If you’ve recently found your dog vomiting, you might be very concerned. Vomiting can sometimes point to a serious problem that requires immediate veterinary attention. However, other times it could just mean your dog ate a bit too much, too fast.
One of the best ways to tell if your dog’s vomit is a cause of concern is to examine it. While it may seem gross, especially for the extra-squeamish, you can learn a lot from a dog’s vomit, particularly from its color and texture.
In this article, we’ll be focusing on color. We’ll be going through a couple of the most common colors for dog vomit and what they could mean for your furry friend.
Keep in mind, that every dog has a unique situation. While this guide can help you paint a rough estimate of what’s happening to your dog, the best way to find out is to contact your vet, especially if your dog is vomiting a lot or the vomiting is accompanied by other symptoms.
Brown Vomit
Brown is one of the most common colors for a dog’s vomit and for good reason. Brown is the same color as most commercial dog food and even homemade dog food out there. If your dog vomits and you notice that it’s brown, it could be just some regurgitated kibble. If you notice solid bits of kibble in your dog’s vomit, this is probably the case.
However, a slightly grosser reason your dog’s vomit may be brown is from eating feces. Dogs, just like other animals have the tendency to eat feces and when they vomit it out, it could result in brown vomit.
Brown vomit can also indicate blood in your dog’s vomit, which is a great cause for concern and that means you need to keep a close eye on your pet.
White Vomit
If you notice white foam on your dog’s vomit, it could look concerning, but it usually isn’t. If you find yourself asking what are the causes of dogs vomiting white foam the most common answer is saliva. While white foam can also indicate other things, its usually just saliva mixed with air or gastric juices. This is a common side effect of vomiting and no real cause of concern.
Green Vomit
If your dog spends a lot of time outside or in the garden and then throws up green vomit, that could indicate they ate grass. Dogs aren’t the most particular animals about their food, and they’ll usually find themselves eating a bunch of funny things throughout their lifetime. Dogs cannot digest grass properly, which is why they usually vomit it out when ingested.
Another reason your dog could have green vomit is the presence of bile. This is common if your dog suffers from acid reflux or vomiting without any food in their stomach, which is more than enough reason to call the vet.
Yellow Vomit
Yellow vomit is another sign of bile. If your dog vomits bile, that means they are vomiting without anything in their stomach. This is a real cause of concern and if ever this happens to your pet, make sure to contact a vet immediately. The sooner you act, the better chances of treating the condition easily.
If your dog is feeling nauseous and acting lethargic, then that’s another sign that something is wrong. So, make sure to keep a close eye on your dog if you catch them vomiting.
Black Vomit
Black can be a pretty scary color when found in your dog’s vomit. Black vomit can indicate that your dog ate some soil, dirt, or feces, which isn’t uncommon for canines. However, sometimes it can also be evidence of something more serious.
Digested blood will usually come out black when vomited out. It will also be granulated, similar to coffee grounds. Any indication of blood in your dog’s gastrointestinal system requires immediate medical attention as that usually means there’s a medical emergency.
What Do I Do If My Dog Vomits
If you catch your dog vomiting, keep in mind that it can happen for a number of reasons. Sometimes it’s serious, sometimes it isn’t, so the first thing to remember is to stay calm and don’t panic. From there, you can examine your dog’s vomit and take note of the texture and color before cleaning it up.
Most of the time, all you have to do is keep an eye on your dog for 24 hours to see if they keep vomiting. If it doesn’t happen again, that usually means they are fine.
However, if there’s something off in the texture of the vomit, your dog is exhibiting other symptoms, or they vomit frequently within 24-48 hours, make sure to call your vet immediately.
Your vet always knows best when it comes to your dog, so if ever you’re concerned about their health, try to schedule an appointment as soon as possible.
