Before you say "no way, not my perfect fur angel", rest assured that you will experience your little loved one leaving you the gift of a bright yellow stain on your carpet or floor at some point in his lifetime.
Sometimes, your dog's vomit might be comprised of yellow foam. What is this yellow foam? Is it a bad sign? What causes this yellow foam? Does it mean he ingested too many bananas? Actually, if your dog is throwing up yellow foam, it is typical that the vomit is actually yellow bile.
Bile in dog vomit means that your dog has little, if anything, in his stomach. The yellow foam is digestive fluid produced by your dog's liver. The liver moves this fluid into the gall bladder and from there, it moves to the small intestine to help digest food. If there is no food in the stomach for the bile to digest, your pup might release it, thus the colorful result.
If your dog is throwing up yellow foam, that does not necessarily mean your dog needs to eat more. Moving meals closer together, or dividing his meals into smaller portions with more frequency, may solve the problem.
The Grass Isn't Always Greener: In addition to the possibility that your dog was merely expressing an empty stomach, there are a few other reasons why he might be throwing up bile. Eating grass might be the culprit. Many dogs eat grass, but a canine stomach can have some difficulty digesting the grass, especially if his stomach is fairly empty.
Dogs eat grass for a variety of reasons, including stomach upset. So, if your furry friend isn't consuming his regular bowl of chow, and is also ingesting grass, it is a safe assumption that he is feeling less than his best.
Annoying Allergies: Yet another possibility is allergies. Canine allergies are extremely common, as common as they are in humans. It's very possible that if your dog is throwing up yellow foam, he is experiencing a food allergy. If you've changed your pet's food recently, or if the manufacturer has changed ingredients in his current food, his daily diet might be the cause of the stomach issue. Check the label on your dog's food, or call the manufacturer and inquire about any changes in the product that you are feeding your pet.
Belly Issues: While dogs do not experience colds, they can get what we often to refer to as a "stomach bug". Stomach irritation in dogs can cause a serious problem known as gastritis.
Gastritis can be short-lived, or can be a long-term problem. Gastritis develops for several reasons: consuming inappropriate, high fat foods, an adverse reaction to a toxin, or an infection. If your dog is throwing up consistently for over a 24-hour period, is lethargic, or there is blood mixed in with the bile, consult your veterinarian so that something serious can be ruled out.
Liver Problems: Although vomiting yellow foam or bile is not typically caused by liver problems, it also cannot be ruled out. Liver disease is serious. and is the most common cause of canine death. If your dog is vomiting bile frequently, experiences yellowing of the eyes, is losing weight and is lethargic, he might be experiencing issues with his liver. Liver disease can be caused by pancreatitis, bacterial infections, or even cancer. Your veterinarian can run blood tests to determine if your dog has liver disease.
| Reason for Bile Occurrence | Other Symptoms Combined with Bile | Action Needed |
|---|---|---|
| Empty Stomach | None | Feed meals closer together or break up into several meals. |
| Grass Ingestion | Visible Grass Present in Bile; Regular Meal Not Ingested | Feed plain boiled chicken and rice. Report to vet if problem persists +48 hours. |
| Allergic Reaction | General Lethargy; Scratching at Skin; Digestive Symptoms | Check for change in ingredients. Change diet. |
| Digestive Issues | Bile Mixed with Blood; Lethargy; Vomitting for 24+ Hours | Consult your vet |
| Liver Disease | Yellowing of Eyes or Skin; Diarrhea; Loss of Appetite | Consult your vet |
In addition to these causes, there are a few additional reasons that your dog might be throwing up yellow foam. These include exercising too soon after eating, heat stroke, ingesting rotten food, parasites, and inner ear infections. Ingesting his own fur can also cause a stomach ailment and vomiting.
If your dog has been groomed recently, this could have happened. Dogs also can experience inner ear infections, just like humans, which can also cause the vomiting of bile. Lastly, dogs can get an inner ear infection. This causes dizziness which can cause stomach upset and vomiting.
Things You Can Do to Avoid Future Episodes of Your Dog Throwing Up Yellow Foam
It is likely that bile expulsion is temporary and is going to stop on its own. Much like humans, dogs can have a "sick day". Give your dog room to rest undisturbed, fee him some bland people food like boiled chicken and rice, and keep a close watch on his behavior.
While your dog is recovering, you can take some simple steps to guard against additional issues. Read your dog’s food labels carefully for allergens, ensure your dog does not have access to common garden elements such as poisonous plants, bird feeder suet, rodents, or grass treated with chemicals. Avoid exercising your dog right after meals, and ensure he has access to water and shelter in the sun.
When It Is Time to See the Vet About a Dog Throwing Up Yellow Foam
If you have made the decision to take your dog to your veterinarian to address the vomiting problem there are specific steps that your vet should take to ensure the vomiting issues is solved.
If possible, take a sample of the vomit with you to the vet. If you have changed your dog's diet. If there are other symptoms coinciding with the vomit, and if you have noticed any changes in your dog's energy and activity levels.
The next step the veterinarian will take is to examine the dog.. The veterinarian will examine your dog for signs of illness, such as checking his eyes and gums. She may examine the dog's abdomen and throat, to confirm that there are no foreign objects caught in those areas.
Once your veterinarian examines your dog, she will likely want to take some tests. The tests she might take include blood tests and x-rays. It would be helpful for you to bring a list of items your dog might have ingested or simply put in his mouth. The list should include toys, rawhide, bones, and people food.
After your vet has taken the appropriate tests, she will likely have some suggestion about how to avoid future episodes of your dog vomiting. She may ask you to change your dog's diet, timing of feedings, and exercise routine.
It can be frustrating and upsetting to see your beloved pet vomiting or feeling ill, especially when you aren't sure of the cause. But following the advice here may prevent future episodes, or at least help you to understand why your dog is throwing up yellow foam. Once you understand the causes of this unpleasant yet common issue, you'll be able to help your dog live a longer, happier life.
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