When dogs foam at the mouth, it is usually a sign of nausea or dental problems. In individual cases, poisoning, exertion in heat, severe stress, rabies or even an epileptic seizure can also be behind it.
Dogs with a short snout in particular, the so-called “brachycephalic breeds”, tend to foam from the mouth during physical activity and heat.
Any seizures may also be a veterinary emergency. Below you will learn about the 8 most common causes.
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#1 Nausea
You've probably noticed that occasional vomiting is almost part of everyday life for dogs. This primarily has to do with her past.
Only when wolves were increasingly tamed by us humans did they gradually develop from carnivores to omnivores.
Their entire digestive system is therefore significantly more primitive and sensitive compared to ours. Typical triggers for nausea are:
- Eating too quickly
- Food allergies
- Viral infections
- Motion sickness
- Liver and kidney diseases
- Ate grass
- Food intolerances [1]
Among other things, this also leads to increased salivation, foaming at the mouth or even a gagging sensation. Other typical symptoms are:
- Constant smacking noises
- Frequent whining
- Dog keeps swallowing
- Visible flatulence
- Dog constantly licks his mouth
- Physical restlessness [2]
If it occurs once, then there is usually no reason to worry. If you have chronic nausea, I recommend carrying out such a food check.
There you will receive individual recommendations for your dog and also a complete box with free food samples to test the recommendations. [3]
Nausea can cause dogs to become restless, drool a lot, and foam at the mouth. In most cases it is because the affected four-legged friend is slurring, cannot tolerate his food or has eaten grass.
#2 Dental problems
Despite their different appearance and behavior, dogs are still 99.9% genetically identical to wolves. This also explains why they always hide pain.
In the case of wolves, this behavior serves as protection, as animals that appear weakened in the wild become targets for other predators.
So if your dog has problems with his teeth or gums, then it is up to you to recognize the typical symptoms. Classic examples of this are:
- Problems eating
- One-sided chewing
- Discoloration of the tooth
- Sudden drooling
- Black gums
- Dog foams at the mouth
- Touch sensitivity
- Strong bad breath [3]
The most obvious way to see this is when your otherwise always hungry dog suddenly refuses his treats. Typical causes of this are:
- Broken tooth
- Inflammation of the oral mucosa
- Dental caries
- Splinters of wood and bone
- Dental cavities
- Excessive tartar [4]
If you suspect this, I would advise you to see the vet immediately. By nature, dogs often suffer and often only express symptoms later in life.
Problems with the teeth or gums in dogs usually manifest themselves in the fact that they refuse food, have problems chewing and become sensitive to touch. Among other things, foaming at the mouth can also occur.
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#3 Poisoning
Unfortunately, you will often find articles in the news about poison bait being set out. But the reality looks different. The owners usually cause the poisoning themselves.
However, not on purpose. This is because first-time dog owners in particular make the false assumption that all common foods are healthy for dogs.
The most common causes of poisoning include:
- Chocolate, cocoa, alcohol and hops
- Swallowing human medication
- Onions, garlic, grapes and raisins
- Ingestion of chemicals and cleaning agents
- Eating toxic plants [5]
Since the liver and kidneys are primarily responsible for filtering toxins, poisoning can lead to permanent organ damage. Other typical symptoms are:
- Physical restlessness
- Increased production of saliva
- Foaming at the mouth
- Trembling at rest
- Dog refuses food
- Breathing problems
- Listless behavior
- Sudden seizures [6]
Depending on the amount and type of toxins, poisoning can be life-threatening. If you suspect this, you should consult the vet immediately.
If dogs swallow the wrong foods or other toxic substances, poisoning can occur. You can usually tell when the dog becomes restless and foams at the mouth. Breathing problems and tremors are also common here.
#4 Rabies
Every year almost 60,000 people and many more dogs die of rabies. And this despite the fact that there has been a vaccine against it for over 100 years.
In Germany itself, however, rabies is very rare. This is primarily because it is part of the mandatory vaccinations. And yet infections still occur every now and then.
This is especially the case when unvaccinated dogs are taken on vacation or imported from abroad. It is usually transmitted through a bite from an infected animal. [7]
The best way to recognize it is that affected dogs become aggressive and foam at the mouth. Other typical signs are:
- Increased body temperature
- Strange behavior
- Breathing problems
- Problems swallowing
- Dogs drool a lot
- Sudden paralysis [8]
There is no cure or treatment for rabies. There is hardly a deadlier virus. In humans, the mortality rate is as high as 99.9%.
