Why Is My French Bulldog Throwing Up?

Why is my French Bulldog throwing up?

If there is one thing common with all Frenchie pet parents, it is the fact that they have all had a puking Frenchie at some point.

Frenchie pups are especially prone to throwing up. They might throw up bits of undigested food, clear liquid, white or yellow foam, brown stuff, and so on.

Whatever your pet’s age, no one wants a French bulldog throwing up.

I am not a vet, but I have a lot of experience with a puking Frenchie.

If you are worried, you can consult your veterinarian expert to determine the reasons behind ‘why is my French bulldog throwing up’.

But before you do that, do read on to find out what I personally know about why a French bulldog may be throwing up.

I have also discussed what different types of vomits (eww!) signify and what you can do to help your pet.

Why is My French Bulldog Throwing Up?

French bulldogs can suffer from different types of vomits. Here are the three common causes of canine vomiting that can help you address the question: why is my French bulldog throwing up:

1. Diet-related causes

Gastroenteritis

Gastro, in humans and dogs, occurs due to foreign bodies entering the stomach and GI tract and causes inflammation.

In Frenchies, it can occur due to eating spoilt food or due to dietary changes as well.

What to do – Usually gets sorted on its own. Fast your pet and do not feed any solid food for a day. Make slow adjustments to its diet until your pet is back to normal.

Food allergies

French bulldogs happen to be very sensitive dogs. They may be allergic to certain ingredients in their food which can trigger bouts of vomiting. These allergens could range from grains, preservatives, dyes, flavors, or even certain proteins.

What to do – This is trickier to solve, You might need a food trial to determine what your pet is allergic to.

Check out our related guides on:

• Best food for French Bulldogs with sensitive stomach
• Best dog food for French bulldog with skin allergies

BVS or Bilious Vomiting Syndrome

If your pet Frenchie vomits intermittently and the puke consists of greenish or yellow-colored bile, then it could be attributed to BVS or Bilious vomiting syndrome.

In this case, your dog is allergic to its own bile and it vomits when left hungry for long periods.

What to do – Feed your pet frequently. Your vet can also provide medication for more severe cases.

Pancreatitis

This results in very frequent bouts of vomiting in French bulldogs. It is caused by an acute inflammation in the pancreas.

Nearly 43% of dogs diagnosed with canine pancreatitis have obesity. Therefore, being overweight is certainly a risk.

What to do – If your French bulldog is already diagnosed with canine pancreatitis, then you may want to feed it a special diet.  Pancreatitis diet consists of lower protein and a focus on complex carbs.

The good news is that with dietary changes, you can improve your pet’s quality of life and even extend it.

2. Environmental causes

In addition to the food, your French bulldog’s environment can also trigger bouts of vomiting.

Swallowed objects

Young Frenchies often swallow socks, toys, stones, sticks, bones, etc.

They will then try to throw these objects out by vomiting. In serious cases, the object can get lodged in the intestine and might need surgery to resolve.

What to do – The object will come out in the morning poop. Observe the feces. If not, call your vet.

Toxic cleaners

Has your pet licked even a bit of anti-freeze? Are you using toxic flood cleaners, detergents, insecticides, etc.?

Even certain house plants can be toxic to Frenchies and can trigger severe vomiting. So, watch out for these hazards.

What to do – Please call your vet right away especially if your pet has licked or eaten something toxic.

Intestinal parasites

Many worms like tapeworm, hookworm, pinworms, and roundworms can cause vomiting, appetite changes, lethargy, diarrhea, and a host of other symptoms.

If you suspect worms, please examine your pet’s stools.

What to do – Regularly de-worm your French bulldog. B07CXWHH1S

Certain medicines

Flea and tick medications, certain antibiotics, and even anti-inflammatory medicines can cause vomiting in Frenchies.

What to do – Your pet will feel better after the medicine is out of its system. If vomiting persists, call your vet.

Fungal Infections

Among the environmental causes of ‘why is my French bulldog throwing up?’ are fungal infections, although these are rare.

What to do – Your pet will feel better after it has vomited. If it persists, see your vet.

3. Underlying Health Issues

Bloat or GDV

One of the common causes of vomiting in French bulldogs is Gastric dilation volvulus or bloat. It is a serious condition that requires immediate medical attention.

Your pet might show signs of bloat after it has eaten. It might pace around a lot, try to heave out its stomach content, and might seem very restless.

What to do – See your vet immediately.

HGE or Hemorrhagic gastroenteritis

Small dog breeds like French bulldogs suffer from Hemorrhagic gastro which can occur suddenly but is also quick to resolve on its own without treatment.

What to do – See your vet and discuss what to do. Your pet will need supportive care to prevent the symptoms.

IBS or IBD – Inflammatory bowel disease

This occurs when the dog’s system has an involuntary reaction to a chronic irritant in the intestinal tract. It can trigger vomiting, diarrhea, and can lead to poor appetite, weight loss, and other symptoms.

What to do – Your pet will need dietary changes, B12 supplements, and other medicines.

Cancer

Cancer can cause just about any symptom and vomiting is one of them.

What to do – Develop a care plan with your vet.

Kidney or Liver related issues

These conditions can cause throwing up along with a host of other issues.

What to do – Develop dietary and lifestyle change plan with your vet.

