Seeing a dog get sick is never a pretty sight. As dog owners, we put our dog’s health as one of our top priorities, which is why we take them out for exercise, feed them healthy food, and shower them with love and affection.
However, you can’t protect your dog from everything. No matter how much attention you pay to your pet, there’s still a chance that they can end up getting sick. This is why seeing your dog vomit can cause a lot of concern and panic.
This is only amplified if you see white foam in your dog’s vomit. Since white foam is commonly associated with serious diseases like rabies, it’s easy to panic when you see your dog vomit a little bit of white foam.
But don’t worry: white foam in your dog’s vomit doesn’t mean they have rabies. In fact, it’s usually nothing to worry about and could be a natural reaction on your dog’s end.
With that said, there are also times when the white foam is a sign of something more serious in your pet. And in these instances, it’s best to get your vet’s attention right away so they can administer treatment as soon as possible.
This article gives you a comprehensive guide to white foam in your dog’s vomit. We talk about what it means for your pet, the potential causes, and what you have to do if you see your dog vomiting white foam.
What Is The White Foam In My Dog’s Vomit?
While the white foam in your dog’s vomit can cause a lot of concern, it’s usually just a mixture of saliva and air. When saliva mixes with air, it develops a foamy texture and turns white. When dogs vomit, saliva naturally comes out with it, so seeing white foam in your dog’s vomit isn’t as concerning as you may think.
Often, a dog vomits white foam simply because it ran around too much too soon after eating. With that said, there are many other reasons why a dog may vomit, which could be a potential cause of concern.
Sometimes, the white foam in a dog’s vomit is actually digestive juices. This is a sign that your dog vomited on an empty stomach, which is a bit concerning. If your dog vomits out grass and other substances, that’s a clear sign that the body is trying to expel something in the stomach. But if your dog vomits on an empty stomach, it could indicate that they have underlying health issues.
White foam in your dog’s vomit could mean nothing, but it could also be the sign of something more serious. This is why we highly recommend observing your dog for a while after they vomit white foam and calling your vet immediately if you notice something’s off with your pet.
Why Did My Dog Vomit White Foam?
What to do when a dog vomits white foam? As mentioned earlier, there’s a chance your dog vomited white foam simply because they ran around a bit too much and tired out their bodies. However, there are also times when your dog is vomiting on an empty stomach for more serious reasons, which you would need to address as soon as possible.
Here are some of the potential causes of white foam in your dog’s vomit and some of the other symptoms that come along with them:
Indigestion
Indigestion isn’t something that only affects humans. In fact, it isn’t uncommon at all for dogs to get indigestion which can be caused by eating or drinking too quickly after they exercise. While this could be uncomfortable for dogs, it doesn’t have to be a major issue or concern.
If your dog is suffering from indigestion, you don’t have to worry too much. Vomiting white foam is just the body’s natural way of expelling whatever caused indigestion since eating the wrong food can also cause dogs to vomit white foam.
So, if you suspect your dog has indigestion, you don’t need to do too much. All we recommend is keeping a close eye on your pet and calling your vet if you notice them develop any other symptoms.
Pancreatitis
If your dog’s pancreas is inflamed, it may vomit white foam. Dogs with pancreatitis may also develop diarrhea, weakness, a poor appetite, and start throwing up all their food. If you notice this in your pet, contact your vet immediately, as this could be something very serious that needs urgent treatment.
Acid Reflux
Acid reflux is a common occurrence for dogs. This happens when bile enters the stomach during extended periods without food. To prevent this from happening, you need to make sure that your dog is eating the right food.
Bloat
This is a very serious condition that many senior dogs suffer from. This happens when the stomach starts expanding uncomfortably because it is filled with food and water. If you notice your dog has pale gums and starts drooling on top of vomiting the white foam, then this could be a sign of bloat that requires immediate and urgent veterinary attention.
Kidney Issues
If your dog is vomiting white foam, it usually isn’t anything to worry about. However, if this is paired with lethargy, weakness, and problems urinating, this could indicate that they are suffering from kidney issues. These are very serious for dogs which is why you need to bring them to the vet right away if you notice this happening.
Conclusion: What To Do If My Dog Vomits White Foam
Dogs are complex creatures. They can vomit for a plethora of reasons, especially if white foam is involved. Most of the time, you don’t need to worry if your dog vomits white foam. However, we still recommend keeping a close eye on them to make sure everything is all right.
If you notice other symptoms along with vomiting white foam, such as lethargy, weakness, drooling, and more, we recommend calling the vet right away. The sooner the vet can administer treatment, the better, so time is really of the essence.
