Why Is My Dog Foaming at the Mouth? Causes Explained (Vet Verified)
You look at your dog and suddenly you’re asking “why is my dog foaming at the mouth?”
This sight of your dog foaming at the mouth immediately triggers the worst fears: is it rabies? Is it poisoning? Should I rush to the vet?
While foaming can be a sign of a serious emergency, it’s not always a cause for panic.
Today, we will help you understand the most common reasons a dog might foam at the mouth, from harmless causes to urgent medical conditions, and what you should do in each scenario.
Key Takeaways
- Foaming at the mouth is often harmless.
- If foaming is accompanied by other symptoms like lethargy or pain, seek vet assistance.
- Although infrequent, foaming at the mouth can be a sign of rabies.
- A dog health tracker can help you log and monitor your dog’s symptoms and behavior, providing valuable data for your vet.
- If in doubt, don’t waste time and talk to your vet as soon as possible.
Why Is My Dog Foaming at the Mouth?
Foaming at the mouth, or ptyalism, is often just an excess of saliva mixed with air.
When a dog produces a large amount of drool, and their rapid breathing or panting mixes with it, it can whip into a foamy consistency.
The key to determining why your dog is foaming at the mouth is looking at the context:
- Did the foaming start after a long run?
- Was it preceded by a stressful car ride?
- Or did it come on suddenly and without any obvious trigger?
Why Is My Female Dog Foaming at the Mouth?
Whether your dog is male or female, the reasons for foaming at the mouth are largely the same.
The gender of your dog does not make them more or less susceptible to most of the issues that cause this symptom.
So, when you see your female dog foaming at the mouth, the most important step is to consider all potential causes.
Why Is My Male Dog Foaming at the Mouth?
Just as with female dogs, the causes of foaming at the mouth in male dogs are consistent across the board.
The symptom can be tied to harmless, everyday events or serious medical problems. A male dog experiencing pain from a foreign object in his mouth will foam at the mouth for the same reasons as a female dog would.
Focus on the accompanying signs to determine what might be causing the foaming.
Benign vs. Medical Causes of Foaming
Now let’s take a look at the most common causes, divided into those that are generally harmless and those that require a vet’s attention.
Benign Causes
Excitement or Stress
A dog that is extremely excited to see you or highly stressed during a car ride may drool excessively, which can turn to foam.
Nausea
Dogs prone to car sickness often drool and foam before vomiting.
Physical Exertion
After a long run, a game of fetch, or a walk on a hot day, dogs pant to cool down. This heavy breathing can cause foamy drool, especially in flat-faced breeds like pugs and bulldogs.
Taste Aversion
If your dog licks a bitter-tasting substance, they may begin to drool and foam profusely as a natural reaction to the unpleasant taste.
Excessive Drooling
Some dogs, especially large breeds like St. Bernards or Bloodhounds, simply drool a lot. When this drool mixes with air, it can look like foam.
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Titti
Medical Causes
Seizures
Foaming at the mouth is a classic sign of a seizure. Other symptoms include shaking, twitching, disorientation, and loss of consciousness.
Poisoning or Toxin Ingestion
If your dog has eaten a toxic substance, foaming is a common side effect. Look for other signs like vomiting, diarrhea, lethargy, or weakness.
Dental Disease
A severe tooth abscess, a fractured tooth, or other painful oral issues can cause a dog to drool excessively and foam.
Foreign Object in the Mouth
A bone or stick lodged between their teeth or on the roof of their mouth can cause pain and distress, leading to foaming.
Rabies
This is a viral disease that affects the nervous system and can cause excessive salivation and foaming at the mouth.
Emergency Signs That Require a Vet
Seek immediate veterinarian attention if your dog is foaming at the mouth and exhibits any of the following signs:
- Collapse or loss of consciousness
- Uncontrollable shaking or convulsions
- Labored breathing
- Vomiting or diarrhea
- Lethargy or stumbling
- Signs of pain (whining, aggression, hiding)
- Pale or blue gums
- Known ingestion of a toxic substance
How Vets Diagnose the Cause
“Foaming at the mouth can sometimes be harmless, but in other cases, it’s a sign of poisoning, seizures, or serious disease. When in doubt, always seek veterinary attention immediately.” Carolina Domingues, DVM, Veterinarian at Maven Pet
The vet performs a thorough physical exam and asks detailed questions about your dog’s recent activities, what they might have eaten, and if they have a history of seizures or other health issues.
Based on this information, the vet may perform additional diagnostics, such as blood work to check for toxins, a physical exam of the mouth for foreign objects, or imaging like X-rays to look for internal issues.
How the Maven Pet Health Monitor Helps Track Symptoms and Behavior
A pet health tracker like the Maven Pet Monitor helps you keep an eye on your dog’s vitals and behavior.
Monitor heart rate, respiratory rate, activity & rest, drinking, itch behavior.
The app’s features allow you to:
- Track activity levels: Did your dog’s foaming coincide with a sudden change in activity? A drop in energy could signal illness.
- Monitor restlessness: A sudden increase in restlessness or anxiety can sometimes precede a seizure.
- Log incidents: You can log the exact time and duration of the foaming event, along with any other symptoms, creating a detailed record for your vet.
Maven’s device transfers the data to a pet health app and provides your vet with necessary information that you might otherwise forget during a stressful event, helping them make a faster and more accurate diagnosis.
Takeaways Recap
- Stay calm and observe for other symptoms.
- Consider if the foaming could be caused by benign factors like exercise, stress, or eating something unpleasant.
- If the foaming is accompanied by symptoms like collapse, seizures, difficulty breathing, or vomiting, rush to the vet.
- The Maven Pet Health Monitor can help you gather information about your dog’s behavior that is valuable to the vet.
- When in doubt, always consult with a vet.
Maven Pet focuses on improving the quality of life of our pets with technology, using artificial intelligence (AI) to enable proactive pet care. By accurately collecting and monitoring pet data 24/7 and flagging any irregularities, Maven Pet empowers pet parents and veterinarians to stay ahead of potential health issues, ensuring the well-being and longevity of our beloved companions.
