There’s nothing worse than seeing your dog in discomfort after vomiting. If you’re confused about the cause, let’s investigate together.
Lyka’s in-house veterinary experts say vomiting can happen for many reasons. Upset tummies can sometimes result from spoiled food, illness, or other serious issues.
Our expert-backed charts explain the most common colours and textures your pup might be experiencing, along with next steps.
Top takeaways
Contact your vet if your dog has vomited more than twice in under 24 hours. It’s always better to be safe, especially if they are a senior or have a history of illness.
If your dog is also lethargic, losing weight, experiencing diarrhoea or passing bloody stools, this could mean a bigger health issue that needs to be checked out by your vet.
Dogs eating dry or canned food are more prone to stomach upset. Real food has been proven to be easier for dogs to digest1.
Why is my dog vomiting?
Dogs might vomit for many reasons — some harmless, others more serious. Here are a few common causes:
Dietary mishaps: snacking on spoiled food or things they shouldn’t, like socks or toys.
Food sensitivities: some ingredients might not sit well with certain pups.
Infections: bacterial or viral bugs can make your dog sick.
Toxins: ingesting harmful chemicals or poisonous plants can trigger vomiting
Parasites: worms or parasites can upset your dog’s tummy.
When to worry
Occasional vomiting isn’t always serious, but persistent symptoms like prolonged vomiting lasting more than 24 hours, blood, lethargy, or diarrhea warrant a vet visit.
Understanding colour hues and clues
Green vomit
Your dog may have eaten grass, rat sacks or plant matter. This can upset the stomach.
How to help: contact your vet, as some plants are toxic for dogs. If you can, try to take a sample of the plant or note down the species to show your vet.
Yellow or orange vomit
Your dog’s liver produces bile to aid in digestion. This can show up in vomit if the stomach is empty.
How to help: try giving them a small meal to absorb any acid and bile. If they vomit more than twice or seem unwell, check in with your vet.
Read more: Why is my dog vomiting yellow? When to call the vet →
Brown vomit
If your pup's food is a dark brown colour, it could mean they've thrown up partially digested food (especially if you see chunks that resemble what they've eaten). It could also be chocolate, poo or partially digested blood, which could mean problems with the liver, gallbladder or digestive system.
How to help: if you think your dog has eaten chocolate, see your vet immediately. Keep an eye on it if you suspect it’s poo, and speak to your vet if it happens again.
Bright red or bloody vomit
If your poor pup is vomiting blood, they may have consumed poison or a non-food item like bones or toys — causing damage to their digestive tract. This could also point to a gastrointestinal disease or stomach inflammation.
How to help: contact your vet immediately. If it's possible, scoop a small amount of the vomit into a ziplock bag to show your vet. Having a physical example can help them better understand the root cause.
Black vomit
Black, dark red or “coffee grounds” vomit could contain partially digested blood, which may be a sign of internal trauma, stomach ulcers, or an intestinal blockage.
How to help: contact your vet immediately. Like bright red vomit, any samples that you can show your vet can be helpful. If you can't bring along a physical sample, try taking a photo instead.
Specks of blood in vomit
Specks of blood could be a sign of stomach ulcers, inflammation, digestion of foreign objects or toxins, liver or kidney disease, or cancer.
How to help: contact your vet immediately. Try taking a sample of the vomit or bring along a photo to help your vet better understand what your pup is going through.
Clear vomit
Clear vomit is generally not a reason for concern. Their stomach is likely empty, and they’re regurgitating saliva or water that they’ve drunk too fast.
How to help: try feeding them a small meal, and keep an eye on it. If it’s more than a one-off, check with your vet.
Understanding consistency and telltale textures
Chunky vomit
Does it look like undigested dog food, or have they just eaten? This can mean regurgitation, which may be the case if your dog is eating too fast. It’s also possible that their stomach doesn’t agree with the food’s texture, and vomiting helps to soften it up.
How to help: keep an eye on the situation, but call your vet if it’s more than a one-off.
Liquid vomit
This may mean your pup’s tummy is empty, and they feel nauseous after drinking water.
How to help: try feeding them a small meal. If it’s only happened once, this is not a cause for concern. If it continues, speak to your vet.
Slimy vomit
Over-salivation (and slimy vomit) often relates to nausea — which can happen for a variety of reasons, like anxiety or tummy troubles. The “slime”-like texture could be mucus from your dog's stomach lining.
How to help: monitor your dog and speak to your vet if it happens again.
Foamy vomit
Foamy vomit could indicate indigestion, acid reflux, an upset tummy or gastrointestinal issues. It could also be a sign of pancreatitis, kennel cough, or something more serious like bloat or poison (which is often accompanied by liquid vomit containing bile).
How to help: keep an eye on it, and seek the guidance of your vet if it’s more than a one-off vomit.
Read more: What to do when your dog is vomiting foam →
“Coffee grounds” vomit
This is likely digested blood and could indicate internal bleeding.
How to help: contact your vet immediately.
Preventing vomiting in dogs
When it comes to preventing vomiting, the first step is understanding why it’s happening.
Whether it’s a sensitivity to certain ingredients, or a more serious condition, getting to the root cause is key. Work with your vet to identify triggers: conducting an elimination diet or running diagnostic tests can help uncover any underlying issues.
Conduct an elimination diet
Vomiting can suggest that your dog’s stomach is rejecting certain foods. Allergy-induced vomiting can happen hours or days later. This is why it’s best to keep an eye out for other signs of intolerance like itching. Many commercial dog foods contain fillers and food additives, which can be pro-inflammatory — causing skin and digestive issues in some dogs.
