A Frenchie throwing up poop is not only alarming, but it can also be a sign of a serious underlying health issue.
This condition is rare but can occur due to severe gastrointestinal disturbances, blockages, or other dangerous medical conditions that require immediate veterinary intervention.
We outline the reasons behind your Frenchie throwing up what appears to be fecal matter, along with symptoms to watch out for, what might be going on inside your pup’s digestive system, and what actions to take.
Table of Contents
Understanding Frenchie Throwing Up Poop
Let’s start by clarifying: dogs can’t literally vomit up poop from their colon. However, when people say a Frenchie is throwing up poop, they are usually referring to:
Fecal-smelling vomit
Dark, brownish vomit with a fecal-like appearance
Vomiting combined with extreme bloating or distress
This isn’t your average vomiting episode—it typically points to a severe underlying gastrointestinal issue such as an intestinal blockage, gastrointestinal perforation, or a condition known as fecal vomiting (feculent vomiting).
What Does It Mean If Your Frenchie Is Throwing Up Poop?
When a Frenchie is throwing up poop, it’s a serious medical emergency and often indicates a condition called intestinal obstruction or severe gastrointestinal backup, such as coprophagia-related vomiting (if the dog ingested feces).
In extreme cases, vomit may smell or appear like feces when the intestines are blocked, and digested material backs up into the stomach.
This can result from swallowing a foreign object, a twisted intestine, or a severe infection like peritonitis.
The presence of fecal-smelling vomit signals that toxic waste isn’t passing through the normal route—and that your dog is at immediate risk of sepsis, organ failure, or death without emergency veterinary intervention.
Common Causes of a Frenchie Throwing Up Poop
1. Intestinal Obstruction
One of the most serious and common reasons for a Frenchie throwing up poop is intestinal blockage.
This happens when something—like a toy, bone fragment, or piece of fabric—gets lodged in your dog’s intestines, preventing the passage of food and waste.
When the blockage is complete, it can lead to a backup of digested materials that begin to ferment and emit a foul odor.
If left untreated, this can result in vomiting that resembles or smells like feces.
Signs of an obstruction:
Severe vomiting (sometimes projectile)
No bowel movements
Distended abdomen
Lethargy
Crying or whining in pain
2. Gastrointestinal Perforation or Rupture
If your Frenchie has ingested something sharp like a bone or a foreign object, it could tear through the lining of the intestines, leading to perforation.
This medical emergency allows fecal matter and bacteria to leak into the abdominal cavity, causing a potentially fatal condition called peritonitis.
In extreme cases, this can result in vomiting with a fecal smell or appearance.
Related: Frenchie throwing up (Causes, sysmptoms and Care)
3. Severe Gastrointestinal Infection
Bacterial infections like Clostridium perfringens or E. coli, as well as parasitic infestations, can result in explosive diarrhea and vomiting that may resemble fecal matter.
If the Frenchie’s digestive system is compromised, the vomit can take on a dark brown color with a putrid smell.
These infections can dehydrate a dog quickly and require medical treatment, especially in flat-faced breeds like French Bulldogs who already have respiratory vulnerabilities.
4. Advanced Constipation or Fecal Impaction
While it seems counterintuitive, a dog that has been severely constipated may eventually vomit due to fecal impaction.
When the colon becomes overloaded with hardened stool, and the dog is unable to pass it, the pressure and toxins may trigger vomiting.
The vomit may be dark and foul-smelling, giving the illusion that the dog is throwing up poop.
Common symptoms include:
Straining during defecation
Absence of stool for days
Vomiting with strong odor
Appetite loss
5. Gastrointestinal Cancer
Though rare, gastrointestinal tumors can lead to blockages, internal bleeding, and vomiting that resembles feces.
Older French Bulldogs or those with pre-existing GI issues may be more at risk.
If your Frenchie is throwing up dark brown or black vomit consistently, it could indicate melena—digested blood from an internal bleed, often misidentified as poop.
Related: Frenchie throwing up brown vomit (Here’s why)
What To Do If Your Frenchie Is Throwing Up Poop
A Frenchie throwing up poop is not something you can wait out. Immediate action is crucial to prevent complications, including death.
Here’s what you should do if your dog exhibits these symptoms:
1. Seek Emergency Veterinary Care Immediately
This isn’t your run-of-the-mill doggy stomach upset. Any vomit that smells or looks like feces requires an urgent trip to the vet.
Call ahead and let the clinic know what’s going on so they can prepare for emergency diagnostics like:
Abdominal X-rays or ultrasounds
Blood work to check for infection or dehydration
Endoscopy (if a foreign object is suspected)
2. Don’t Attempt Home Remedies
Do not try to treat a Frenchie throwing up poop at home with over-the-counter meds or fasting. You risk worsening the situation.
Even attempting to induce vomiting could be fatal if your dog has a blockage or perforated bowel.
Related: Frenchie throwing up bile (Here’s why)
3. Monitor for Other Symptoms
Keep an eye out for additional symptoms that might help your vet diagnose the issue:
Absence of bowel movements
Bloating or tight abdomen
Gagging without producing vomit
Excessive drooling or panting
Pale gums
Signs of shock or collapse
4. Provide Information to the Vet
Try to give your vet detailed information:
What your Frenchie ate recently
When the symptoms started
Description of the vomit (color, texture, smell)
Any history of eating non-food items
How to Prevent Your Frenchie from Throwing Up Poop
While some causes are unpredictable, many are preventable with the right care:
1. Frenchie-Proof Your Home
French Bulldogs are curious and prone to chewing on socks, toys, and trash.
Keep small objects, bones, and plastic items out of reach. Supervise your dog during playtime and walks.
2. Choose the Right Diet
Feed your Frenchie high-quality, easily digestible food and avoid table scraps.
Sudden dietary changes can shock their digestive system, and high-fat or spicy foods can cause GI distress.
3. Watch for Pica Behavior
Some Frenchies develop pica, a condition where they compulsively eat non-food items.
If you notice your pup chewing on rocks, paper, or fabric, talk to your vet about behavior training or underlying nutrient deficiencies.
4. Regular Vet Check-Ups
Routine exams can catch early signs of GI issues or parasites before they progress to emergency status.
Ask your vet about parasite prevention, stool testing, and abdominal health screenings.
When to Be Seriously Concerned
Here are situations where Frenchie throwing up poop must be treated as an emergency:
Vomit is brown, black, or smells like feces
No bowel movement in over 24–48 hours
Signs of pain, bloating, or collapse
Continued vomiting or retching
Gums appear pale or blueish
Sudden loss of appetite or energy
Key Takweaway
Although it might sound bizarre or even impossible, a Frenchie throwing up poop or vomiting with a strong fecal odor is usually a sign of a serious, even life-threatening condition.
Don’t delay in seeking medical help. The sooner your Frenchie gets professional care, the better the chances of recovery without surgery or complications.