By the Telavets Veterinary Team (DVMs)

This is for educational purposes only. If your dog is throwing up repeatedly, has blood in their vomit, or can't keep water down, it's crucial to seek veterinary care right away or schedule an online visit with Telavets.

Vomiting is one of the top reasons pet owners contact their vets. Some instances are pretty straightforward (like a dog vomiting once after munching on grass), while others can be quite serious (such as a dog throwing up blood, vomiting every hour, or experiencing vomiting and diarrhea with blood). You might notice various types of dog vomit, including yellow, white foam, green bile, clear liquid, brown liquid, jelly-like mucus, or even worms and each type can indicate something different.

This detailed guide will help you interpret the colors and types of dog vomit, understand the potential causes, learn safe at home care techniques, know when to induce vomiting (and when to avoid it), and figure out when it's time to get your vet involved quickly.

What We’ll Cover in This Article

• Vomiting vs. regurgitation (why it matters)
• Common causes of dog vomiting (dietary indiscretion, infections, parasites, toxins, chronic disease, heat, stress)
• Types & colors: yellow bile, white foam, brown, red/bloody, green, pink foam, clear/jelly mucus, coffee-grounds, undigested food
• Timing triggers: after eating, after drinking water, at night/morning, in hot weather, in the car, after vaccines or new meds
• Special life stages: puppy/baby dog vomiting, senior/elderly dog vomiting, pregnant or nursing dog vomiting, diabetic dog vomiting
• Home care & safe at-home remedies (bland diet, pumpkin, probiotics, ginger, electrolytes)
• Medicines you’ll hear about: Cerenia, Pepcid (famotidine), metronidazole, Zofran/ondansetron (what’s safe with a vet’s guidance)
• How to make a dog vomit (when a vet says it’s appropriate) and hydrogen peroxide dog vomit cautions
• Weird but popular searches: dog vomit slime mold / dog vomit fungus (they’re yard molds, not vomit), dog zoomies after vomiting, “dog poop smell vomit,” coffee-grounds appearance
• Huge FAQ covering “what to give a dog who is vomiting,” “what to feed dog vomiting and diarrhea,” “when to worry,” “can dogs throw up,” “is dog vomiting an emergency,” and more

Vomiting vs. Regurgitation

Many owners say “my dog is vomiting” when it’s actually regurgitation. The difference:

• Vomiting is active: heaving/retching, abdominal effort, drooling, and nausea. The material can be yellow bile, white foam, food, or clear/green liquid.
• Regurgitation is passive: food or water comes back up suddenly without effort—often tubular, undigested kibble right after eating or drinking.

Why it matters: regurgitation vs vomiting points to different problems (esophageal vs. stomach/intestine) and therefore different treatments. If your dog throws up undigested food after eating, especially immediately after eating or hours after eating in a tubular shape, talk to a vet about the possibility of regurgitation or obstruction.

Major Causes of Dog Vomiting (From simple to serious)

1) Dietary indiscretion (“garbage gut”)

Dogs eat grass, spoiled food, toys, socks, Q-tips, leading to a dog vomiting suddenly. A dog throwing up weird items or dog throwing up after zoomies (heavy activity after a big meal) is common.

2) Food changes, intolerance, or allergies

Switching diets too fast causes dog vomiting and diarrhea. Some dogs vomit with certain proteins or high-fat foods.

3) Gastrointestinal irritation & reflux

Dog vomiting bile in the morning, yellow dog vomit, yellow foamy dog vomit, or dog vomiting white foam often suggests an empty stomach + acid/bile reflux.

4) Infections & parasites

Dog viruses that cause vomiting, giardia dog vomiting, kennel cough dog vomiting (gag/foam), worms in dog vomit, or UTI symptoms dog vomiting from systemic illness.

5) Toxins & poisons

Dog vomiting chocolate, xylitol, grapes/raisins, some plants, chemicals, meds. This is where when to induce dog vomiting becomes relevant—but only with vet guidance.

