Why Is My Dog Vomiting White Foam and What Should I Do?

Why Is My Dog Vomiting White Foam?

Seeing your dog vomiting white foam can be pretty scary, especially when you don’t know what causes it or how to help. This is quite common for dogs, and it can be minor or severe depending on what else is going on with your pet. Essentially, that white foam you see is saliva mixed with air bubbles, usually coming up from an empty stomach. Often it’s just mild indigestion or acid reflux. We’re here to help you gauge the situation; I’ll walk you through the most common reasons for a dog vomiting white foam, plus what you can do to help at home and when you should call the vet.

1. Indigestion (The Most Common Cause)

This is probably the number one reason for a dog vomiting white foam. Dogs eat things they shouldn’t: grass, garbage, spoiled food, you name it. And honestly, some dogs just gulp down their meals way too fast or go running around right after eating, which upsets their stomach.

When indigestion causes occasional vomiting, it usually sorts itself out. Before they throw up, you might notice them licking their lips a lot, swallowing repeatedly, or drooling more than normal. Often, you’ll see yellow-green bile or chunks of undigested food mixed in with the foam.

If indigestion is the reason for your dog vomiting white foam, treatment at home options include:

• Hold off on food for 12-24 hours to let their stomach rest.
• Keep plenty of fresh water available so they don’t get dehydrated.
• Feed a bland diet (boiled chicken and plain white rice) for a few days once they’re ready to eat.
• Skip the treats, table scraps, and dairy…these just make things worse.
• Consider getting a slow-feeder bowl; these are complete game-changers because they force your dog to eat more slowly, which prevents gulping and helps with digestion. I highly recommend the Outward Hound Medium Slow Feeder Bowl (*affiliate link)

2. Acid Reflux (A Chronic Issue)

When stomach acid flows back up into the esophagus, it irritates everything in its path. That’s acid reflux, and it commonly makes dogs vomit white foam, especially on an empty stomach.

The usual culprits? Stress, being overweight, or certain medications. Generally speaking, it might also point to something deeper, like a hiatal hernia, gastritis, or stomach ulcers.

Ways to manage acid reflux:

• Offer smaller, more frequent meals instead of one or two big ones.
• Don’t feed them right before bedtime.
• Try lifting their head and chest while they sleep (use a pillow) to keep acid from flowing back up.
• Ask your vet about pet-safe antacids like famotidine or omeprazole.

3. Pancreatitis (A Serious Emergency)

Pancreatitis is one of the more serious reasons for a dog vomiting white foam. When the pancreas gets inflamed, it releases too many digestive enzymes that actually start damaging surrounding tissue (and even the pancreas itself).

The result is severe, repeated vomiting. You’d also likely see fever, diarrhea, loss of appetite, and obvious belly pain (your dog might hunch over or be really sensitive when you touch their abdomen).

Common causes include:

• High-fat diets or fatty table scraps
• Obesity
• Physical trauma
• Infections
• Genetic predisposition

This issue is also linked to conditions like diabetes or Cushing’s disease. This situation isn’t to be taken lightly because pancreatitis needs immediate veterinary care to prevent life-threatening complications.

Your vet will run specific blood tests (checking lipase and amylase levels) and possibly imaging. Keep in mind that treatment typically involves IV fluids, pain medication, anti-nausea drugs, antibiotics, and sometimes nutritional support. Some dogs need hospitalization for several days until they stabilize.

4. Gastroenteritis (An Infection)

Gastroenteritis means the stomach and intestines are inflamed, usually from a viral or bacterial infection. Alongside your dog vomiting white foam (or other colors), you would likely see diarrhea, dehydration, and terrible lethargy.

Common causes:

• Contaminated food or water
• Contact with sick animals
• Parasites like Giardia or roundworms
• Food allergies or sensitivities

A vet needs to examine your dog to diagnose this properly and recommend treatment. They might prescribe antibiotics or anti-parasitic meds (depending on what’s causing it).

Watch for dehydration signs:

• Sunken eyes
• Dry, sticky gums
• Skin that doesn’t bounce back when gently pinched
• Weakness or lethargy

You’ll want to make sure they have access to fresh water constantly. You might need to withhold food for a few hours, but keep them hydrated. In severe cases, your vet may give IV fluids.

The vomiting and diarrhea usually improve within a day or two of treatment. At that point, it’s a good idea to start giving them small amounts of bland food like plain white rice with boiled chicken; it’s gentle on the digestive system.

5. Foreign Body Obstruction (A Dangerous Emergency)

If your dog vomits white foam alongside retching or obvious distress, they might have swallowed something they shouldn’t have. Toys, socks, bones, sticks…dogs eat the weirdest things, and these objects can block their digestive tract.

Obstructions are serious and potentially fatal. For instance, dogs love marrow bones, but if they swallow a large piece, it could cause a complete intestinal blockage or even puncture their intestines.

Warning signs of obstruction:

• Repeated vomiting (including white foam)
• Loss of appetite
• Abdominal pain or bloating
• Essentially, constipation or the inability to poop
• Lethargy or restlessness

If you suspect a blockage, please get to an emergency vet immediately. They’ll use X-rays, ultrasound, or endoscopy to locate the object. Depending on where it is, they might remove it endoscopically or through surgery. Recovery usually involves a short hospital stay.

6. Toxin Ingestion (A Life-Threatening Emergency)

This is a true emergency. To be clear, if you know or suspect your dog ate something toxic, please get them to a vet or animal poison control NOW. Don’t wait to see what happens.

