Menu
The reality of being a dog owner is that all dogs drool—it’s just part of the deal. We’ll go over several reasons that your sweet, canine companion leaves a trail of mucky adoration on your favorite shirt.
Some Breeds Drool More Than Others
A large amount of drooling is part of the package for many dog breeds. You cannot get away with petting a bulldog or a mastiff without a slobbery sign of affection.
These types of breeds have the extra skin around their lips where saliva pools and cannot be contained. It gets caught after they take a drink and comes out when they shake their heads.
A best practice for handling the regular drooling from these types of breeds is to simply have a small towel handy around the house. If drooling is intense, you might want to increase the number of towels around the house for your convenience.
Issues With Their Mouth and Throat
It is normal for all dogs to salivate when anticipating a yummy treat or bowl of food. On the opposite end of the spectrum, it’s normal for them to drool when they’re having something much less pleasant, such as medicine.
If your pooch has dental issues like tartar buildup or irritated gums, they will drool more. Additionally, if there is something lodged in their throat or teeth, like a stick or bone, it could lead to more problems.
Upset Tummy
If you notice your dog is drooling more in the car, it might be from nausea caused by motion sickness. Just like humans, dogs can get carsick. If you notice your dog frequently gets carsick or if you have a long road trip planned, we recommend speaking with one of our veterinarians on techniques for coping with car rides or medications to help them through it.
If your dog consumes a toxic substance, they will drool excessively. If your dog is drooling and it is accompanied by shaking, vomiting, or lethargic behavior, you should contact us immediately. Keep toxins and poisonous plants out of reach from pets at all times to avoid this as much as possible.
More Serious Conditions
One reason that dogs pant and drool is to cool off. If your dog is drooling excessively, they could be experiencing heat stroke. This may be a life-threatening emergency and you should contact us if you believe this is happening.
Drooling is a symptom of chronic diseases of the kidney and liver, as well as rabies. Your dog will have other signs along with drooling, but it’s best to speak with a veterinarian about your concerns.
If you witness any blood in saliva, seizures, changes in behavior, or thicker saliva in your dog’s drool, talk to your veterinarian immediately.
If you suspect your dog is drooling more than normal or want to learn more, call us at 732-677-2180 for an appointment. Our staff at True Care Veterinary Hospital are here to take care of your pet.