To prevent this, the recommended vaccination schedule should be followed. The first vaccination should take place after 12 weeks and the second vaccination in the 15th week of life.
The third vaccination takes place around a year later and the dog then needs to be vaccinated every 2-3 years. As a rule, the vet will also point this out to you. [9]
Dogs with rabies not only behave unusually aggressively, but also often foam at the mouth. Since there is no cure for this deadly viral disease, every dog owner should adhere to the prescribed vaccination schedule.
#5 Severe stress
In stressful situations, dogs release stress hormones just like we humans do – especially young four-legged friends. The most common triggers include:
- Lack of socialization
- Strong storms and storms
- Contact with strangers
- Cushing's syndrome
- Loud noises and noise
- Contact with dominant dogs
- Violence in education [10]
The most common signs of stress are the dog suddenly panting, drooling and foaming around the mouth. Other classic signs include:
- Constant yawning
- Dog is hiding
- Sudden hair loss
- Dog runs around restlessly
- Whining and whining
- Dog drinks a lot
- Digestive problems [11]
Here it is important to find out the stress factor and then eliminate it if possible. If it is due to a lack of socialization, then it is important to make up for it.
Increased attention and activity can also help here. You could also gradually accustom your dog to the stress factor.
When dogs feel stress, it usually manifests itself in heavy panting and an increased amount of saliva. Severe or chronic stress can also cause foaming at the mouth and digestive problems. The trigger should be eliminated here.
#6 Exertion in heat
Some breeds tend to overheat particularly quickly during physical exertion and hot weather. Brachycephalic dogs are particularly affected by this.
This refers to four-legged friends who, due to their breeding, have a flat face. For example, bulldogs, Pekingese, Chihuahuas and pugs.
This is because these breeds have narrowed nostrils due to their breeding. In practice, you will therefore get out of breath much more quickly. [12]
In combination with heat, this usually leads to increased production of saliva. It is not uncommon for affected four-legged friends to also have some foam at their mouths.
There is usually no reason to worry here. This applies at least if your dog drinks enough and shows no signs of heat stroke:
A thermometer can also help here. Normally, the dog's body temperature should be between 38-39 °C.
If his temperature is elevated, you should seek shade and cool the dog down with water. Such a self-cooling dog mat is also ideal for hot summers.
When dogs, especially breeds with a short snout, exercise in the summer, they often tend to foam at the mouth and drool profusely. This is part of the natural cooling system. Here it is important to take a break and provide water.
#7 Epilepsy
Epilepsy is a chronic brain disease that can cause different symptoms depending on its severity.
In mild cases it only causes slight twitching or tingling. In severe cases, however, uncontrolled seizures occur. Typical symptoms are:
- Stiff muscles
- Profuse drooling
- Dog runs in circles
- Foaming at the mouth
- Ignorance of commands
- Dog bites tongue
- Disorientation
- Suddenly falling over [14]
According to studies, around one in 130 dogs suffer from it. For reasons that are still unclear, it primarily affects golden retrievers, beagles, poodles, labradors and dachshunds.
As a rule, such attacks are painless. And yet injuries can occur if it happens at the wrong moment and the dog falls over. [15]
Although epilepsy is considered incurable, it can sometimes be treated with medication. If you suspect this, you should consult your veterinarian for precautionary measures.
Dogs with epilepsy usually experience convulsive seizures at irregular intervals that can last for several seconds or even minutes. During this time, foam usually forms at the mouth. In addition, affected four-legged friends are often very confused afterwards.
#8 Foreign body swallowed
Dogs' curiosity often becomes their downfall, especially when they are young. Because it often causes them to swallow inedible things. This includes:
- Table tennis balls
- Whole ears of corn
- Pieces of bone that are too big
- Golf balls
- Toys too small [16]
If these objects get stuck in the throat or throat, this usually leads to breathing problems, a choking sensation and problems swallowing.
At the same time, it also massively stimulates saliva production, so that dogs drool or even have foam around their mouths. Other typical symptoms are:
- Dog refuses…