Common toxins that cause vomiting:

• Chocolate (especially dark or baking chocolate)
• Grapes and raisins
• Xylitol (in gum, candy, peanut butter)
• Antifreeze (tastes sweet, so dogs drink it)
• Rat poison
• Cannabis edibles
• Certain plants (lilies, sago palms, oleander)
• In addition, human medications (ibuprofen, acetaminophen, antidepressants)

Beyond dogs vomiting white foam, toxin ingestion can cause drooling, tremors, seizures, collapse, coma, and death.

Emergency treatment may include:

• Inducing vomiting (ONLY done by a vet; please never try this at home)
• Activated charcoal to absorb the toxin
• Specific antidotes when available
• IV fluids and supportive care
• In severe cases, dialysis

Time is critical with poisoning. The sooner you get treatment, the better your chances.

7. Kennel Cough and Respiratory Issues (Less Common)

Sometimes a dog vomiting white foam isn’t actually vomiting; it’s coughing up white mucus or foam from their airways. For instance, respiratory infections, inflammation, or, in rare cases, tumors can cause this.

Symptoms of respiratory problems:

• Hacking cough (sounds like they’re choking or have something stuck)
• Coughing up white or clear foam/mucus
• Difficulty breathing or rapid breathing
• Sneezing
• Runny nose or eye discharge
• Fever or lethargy

Kennel cough (infectious tracheobronchitis) is probably the most common respiratory cause. It’s highly contagious and spreads quickly in places like dog parks, kennels, and grooming facilities.

Brachycephalic breeds (bulldogs, pugs, Boston terriers) are prone to airway issues that can also cause foamy vomiting or regurgitation.

Please don’t wait if you suspect respiratory problems. Your vet will listen to their lungs, possibly take X-rays, and prescribe antibiotics or cough suppressants. In my experience, severe cases may need oxygen therapy or nebulization treatments.

8. Bloat/GDV (Life-Threatening Emergency)

I need to mention this one even though it’s less common, because it’s absolutely deadly if not treated immediately. Bloat (gastric dilatation-volvulus or GDV) happens when a dog’s stomach fills with gas and twists on itself.

Warning signs:

• Unsuccessful attempts to vomit (producing only white foam or nothing)
• Severely distended, hard abdomen
• Excessive drooling
• Restlessness and pacing
• Rapid breathing
• Weakness or collapse

This mostly affects large, deep-chested breeds like Great Danes, German Shepherds, and Standard Poodles. Unfortunately, it progresses rapidly and is fatal without emergency surgery.

If you see these symptoms, especially the non-productive retching, get to an emergency vet within minutes, not hours. This is as serious as it gets.

When to Call Your Veterinarian

Please call your vet immediately if your dog experiences:

• Vomiting multiple times in a few hours
• Your dog vomiting white foam along with lethargy, weakness, or collapse
• Typically, blood in vomit or stool
• Signs of abdominal pain (hunched posture, whining, won’t let you touch their belly)
• Inability to keep water down
• Suspected toxin ingestion or foreign body
• Vomiting plus diarrhea
• Symptoms lasting more than 24 hours
• Very young puppies or senior dogs vomiting (they dehydrate faster)

Why timing matters: Conditions like bloat, pancreatitis, and poisoning can kill within hours. Early intervention can dramatically improve the outcomes and survival rates.

Home Care for Mild Cases

If your dog vomits white foam once or twice but otherwise seems fine (eating, drinking, acting normal), you can try home care:

First 12-24 hours:

• Withhold food for 12-24 hours to rest their stomach
• Give small amounts of water often (ice chips work very well)
• Watch closely for worsening symptoms

After 24 hours:

• Start a bland diet: boiled chicken (no skin or bones) with plain white rice in a 1:2 ratio
• Feed small portions 3-4 times daily
• Gradually reintroduce regular food over 3-4 days by mixing increasing amounts with the bland diet

Prevention tips:

• Use slow-feeder bowls or puzzle feeders
• Avoid feeding right before or after exercise
• Keep garbage, toxins, and small objects out of reach
• Feed a high-quality formula appropriate for their age and size
• Keep a healthy weight
• Keep vaccinations current (especially bordetella for kennel cough)

Final Thoughts on White Foam ‘Vomit’ in Dogs

Now you understand that the causes of a dog vomiting white foam can range from minor indigestion to a life-threatening emergency. The key is knowing what other symptoms to watch for and when to seek help.

In most cases, occasional vomiting with no other symptoms resolves with rest and bland food. However, if your pet seems distressed, keeps vomiting, or shows any warning signs I mentioned, please don’t wait. Prevention is your best strategy. Feed quality food, keep hazards out of reach, and keep going to regular vet checkups to catch problems early.

Has your dog experienced this? What worked for you? Remember, this article provides general information and should not replace professional veterinary advice for your specific situation.

Sources:

1. VCA Animal Hospitals – Vomiting in Dogs
2. American Kennel Club – Why Is My Dog Vomiting?
3. PetMD – Pancreatitis in Dogs
4. ASPCA Animal Poison Control
5. VCA Animal Hospitals – Kennel Cough in Dogs
6. American College of Veterinary Surgeons – Gastric Dilatation-Volvulus
7. VCA Animal Hospitals – Acid Reflux in Dogs
8. PetMD – Foreign Body Obstruction in Dogs
9. Merck Veterinary Manual – Gastroenteritis in Dogs
10. American Veterinary Medical Association – Toxic Foods and Plants