Why is my dog being sick and what does the colour of my dog’s vomit mean?

What does the colour of your dog's vomit tell you about their health?

Jack Russell cuddling a hot water bottle for article on dog being sick

Overview

Seeing your dog vomit can be worrying, but the colour of the vomit can give you clues about what’s wrong. This guide, and our dog vomit colour chart below, will help you understand what different vomit colours might indicate, and when it’s time to call the vet.

Vomiting isn't just about your dog being sick — it's an important sign that could indicate potential health issues. Whether it's green, yellow, or a more alarming color like black or red, each hue provides insights into potential conditions affecting your dog or puppy.

Why is my dog being sick?

Dog vomiting do’s and don’ts

When to call the vet

Dog vomit colour chart

Why is my puppy being sick?

Frequently asked questions

Rosé, A. & Neiger, R. (2013) Causes of vomiting in dogs and usefulness of clinical investigations. Tierärztliche Praxis, 41(1), pp.16–22. [Available at: https://www.thieme-connect.com/products/ejournals/abstract/10.1055/s-0038-1623680]

Holzmann, B., Werner, M., Unterer, S., & Dörfelt, R. (2023) Utility of diagnostic tests in vomiting dogs presented to an internal medicine emergency service. Frontiers in Veterinary Science, 10, Article 1063080. [Available at: https://www.frontiersin.org/articles/10.3389/fvets.2023.1063080/full]

Sueda, K.L.C., Hart, B.L., & Cliff, K.D. (2008) Characterization of plant eating in dogs. Applied Animal Behaviour Science, 111(1–2), pp.120–132. [Available at: https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S0168159107001827]

DVM360 (2008) CVC Highlights: Why do dogs and cats eat grass? DVM360 Magazine. [Available at: https://www.dvm360.com/view/cvc-2008-highlights-why-do-dogs-and-cats-eat-grass]

Maton, W. (2017) Bilious Vomiting Syndrome in Dogs. American Kennel Club. [Available at: https://www.akc.org/expert-advice/health/bilious-vomiting-syndrome-in-dogs/]

Elwood, C., Devauchelle, P., Elliott, J., Freiche, V., German, A.J., Gualtieri, M., Hall, E., den Hertog, E., Neiger, R., Peeters, D., Roura, X., & Savary‐Bataille, K. (2010) Emesis in dogs: a review. Journal of Small Animal Practice, 51(1), pp.4–22. [Available at: https://europepmc.org/article/MED/20137004]

Maton, W. (2017) “Bilious Vomiting Syndrome in Dogs.” AKC.org. Available at: https://www.akc.org/expert-advice/health/bilious-vomiting-syndrome-in-dogs/ (Explains why dogs vomit bile on empty stomach and management tips).

Medically reviewed by Lizzie Youens

Published on 09/05/2019 • Reviewed on 17/04/2025