Why Do Shih Tzus Vomit Yellow Foam? 🐶 My Dog’s Morning Empty Stomach Issue

Dog vomiting yellow bile in the morning? 🐶 Learn about bilious vomiting syndrome (empty stomach vomiting), Shih Tzu care tips, prevention methods, and when to call the vet.

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As a dog mom in my 70s, I was really worried when my Shih Tzu, Creamy, occasionally threw up yellow, foamy liquid early in the morning. At first, I thought something was seriously wrong. He was eating well and seemed energetic, but suddenly I’d find yellow vomit on the floor.

Morning surprise: yellow foam on the floor made me panic the first time I saw it.

After some research and talking to vets, I learned this is a common condition called bilious vomiting syndrome (often referred to as “empty stomach vomiting”). In this post, I’ll share what it means, when you should worry, and some practical tips that helped Creamy feel better.

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🍋 What Is Empty Stomach Vomiting?

If your dog vomits yellow foam mostly in the morning or after long gaps between meals, it’s often bile reflux. When the stomach is empty, bile can flow back and irritate the stomach lining, leading to yellow-colored vomit.

💡 According to veterinarians, if this happens once or twice in 24 hours and your dog eats and plays normally afterward, it’s usually not serious.
🚨 However, if vomiting happens three or more times a day, or if it’s accompanied by diarrhea, blood, or lethargy, you should see your vet immediately.

Creamy eats well, but I started wondering if eating too quickly was part of the problem.

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💤 Why It’s Worrying for Pet Parents

Even though vets say mild empty stomach vomiting isn’t always dangerous, it’s still stressful for dog parents.
I remember one morning when Creamy vomited and then went right back to sleep as if nothing happened. He looked so peaceful, but I was even more worried.

After vomiting, Creamy went back to sleep as if nothing happened. I was still anxious as a pet mom.

 

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🥕 How to Prevent Yellow Vomiting in Dogs

From my own experience and veterinary advice, here are some effective steps:

1. Give a small bedtime snack 🍪
   Don’t let your dog go to sleep with an empty stomach. A few kibbles before bed can help reduce bile reflux.
2. Feed smaller, more frequent meals 🍽️
   Instead of two big meals, try splitting into 3–4 smaller meals throughout the day.
3. Watch for warning signs 👀
   If your dog vomits multiple times, refuses food, seems weak, or has diarrhea, contact your vet right away.

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🐾 What Worked for My Shih Tzu

I noticed Creamy ate his food too quickly, which could upset his stomach. So, I switched to a slow feeder bowl with raised ridges.

Slow feeder bowls force dogs to eat more slowly. This made a big difference for Creamy.

I also started splitting his meals into 3–4 portions and giving him a spoonful of kibble right before bedtime. Since then, his morning vomiting has become much less frequent.

A typical example of yellow foam vomit — often linked to empty stomach syndrome in dogs.

If you’re also raising a Shih Tzu, you may find my post 4 Things You Must Know Before Getting a Shih Tzu + Creamy’s Health Journey helpful.

4 Things You Must Know Before Getting a Shih Tzu + Creamy’s Heartwarming Adoption

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🌼 A Few Closing Words for Dog Parents

Dog vomiting yellow bile in the morning is often empty stomach vomiting, not always a serious illness. But repeated vomiting or other symptoms should never be ignored.

✔️ Offer a small snack before bedtime
✔️ Divide meals into smaller, frequent portions
✔️ Use a slow feeder to prevent gulping food
✔️ Visit the vet if vomiting is persistent or severe

With just a few adjustments, many dogs stop experiencing early morning bile vomiting. 💛
Remember, our pups can’t tell us what’s wrong—so it’s up to us, as their family, to notice the small signs and care for them with love.

For more on Shih Tzu care, check out Caring for My Shih Tzu’s Allergies: How Virbac Allermyl Shampoo Helped.

🐶 Caring for My Shih Tzu’s Allergies: How Virbac Allermyl Shampoo Made Our Days Easier