6) Foreign body & obstruction

A dog vomiting everything—even water—or dog vomiting feces/poop smell can indicate blockage. This is an emergency.

7) Pancreatitis

Often after fatty meals. Signs: dog vomiting and lethargic, abdominal pain, vomiting repeatedly.

8) Organ disease & metabolic issues

Kidney failure dog vomiting, liver disease dog vomiting, heart failure dog vomiting, diabetic dog vomiting (including diabetic dog vomiting yellow), Addison’s, lymphoma—all can cause vomiting.

9) Heat, stress, motion sickness

Dog vomiting in hot weather, heat stroke, dog vomiting in car, separation anxiety can trigger nausea.

10) Medications & preventives

Some dogs vomit with NexGard, Galliprant, Loxicom (meloxicam), trazodone, gabapentin, Keppra, ketoconazole, prednisone. Any new medicine for dog vomiting or unrelated meds can cause GI upset—ask your vet if your dog is vomiting after vaccines or after starting a new drug.

Types & Colors of Dog Vomit

Yellow or Bright Yellow Vomit (Often bile)

Common when the stomach is empty—overnight or long gaps between meals. Keywords you asked to cover: dog vomiting yellow, dog vomiting yellow bile, bright yellow dog vomit, dog vomiting yellow liquid, dog vomiting yellow and not eating, should you feed a dog vomiting bile.

What to do: Offer small, frequent meals, don’t skip breakfast, and discuss acid reducers like Pepcid (famotidine) with your vet if episodes persist.

Yellow Foamy Vomit

That airy, frothy look = bile + gastric foam. Phrases: yellow foamy dog vomit, dog vomiting yellow foam, dog vomiting yellow foam treatment at home.

What to do: Same as above; assess meal timing, rule out parasites, consider bland diet for 24–48 hours, and vet help if it repeats.

White Foam Vomit

Relevant searches: dog vomiting white foam, pet dog vomiting white foam, thick white foam, white foam + diarrhea, or white foam with blood. Causes: empty stomach/acid irritation, kennel cough gagging, or early GI upset.

Action: If white foam repeats or is paired with lethargy, shaking, or diarrhea, get a vet consult.

Green Vomit (Green bile or grass)

Queries: dog vomiting green, green bile, green foam, green liquid.

Action: If it’s green bile + not eating, or happens every morning, consider reflux, grass ingestion, or gallbladder/intestinal concerns—speak to a vet.

Brown Vomit (From benign to severe)

Phrases: dog vomiting brown, liquid brown, light brown, brown liquid with poop smell, coffee-grounds appearance. Brown can be dirt/food or digested blood.

Emergency if: foul poop smell, coffee-grounds, or dark blood → possible GI bleed or obstruction.

Red / Pink / Bloody Vomit

Phrases: dog vomiting blood, dog vomiting red, pink foam, pink mucus, dark blood, blood clots, specks of blood in dog vomit.

Always urgent. Bright red = fresh bleeding (ulcer, toxin, foreign body). Dark/brown = digested blood. Call a vet now.

Clear Liquid / Jelly / Mucus

Phrases: dog vomiting clear, clear liquid, clear slime, slimy clear liquid, clear jelly-like substance, thick mucus.

Often gastritis, bile reflux, or water overconsumption. If your dog vomits after drinking water repeatedly, see a vet.

Undigested Food (right after eating or hours later)

Phrases: dog vomiting food after eating, undigested food, partially digested food, hours after eating.

Right after eating → scarfing food, regurgitation, or esophageal issues. Hours later → delayed gastric emptying, gastritis, or obstruction.

Coffee-Grounds Appearance

Classic sign of digested blood. Keywords: dog vomiting coffee grounds, dog vomiting dark blood.

Emergency.

