Why is My Pet Foaming at the Mouth?
Why Is My Dog Foaming at the Mouth?
You're at the dog park enjoying a sunny outing with your pet when in the distance you notice a large dog charging towards yours, foaming at the mouth. Your first thought is that the dog might have rabies. That's always a possibility, but canine rabies has been drastically reduced by vaccination. More than likely the dog is just hot from playing and running around.
There are a variety of reasons a dog or cat might foam at the mouth, and some could indicate a medical issue that has nothing to do with rabies. Very often when you see your dog foaming at the mouth, it's caused by a combination of panting and salivating known as hypersalivation. It's important to pay attention any time you see your pet foaming at the mouth — some causes are common and harmless, while others need a vet's immediate attention.
Common Causes
- Overheating during play or exercise — heavy panting and foaming is a signal to stop activity, offer water, and let your dog cool down
- Anxiety
- Upset stomach
- Motion sickness
- Eating or picking up something with a bad taste, such as a toad
- Some medications
- An obstruction like a bone or piece of stick caught in the esophagus, blocking saliva from going down
More Serious Causes
Flea and tick medication reaction Pyrethrin, an insecticide used in many flea and tick medications, can be toxic if your pet ingests it while grooming themselves or another pet. Apply topical flea control between the shoulders and don't allow pets to groom each other until the area is fully dry.
Accidental poisoning Foaming at the mouth can be a sign of poisoning, which can become serious depending on what and how much toxin was ingested. Other symptoms of poisoning include:
- Vomiting
- Weakness or lethargy
- Disorientation or lack of coordination
- Tremors or seizures
- Depressed breathing or irregular heartbeat
- Low blood pressure
- Pale mucous membranes
- Excessive thirst or agitation
Common sources of accidental poisoning include:
- Houseplants and outdoor plants (especially toxic to cats)
- Certain human foods and medications (both over the counter and prescription)
- Alcohol
- Coins, especially pennies
- Spring flower bulbs
- Household cleaners and laundry pods
- Sugar-free snacks containing Xylitol
- Some toad species
- Rat or mouse poison
- Antifreeze
- Glow sticks
- Liquid from a broken snow globe
Medical Causes
Foaming at the mouth can also be a symptom of an underlying medical condition, including:
- Seizure disorders
- Metabolic disorders such as kidney or liver disease
- Stroke
- Epilepsy
- Low blood sugar
- Neurological issues
- Distemper, which affects the central nervous system
- Dental disease or tooth abscess
- Tumors in the mouth
- Oral trauma
- Stomatitis — a painful inflammation of the mouth and gums
A Note on Cats
Some cats produce foamy bubbles and drool when they are very happy and purring, but foaming is not common in felines. If your cat suddenly starts drooling and it's not something she has always done — especially if she isn't eating or isn't acting like herself — that's cause for concern.
When to See a Vet
Any time you see your dog or cat foaming at the mouth with no clear reason why, take your pet to the vet immediately. If the foaming is caused by a medical issue, an early diagnosis can be extremely beneficial for treatment and recovery.
