Mary Allen
Does your dog have white foam on its mouth, smacks its lips, and shows increased salivation?
Of course, the first thing that comes to mind when your dog is foaming at the mouth is poisoning or even rabies.
The absolute nightmare for every dog owner.
That’s why it’s very important now: please DO NOT panic immediately! This will not help your dog or you.
But foaming at the mouth can mean a lot of different things.
In this article you will learn what the triggers and causes of your dog’s frothy saliva can be.
Of course, we also have some tips on how to prevent foam at the mouth.
In a nutshell: dog foaming at the mouth
If your dog is foaming at the mouth, this is mainly a sign of nausea, dental problems, foreign objects or stress.
Because of their head anatomy, short-snouted dogs tend to “foam” faster than long-snouted dog breeds.
However, foaming at the mouth can also indicate epileptic seizures or poisoning and should be clarified in this case by a competent veterinarian as a matter of urgency.
Foam at the mouth of the dog: 5 possible causes
The fact that the dog foams at the mouth can indicate many different causes.
Poisoning and rabies are not considered in detail in this article as they will be discussed individually.
I have listed the 3 most common causes and their symptoms here.
Foam formation is usually preceded by increased saliva production. The mixture of air, movement and saliva creates the foam.
1. Nausea
It can happen quickly that your dog becomes nauseous.
Eating something wrong, an upset stomach or a car ride can be enough for your dog to start smacking his lips and foaming at the mouth. He’s sick.
You can tell if your dog is foaming at the mouth because it is nauseous by looking at the following symptoms.
- Increased lip licking
- increased salivation
- Increased smacking
- Increased swallowing
- Increased yawning
When your dog is nauseous, he foams at the mouth for the following reason: The esophagus is prepared for vomiting by increased salivation.
Since the contents of the stomach are very acidic, the saliva serves to protect the esophagus. The esophagus is lined by the saliva.
Many dogs eat grass in such situations. This helps them to induce nausea and thus allows the unwanted, nauseating stomach contents to be expelled.
If your dog has the urge to eat more grass, allow it. Weed has no side effects unless chemically treated.
2. Toothache
As with us, toothache in dogs is extremely painful.
If your dog is foaming at the mouth, this can indicate, for example, a tooth root infection, a tooth abscess or an inflammation of the jaw bone.
If you notice additional symptoms such as bad breath or refusal to eat, it is advisable to consult a canine dental specialist.
3. Foreign object swallowed
Young dogs in particular often swallow a foreign body or inedible things in the heat of the moment. This sometimes goes faster than you can see.
A foreign body stuck in the throat stimulates increased saliva production. In addition, the following symptoms may occur:
- Dog rattles loudly
- attempted vomiting, retching
- Cough
- loss of appetite
- restlessness
Foaming at the mouth is caused by your dog’s desperate attempt to get the offending part out.
4. Poisoning
Most poisonings do not happen intentionally, but the dog has ingested something in the household or on a walk that has a toxic effect on it.
If you suspect that your dog has eaten something poisonous, please contact your veterinarian as soon as possible.
5. Rabies
Rabies is almost no longer widespread in Germany. The most common symptom is severe sensitivity to light.
If you have a dog from abroad, which may not have a very clear vaccination record, please contact your veterinarian immediately.
How can I provide first aid?
First aid is necessary in cases of poisoning and foreign object ingestion.
Suspected poisoning
If you are concerned that your dog has eaten something poisonous, please contact your veterinarian immediately.
It is best to announce your arrival by telephone. If possible, try to find out what your dog ingested.
Incidentally, most poisonings happen in your own household through incorrect feeding, poisonous plants or cleaning agents.
Foreign body swallowed
If your dog has swallowed a foreign object and can no longer get it out on its own, you must act.
The most common causes are small pieces of bone, small pieces of wood or the like that have become lodged between the teeth.
Check your dog’s mouth carefully. However, pay attention to your own safety!
Try to remove the foreign object slowly.
If a foreign object is stuck in your dog’s windpipe, you must act immediately.
If left untreated, shortness of breath and suffocation can result. Proceed as follows:
Small dog
- Pick up the dog by the hind legs, letting the front part hang down.
- Shuttle the dog back and forth. The foreign body is usually loosened by the pendulum movement.
Big dog
- Grasp the dog around the belly, behind the front legs.
- lift him up
- Drop him sharply, don’t let go.
- The stop where you hold it detaches the foreign body.
When to the vet?
A suspected poisoning is ALWAYS a case for the emergency clinic.
If you have the feeling that your dog has swallowed a foreign object and there is no acute danger to life that requires first aid IMMEDIATELY, a visit to the veterinarian is advisable.
Foreign bodies can be easily identified and localized by appropriate examinations.
A visit to the vet is also unavoidable if a toothache is suspected.
Toothache, as a rule, does not “go away” without thorough treatment, but only gets worse.
Now you can do that for your dog
The most important thing is always, if something is wrong with your dog, don’t panic!
Remain and act calmly and thoughtfully. Remember, dogs are very sensitive and will take over your state of mind right away!
This is how you bow
Take care of your dog’s dental health:
- Avoid feeding load-bearing bones.
- Pay attention to sufficient oral hygiene, use a good toothbrush like the Emmi-Pet.
- Regular, visual check of the oral cavity.
2. Prevent swallowing foreign objects
- Do not leave your dog unattended with chews.
- Do not use normal wood as chewing wood, as there is a risk of splintering. Olive wood is very suitable, not only is it soft, but it also contains healthy essential oils for oral care.
3. Dogs with a sensitive stomach
- Slowly get your dog used to driving.
- Observe the feeding, adjust it if necessary.
- If there is no improvement, do an allergy test.
Conclusion
If your dog is suddenly foaming at the mouth, this can indicate a number of things. Even if poisoning is usually the first thing that comes to mind, the trigger is usually something else.
Nausea, swallowing something, or even toothache also ensure that your dog foams at the mouth.