Timing Patterns & Triggers You’ll Recognize

• Dog vomiting after eating: eating too fast, intolerance, gastritis, regurgitation vs. vomiting. Try slow-feeder bowls and smaller portions.
• Dog vomiting after drinking water: water chugging irritates the stomach; limit volume after heavy play; investigate if persistent.
• Dog vomiting every morning / on an empty stomach: bile reflux—add a late-night snack, consider acid-control with a vet’s guidance.
• Dog vomiting at night / only at night: monitor meal timing, check for pancreatitis or reflux.
• Dog vomiting during heat cycle / after mating / pregnant: hormones can influence nausea. Persistent pregnant dog vomiting white foam or yellow → vet check.
• Dog vomiting after vaccines: mild GI upset can occur; repeated vomiting or vomiting with bloody diarrhea needs a vet.
• Dog vomiting in hot weather / heat stroke: panting, drooling, collapse → emergency cooling and vet care.
• Dog vomiting in car (motion sickness): discuss motion meds; Benadryl may help motion sickness but isn’t a primary anti-vomit drug—ask your vet.
• Dog vomiting after zoomies: heavy activity on a full stomach; wait 60–90 minutes after meals before intense play.

Special Life Stages & Situations

• Puppies / Baby dog vomiting: dehydrate quickly; vomiting and diarrhea are extra risky. If a young dog is vomiting bile, or a new dog is vomiting, please consult a vet—especially if there’s blood, lethargy, or worms.
• Senior / Elderly / Geriatric dog vomiting: higher risk of liver, kidney, pancreas, or cancer (e.g., lymphoma). Elderly dog vomiting and diarrhea, elderly dog vomiting bile/white foam → schedule a check.
• Pregnant or nursing dog vomiting: morning-sickness-like nausea can occur, but persistent vomiting or vomiting with diarrhea needs vet support to protect mom and pups.
• Diabetic dog vomiting (including diabetic dog vomiting yellow, and diarrhea): could be diet problems or more serious (DKA). Urgent vet care needed.
• Breed notes: Yorkie, German Shepherd, Golden Retriever—any breed can vomit; small breeds dehydrate faster; large breeds risk bloat (if unproductive retching + distended abdomen → emergency).

Smart Home Care & At-Home Remedies (for mild, one-off vomiting)

If your dog vomited once but seems bright, alert, drinking small sips, try:

1) Stomach rest

Withhold food for ~6–12 hours (not water). If they are very thirsty and vomiting, give tiny, frequent sips or ice chips.

2) Bland diet for dog vomiting

24–48 hours of boiled chicken + white rice (or lean turkey, cottage cheese if tolerated).

Add plain canned pumpkin (fiber) for dog vomiting and diarrhea. Keywords: what to feed a dog who is vomiting, food for dog vomiting and diarrhea, best food for dog vomiting.

3) Probiotics

Yes—do probiotics help with dog vomiting? They support gut balance, especially with diarrhea.

4) Ginger / Kefir / Yogurt

Small amounts of fresh ginger, kefir, or plain Greek yogurt can soothe mild nausea (avoid sweeteners—xylitol is toxic).

5) Electrolytes

Pet-safe oral electrolyte solutions can help. Avoid “water and sugar for dog vomiting” unless a vet instructs—sugar water isn’t ideal and may worsen GI upset.

Stop home care and call a vet if your dog: vomits multiple times, has blood, can’t keep water down, is lethargic, shaking, or has diarrhea with blood.

Medicines You’ll Hear About (Always ask your vet first)

• Cerenia (maropitant): the best injection for dog vomiting many vets use; also in tablets.
• Pepcid (famotidine): for acid/bile irritation; ask about dosing.
• Metronidazole: sometimes for dog vomiting and diarrhea due to GI bugs—only if indicated.
• Zofran (ondansetron): can I give my dog Zofran for vomiting? Only with a vet’s guidance; human dosing isn’t plug-and-play.
• Ranitidine (Rantac): can I give my dog Rantac for vomiting? It’s largely not recommended/no longer used in many places; your vet will offer safer options.
• Ursodiol: sometimes used for bile/gallbladder disease—vet-prescribed only.
• Over-the-counter medicine for dog vomiting: very limited; always check with a vet first—many human meds are dangerous for dogs.

