Petco Text Logo
Petco Pet Logo

  • Two Easy Ways to Start Earning Rewards!

My dog threw up yesterday. What is this dried mess that smells like food?

Updated On September 23rd, 2025

Pet's info: Dog | Mixed Breed | Male | unneutered | 20 lbs

hello, does this look like dried vomit to you? i only noticed today, no one saw anything there before (so no one cleaned it up). i have no idea what it is? it kind of smells like dog food. yesterday he didn’t want to eat his food so maybe he threw up yesterday and no one noticed? he seems completely fine today and has eaten his food

This question includes photos that may contain sensitive content. Click to view.

View more to consider that the photos may include sensitive content.

1 Answer

Most Helpful Answer

Image profile

Answered By Dr. Massimo Orioles, DVM, Cert AVP, MRCVS

Veterinarian

Published on June 25th, 2019

It could be either dry vomit or dry feces (if the it smells like food, it is more likely to be vomit though). Just to be on the safe side, start feeding with a bland diet based on boiled chicken and rice in small portion every 6 hours for the following 48hours. Then gradually reintroduce the normal diet over 5 days. I would definitively recommend a veterinary check up if you notice diarrhoea, more vomiting, lethargy or inappetence. Hope this answer was helpful, but please do not hesitate to contact us again on the forum or by requesting a consultation if you have any more questions or to discuss it any further. If this answer was helpful please let us know, this will be used to improve our service!

Vote icon

1Pet Parents found this answer helpful

image
Have A Vet Question?

Book an appointment with the pros – our expert vets are here to help.

Book Now

Sponsored