characteristics of yellow dog vomit that you may notice:
- Yellow foam: You may notice yellow liquid with white or yellow foam on top. Foam can develop due to saliva and the acids in your dog’s stomach.
- Yellow bile (liquid): Yellow bile appears mostly as liquid. You can sometimes see bile in conjunction with foam, mucus, or chunks.
- Yellow mucus: Yellow mucus gives a thick, stringy, slimy quality to the vomit.
- Chunky yellow vomit: If your dog is vomiting after eating, you may notice yellow chunks. The yellow color can be related to the food itself or caused by the mixture of bile with your dog’s food.
Is Yellow Dog Vomit Normal?
Yellow dog vomit is never normal, but it’s not always a major concern. For example, some dogs may get nauseous if they haven’t eaten in a while, causing them to vomit up yellow bile. Feeding smaller meals more regularly may help dogs with this issue.
There are other causes of yellow vomiting in dogs that are more concerning. So, if you see this, it’s not something to shrug at.
Why Is My Dog Throwing Up Yellow? 8 Possible Causes
Your dog could throw up yellow material for a variety of reasons. Here, we’ll cover eight possible causes.
Bilious Vomiting Syndrome (Empty Stomach)
Dogs with bilious vomiting syndrome often vomit up yellow foam or liquid in the early morning or late at night after a period of fasting. When the stomach is empty, bile coming up from the small intestine may irritate the stomach and cause vomiting.
Gastrointestinal Blockage
A foreign object or tumor can obstruct the movement of digested materials through your dog’s stomach and intestines. This causes vomiting. Dogs with a gastrointestinal blockage will often have a very poor appetite and struggle to keep anything down.
Pancreatitis
Pancreatitis is inflammation of the pancreas. In dogs, this is commonly caused by eating fatty foods. Pancreatitis is often accompanied by repeated vomiting, diarrhea, abdominal pain, poor appetite, lethargy, and fever.
Bacterial or Viral Infections
Some infections, such as parvovirus, can cause a dog to vomit yellow liquid. Signs and severity vary depending on what is causing the infection, the dog’s age, and their vaccination status.
Food Intolerances or Allergies
While most food allergies cause itchy skin rather than gastrointestinal signs, some dogs may vomit yellow material when they are experiencing food intolerances. Switching a diet too rapidly may also cause vomiting.
Toxin Ingestion
Ingestion of certain toxins, such as antifreeze or chocolate, can cause vomiting in dogs. Although the initial vomitus may be colored by whatever toxin the dog ingested, it can become yellow with bile as vomiting continues. Pet parents should familiarize themselves with toxins for dogs and keep them out of reach.
Liver Disease
Vomiting is a common sign of liver disease in dogs. Dogs with liver disease may also be jaundiced, have diarrhea, act lethargic, have a reduced appetite, and experience abdominal pain.
Ulcers
Ulcers in the stomach or intestines can cause vomiting in dogs. These ulcers may be painful, cause inflammation in the gastrointestinal tract, and lead to nausea.
Other causes of vomiting yellow liquid and foam include gastrointestinal parasites, Addison’s disease (hypoadrenocorticism), certain cancers, and more. Your veterinarian will perform diagnostics to determine what’s causing your dog’s vomiting.
Should You Worry About Yellow Dog Throw Up?
Vomiting yellow material is more concerning if:
- It happens regularly.
- It happens multiple times a day.
- Your dog is also having diarrhea.
- Your dog is acting lethargic.
- Your dog has a hunched posture or reacts painfully to having their abdomen touched.
- Your dog’s appetite is decreased, or they can’t keep anything down.
- Your dog has yellowing of the whites of their eyes, gums, skin, or genitals (jaundice).
If the vomiting is occasional and your dog is otherwise acting normal, you can call your veterinarian to set an appointment.
If your dog is acting lethargic, is painful in their abdomen, is vomiting repeatedly, is having uncontrollable diarrhea, or can’t keep food down, you should seek emergency veterinary attention. Your dog may have a more serious cause for their symptoms, and more rapid treatment may be lifesaving.
Diagnosing and Treating the Causes of Yellow Dog Vomit
If your dog occasionally vomits yellow bile but has no other symptoms, you can try feeding smaller meals more often. If the issue does not resolve, you should still contact your veterinarian.
Initial diagnostics for yellow vomiting in dogs include:
- Blood work and urine testing for overall body function
- X-rays to look for gastrointestinal blockages or other abnormalities in the abdomen
- Abdominal ultrasound to assess for abnormalities in the abdomen
Depending on your dog’s symptoms, response to initial treatment, and findings from the initial diagnostics, your veterinarian may recommend additional diagnostics.
Treatment for a dog throwing up yellow material will depend on what is causing your dog to vomit.
For example, if your veterinarian suspects bilious vomiting syndrome, they may recommend smaller, more frequent meals. They may also recommend products to help balance the good bacteria in your dog’s gastrointestinal tract.
If there is a foreign object blocking part of your dog’s intestines and causing them to vomit, your pet may require surgery. Other causes of vomiting, like pancreatitis, may require hospitalization for treatment with intravenous fluids, anti-nausea medications, and pain medications.
Some causes of vomiting yellow in dogs may be managed with a simple dietary change. For example, dogs who vomit due to food intolerances or food allergies may see improvement with a hydrolyzed protein diet. However, pet parents should keep in mind that food allergies are more likely to cause skin issues than gastrointestinal issues. Do not assume that a dog who frequently vomits has food allergies.
Your veterinarian will develop a treatment or management plan that’s focused on improving symptoms, restoring normal gastrointestinal function, and keeping your pet comfortable.
If you are concerned about your dog throwing up yellow material, it’s best to contact your veterinarian.