How to Make a Dog Vomit (Only when a vet says to)

People search how to make a dog vomit, how to induce vomiting in a dog who ate chocolate, hydrogen peroxide dog vomit, and when to induce dog vomiting. The short, safe truth:

• Call a vet (or Telavets) first. Inducing vomiting isn’t always safe.
• Never induce if your dog swallowed sharp objects, caustic/acidic/alkaline substances, or if they are unconscious, seizing, very weak, or brachycephalic with breathing issues.
• If a vet instructs you to proceed at home, they may recommend fresh 3% hydrogen peroxide—dose and timing depend on weight and case. Using the wrong strength/dose or repeating doses can cause ulcers, aspiration, or worse.
• After inducing, dogs still need a vet exam to ensure the toxin/foreign object is truly gone and to prevent complications.

When Is Dog Vomiting an Emergency?

Go to an emergency vet or book an urgent Telavets consult if any of these happen:

• Dog will not stop vomiting (multiple times or every few hours/every hour)
• Blood in vomit (bright red, clots, or coffee-grounds)
• Vomiting + bloody diarrhea, black tarry stools, pale gums, collapse, severe pain
• Puppies, seniors, diabetics, pregnant/nursing dogs vomiting more than once
• Poison ingestion (chocolate, xylitol, grapes, meds, chemicals)
• Vomiting everything even water (possible obstruction)
• Bloat signs in large breeds (retching without producing vomit + distended belly + distress)
• High fever, shaking/quivering, or dog very thirsty and vomiting repeatedly

“Dog Vomit Slime Mold” & “Dog Vomit Fungus” (Not vomit at all)

These viral phrases refer to a yellow, foamy, blob-like mold that grows on mulch/grass. It’s a harmless yard organism, not vomit. It doesn’t come from dogs and isn’t usually dangerous to them. If you see dog vomit slime mold in your garden, you can rake it away—no treatment needed for your dog.

What a Vet Might Do (So you know what to expect)

• History & exam (color, frequency, timing—dog vomiting after eating, after drinking water, only at night, in the morning)
• Tests: fecal exam (worms/giardia), bloodwork (organ function, pancreatitis), x-ray/ultrasound if foreign body suspected
• Treatment: anti-vomit meds (Cerenia), fluids (oral or IV), gastroprotectants (famotidine), dewormers (if worms in vomit), antibiotics only when indicated; diet changes and feeding plan
• Hospitalization for severe dehydration, pancreatitis, poisoning, or obstruction (surgery/endoscopy)

Telavets Can Help—Right Now

Unsure what to do for dog vomiting? With Telavets you can:

• Get a same-day online vet to review your dog’s symptoms and history.
• Learn what to give a dog for upset stomach and vomiting safely for your dog’s size and condition.
• Get prescriptions and a bland-diet plan without leaving home.
• Decide if you need ER vs. home care and stop guessing.

FAQ: Fast Answers to the Questions People Actually Search

Can dogs throw up?

Yes. Occasional vomiting can be normal; frequent or severe vomiting is not.

When should I worry about dog vomiting?

If it’s repeated, has blood, with diarrhea/lethargy, won’t keep water down, or your dog is very young/old/diabetic/pregnant—seek vet care.

Is dog vomiting an emergency?

It can be. Blood, coffee-grounds, foreign objects, toxin ingestion, nonstop vomiting, bloat signs = emergency.

What should I do if my dog is vomiting and diarrhea?

Short rest, bland diet, small frequent meals, probiotics. If there’s blood, fever, lethargy, or it lasts >24 hours—see a vet.

What to feed a dog who is vomiting (and diarrhea)?

Boiled chicken + white rice, small portions; pumpkin for fiber; transition back to regular food slowly over 2–3 days.

What can I give my dog for upset stomach and vomiting (home)?

Bland diet, probiotics, ginger (tiny amount), plain Greek yogurt/kefir if tolerated. Do not give random human meds without a vet.

Best medicine for dog vomiting?

Cerenia (vet Rx) is highly effective. Pepcid/famotidine may help acid. Metronidazole only if indicated. Ask your vet for dosing.

