Dog Foaming At Mouth? The Reasons & What To Do

You’re not alone if you’ve ever seen your dog foaming at the mouth and wondered what was happening.

Many dog owners have experienced this strange phenomenon and wonder if it’s something to be concerned about.

While foam around a dog’s mouth can occasionally be expected, many potential causes for this behavior should be explored.

In this article, we’ll look at why dogs may foam at the mouth.

And we share what steps you can take to help your furry friend.

Dog Foaming At Mouth – The Reasons

Stress And Anxiety

Dog foaming at the mouth can be a stress and/or anxiety symptom, most commonly from overstimulation or excitement.

Dogs are social animals, so being around people, loud noises, and other animals can overwhelm them.

A safe environment with familiar items might help calm a stressed or anxious dog.

Additionally, reducing potential sources of stress in their environment can help.

Positive reinforcement for calm conduct and regular exercise or playtime might help your dog relax.

Upset Stomach

A common reason a dog may be foaming at the mouth is an upset stomach.

This could result from something the dog ate improperly digested or simply ingested in too high quantity.

To combat an upset stomach, it is best to limit the dog’s food intake and adjust the diet by adding probiotics and fiber and reducing fat content. 

Providing plenty of fresh water for hydration can also help alleviate this issue.

Too Much Activity

When a dog is overexerted and panting heavily, often the result is frothing at the mouth.

After too much activity, it’s important not to let your dog become too exhausted.

If you notice foam coming from their mouth, it’s time to take a break.

Allowing your dog to calm down and take several deep breaths should help alleviate their symptoms.

If it doesn’t improve within five minutes, consult a veterinarian.

Keeping an eye out for excessive drooling or agitation paired with foaming can provide more insight into the cause.

In general, ensure your puppy gets plenty of rest after exercising to stay healthy and enjoy activities while avoiding unnecessary problems.

Dental Disease

This condition can develop when bacteria, food debris, and tartar accumulate along the gum line and cause infection in the gums.

Inflammation from dental disease causes drooling and froth.

Antibiotics may be needed to help your dog fight infections if ignored, such as in advanced periodontal disease.

To avoid dental illness, you should also brush your teeth and have a veterinarian clean them.

Toxins

Dogs are quite curious, therefore it’s important to watch out for dangerous things that could make them foam at the mouth.

If a dog gets brake fluid, antifreeze, or paint thinner, its lips will foam.

If your dog has these symptoms, take them to the vet and avoid poisoning them again.

These poisons can kill your dog if left untreated!

Rabies

If your dog is foaming at the mouth, it could be a sign of rabies.

This deadly virus is spread through contact with an infected animal’s saliva. 

Because rabies is incredibly contagious and fatal to humans and animals.

Your veterinarian can run tests to determine if the virus is present and how to best treat it.

The sooner you act, the better chance that your dog will make a full recovery. 

In addition to visiting the vet, take steps to prevent other dogs in your home from getting sick by quarantining the suspected animal and all those living with them.

Physical Objects

It is common for a dog to start foaming at the mouth due to physical objects, such as toys or sticks.

An issue like dental pain can cause this, or the object may simply irritate their mouth.

If your dog suddenly begins foaming like this, inspecting its mouth area and removing anything that shouldn’t be there is important.

If you don’t find any foreign objects, it may be time to visit the vet and investigate further, as it could be a sign of more serious health issues. 

Protecting them from any objects, they’re allergic to will help reduce the chance of this potentially worrying symptom.

Related: Why Do Dogs Eat Sticks?

Motion Sickness

Dogs may foam at the mouth due to motion sickness, just like humans may suffer nausea and vomiting when traveling by car, boat, or plane. 

Owners who believe their dog is vomiting due to motion sickness must take action by making sure all journeys are easy and relaxing for them.

Cooling methods like cool water sponges help keep them quiet and erect, reducing the risk of illness.

Gastrointestinal Issues

Gastrointestinal issues in dogs can be an alarming symptom, and one of the most concerning signs is foaming at the mouth.

This can indicate that the dog is suffering from an underlying health issue. 

To find out what’s wrong, you should talk to a knowledgeable vet.

Some possible causes are parasites, allergies, dyspepsia, or motion sickness.

Some ways to treat it are with probiotics, changes to the way you eat, prescription drugs, and supportive care like fasting and rest.

Foaming at the mouth may be accompanied by other signs, so it’s important to keep an eye out for them. They could be signs of a serious illness, like poisoning or a blockage in the digestive tract, so it’s important not to miss them.

If you know all the common reasons why a dog’s tongue is foaming, you can treat it quickly and effectively.

What To Do To Prevent Foaming At The Dog Mouth

Foaming at the mouth is caused by a variety of things and can be worrisome, but there are steps one can take to prevent it.

Providing your canine companion with plenty of water and regular brushing will help keep their mouth clean and healthy.

Additionally, checking the foods they consume and eliminating any allergens or toxins can reduce irritating build-up in their mouths.

Dog owners should also routinely check their teeth for discoloration or swelling, which could indicate an underlying medical condition.

Regular visits to the vet could also help catch any problems early on and nip them in the bud before they cause foaming at the dog’s mouth.

Your dog can stay safe and healthy with extra love and care!

When Do You Need To Worry About Dog Foaming At Mouth?

Having a dog can be a real joy, but there are some occasions when strange behavior can indicate something is wrong.

Foaming at the mouth is one such unusual occurrence – when it comes to dogs, it’s a cause for concern.

Panting can cause foamy saliva, but it’s not a medical emergency.

If the foam is excessive or has an unfamiliar consistency, that’s a sign to consider taking your dog to the vet for an examination.

Your dog should be evaluated for the reason of mouth foaming, which could be bacterial or allergic.

When To Visit A Vet

If your dog is foaming heavily at the mouth, it is best to visit the vet immediately. 

Foaming at the mouth can indicate several health issues in dogs, ranging from catching a cold to ingesting something dangerous.

It could even indicate that the dog has been poisoned by something they’ve brought into the house or while playing in the yard.

To ensure your dog is safe and healthy, it’s important to take them to a vet as soon as you notice that foaming at the mouth has become an issue for them.

Fame at the mouth in dogs can be caused by various things, such as stress, anxiety, dental disease, gastrointestinal issues, and even rabies.

Dog owners need to take note of the symptoms and determine the root cause before any further action is taken.

In conclusion, dog owners can enhance their dog’s health by understanding what causes a dog foaming at mouth.

Before You Go…

You now know the reasons for dog foaming at mouth.

If you want to learn more, read the following articles too!

Mena Emad, DVM
Mena has a Bachelor’s degree in veterinary medicine. His expertise, passion for animal welfare, extensive knowledge, and experience in the field of veterinary medicine make him an excellent resource for our readers.