If your dog is shaking and vomiting yellow liquid, it’s often a sign of gastrointestinal irritation or a deeper medical issue. Yellow vomit usually means bile is being expelled, and when paired with shaking, it could indicate pain, nausea, or something more serious.
We outline the common causes of dog shaking and vomiting yellow, what you can do at home, and when to seek veterinary help.
Dog Shaking and Vomiting Yellow — Why It Happens
Dogs vomit yellow bile and shake when their digestive system is irritated, empty, or inflamed. Shaking signals discomfort, pain, or nausea, while yellow vomit means the stomach is empty but still irritated. When these symptoms appear together, it’s important to consider underlying issues like pancreatitis, infection, or toxin ingestion.
Common Causes of Dog Shaking and Vomiting Yellow
Empty Stomach or Bilious Vomiting Syndrome
When a dog hasn’t eaten for an extended period—especially overnight—bile can accumulate in the stomach, causing irritation.
This often results in early morning vomiting of yellow bile, followed by shaking from nausea or abdominal discomfort.
Feeding smaller meals more frequently, or giving a small bedtime snack, can often help reduce these episodes.
Pancreatitis
Pancreatitis occurs when the pancreas becomes inflamed, usually after eating fatty or rich foods.
It causes severe nausea, vomiting (often bile or white foam), shaking, and abdominal pain.
Your dog may also appear lethargic, refuse food, or adopt a hunched posture. Pancreatitis is painful and can be dangerous—prompt vet care is critical.
Related: Dog shaking and not eating (Causes and what to do)
Toxin Ingestion
Ingesting household cleaners, certain human foods (like xylitol or chocolate), or chemicals can lead to acute symptoms like vomiting yellow bile, shaking, drooling, and collapse.
Toxins trigger the body’s natural expulsion response (vomiting), while shaking reflects systemic distress or poisoning.
Immediate veterinary treatment is necessary—some toxins act fast and can be fatal without care.
Gastrointestinal Inflammation or Infection
Stomach or intestinal inflammation due to viral, bacterial, or dietary causes can result in yellow bile vomiting and shaking.
This may include other symptoms like diarrhea, bloating, fever, and lethargy.
Infections like parvovirus (especially in puppies) or bacterial gastroenteritis can become severe quickly.
Liver or Gallbladder Issues
Bile is produced by the liver and stored in the gallbladder—when these organs are dysfunctional, bile may back up into the stomach.
This causes yellow vomiting and discomfort, often paired with trembling, fatigue, and appetite loss.
Veterinary testing like blood panels and imaging may be needed to assess liver or gallbladder function.
What to Do If Your Dog Is Shaking and Vomiting Yellow
First, remove food and water for a few hours to give your dog’s stomach a chance to settle—but only if your dog is alert and not dehydrated.
Offer small sips of water or ice cubes after the vomiting stops. Once stabilized, reintroduce a bland diet like boiled chicken and rice in small portions.
Keep your dog calm and restrict activity. Monitor breathing, behavior, and how often vomiting recurs.
Avoid giving any human medications without veterinary advice, as some can worsen GI symptoms.
If symptoms return or your dog continues vomiting bile multiple times, call your vet without delay.
When to Call or Visit Your Vet
Contact your veterinarian right away if your dog:
Vomits yellow bile more than once or multiple times in 24 hours
Is shaking continuously or appears in pain
Refuses water, is lethargic, or collapses
Has a swollen or tight abdomen
Has a history of dietary indiscretion, chronic GI issues, or toxin exposure
Your vet may run bloodwork, x-rays, or ultrasound to identify pancreatitis, infection, obstruction, or organ dysfunction.
Read more: Dog Shaking and Vomiting (Causes and What To Do)
Key Takeaway
Shaking and vomiting yellow bile are warning signs your dog’s digestive system is under stress. It may be as simple as an empty stomach or as serious as pancreatitis or poisoning.
Always monitor the frequency and intensity of symptoms. If your dog vomits more than once or seems unwell, prompt veterinary care is the best path forward.