Why Is My German Shepherd Foaming At The Mouth?

German Shepherd dogs are great dogs to own. Not only are they loyal and courageous, but they are also intelligent, a feature that makes them a joy to train. But similar to other dogs, German Shepherds can foam at the mouth every now and then, and as the parent, it’s crucial to know the cause and possible remedies.

Your German Shepherd foams at the mouth because of overexertion from play, stomach issues, anxiety, stress, swallowing problems, health problems, or even poisoning. While the foam can go away on its own, it’s best to consult a veterinarian if the issue persists.

Read on as we discuss the causes and proven remedies of foaming in German Shepherds.

Overexertion From Play

German Shepherds are known to be active, and they’ll rarely turn down an opportunity to run or play around the yard. When your four-legged best friend overexerts himself during play, chances are he’ll foam at the mouth (although temporarily).

The foam usually occurs as a result of excessive salivating and panting. Naturally, your German Shepherd will breathe heavily after engaging in intense play. The excessive drooling, combined with heavy breathing, can lead to foam formation in his mouth. Read more about Why Your German Shepherd is Breathing Heavily.

As your German Shepherd cools down, the foam will begin to dissipate gradually. So there’s no need to worry too much about this type of foam.

Stress Or Anxiety

Stress or anxiety is another major cause of foaming around the mouth in German Shepherds. When he’s anxious, scared, or stressed out, he’ll probably start to drool excessively.

This is because drooling is a natural bodily function that’s usually triggered by nervous reactions. Excessive drooling might lead to foaming around the mouth area. Some of the causes of anxiety in dogs include past trauma, separation anxiety, socialization problems, and even medical issues.

Stomach Problems

If your German Shepherd starts foaming a couple of minutes after mealtime, chances are he’s dealing with tummy issues. This is because dogs usually salivate excessively to get rid of revolting tastes when they eat something they don’t like or a new meal type.

The good thing with this type of foaming is that it is short term and normally goes away when your pup gets rid of the taste. However, consider consulting the vet if the foaming persists, and your furry friend refuses to eat.

Remember to serve your German Shepherd food in a clean bowl. You should also check on the quality and type of foods you give him to prevent issues such as tummy discomfort.

Medical Problems

Sometimes, foaming can indicate an underlying medical issue that requires immediate attention. If your German Shepherd has a seizure, he’ll start to drool excessively, consequently leading to foam formation around the mouth.

Excessive drooling and foaming might also point out to rabies. When the rabies virus is present in your German Shepherd, it will affect his nervous system, making it extra hard for him to swallow saliva. This explains why dogs infected with rabies tend to drool excessively.

Therefore, if you notice your German Shepherd foaming around the mouth for more than a couple of days, it’s advisable to consult with the vet as soon as possible.

Dental Issues

Poor dental hygiene and problems like cavities, gingivitis, and excessive plaque buildup will almost certainly lead to drooling. Your dog will salivate excessively in attempts to eliminate the bacteria in the mouth.

And as established by now, excessive drooling more often than not leads to foaming. Therefore, you’ll need to regularly maintain your German Shepherd’s dental hygiene to prevent him from developing dental issues.

Try brushing his teeth regularly to prevent plaque from accumulating. Taking him for dental tests every once in a while, is also recommended as it’ll help detect and treat diseases early enough.

Swallowing Difficulty

German Shepherds are known for their insatiable curiosity. You might find that your dog ate something during play that prevents his throat from functioning normally. Once the throat passage is blocked, his system will try its best to remove the obstruction, which translates to excessive salivating and panting.

Be ready to help him out in case he’s experiencing difficulties when swallowing. And in case the issue proves too hard to contain, don’t hesitate to visit the vet for further assistance.

How To Prevent Your German Shepherd From Foaming Around The Mouth

Foaming is usually an indication that your dog is uncomfortable. While some reasons for foaming might be easy to address, you might need to consult your vet when the foaming persists. Either way, you’ll need to observe these tips to keep your dog from foaming.

Regulate Your German Shepherd’s Playtime

You might want to regulate your German Shepherd’s play time if he’s constantly coming back home panting, tired, and with foam all over his mouth. Try to time his play, especially if you’re dealing with a German Shepherd pup.

Splitting out the exercises will help him preserve his energy and avoid overexerting himself during play.

Maintain Proper Feeding Habits

Similar to humans, dogs have sensitive tummies that require adequate care. Due to this, you should always check on all dog foods ingredients before you decide to buy.

Try buying foods that use natural ingredients and real meat in their recipes. You should also steer clear of buying foods that might trigger an allergic reaction in your German Shepherd.

Maintain Proper Dental Hygiene

While you won’t need to brush your German Shepherd’s teeth every day, it’s crucial to do it at least once a week to prevent plaque buildup and the formation of cavities.

Proper dental hygiene will keep your dog’s mouth clean and free from harmful bacteria, which will help prevent foaming. You might also need to buy dental toys like the Arm and Hammer Chew Toy or the Cutiful Dental Toy to get rid of plaque buildup.

Avoid Stressing Your Dog

Leaving your German Shepherd in an unfamiliar area or with a stranger isn’t the best idea. Dogs, too, have feelings, and you’ll need to protect your German Shepherd’s feelings if you want to keep the foam away.

Separation anxiety is a major cause of foaming in dogs. So be sure to leave your German Shepherd pup with someone he knows before you head out.

You should avoid being too rough to the extent of hurting your German Shepherd during training. Try as much as possible to be gentle since overburdening him with rigorous routines might stress him out.

What To Do When Your German Shepherd Is Foaming

The first step should be to examine your dog to determine the possible cause since it’s impossible to help without knowing the problem area. So check on where he seems to be uncomfortable before making any move.

For conditions like swallowing problems, filling his bowl with water might help ease the congestion in his throat. Once you’ve examined your German Shepherd for a couple of days and the foam isn’t dissipating, then you should consult a vet for professional assistance.

As a rule of thumb, you should observe your German Shepherd for a day or two before taking him to the vet. But in emergencies like choking or seizures, it’s best to take him to the vet once you spot the foam.

Final Takeaway

Although it’s normal for German Shepherds to foam every now and then, you should observe your dog keenly to determine the cause.

In most cases, the foam tends to clear gradually. But for the more serious cases like rabies and seizures, the foam will increase instead of decreasing. So be ready to act if you suspect your German Shepherd is battling with an underlying condition.