Want to Know the Reasons Why Dogs Sometimes Throw Up Yellow Foam?

Want to Know the Reasons Why Dogs Sometimes Throw Up Yellow Foam?

Have you noticed your dog throwing up a yellow foam? Worried about what could be causing it?

Dr. Ivana Crnec, a licensed veterinarian graduate of the University Sv. Kliment Ohridski’s Faculty of Veterinary Medicine in Bitola, Republic of Macedonia, explained this on PetHelpful. According to her, a yellow vomit may mean that your dog has eaten something yellow. Or the vomit contains bile -- a yellowish-green liquid that's produced by the liver and gets stored in the gallbladder. Then, it goes to the small intestines after every meal, where bile helps in digestion by breaking down fats into fatty acids.

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However, some dogs tend to throw up bile and it often occurs when their stomach is empty in early morning or halfway through the evening.

But what could be causing bile to be present in a dog's vomit? Here are the 10 possible reasons, according to Dr. Crnec:

  1. Bilious Vomiting Syndrome (BVS). This condition is easy to treat since it usually occurs when the stomach is empty for a longer period of time. Bile and other digestive juices cause irritation to the small intestines, inducing your dog to vomit. The solution is to feed your dog with smaller portions of food and let them enjoy another meal late in the evening.
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  2. Dietary Indiscretions. Dogs eat almost anything, which is why vomiting with bile is common. They eat spoiled food and even trash. This often results in serious stomach upset and other negative effects, such as diarrhea and vomiting. If a dog's dietary indiscretion is just mild, the effect will fade away without medical intervention. However, when the symptoms are serious, it is best to consult a veterinarian.
  3. Allergies. Vomiting and diarrhea are the common signs of a dog's allergy to certain foods. Chicken, beef, dairy, fish, and grains are among the usual foods that cause allergies in dogs. Identifying which particular food is causing a dog's allergy is a complex process. You will have to make a test of every food in your dog's diet by removing it from the menu. It's a time-consuming effort, but most dog owners would want to know the cause.
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  4. Gastrointestinal Disorders. Throwing up with bile may also be caused by various gastrointestinal disorders like bacterial infections, viral infections, ulcers, parasties, and inflammatory bowel disease. Giardia is a tiny parasite that's found in water, food, and soil contaminated with feces from infected creatures. Although it's highly contagious and widespread among dogs, regular deworming can prevent giardiasis.
  5. Intestinal Blockages. This is another common problem among dogs who are fond of chewing almost everything, including rocks and toys. A dog shows many symptoms, including vomiting, when the foreign object it swallowed has causes a blockade in its intestines. This is a life-and-death situation, with a vet possibly opting for surgery. But even surgery is high risk, and recovery will take a long, difficult time for a dog.
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  6. Pancreatitis. This is inflammation of the pancreas caused by foods that are high in fat. This condition makes a dog lose its appetite, vomit, and experience extreme abdomen pain and lethargy. Pancreatitis is life-threatening; that's why it must be treated immediately.
  7. Liver Disease/Gallbladder Problem. A dog with liver and/or gallbladder disease can also experience this type of vomiting. These diseases can be treated with medications, but if the gallbladder problem is worse, it will have to be removed via surgery.
  8. Endocrine Disorders. Vomit with bile is a common symptom in dogs with Addison's disease. This happens when the adrenal glands do not produce adequate corticosteroid hormones. Cushing’s disease (hyperadrenocorticism or overactive adrenal gland) and hypothyroidism (underactive thyroid gland) may also cause a dog to vomit frequently with bile.

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  9. Exposure to toxins. This frequently happens in dogs because of their curious nature. Household chemicals and many kinds of human foods are not safe for dogs. Any incident of a dog's exposure or ingestion of toxins requires immediate veterinary attention.
  10. Eating something that's yellow in color. Yes, vomiting yellow foam may be simply caused by a dog eating something that's yellow in color. If it's not poisonous, it's not a serious concern.

It's common among dogs to vomit yellow foam or bile occasionally. But, should you observe that your dog has been doing it frequently, it's best to take your pet to the vet.

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Doris de Luna

For more than 20 years now, I’ve been devoting my heart, energy, and time to fulfilling my dream, which – many people may agree – is not among the easiest aspirations in life. Part of my happiness is having been able to lend a hand to many individuals, companies, and even governments as an investigative journalist, creative writer, TV director, and radio broadcaster.


At home, I spend my free time learning how to cook various cuisines. Tiramisu, chocolate mousse, and banoffee pie are my favorite desserts. Playing with our dogs, Mushu and Jerusalem, is also a special part of my day. And, of course, I read a lot – almost anything under the sun. But what really makes me feel alive is meeting people from various walks of life and writing about their stories, which echo with the tears and triumph of an unyielding spirit, humanity, and wisdom.

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