Why Is My Dog Vomiting White Foam?

If your dog is vomiting white foam, it’s understandable that you’re alarmed. We want our dogs to feel comfortable and safe, and we know from personal experience that puking is an extremely unpleasant experience. While occasional vomiting may be mild, a dog vomiting white foam can also signal a deeper issue. In this article, we’ll identify common causes of vomiting white foam, warning signs that your pet needs urgent care, and steps to take to help your pet feel well again.

What Does It Mean When a Dog Vomits Foam?

A dog vomiting foam is not the same as coughing, regurgitating, or drooling foamy fluid, though in all cases, the fluid that comes out of your dog’s mouth may be white, bubbly, and frothy. Coughing involves forceful expulsion of air from the lungs. With regurgitation, the materials from the stomach are passed up through the esophagus and out the mouth without any heaving. Drooling, of course, is a passive process that doesn’t require any effort.

In contrast, vomiting involves abdominal effort. You will see your dog heaving as their abdominal muscles contract. A gagging sound may immediately follow the heaving and precede your dog throwing up white foam.

Vomit usually appears white and foamy when the stomach is empty and irritated, though that’s not always the case. This appearance is caused by the mixing of saliva with stomach acids and air. The liquid can also have a yellow tint if there is bile present.

Common Causes of Vomiting Foam in Dogs

If you’re wondering, “Why is my dog vomiting foam?” then you’ve hit the right section. Here, we’ll cover common causes of vomiting foam in dogs. Please note that this list isn’t all-inclusive, and your veterinarian is your best source for determining the actual cause of your pet’s vomiting.

Bilious vomiting syndrome: If a dog’s stomach is empty for too long, bile can irritate their stomach lining. The buildup of stomach acid and bile will result in vomiting foamy liquid, sometimes with a yellow tint. This vomiting most commonly happens early in the morning before the dog has breakfast or late at night.

Indigestion or dietary indiscretion: If your dog eats something they shouldn’t, such as spoiled food, foreign objects, or food intended for people, it can cause indigestion. Of course, the dog might throw up what they ate, but in some cases, vomiting foam occurs after the object has passed through the stomach. Vomiting foamy liquid is also common if a foreign object blocks the intestines.

Gastroenteritis or infection: Infections (bacterial, viral, fungal, parasitic) can result in a dog throwing up foam. Often, these infections are accompanied by diarrhea, lethargy, and weight loss. In puppies and unvaccinated dogs, parvovirus should always be considered.

Acute hemorrhagic diarrhea syndrome (AHDS): Also known has hemorrhagic gastroenteritis (HGE), this condition often includes profuse bloody diarrhea in addition to vomiting white foam. Without treatment, this condition rapidly leads to severe dehydration. The exact cause of AHDS is unknown, but it could be related to stress, dietary changes, or specific bacteria (Clostridium spp.).

Pancreatitis: Pancreatitis is usually caused by eating fatty foods, like turkey skin or bacon grease. Digestive enzymes released by the pancreas irritate the stomach and intestinal lining, resulting in vomiting, abdominal pain, and loss of appetite. The vomit is often foamy and either white or yellow.

Bloat (gastric dilatation-volvulus): Gastric dilatation-volvulus (GDV) occurs when the stomach bloats and then twists on itself, blocking off the entrance and exit to the stomach. This is a surgical emergency that occurs most frequently in large, deep-chested dogs. A classic sign of bloat is non-productive retching. If your dog has a distended belly, foamy drool, and is retching without fully vomiting, seek emergency attention.

Kidney disease: As kidney disease progresses, toxins that build up in the bloodstream contribute to nausea, causing your dog to vomit. Because vomiting with kidney disease often occurs on an empty stomach, this vomit may be white and foamy.

Liver disease: Like kidney disease, liver disease can cause nausea. Your dog may vomit on an empty stomach.

Pyometra: if your dog is an intact female, an infection of the uterus called pyometra should be considered. Foul, bloody discharge from the vulva may or may not be noted. Vomiting is a common reaction to the bacterial toxins produced during a pyometra. The treatment for pyometra is to spay your dog. Pyometra is an emergency.

Toxin ingestion: A dog vomiting white foam can be caused by ingesting toxins, including chemicals, medications, or poisonous plants. These items may directly irritate the stomach and/or intestines, causing vomiting, or they may cause damage to organs like the kidneys, resulting in nausea as these organs fail.

Cancer: If your dog is older and having recurrent bouts of vomiting white foamy liquid, cancer is always worth investigating with your vet.

