Why is My Dog Vomiting White Foam?

Vomiting is one of the most common presenting complaints among the patients in my clinic. Thankfully, most cases resolve quickly, but some pets will need more intensive care and intervention.

Vomit can contain a range of substances, from saliva or bile to food or even blood. White foam is frequently observed.

It’s a good idea to read up on the potential causes of foam vomiting and to be aware of when veterinary care is needed, and when your dog can be helped from home.

What Does White Foam Vomit Mean in Dogs?

Vomiting can be a response to a range of things, including motion sickness, eating something silly, toxin buildup, allergies, or infections.

Classifying the vomiting helps us determine how best to help the affected dog.

Is it Vomiting, Regurgitation, or Coughing Up Foam?

One of the most vital pieces of the puzzle is knowing whether or not your dog is truly vomiting. Both regurgitation and coughing can mimic vomiting, but have very different causes and therapies.

Regurgitation involves no nausea- so there should not be any drooling, lip licking or reduced appetite. It is more of a reflex, with big abdominal contractions.

Coughing involves throat clearing, and it can sound drier and harsh. It is a great idea to video your dog doing what it is doing and show it to your vet.

What is the White Foam Made of?

White foam brought up is often swallowed saliva. There may also be some stomach acid or bile. It is not uncommon for dogs to vomit food and, once the stomach is emptied, for the next vomit to contain white foam.

Is My Dog Vomiting White Foam an Emergency?

Cases can range from very mild to potentially life-threatening. Rarely, episodes of vomiting will be an emergency that would warrant an immediate vet visit.

What Are the Red Flags That Need a Vet Now?

If your dog ticks any of the following boxes, head straight for the nearest open vet clinic:

• Weak, wobbly or confused
• Known toxin exposure, such as to human medicine or chocolate
• Known foreign body ingestion (such as a bone or ball)
• Bloody vomit
• Dry gums (indicating dehydration)
• A bloated abdomen, especially in breeds prone to GDV, such as German Shepherds, Great Danes and Dobermans
• Extreme lethargy or collapse

When is it Safe to Monitor at Home?

In milder cases, owners can monitor from home until the clinic opens. This is the case for dogs who are vomiting but who can hold down water, are alert and reactive, and who do not have any ‘red flag’ symptoms.

Why is My Dog Vomiting White Foam?

Let’s take a look at some of the most common reasons we see for foamy vomiting.

Empty Stomach or Acid Reflux

If your dog has gone too long without eating, especially if they are a small breed, they may bring up some foam or bile.

This can be seen in cases of ‘bilious vomiting syndrome’. It can help to space meals out and to feed little and often, trying to give a meal before bed and as soon as the dog wakes up.

Eaten Something That Upset Their Stomach

Dogs are notorious for being ‘walking vacuum cleaners’, and many will eat things like leaves, soil, mud, or even dead animals they encounter outside. In a bid to protect itself, its body may decide to swiftly throw these things up.

After all of the stomach contents have been emptied, your dog may then bring up some foamy saliva. If they’ve picked up an infection, this can lead to several days of gastroenteritis symptoms.

Eating Too Fast

Rapidly bolting down food means a lot of air is inhaled into the stomach, which may cause the food to come straight back up.

Often, this leads to undigested food being vomited, but some foam may be brought up afterwards. Owners can help prevent this by using slow-feeder bowls and spacing meals into smaller portions.

Travel

Many dogs experience travel sickness, and the motion of a car or boat can lead to them vomiting. They may bring up foam while being transported, or shortly after.

For these dogs, once on ‘terra firma’, symptoms should soon resolve.

Coughing

Dogs may cough so much that they retch and bring up foam or phlegm, or even vomit.

A classic example of this is kennel cough, as the harsh, hacking cough is often accompanied by white foam being brought up.

What Symptoms Should I Check for Alongside White Foam Vomit?

If your dog has begun to vomit up white foam, try to assess them as a whole to help identify how serious this may be.