Zofran for dog vomiting—can I give it?

Only with a vet’s guidance. Dosing depends on weight/condition.

Will Benadryl help dog vomiting?

Benadryl can help motion sickness/allergy signs but isn’t a primary anti-emetic. Ask your vet.

Can I give my dog Rantac (ranitidine)?

It’s largely not recommended/used now. Vets prefer safer options like famotidine.

Hydrogen peroxide to make a dog vomit—safe?

Sometimes, only with fresh 3% solution and vet instructions. Never for caustics/sharp objects; risks include ulcers and aspiration.

Dog vomiting white foam—what does it mean?

Often acid/bile irritation or gagging. If it repeats or pairs with coughing, lethargy, diarrhea, see a vet.

Dog vomiting yellow foam—what does it mean?

Bile from an empty stomach or reflux. Try smaller, more frequent meals; vet help if persistent.

Dog vomiting brown liquid—should I worry?

Yes if it smells like poop, looks like coffee-grounds, or repeats—possible bleeding/obstruction.

Dog vomiting clear liquid—normal?

Occasionally, yes. Repeated clear liquid or slimy jelly can signal gastritis or water overconsumption—monitor and consult if ongoing.

Dog vomiting blood—what could it be?

Ulcers, toxins, foreign body, severe infection. Emergency.

My dog vomits every morning—why?

Empty-stomach bile reflux. Add a late-night snack, consider acid control (ask vet).

Dog keeps vomiting bile—what now?

Reflux, gastritis, or other GI disease. Needs a vet assessment and likely diet + medication.

Dog vomiting after vaccines—normal?

Mild GI upset can occur. Repeated vomiting, bloody diarrhea, or collapse needs urgent care.

Dog vomiting and not eating—how long is OK?

If >24 hours, or paired with lethargy/diarrhea, see a vet.

What will the vet do for dog vomiting?

Exam, tests (fecal, bloodwork, imaging), Cerenia, fluids, gastroprotectants, specific treatments (e.g., dewormers, diet changes, surgery for obstruction).

Dog vomiting vs regurgitation—how do I know?

Vomiting = active heaving; regurgitation = passive return of undigested food/liquid. Video the episode for your vet if you’re unsure.

Dog returns to its vomit (Bible/KJV) quote—relevant?

Just a proverb; it isn’t veterinary guidance. If your dog eats its vomit, prevent access and consult on nausea/behavior.

Can dog vomiting cause seizures?

Vomiting itself doesn’t cause seizures; toxins/metabolic disease can cause both. Emergency if both occur.

Pumpkin for dog vomiting—does it help?

Yes, a spoon of plain pumpkin can help mild upset/diarrhea. Avoid pumpkin pie mix (sugar/spices).

Probiotics for dog vomiting—worth it?

Often helpful for GI balance, especially with diarrhea.

When to take dog to vet for vomiting?

Any repeated vomiting, blood, inability to keep water down, puppy/senior, or pain/lethargy warrants a vet visit.

Quick Prevention Checklist

• Keep diet consistent; introduce new foods gradually.
• Use slow-feeder bowls for gulpers.
• Prevent scavenging and bin-raiding; keep chemicals/meds secured.
• Stay on deworming and vaccines schedules.
• Avoid heavy exercise after meals; manage motion sickness.
• In hot weather, cool down routines; never leave dogs in cars.
• Consider daily probiotics for sensitive stomachs.

Final Word from Telavets

If your dog is vomiting, you don’t have to guess. Telavets connects you with a licensed veterinarian who can:

• Triage when it’s safe to manage at home vs. when to visit ER
• Tailor a bland-diet and re-feeding plan for your dog’s size and condition
• Prescribe appropriate anti-emetics and gut protectants
• Follow up to ensure your dog truly improves

Book an online vet visit with Telavets now and get your dog comfortable—safely and quickly.

Reviewed by the Telavets Veterinary Team (DVMs). This content supports, not replaces, your veterinary relationship.