If your pup has a suspected food sensitivity, an elimination diet is the gold standard method to identify the problematic ingredient, and your vet may also recommend a hypoallergenic diet. Lyka’s Hypoallergenic Pro is a fresh therapeutic diet for dogs with food allergies, skin conditions, and gut sensitivities. Speak with your vet about whether an elimination diet is right for your pup.
Switch diets slowly
Vomiting is never normal for dogs, but it can happen once or twice when switching to new foods. Generally, this is temporary and not cause for concern. It’s often a sign of an upset tummy, as the microbiome adjusts to ingredients it may not be used to. That said, it’s always best to monitor your pup for signs of anything more serious.
If your dog vomits more than twice or shows general signs of not feeling well, like reduced energy levels or low appetite, pause the transition and speak to your vet. They might suggest a slower transition to the new food.
Vomiting is more common amongst pups with sensitive stomachs or a history of gastrointestinal issues. They may require a slower transition to any new food. If you need help navigating the transition process to Lyka, have a chat with our friendly Customer Care team.
Feed real, digestible food
Once you know what’s behind those tummy troubles, real food can be a game-changer. Lyka contains the optimal balance of bioactive, prebiotic ingredients — this means more nutrients for your dog to absorb and better digestive health.
An unbalanced diet, on the other hand, can cause inflammation2 and other problems for the gut: impacting your dog’s immunity3, brain function2, metabolism2, and ability to eliminate toxins. Real food is easier for your dog to digest and is high in dietary fibre and omega-3 fatty acids to support every aspect of your pup’s digestive system, from healthier poos to gut lining repair and energy levels.
Speak with your vet to understand whether real food can help your pup's gut issues.
Extra tips
Supervise playtime: avoid giving toys that can break apart or be swallowed, reducing the chance of choking or blockages.
Store toxins securely: medications, household cleaners, and certain plants can cause severe reactions. Keep these items out of your dog’s reach.
Keep things clean: regularly clean up waste in your yard and ensure water bowls are fresh to reduce exposure to bacteria and parasites.
How veterinarians diagnose the cause of vomiting
When you take your dog to the vet for vomiting, they’ll approach the situation with curiosity and care, using your observations and clinical tests to help them understand the cause. Here’s what they’ll focus on:
Your observations: a vet will ask about your dog’s recent behaviour, diet, and exposure to potential hazards like toxins, spoiled food, or non-food items. If possible, describe the vomit’s colour, texture, and frequency (bring along those ziplock bags we mentioned earlier).
Dietary and medical history: understanding what your dog eats, along with their medical history, helps uncover potential food sensitivities or chronic conditions. Your vet may even suggest an elimination diet to help get to the root cause of your pup's gut issues.
Physical examination: the vet will check your dog’s overall health, looking for signs like dehydration, abdominal pain, or unusual bloating. They might also examine their mouth, skin, and coat for clues.
Bloodwork and urine tests: these tests can reveal hidden issues such as infections, liver or kidney problems, or imbalances that might be causing the vomiting.
X-rays or ultrasounds: imaging can help identify obstructions (like swallowed toys or bones), or other internal issues that aren’t visible from the outside.
Your support can help your veterinarian determine whether the vomiting is due to something simple like an upset stomach, or a more serious issue like pancreatitis or poisoning. Accurate diagnosis leads to faster relief for your dog and peace of mind for you.
How can I settle my dog’s tummy?
For a one-off bout of vomiting, cut back on anything that could be too rich for their gut to handle. Stick to feeding a bland diet with ingredients like sweet potato. It’s rich in fibre and antioxidants, making it the perfect fix for an upset tummy.
Read more: What to feed a dog with an upset tummy (it's not chicken and rice!)
Next, focus on gut health! A mix of pre and probiotics can help restore balance in their gut bacteria. Our Go-To Gut Helper is a powerful blend of live microbes, designed to improve digestive health.
How a fresh food diet can help with vomiting and gut issues
Fresh dog food tends to be better quality, containing zero mystery ingredients while bursting with superfoods and nutrients. Just ask Louie, who struggled with digestive issues until she switched to fresh food. Check out Louie’s full story to learn more.
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Have another question?
If your pup can’t seem to keep their food down, download our comprehensive chart or contact our Customer Care team if your pup is on Lyka. No topic is off limits: whether it’s poos, vomit, or anything else on your mind.
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This article was medically reviewed by Dr Darcy Marshall.
Dr Darcy Marshall, BSc, DVM, is a Veterinarian with a strong focus on preventative medicine, dedicated to keeping pets healthy and thriving through proactive care. She studied a Bachelor of Science (BSc) at the University of Melbourne Doctor of Veterinary Medicine (DVM) at the University of Melbourne.
References
1Do, S., Phungviwatnikul, T., De Godoy, M. R., & Swanson, K. S. (2021). Nutrient digestibility and fecal characteristics, microbiota, and metabolites in dogs fed human-grade foods. Journal of Animal Science, 99(2).
2Pilla, R., & Suchodolski, J. S. (2020). The Role of the Canine Gut Microbiome and Metabolome in Health and Gastrointestinal Disease. Frontiers in Veterinary Science, 6, 498.
3Kubinyi, E., Bel Rhali, S., Sándor, S., Szabó, A., & Felföldi, T. (2020). Gut microbiome composition is associated with age and memory performance in pet dogs. Animals (Basel), 10(9).
