Why is my dog vomiting white foam?
The most common causes of this digestive disturbance in dogs are:
VOMITING IN DOGS
Approximate reading time: 8 minutes
Gastrointestinal health is a very important part of your dog's well-being. That's why it's normal to worry a lot when you notice diarrhoea, loss of appetite or vomiting. Just like people, dogs can vomit when they've eaten too much or something has upset them. But why do they sometimes vomit white foam?
Normally, dog vomit is usually thick and contains chunks of food. However, if your pet's stomach is very empty, there will be nothing to expel, so instead of the classic brown vomit, you'll see white or yellowish, bubbly foam that can be both disconcerting and worrying.
When dogs vomit white or yellowish foam, it may mean that there is excess air in their stomach, which, being empty, can only purge a mixture of saliva and gastric juices, or it may be due to mild irritation or reflux. But is it a cause for concern if your dog vomits this frothy liquid? In some cases, it may be a one-off and not serious, while in others, you may need urgent veterinary attention.
Table of contents
1. Causes of white foam vomiting in dogs
• Dangerous gastric torsion in dogs
• Other reasons for dogs vomiting white foam
2. What should I do if my dog vomits white foam?
3. How do I stop my dog from vomiting?
Causes of white foam vomiting in dogs
If your dog vomits white foam sporadically and you do not observe any other symptoms, it is usually nothing to worry about and the upset stomach will resolve itself in a short time. However, if the vomiting persists, it could be a more serious condition that will require a visit to the vet (in some cases, as a matter of extreme urgency). These are the main reasons why dogs vomit white foam.
• Indigestion or dyspepsia
When a dog occasionally vomits white foam, it is most likely to be temporary indigestion. This may be caused by ingestion of irritants such as grass, plants, sugary or spicy human food. What happens is that the mucous membrane of the stomach becomes irritated and, if there is not much inside, what the animal passes out of its mouth is this white foamy mixture. Small red streaks of blood may also appear, as the mucous membrane contains many capillaries, which can rupture under the strain. Sometimes this indigestion can be caused by heat stroke or because your pet has been exercising intensely just after eating or drinking too much.
Most indigestion vomiting in dogs stops after the first 24 hours. During this time, withhold food from your dog until you see that they are feeling better. Then try giving them water and see how they feel. Gradually introduce soft foods, such as boiled pumpkin with some boiled white fish for easy digestion. This will help your furry friend digest more easily and they will soon recover.
• Chemical or plant poisoning
If your dog has been poisoned by ingesting a cleaning product you have at home, a toxic plant or even some medicine for people, they may vomit this peculiar white foam. If you suspect this has happened, take them to the vet immediately, as although some mild poisonings resolve on their own, others can affect internal organs and even put your pet's life at risk. Other signs of poisoning to look out for include tremors, excessive drooling and fever.
• Pancreatitis
The pancreas is a little-talked-about organ, but it is very important in your dog's digestion. It contains enzymes that break down the fat in food. But when there is pancreatitis, or inflammation of the pancreas, this capacity is diminished, which can lead to white frothy vomit, diarrhoea, lack of appetite, listlessness, fever and abdominal swelling. In this case, your vet may prescribe a low-fat diet.
• Respiratory diseases
Not all causes of white foam vomiting in dogs are related to the digestive system. Some respiratory illnesses can lead to this symptom. A simple common cold may cause your dog to vomit a whitish liquid, a mixture of saliva and mucus, which may be foamy if, as a result of their discomfort, they have not been eating much.
• Dangerous gastric torsion in dogs
One of the most serious causes of white foamy vomit in your dog is gastric torsion. This is a serious condition in which the stomach twists and turns in on itself as it dilates. More common in large dogs, this dilatation can occur if the animal engages in heavy physical exercise after eating or drinking, or if they eat or drink too eagerly and in large quantities. Gastric torsion in dogs is a veterinary emergency that requires immediate attention, as the swollen stomach could put pressure on nearby organs, reduce blood supply and, very quickly, end the animal's life due to general shock. So if you notice that your dog has a distended abdomen, is restless and retching but is unable to vomit (or is vomiting white foam), you should take them to the vet quickly.
• Other reasons why dogs vomit white froth
Some fungal infections, as well as various kidney problems, may be behind the vomiting of white foam in dogs. Also parvovirus, a disease more prevalent in puppies, whose first symptom is usually this type of vomiting. Other signs are diarrhoea, with the presence of blood, and fever. In small toy dogs, tracheal collapse can block the rings of the trachea, affecting the bronchi and causing this white, frothy vomiting and respiratory problems. However, if you have a large or giant dog, the problem could be mega-oesophageal disease, where the stomach is very distended and causes the animal to have no feeling of fullness. As they are always hungry, they will keep eating more and more, making the dilatation worse and leading to regurgitation of food and this white, frothy vomit.
What should I do if my dog vomits white foam?
If your dog has been vomiting in isolation, try withdrawing food for a few hours and then try to get them to eat soft foods that are easier to digest. As long as there are no other symptoms and the vomiting of white foam is not repeated, there is nothing to worry about. A different case is when there are more than two vomits in a day or sporadic vomiting over several days. In these situations, it is advisable to consult your vet, whether or not there are other symptoms.
If you see signs of blockage, your dog has a swollen abdomen, does not eat anything and is inactive and/or restless, take them to the vet urgently, as there are some acute processes that cause white foamy vomit and can be very dangerous if not dealt with quickly.
How do I stop my dog from vomiting?
No matter how much you care for and monitor your dog, it is impossible to keep an eye on them 24 hours a day. So, to prevent them from eating undesirable things that can cause indigestion, you need to focus on removing your pet's access to them. We are talking about chemical products, poor quality toys that can break or lose pieces, chicken bones that are too small, etc. Also, don't let them chew or swallow grass or other plants found in the street, as they could be toxic or contain pesticides. Of course, offer your furry friend a quality, veterinarian-supervised diet that contains all the nutrients he or she needs at every stage of life. And don't forget about check-ups, which will enable your vet to identify any health problems in your pet in time, reducing potential complications. To protect your dog, prevention is the key!