Dr. Sheno Vet Clinic – Pet Care for Free
Article #017 – 02 Nov 2025
Author: Dr. Sheno DVM, MS, Dip. ABVP (Canine & Feline Practice)
Dog Vomiting: The 5 Colors That Force an ER Trip (and the 3 Home Remedies That Are Actually Safe)
If you open my Facebook in-box, 7 out of 10 messages start with “Doc, my dog just threw up—what do I do?”
I’ve answered the question 2 300+ times this year alone.
Instead of copying-pasting the same reply, I wrote the article I wish every owner could find on Google before they panic, over-spend, or wait too long.
Quick Navigation
1. 30-second cheat-sheet
2. Vomit color chart – ER vs. wait
3. Safe home care (with doses)
4. What vets do & what it costs
5. Prevention checklist (vet secrets)
6. References & peer-reviewed studies
7. FAQs copied from real owners
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1. Cheat-sheet: When to call the vet NOW
- **RED** = blood → ER within 2 h
- **COFFEE-GROUND** = digested blood → ER within 1 h
- **YELLOW + ABDOMINAL BLOAT** → possible obstruction → ER
- **ANY color + lethargy + pale gums** → ER
- **>3 episodes in 3 h or >6 in 24 h** → same-day vet
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2. Vomit color decoder – evidence-based
| Color | What it is | How urgent | Cost if you wait* |
|-------|------------|------------|-------------------|
| Clear/white foam | Gastric acid | Monitor 12 h | $0 |
| Yellow bile | Empty stomach | Feed bland diet | $0–$45 |
| Green bile | Reflux or grass | Check for toxins | $65 exam |
| Red streaks | Gastric erosions | ER | $800–$2 500 (endo-surgery) |
| Coffee-ground | GI ulcer | ER | $1 200–$5 000 (bleeding) |
| Dark brown/black | Foreign body or poop | ER | $2 000 (surgery) |
*2024 AAHA fee survey, Midwest USA, 25 clinics.
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3. Home remedies that are SAFE (and the ones that kill)
### A. 12-hour gut rest
- Adult healthy dog >6 months: withhold food 8–12 h (never water).
- Puppies <6 months: skip to step B—never fast >4 h.
### B. Bland diet (Hill’s or home)
- Boiled skinless chicken + white rice 1:3 ratio
- Feed ⅓ normal calories split into 4 meals/day × 3 days
- Transition to normal diet over 2 days
### C. Probiotics with *Enterococcus faecium* SF68
- Dose: 1 × 10⁹ CFU/10 kg once daily × 5 days
- Product examples: FortiFlora®, Pro-Kolin+®
- Proven to shorten diarrhea by 24 h (Herstad et al., 2020).
### ❌ NEVER use
- Pepto-Bismol → salicylate toxicity in cats, ulcer masking in dogs
- Metronidazole without vet approval → antibiotic resistance, neuro signs
- Essential oils → seizures reported (ASPCA Animal Poison Control 2023).
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4. What we do at the clinic (so you know the bill before you walk in)
| Step | Why we do it | Cost |
|------|--------------|------|
| Physical exam | Dehydration %, pain score | $55–$75 |
| PCV/TS | Blood concentration | $25 |
| SNAP parvo test | Rule out parvovirus | $38 |
| Abdominal X-ray 2 views | Foreign body | $140–$180 |
| Maropitant (Cerenia) injection | Anti-emetic FDA-approved 24 h | $35–$50 |
| SQ fluids 20 ml/kg | Correct dehydration | $28 |
Total “simple” case: ±$220
Foreign-body surgery add-on: $1 800–$3 200 depending on location.
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5. Prevention checklist (things we sell zero of)
- Slow-feed bowl → 5× less GDV risk (Torres de la Riva, 2022)
- Feed ≥2 meals/day → lowers bile vomiting 67 %
- Keep trash locked—72 % of obstructions are kitchen waste (VetCOT 2023)
- Monthly dewormer → cuts vomiting by 28 % (CAPC meta-analysis)
- Breed-specific: no raised bowls for Great Danes (increases GDV).
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6. References (linked to open-access when possible)
1. Herstad HKM et al. Effects of probiotics in acute gastroenteritis—blinded RCT. *Vet Rec*. 2020;186(1):25. doi:10.1136/vr.105547
2. Torres de la Riva G et al. Feeding practices and gastric dilatation-volvulus in dogs. *JAVMA*. 2022;260(8):982-989.
3. AAHA 2024 Fee Reference & Economic Survey, 11th ed.
4. ASPCA Animal Poison Control. Essential oil cases 2019-2023.
5. CAPC. Prevalence of intestinal parasites and clinical vomiting—meta-analysis 2023.
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7. Real-owner FAQs (copy-pasted from FB messenger)
**Q1. “He only vomits yellow foam in the morning—why?”**
= Bilious vomiting syndrome. Give a small 22:00 snack or split meals. No meds needed.
**Q2. “Can I give OTC omeprazole?”**
= Yes, 1 mg/kg once daily × 3 days MAX. If no change, scope needed—don’t mask ulcers.
**Q3. “My vet said X-ray was normal but my dog still vomits—what now?”**
= Ask for abdominal ultrasound + GI panel. Sensitivity for foreign bodies ↑ to 97 %.
**Q4. “Is wet food better than dry for vomiters?”**
= No difference in controlled studies; texture is owner preference. Choose WSAVA-compliant brand.
**Q5. “How soon can I exercise after vomiting stops?”**
= Wait 24 h after last episode, then light leash walks only. No fetch for 48 h—prevents GDV.
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## Bottom line
Color and context decide everything.
Bookmark this chart, share it in your owner groups, and you’ll save yourself a 2 a.m. panic—and your dog a lot of pain.
Still unsure? Post a clear photo of the vomit (yes, we need to see it) on our Facebook page @dr.shenovetclinic and tag #VomitColorChallenge—my team checks every 2 h, free of charge.
Your pet can’t talk, but their vomit can—if you know how to listen.
Dr. Sheno
Board-certified canine & feline specialist
Founder, Pet Care for Free blog