Foul-Smelling Vomit in Dogs

Dogs vomit for various reasons. A dog might throw up simply because he has eaten too much, too fast. Ingesting poisonous substances can cause vomiting. Canine vomit in any case is foul-smelling, such as is your own; but particularly foul-smelling vomit could signal a health condition that requires prompt veterinary attention.

When dogs throw up, matter from inside of their stomachs comes out of their mouths with ample force. Dog vomit is usually made up of a combination of bile and food remnants that haven't been fully digested. If your dog vomits, contact a veterinarian and tell him what's occurred. If your vet examines your pet, he should be able to determine the specific cause behind the vomiting.

Although dog vomit in general has an unpleasant odor, a conspicuously bad odor that doesn't smell like normal vomit requires quick veterinary attention. Unusually foul-smelling vomit often indicates major health problems that call for urgent veterinary treatment, according to "Dr. Earl Mindell's Nutrition and Health for Dogs." Be attentive enough to their dogs seem to vomit their food on a routine basis, says Norma Moffat, author of "Cavalier King Charles Spaniel." Bloody vomit sometimes points to a more significant health concern.

The vomit an ill dog may produce can sometimes smell very similar to fecal matter, according to Donald Hamilton, author of "Homeopathic Care for Cats and Dogs." Intestinal blockages can lead to this "fecal vomiting" in dogs. Blunt injuries can also bring upon fecal vomiting in dogs, according to Gautam Grover and Maneka Gandhi's "First Aid for Animals." If your dog is fecal vomiting, seek emergency veterinary attention.

Vomiting in general is extremely prevalent in canines, according to Cyndi Smasal, author of "Hope for Healing Liver Disease in Your Dog." Many factors can lead to vomiting, including heatstroke, pancreatitis, intestinal parasites and viral infections. While vomiting can be due to something as easy-to-fix as a switch in dog food brands, it's vital to be vigilant to indications of more serious illness. Vomit that smells seriously bad is a possible clue.