As pet owners, our dog’s health is a top priority. That’s why we put in significant efforts to make sure that they are as healthy as can be by feeding them a proper diet and taking them out for regular exercise. But as you can probably tell, sometimes, no matter what you do, your dog can get sick.
And with all the effort we put into making sure our dog is always healthy, it can be very concerning when we see our dog vomiting, especially when there is white foam in their vomit.
This is because a lot of the time, people associate white foam and dogs with something more serious. As many dog owners will tell you, a foaming mouth is one of the tell-tale signs of rabies. So, does white, foamy dog vomit indicate that your dog possibly has rabies or some other serious condition? The short answer? No.
With that said, there are times when you have to take white foam in your dog’s vomit very seriously. And in this article, we’ll be getting to the different reasons your dog may vomit white foam and what you can do about it.
Why Do Dogs Vomit?
Just like with humans, dogs can vomit for a number of reasons. So, unless you examine the vomit and bring your pet to the vet, it can be hard to determine the actual reason they started vomiting.
However, the most common reason a dog starts vomiting is simply that they ate something they shouldn’t have. So, if you notice that your pet is vomiting, try to retrace their steps throughout the day to see if there were any opportunities for them to eat grass, mud, or other ingredients that are bad for them.
While this is the most common reason dogs vomit, it isn’t the only one. Your dog may vomit if they ran around too much, drank or ate too much in a short span of time, or if they have another underlying condition.
So, the best way to understand the reason why your dog is vomiting and what you can do is by examining their vomit. While it may seem gross, the color and texture can tell you a lot about why your dog is vomiting, which is very important in figuring out what to do.
Why Is My Dog Vomiting White Foam?
If you went to examine the vomit and noticed that it has white foam in it, that isn’t a reason to panic. However, it’s important to keep an eye on your dog as white and foamy vomit can mean a bunch of different things.
With that said, the primary reason dogs vomit white foam is nothing to be concerned about. Usually, the white and foamy substance on top of your dog’s vomit is actually just saliva mixed with air. So, you don’t have to worry too much about it. Instead, you can focus on some of the other reasons your dog may be vomiting.
However, other times (though not as common), white foam in your dog’s vomit can mean something else. For example, indigestion could lead to your dog vomiting frequently, which is why there is white foam in their vomit.
Remember, if your dog vomits once and is fine after, that’s no reason for concern. However, if it happens frequently over the course of a few days or weeks or is accompanied by other symptoms, you need to consult your vet immediately.
In not as common cases, white foamy vomit can be a sign of kidney disease, pancreatitis, and other gastrointestinal issues. There are other signs that go along with white foamy vomit that can indicate its causes.
And if you need a more in-depth guide to the potential causes of white foam in your dog’s vomit, you can check out this Spot & Tango guide.
What Should I Do If I See My Dog Vomiting?
The first thing to remember when you see or catch your dog vomiting is that panicking will not help the situation. So, before doing anything, remember to take a deep breath and approach the situation with a cool and calm head.
From there, you can start by figuring out why your dog is vomiting. Think about the activities they might have done throughout the day, what they could have eaten, or if they’ve been exhibiting other symptoms recently. Also, if your dog has been vomiting frequently, it’s important to take note of that.
After that, you can examine the vomit. Check out the color, the texture, and any other things you might notice about it. Once you examine the vomit and have a rough idea of what could have caused it, you can observe your pet.
If symptoms persist after they vomit the first time or they exhibit any other symptoms, make sure to call your vet immediately. Since your vet is familiar with your dog and any other potential risks and conditions they have, your vet will be able to give you the best opinion and advice on what to do.
About the Author/s
The New Jersey Digest is a new jersey magazine that has chronicled daily life in the Garden State for over 10 years.
