Can Dogs Drool Too Much?

Drool is normal for dogs, but have you ever wondered if it’s a bit too much? Excessive drooling is a thing, and it can have different causes. The good thing is that it is easily treatable in most cases.

Why do dogs drool?

Some dog drools are naturally slobbery, like pit bulls, and other giant breeds of dogs with prominent jowls with loose lower lips such as St. Bernard, Dogue de Bordeaux, Bloodhouse, Bullmastiff, Newfoundland, and Neapolitan. Other medium breeds like boxers, bulldogs, and basset hounds are also heavy droolers because of the anatomy of their lips which affects their ability to hold in food.

Dogs also have something known as the “Pavlovian response to anticipation of food” where they drool because they are hungry.

What causes excessive drooling?

Drooling is considered excessive when it’s not because of their lip anatomy. Here are the most popular causes of excessive drooling in dogs:

• Mouth and throat issues- This can be a variety of issues whether tooth decay, tartar buildup, oral ulcers, infections, tumors, or even an object stuck in the mouth, gum, or teeth which leads to enlargement or inflammation of the salivary gland or enlargement of the tonsils.
• Heatstroke- This causes excessive panting and results in excessive panting. Common signs of heatstroke include brick red gums, lethargy, and collapse.
• Motion sickness and car anxiety- Motion sickness or car anxiety can lead to excessive drooling. Common signs include whining, pacing, vomiting, licking of lips, or diarrhea which seems to suddenly disappear once your dog is out of the car.
• Nausea or stomach pain- This can also happen if your dog has something he/she shouldn’t or has a change in diet.
• Bloating- While bloating is harmless for humans, it is life-threatening for dogs and can cause so much pressure on the surrounding organs that it decreases blood flow and can put a dog into shock.
• Facial nerve paralysis- This is a rare cause that may result from ear infections, hypothyroidism, damage to the facial nerve, or tumors. This results in a lack of sensation or a lip that doesn’t move.
• Upper respiratory infections
• Organ disease- Older dogs are more susceptible to diseases that have symptoms such as excessive drooling.

How to stop excessive drooling

Treating or preventing excessive drooling has to do with determining the underlying cause. You may need the help of your vet to identify it so you can explore treatment options.