Is Your Dog Vomiting White Foam? Here are 3 Possible Reasons
by Dr. Marty Pets Team | Oct 24, 2021 | 6 comments
For pet parents, it’s never fun to see your dog feeling sick, and if you see them vomiting white foam… Well, it can be downright scary! Your mind races through all kinds of questions…
What did they eat? Do they have an upset stomach? Is it acid reflux? Is this an emergency? Does my dog need veterinary care?
If you find yourself in this situation, don’t panic. Many pet owners have been here before.
The only way to know for sure what’s causing chronic vomiting, or what’s going on in your dog’s gastrointestinal system is to get medical attention for your dog.
With that said, the following information can help you prepare for your dog’s veterinary visit and help you describe your pup’s symptoms to their veterinarian.
So, if your dog is throwing up white foam, here are 3 possible reasons why…
1. INDIGESTION
Yep, just like humans, from time to time, your dog might get indigestion. Vomiting white foam or undigested food could be a sign your pup ate something that didn’t “sit well” in their stomach, or that your dog simply ate their food too quickly.
As you’ve probably heard from Dr. Marty Radio, eating “human foods” might also cause your dog to have indigestion. Fatty, spicy, or sugary foods can really upset your dog’s stomach and lead to vomiting or diarrhea.
In any case, if your dog is vomiting regularly (whether it’s white foam or something else,) it’s a good idea to see your veterinarian.
Your veterinarian can tell you if the problem is simply indigestion, and share how you can help your dog feel better. In addition to your vet’s advice, here are some simple, non-medical things you can do to help your dog digest their food more smoothly.
Feed your dog with a puzzle feeder. This can help them eat slower and have time to digest their food as they eat.
Raise their food bowl off the ground. With a raised bowl, your pup can chew and swallow with their head up, rather than bent over. This can help food to move naturally from their mouth, to their stomach, and down into to their gastrointestinal tract.
Avoid feeding your pup table scraps. Stick to their regular diet, treats, and feeding schedule. That way, your dog doesn’t accidentally overindulge and get an upset stomach.
Give your dog some pumpkin. Plain, unseasoned, organic canned pumpkin can help promote smoother digestion. You can read more about the benefits of pumpkin for your dog’s digestion here.
2. ACID REFLUX
Is your dog vomiting white foam early in the morning? This may be a sign that your dog is dealing with acid reflux, a medical condition also known as gastroesophageal reflux.
Basically, acid reflux happens when acid from your dog’s stomach flows into their esophagus (the tube that carries food from their mouth to their stomach.)
Then, when your dog’s esophagus becomes irritated by those stomach acids, it can cause nausea to the point of vomiting. If your dog’s stomach is empty, the vomit often looks like white foam.
There are a number of reasons why this condition can happen, from eating too much fatty food like cheese, to an underlying health condition. On top of that, acid reflux can become a chronic issue that is very uncomfortable for your dog.
If acid reflux is ignored, over time it can become a serious medical condition. You see, vomiting stomach acid and bile can damage your dog’s esophagus and mouth, and even lead to medical emergencies.
Sometimes dietary changes can help, but your dog may require prescription medication.
That’s why, if your dog tends to vomit regularly, and you think acid reflux could be the issue, definitely make an appointment to see your veterinarian. They will be able to tell you for sure what the issue is, and exactly how to fix it for your furry best friend.
3. THEY ATE TOO MUCH GRASS
If your dog vomits white foam out after playing outside, it could be because they swallowed grass, sand, pieces of sticks, or some other small foreign body while they were romping around.
When that happens, your dog might get an upset stomach and vomit white foam (as well as whatever foreign bodies they may have swallowed.) In most cases, there’s nothing to worry about if your dog vomits a little white foam with grass or sand.
However, if your dog tends to eat grass ALL the time… It could actually be a red flag that something is “off balance” in your dog’s digestive system.
Additionally, skin irritation, super stinky breath, and runny poops can be signs of the same issue: Too much bad bacteria in your dog’s gut. That’s why we created Dr. Marty Pets probiotic gut-health supplement: ProPower Plus.
Important Note: If you know your dog ate a foreign body, and now they’re having trouble pooping, showing signs of abdominal pain, a loss of appetite, or you see blood in their vomit or stool, get veterinary attention immediately. There could be an obstruction in their gastrointestinal tract, or another serious issue. Your vet will know what to do to help.
A simple way to help soothe your dog’s tummy
Propower Plus is a potent blend of gut-balancing probiotics, tummy-calming digestive enzymes, and odor-reducing, all-natural extracts can help soothe your pup’s stomach. Plus, since it’s a simple powdered formula, all you have to do is sprinkle your dog’s serving over their food once a day.
So, if your dog eats grass, especially to the point of vomiting white foam, ProPower Plus is an easy way to fight the issue where it starts: inside your dog’s digestive system.
ONE LAST THING
Often, vomiting white foam is a sign your dog has minor digestive issues. However, it’s also been listed as a symptom of serious medical conditions like gastrointestinal disease, bacterial infection, parvovirus, kidney disease, blood sugar issues, and liver problems.
That’s why your veterinarian is the best person to talk to about your dog’s symptoms and changes in behavior.
Your vet should always be your #1 source of information regarding your dog’s health.
So, if your dog is dealing with chronic vomiting, if you see blood in their vomit or stool, or if you have any reason whatsoever to believe your pup is suffering from a serious health issue, take them to get veterinary care as soon as possible.
And be sure o tell your veterinarian about all of your dog’s symptoms, if they’ve had a past issue or infection, any dietary “indiscretion” or recent behavioral changes.
Your veterinarian can perform a thorough exam of your pup and give you the information you need to help your dog feel better.
Sources:
1.https://www.petmd.com/dog/wellness/evr_dg_remedies-for-upset-stomach-in-dogs
2.https://www.vetmed.wsu.edu/outreach/Pet-Health-Topics/categories/diseases/chronic-kidney-disease-and-failure
3.https://www.akc.org/content/health/articles/parvo-in-dogs/
4.https://www.animalhospitals-usa.com/dogs/dog-health/dog-stomach-reflux-problems.html
5.https://vcahospitals.com/know-your-pet/pancreatitis-in-dogs
6.https://www.merckvetmanual.com/dog-owners/lung-and-airway-disorders-of-dogs/tracheobronchitis-bronchitis-in-dogs
7.https://www.petmd.com/dog/conditions/digestive/signs-and-symptoms-bloat-dogs
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