Keep in mind that we’re specifically talking about vomiting here. Kennel cough or respiratory disease is a leading cause of white foamy liquid coming out of your dog’s mouth, but that’s not vomiting!

When to Worry: Signs It’s More Than Simple Upset Stomach

Vomiting should never be considered “normal,” but if it only happens once and your dog otherwise acts okay, you can monitor at home. If vomiting is occasional and your dog otherwise acts normal, it’s okay to contact your veterinarian to set up an appointment.

Signs that your pet needs immediate veterinary evaluation include:

• Persistent vomiting
• Blood, bile, or dark coffee-ground material in vomitus
• Severe diarrhea in addition to vomiting
• Bloody stool
• Inability to keep water or food down
• Complete disinterest in food or water
• Known ingestion of a foreign object or toxin
• Distended abdomen
• Pale gums
• Nonproductive retching
• Guarding the abdomen (hunched posture, vocalizing if pressure is applied to the abdomen)
• Dehydration (sunken eyes, prolonged skin tent, dry gums)
• Jaundice
• Lethargy, weakness, or collapse

What to Do If Your Dog Vomits Foam

If your dog vomits foam, it’s generally a good idea to remove food for 12–24 hours while allowing them to still drink water. Please note that if your dog is a puppy or diabetic, you should check with your veterinarian before withholding food.

If you’re noticing occasional vomiting in the morning before meals or late at night, try feeding smaller meals more frequently throughout the day.

If vomiting is repetitive or other symptoms develop, contact a veterinarian. You shouldn’t give any medications or home remedies without consulting a veterinarian. This includes antidiarrheal medications or bland diets.

Remember, if your pet has any of the symptoms from the previous section, it’s best to contact the veterinarian as soon as possible or visit an emergency clinic.

Veterinary Diagnosis and Treatment

Following a thorough physical examination, the veterinarian will recommend diagnostics to determine the cause of your dog’s vomiting. These diagnostics are likely to include:

• Bloodwork and urinalysis: These tests will indicate if your dog is systemically healthy, including the health of the kidneys, liver, and pancreas. Labs can also suggest if your dog has an infection or AHDS.
• Imaging: X-rays of the abdomen are likely. These X-rays may show changes to the size of organs, intestinal blockages, or the presence of masses. Abdominal ultrasound may be recommended to get a more detailed image of abdominal organs.
• Fecal testing: Fecal testing is less likely in vaccinated, adult dogs who are kept on prevention. However, the veterinarian may wish to rule out the presence of parasites in your dog’s stool. For young or unvaccinated dogs, a fecal parvovirus test may be recommended.

If needed, additional diagnostics (CT scan, endoscopy, biopsy, etc.) may be recommended.

Treatment depends on the underlying cause. Common treatments include:

• IV fluids to improve hydration, though subcutaneous fluids may be administered in mild cases
• Anti-nausea medications like maropitant or ondansetron
• Administration of a bland diet (prescription diets often recommended)
• Antibiotics and/or parasiticides
• Antacids like omeprazole or famotidine
• Pain medications like buprenorphine (NSAIDs are usually avoided with gastrointestinal disease)
• Probiotics to help reestablish the gut microbiome
• Surgery for blockages or pyometra

Preventing Future Episodes

While you can’t prevent all causes of a dog vomiting white foam, you can take steps to reduce your pup’s risk.

1. Feed your dog small, frequent meals to reduce the buildup of acid.
2. Keep food, trash, and toxins out of your pet’s reach. This may include keeping items in cabinets, shutting them in rooms or closets your dog doesn’t have access to, or getting latching trash cans.
3. Do not give your dog human foods, especially fatty foods (e.g., turkey skin or bacon) or toxic foods (e.g. grapes, onions, chocolate).
4. Make any changes to your dog’s diet slowly over the course of a week.
5. Keep your pet on year-round parasite prevention and ensure their vaccines are kept up to date.
6. See your pet’s veterinarian for regular wellness visits and allow them to run screening labs to detect systemic health issues early.
7. Ask your veterinarian if probiotics could benefit your dog’s gastrointestinal health.

Vomiting Should Not Be Ignored

While occasionally vomiting foam isn’t always serious, it shouldn’t be ignored, especially if it’s persistent. Even the occasional vomiting could benefit from changes to your pet’s routine or dietary plan. A quick consultation could grant you peace of mind and ensure your pet gets proper treatment. We encourage readers to familiarize themselves with the red-flag symptoms that indicate your dog needs emergency attention.