Is My Dog Acting Normal?

If your dog is still running about, being cheeky and asking for treats, they’re likely doing well! In contrast, a dog who is suddenly withdrawn, not eager to go on walks, and refuses food is one we would be much more concerned about.

Signs of Pain, Bloating, or Repeated Retching

Watch out for those ‘red flag’ signs. Symptoms like stomach bloating, bringing up water, a hunched body or stretching are all concerning.

A dog with a visibly bloated abdomen may be experiencing a GDV, while one that is constantly stretching or going into ‘prayer position’ may have developed a bout of pancreatitis.

What Can I Do at Home If My Dog Vomits White Foam Once?

A one-off foamy vomit in a dog who is otherwise coping well is not hugely concerning. You can help them recover quickly by following the advice below.

What Should I Do in the Next 6-12 Hours?

Monitor your dog closely after they have vomited. You are checking for any changes in their behaviour or any new symptoms. Are they still happy to go for their walk, to play, and to take a treat?

What Should I Feed Next and What Should I Avoid?

Once your dog has vomited, it can be a good idea to stick to a bland diet for the next day or so. This may mean just some boiled chicken and rice, fed little and often.

For dogs with a chicken allergy, alternatives such as egg, turkey, or white fish are good options. Until they are back to normal, avoid any treats or chews. Many find their own dog food a little too rich while poorly, so take their bowl up.

Please note: If your dog is on a prescribed diet, this should be continued.

When Should I Stop Home Care and Call The Vet?

Home care should only be considered when your dog is coping well. Veterinary intervention is needed for those who are persistently vomiting, who cannot hold fluids down and who have other symptoms indicating that this is more than a mild stomach upset.

If you’re unsure how unwell your dog is or whether they need to see a vet, you can always contact us to talk it through.

What Will the Vet Check Or Treat for White Foam Vomiting?

Once you arrive in the consulting room, your vet will read your dog’s medical record and ask you about their current signs.

They will also perform a full physical exam, assessing for any issues such as dehydration, a fever, or abdominal pain.

Diagnostic Tests

Some patients will require diagnostic tests to get a clearer understanding of what is going on. This may include some basic biochemistry and haematology blood tests, as well as perhaps an X-ray or ultrasound of their abdomen.

Treatment Options

Many cases are treated ‘symptomatically’, meaning we give medicine and expect the patient to improve, even if we are not entirely sure what has caused the vomiting in the first place.

Therapy generally consists of an anti-nausea injection, a highly digestible diet, fluids and some gastroprotectants.

Dogs who are very unwell may be admitted to the hospital so that they can receive around-the-clock monitoring and care, including an intravenous fluid drip and injectable medicine.

Get Emergency Vet Care for Your Dog

Call an emergency vet if your dog is experiencing vomiting, and you think they are not coping or are concerned for their wellbeing. The emergency vet will be there to help you, regardless of the time or day.

Dog Vomiting White Foam FAQs

Why is my dog vomiting white foam in the morning?

Early morning vomiting of white foam can be indicative of a medical issue called ‘bilious vomiting syndrome’- regularly seen in small breeds. This may be avoided by feeding dogs little and often throughout the day.

Is white foam vomit the same as bile?

Bile is a yellow-green digestive fluid made by the liver that is sometimes vomited up. In contrast, foam is usually gastric juices mixed with saliva. A dog may vomit both at the same time, but not every white foam vomit will contain bile.

Can kennel cough look like vomiting white foam?

Absolutely, yes. I will very often have dogs booked into my consult room for ‘vomiting foam’, who I actually end up diagnosing with kennel cough. Many owners mistake their coughs and gags for retching and vomiting.

What should I feed my dog after vomiting white foam?

Initially, just give your dog some sips of water. After a few hours, try them on something that is very easy to digest, like chicken and rice. In the first 24 hours, they tend to cope better if fed little and often, rather than with big meals.