Why Is Your Dog Vomiting White Foam? If you have noticed your dog vomiting white foam, it’s important to determine why this is happening in order to know how to handle the situation best. If the cause of this foamy vomit is excessive production and swallowing of saliva, it could be a symptom of nausea and as such can be treated with anti-nausea medication that you can easily obtain at your local pharmacy. However, if the dog has excess gas in his stomach, he may not feel too well after throwing up white foam and should take some time off from eating until he feels better again so that he doesn’t further upset his GI tract.
Reasons why your dog might be throwing up foam
The following are five reasons why your dog is vomiting white foam
- Nausea: A lot of times, excessive production and swallowing of saliva can be a symptom of nausea. If your dog has been in contact with something that made him sick, he may have ingested it through his mouth or nose and then regurgitated it back up into the form of foam. If you notice that this is the only thing he’s eaten recently, it could also be an allergic reaction to something he ate as well as other things like grass or mold spores.
- Excess gas in the stomach: Dogs often vomit white foam if they have excess gas in their stomach.
- Consumption of poisonous plants/herbs: These types of plants are common for dogs to eat around areas where there is livestock and hay which causes them to throw up foam due to being contaminated.
- Gastrointestinal disease: Some gastrointestinal diseases such as Giardia can cause a pup to throw up foamy substances
- Tumors in the pancreas: One rare cause for dogs throwing up foam is tumors located in the pancreas. Pancreatic cancer is one of the most fatal cancers among pets, but fortunately its symptoms are somewhat distinctive. If your dog shows any symptoms associated with pancreatic cancer, take him to the vet immediately.
Tips to stop Dog Vomiting White Foam
- Avoid food and water for two hours after the initial episode of vomiting to give your dog’s stomach a chance to rest.
- Gradually reintroduce food and water after the two-hour period has passed. Start with small amounts of a bland diet like boiled chicken and rice.
- If your dog is still vomiting after 24 hours, or if he is showing signs of dehydration (such as sunken eyes, dry mouth, or lethargy), contact your veterinarian.
- Some dogs may benefit from medications prescribed by a veterinarian to help settle their stomach and stop the vomiting.
- Make sure your dog has access to plenty of fresh water at all times to avoid dehydration. 6. Keep an eye on your pup to make sure he doesn’t start eating any spoiled food while you’re not looking. 7. Clean up any vomited material promptly and thoroughly so that it doesn’t attract flies and other pests. 8. If your dog eats anything that you know is bad for him, it’s best to keep him in his crate or another room until you can get him some help.
- If you think there might be something in the vomit that could be harmful if ingested again, take note of what it was so that you can remove it from your home. 10 Always consult with a vet before giving your pet any medications.
When should you see the vet?
If your dog is vomiting white foam and also has other symptoms like diarrhea, lethargy, lack of appetite, or abdominal pain, then you should take him to see the vet right away. If your dog is otherwise healthy and is only vomiting white foam occasionally, then you can try some home remedies first. For example, you can feed your dog smaller meals more often throughout the day or give him a probiotic supplement. If the vomiting persists or gets worse, then you should definitely take your dog to see the vet.
How Can I Prevent This in the Future?
First, it’s important to figure out the underlying cause of your dog’s vomiting. If it’s due to an infection or illness, your dog will need to see a veterinarian for treatment. If your dog is vomiting white foam because of motion sickness, you can try giving him ginger capsules or chewable treats to help settle his stomach. For dogs that vomit white foam due to anxiety or stress, training and behavior modification may be necessary. Talk to your vet about what type of training program would work best for your pup.
Conclusion
As you can see, there are a few different reasons why your dog may be vomiting white foam. If your dog is otherwise healthy and doesn’t have any other symptoms, chances are good that the cause is simple and nothing to worry about. However, if your dog is also experiencing diarrhea, lethargy, or loss of appetite, it’s best to contact your veterinarian. They will be able to give you a more specific diagnosis and treatment plan based on your dog’s individual case.