Bacterial or viral infections

Parvo virus, kennel cough, and other viral and bacterial infections can also cause vomiting. You can prevent these issues by vaccinating your pet.

The viral/bacterial strains that cause these infections can mutate over time and different strains can cause vomiting and other symptoms. However, vaccination will keep the symptoms mild and could even help your pet recover faster.

What to do – If vomiting persists, get your pet the treatment it needs at the vet.

Why is My French Bulldog Throwing up White Foam?

A number of factors can cause dog vomiting white foam. The three common causes are:

Acid reflux

This is not particularly dangerous. You can feed your pet smaller and frequent meals to prevent this.

Indigestion

Some dietary changes, low-quality food, spoilt food, etc. can cause indigestion which could lead to white foam in the vomit.

Thankfully, the condition will resolve itself after the offensive stuff is out.

Kennel cough

This is a bacterial infection and although there is a vaccine to prevent it, your pet is still at a risk for contracting it when you board it in a pet hostel or when it interacts with other dogs.

Remember that vaccinations can prevent severe symptoms.

Serious conditions

Bloat, pancreatitis, kidney problem, or swallowing something large and indigestible can cause dog vomiting white foam. These issues need immediate veterinary attention.

Why is My French Bulldog Throwing up Yellow Foam?

Generally, dog throwing up yellow vomit is not a cause for concern. It usually means that the undigested bile is coming out of its system.

Watch out for other signs of sickness like lethargy, diarrhea, fever, loss of appetite etc.

Some French bulldogs vomit yellow foam in the morning. This occurs due to acid reflux caused by ‘hunger pangs’.

Try feeding smaller and more frequent meals and feed your pet late at night to prevent this type of vomiting.

Why is My French Bulldog Throwing up Green Liquid?

Your Frenchie might throw up greenish colored vomit if it has recently eaten grass.

Sometimes, the green colored puke could be bile which could mean that there is something stuck in your pet’s intestine.

If this vomiting persists, see your vet right away.

Why is my French Bulldog Throwing Up Red or Pink Liquid?

Reddish or pinkish foamy vomit means presence of blood in the puke. It can occur due to a stomach bug or stomach ulcer.

The presence of blood in the vomit indicates that the stomach capillaries or blood vessels might have burst.

See your vet right away. (Thankfully, medicines can resolve this vomiting blood issue fairly quickly.)

Why is my French Bulldog Throwing Up Brown Stuff?

French bulldog puppies often throw up poop-like stuff and, in many cases, it is exactly that – poop.

 Your pet might have eaten dog poop as it may be seeking out nutrients that it isn’t getting in its diet.

Sometimes, brown stuff in vomit is not poop but could be mucus and bile mixed together.

There are many causes behind this kind of vomiting – intestinal blockage, gum disease, bleeding ulcers, something they ate.

A vet can help you resolve the issue.

Why is my French Bulldog Throwing Up Clear Liquid?

Clear liquid indicates that there is no food or bile or blood in the vomit.

A number of reasons can cause this issue – mainly it could be related to kidney, liver, etc.

Sometimes, it might just be excessive drooling.

See your vet if dog vomiting white foam persists over the next few days.

Here is a table showing different colors of vomiting in French bulldogs and their meaning:

What to Do to Help your French Bulldog After it has Vomited?

• Allow your Frenchie to rest. In most cases, it should feel better after the undigested food or offending matter is out.
• Watch out for other signs and symptoms. You will know when something is seriously wrong. If it is, do not hesitate to seek medical attention.
• Make your Frenchie drink some water to prevent dehydration.
• If vomiting persists, skip feeding its next meal.
• In case your Frenchie shows interest in food, feed it a bland diet of rice, chicken broth, etc.
• See your vet if the vomiting persists.

FAQs on Why is My French Bulldog Throwing Up

1. Do French bulldogs throw up a lot?

French bulldog puppy are notorious for throwing up several times a day. Even adult Frenchies tend to throw up frequently.

The most common cause behind a Frenchie vomiting is its sensitive digestion. If your pet has always been throwing up, you should not worry too much.

 However, some dietary changes could help. Also discuss medication for acid reflux with your vet.

Remember: throwing up frequently is not normal for any breed. Many Frenchies have gone without throwing up for years.

2. How to soothe a French bulldog’s vomiting?

Fast your pet for a few hours. You can also feed it some clear liquids, broth, or rice. You may also want to rethink its diet – frequent vomiting could indicate food allergy or intolerance.

3. Why does my Frenchie throw up in the morning?

Many Frenchies throw up yellow bile in the morning known popularly as ‘hunger pukes’. This is the bile that comes out when your pet is hungry through the night.

You can try feeding your pet late at night or just before bed. This could prevent empty stomach regurgitation.

4. How do I get my French Bulldog to throw up?

If your pet has eaten something it shouldn’t have, you could squirt some hydrogen peroxide into its mouth. This will cause it to throw up.

However, it is best to see a vet instead of inducing vomiting at home.

Conclusion

Why is my French bulldog throwing up?

There are myriad reasons for a Frenchie throwing up – from bloat to upset stomach to infections like canine parvovirus, to toxins and even serious underlying health issues like diabetes or cancer.

Observe the vomit’s color and watch out for other signs and symptoms such as appetite changes, lethargy, fever, diarrhea, etc.

If the vomiting persists, see your vet right away.