There can be many explanations for why your dog is vomiting white foam.
Excessive gas or air in the stomach, digestive concerns, bloating, and more serious disorders like cone-shaped coughs, kidney diseases, or parvovirus are all common causes of dogs vomiting white foam.
The sight of foamy, white vomit can really be worrisome, and your dog is probably in pain, but it will probably be alright before you know it.
Here’s what’s causing your dog to vomit white foam as well as how to help them.
Reasons for White Foam Vomit
Vomiting may begin with the nausea stage in which the dog appears restless and possibly alert. The dog may initially vomit, but in severe cases, it can progress to neurological signs and death.
Like humans, dogs can also suffer from vomiting or additional stomach problems during illness. If vomiting is repeated cyclically for weeks or months, it could be due to a chronic condition.
They might have eaten grass
Some dogs may eat grass before or after vomiting, possibly to induce vomiting or to protect the esophagus, because when the dog vomits, the grass can cover sharp objects such as bone fragments.
Dogs often eat grass when their stomachs are upset, which can sometimes cause vomiting. Many pet parents claim that their canines spit white foam after eating grass, but there are many other possibilities.
Dogs with diabetes
Vomit with pancreatitis is white foamy. Diabetes increases the incidence of pancreatitis in dogs, which is why the white foam in the vomit is correlated with diabetes.
White foam can be a sign of excess gas or air in the dog’s stomach, which means there is probably nothing left in the dog’s stomach to vomit, so white mucus comes out.
Usually, when your dog develops white foam, it means that it is trying to flush out substances that are irritating to the stomach. With mild kidney disease, dogs will urinate more often than usual, and in severe cases, they will vomit white mucus.
Stomach Issues
It’s possible that your dog’s gastrointestinal problem could be a sign of a more serious problem, so it’s always a good idea to call your veterinarian if you feel you have a cause for concern
Vomiting is quite common in dogs.
Excess air or gas in the stomach causes pale vomiting that resembles foam or bubble saliva (as contrasted to massive vomiting in dogs).
If your dog vomits clear fluid, it could be caused by stomach secretions or water build-up in the stomach that rises on its own when vomiting.
Distension of the stomach occurs when the stomach is full, and physical activity shortly after eating can cause the stomach to twist, causing the esophagus to close and the dog cannot expel excess gas or food by vomiting or belching.
Vomit Inducing Foods
Dry food can induce vomiting as it absorbs moisture in the stomach, swelling and causing regurgitation. Certain foods can cause foaming, especially if you eat them on an empty stomach. Your vomit may appear white if you ate something white, such as ice cream or milk.
Bloating causes the dog’s stomach to fill with food or gas, causing it to expand. An early symptom is that the dog is vomiting with white foam. Affected dogs usually vomit bile and foam early in the morning, but otherwise, this is completely normal.
Fungal Issue
Interaction with environmental yeast, which is commonly found in birds or bat feces, can result in this type of vomiting, as well as diarrhea, trembling, and loss of appetite.
Kennel Cough
This is a severely contagious respiratory disease in dogs. Canine infectious tracheobronchitis is another name for it. Vomiting would most usually be followed by a heavy cough, sneeze, or a runny nose.
Quick Remedies
Keep an eye out for signs of disease in your dogs, such as exhaustion, sleepiness, loss of appetite, diarrhea, and other symptoms.
Keep a watch out for recurrent vomiting if your dog looks to be otherwise healthy. If the vomiting persists, postpone the next meal and pay attention to your dog.
After missing a meal, give your dog the next planned meal and look to maintain a watch on them. If the vomiting persists, you should call your veterinarian.
When to Consult the Veterinarian?
If the white, frothy vomit persists, you should take your dog to the vet as soon as possible, as this could indicate something more serious.
Chronic symptoms of vomiting and dehydration may mean your dog needs some kind of treatment for a white dog’s vomiting. Dogs with reflux gastritis may vomit with yellowish or white vomit due to stomach irritation.
Your veterinarian may recommend additional diagnostic tests to help find the cause of vomiting. If the vomiting does not stop within a day or two, you should consult your doctor to determine if your dog has a more serious disease or if the vomiting has caused a metabolic disorder.
Even if vomiting is caused by mild intestinal discomfort, if treatment is not started early to prevent severe dehydration and nutrient loss, it can also lead to serious complications, including death. So consulting a vet at the right time is very important.
How to Avoid Vomiting in Dogs:
- Take your dog to the vet for periodic wellness tests at least once a year, or more frequently if your veterinarian recommends it.
- Retain treats to a limit and feed a nutritious diet.
- Avoid your dog munching on grass and plants.
- Prevent anything that could become foreign bodies out of your dog’s access. Certain dogs will happily eat whatsoever they find on the floor
- Learn about your dog’s habits and then proceed accordingly.
- Plants, chemicals, human food, and any additional irritants should be kept away from your dog.
Final Words
White foam can tear up dogs for a mild or more serious reason. As mentioned earlier, most of the time a dog’s white foam is not due to a life-threatening problem, but due to overeating or abdominal pain.
Dogs vomit quite easily, and occasional vomiting in a healthy dog may not indicate abnormalities. However, if the condition persists, consult your veterinarian.
