Dog Vomit Color Chart: Know What Each Color Means

As a dog parent, you want to do everything you can to keep your furry friend healthy and happy. Part of that includes being able to tell if something is wrong, and one way to do that is by looking at your dog’s vomit. Yes, it’s not the most pleasant task, but it’s important to know what different colors of dog vomit can mean. After all, it could be a simple stomach bug or something more serious. To help you out, we’ve put together this dog vomit color chart. Now, you’ll know exactly what each color means and can take the appropriate action.

Dog Vomit Color Chart

If your dog vomits, it can be a worrying sight. But did you know that the color of your dog’s vomit can actually give you some clues as to what might be going on? Check out our dog vomit color chart below to find out what each color means.

What does Each Vomit Color mean? 

The food a dog has eaten typically affects the color of his vomit. But this isn’t always the case. Dogs may occasionally vomit different colored fluids due to specific illnesses. Here are descriptions of some of these colors.

White Vomit

White is the most frequent color of a dog’s vomit. It usually indicates that your dog has swallowed something it shouldn’t have, such as a bone or a toy. The white color of the dog’s vomit is merely due to the presence of saliva. So, if your dog’s vomit is white, it’s usually nothing to worry about. This is usually just the result of stomach irritation and will clear up on its own.

If your dog is only vomiting once or twice and then seems fine, there’s no need for a checkup. However, if your dog is vomiting frequently, seems to be in pain, or if the vomiting persists for more than a day or two, it’s a good idea to take your dog to the vet to rule out any other potential problems.

Yellow Vomit

Yellow vomit typically means that your dog has biliousness or an upset stomach. Yellow pigmentation is usually due to the presence of excess bile in the digested food. If the yellow vomiting persists for several days, it indicates a chronic illness called “bilious vomiting syndrome.” In such a condition, your dog will vomit bile more often. There will be other signs of illness as well, such as lethargy, lack of appetite, or diarrhea. Bring your dog to the vet to get checked out.

Brown Vomit 

Brown vomit usually means that your dog has eaten something he shouldn’t have, such as trash or poop. It could be something as innocuous as grass, dirt, or garbage. Or it could be something more dangerous, like chocolate, which can prove to be toxic. Sometimes, brown vomit also indicates that your dog has eaten poop, a problem called coprophagia. 

A dark brown vomit resembling coffee grounds is also a sign of internal bleeding. The blood has been digested, and the products of this digestion appear brown when oxidized. If your dog has vomited once or twice and seems otherwise fine, there’s no need to worry. But if they keep vomiting brown or seem to be in pain, it’s best to take them to the vet right away.

Red or Pink Vomit

Red or pink vomit is usually due to blood in the vomit. It can be a sign of something more serious, such as gastrointestinal bleeding. This can be caused by anything from an ulcer to ingesting something sharp. A bright red color in vomit means the injury is in the foregut.

A dark red color, however, indicates that the bleeding is from the hindgut as the blood has been digested partially. If you see red vomit or vomit that contains blood, it’s important to take your dog to the vet right away. They’ll be able to determine the cause and provide the appropriate treatment.

Green Vomit

Green vomit is usually the result of bile in the vomit. This can be caused by anything from an empty stomach to a blockage in the intestines. It also hints toward liver or gallbladder disease. As discussed before, it may also be due to “bilious vomiting syndrome.” If your dog is vomiting green bile, it’s important to take them to the vet right away. 

Black Vomit 

Black vomit can be a sign of something serious, such as gastrointestinal bleeding, intoxication, poisoning, or parasitic infection. If you see black vomit, you must take your dog to the vet immediately.

Final Thoughts on Dog Vomit Color Chart

It’s important to be aware of what different colors of dog vomit can mean. This can help you take the appropriate action to keep your furry friend healthy and happy. One such way to find out is by comparing your dog’s vomit color to those mentioned in our dog vomit color chart. But, having red or green vomit doesn’t always mean something’s wrong. It may be simply due to the indigestion of red or green foods.