Dog symptom guide
My Dog Is Vomiting Blood — Should I Go to the ER?
Usually yes. Blood in vomit (bright red or dark, coffee-ground material) is an urgent sign and should be checked by a veterinarian within hours.
High urgency in most cases
Get a personalized assessment → Free Dog Triage ToolWhat this symptom can mean
Seeing blood in your dog's vomit is scary, and your instinct to act quickly is the right one. Blood can come from the mouth, esophagus, stomach, or upper intestines. Sometimes it appears bright red, and other times it looks dark brown like coffee grounds. Both patterns can point to irritation, ulcers, swallowed blood, toxins, or internal disease that needs prompt evaluation.
If your dog is also weak, pale, breathing hard, or cannot keep water down, treat this as an emergency now. Even when your dog still seems alert, repeated vomiting with blood can lead to dehydration and rapid decline. Early treatment usually gives your veterinarian more options and can prevent a much more serious outcome overnight.
Use this page as a fast decision guide, not a diagnosis. A symptom can look mild early and become urgent later, especially overnight. The safest approach is to combine your dog's symptom details with behavior, breathing, hydration, and gum color. If multiple warning signs appear together, urgency rises quickly.
If you are unsure, choose the safer option and run triage now. The goal is to avoid missing emergencies while also reducing unnecessary panic trips. Taking two minutes to assess timing, progression, and red flags gives your veterinary team better information and helps you act with confidence.
Common causes
- • Stomach or intestinal irritation from diet changes, spoiled food, or severe inflammation
- • Ulcers from medications (such as some pain medications) or chronic disease
- • Swallowed blood from mouth, nose, or throat injury
- • Toxin exposure or a foreign body irritating the digestive tract
- • Clotting problems or serious systemic illness
When it IS an emergency
- • Repeated vomiting with blood, especially every few minutes
- • Pale gums, weakness, collapse, or rapid breathing
- • Black/tarry stool, severe belly pain, or swollen abdomen
- • Known toxin ingestion, especially rat poison or human medications
When it may be okay to wait briefly
- • A single small blood streak but normal energy and hydration may allow same-day vet guidance
- • No additional red flags while you arrange rapid veterinary follow-up
What you can do at home while monitoring
- • Remove food for a short period unless your vet advises otherwise, but keep water available in small amounts
- • Do not give human medications or over-the-counter stomach remedies
- • Collect a photo of vomit and timeline details for your vet
- • Use triage now and head to ER if symptoms worsen
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FAQ
Is dark, coffee-ground vomit still blood?
Often yes. Dark granular vomit can indicate older digested blood and should be treated urgently.
Can I monitor at home overnight?
If blood is recurring or your dog seems weak, do not wait. Get urgent veterinary care.
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Take the free 2-minute quiz →This information is for educational purposes only and is not a substitute for professional veterinary care. If you believe your dog is in immediate danger, contact your nearest emergency veterinary hospital.