Dog Excessively Drooling: Causes and How to Help

Do you have a drooly dog? Is something causing your dog to drool so much, or is this normal for them? Pet owners often worry about their dogs’ drooling behavior, and if you’re concerned about your pet, you’re not alone.

Thankfully, drooling is often normal or a sign of a mild problem. However, there are some situations in which your dog’s drooling may signify a more serious problem. In the article below, we’ll help you learn more about some of the most common causes of dog drooling and what you can do to help.

Breed-Specific Drooling

Perhaps the most recognizable cause of canine drooling is based on the dog’s breed or breed mixture. Many breeds—typically larger to giant breeds—are known for drooling excessively all or most of the time. If your dog is related to one of these breeds and is a significant drooler all the time, you don’t have anything to be worried over.

If your dog’s drooling has suddenly increased or seems to be related to specific instances, however, then it may not be a breed-related drooling issue. Breed-specific drooling usually remains consistent with only small fluctuations based on the dog’s activity.

Drooling over Smells

Some dogs are much more prone to drooling over smells than other dogs, but every dog has the potential to experience this type of drooling. Drooling because something smells good is perfectly normal and is nothing to worry about.

Likewise, if your dog smells other dogs—such as sniffing them in-person or smelling where they’ve recently done their business outside—this may cause them to drool significantly for a few minutes as well. This response simply means they are trying to absorb as much of the other dogs’ smells as possible. Once again, this is completely normal and is not a cause for concern.

Drooling Due to Allergies

Although slightly less common than the other potential causes of drooling on this list, some dogs may drool excessively from allergies. Seasonal and food allergies both may cause your dog to feel nauseated, which may, in turn, contribute to excessive production of drool.

If your dog suffers from seasonal allergies and has a stuffy nose, this symptom may also lead to excessive drooling. Luckily, allergies are easy to treat in dogs when you work with a trusted vet, and your dog may simply need some allergy medication or a different type of food to deal with the problem.

Drooling from a Dental Issue

Dental problems are another leading cause of drooling in dogs. Although dental issues tend to affect adult and senior dogs, they can occur in dogs of any age. These types of issues may include anything ranging from an abscess on the gums to a broken tooth and more.

Many dental issues are mild to moderate and can be handled by a trip to the vet. However, in some instances, dental tumors and significant dental disease may occur. These problems may be serious and could require surgery for your vet to treat fully. Keep up with your dog’s dental health needs to prevent this risk.

Drooling from a Nasal Issue

Dogs may experience various problems with their nasal passages that can contribute to drooling. Even a slight injury like a cut in the nose may cause dogs to drool significantly, depending on the location of the cut.

Sometimes, nasal issues can be more serious. If your dog suffers a broken nose or is experiencing a nasal tumor, these are both more serious problems that may contribute to excessive drooling. It is also possible for dogs to sniff foreign objects up into their noses, which can cause sudden-onset extreme drooling. Only your vet can tell you for sure what’s going on with your dog’s nose.

Drooling from Heatstroke

Heatstroke is one of the most serious causes of excessive drooling in dogs. If a dog suffers even early-stage heatstroke, they may drool considerably more than is normal for them.

Other symptoms of heatstroke to look out for include excessive panting, weakness, collapse, loss of consciousness, and seizure. If you suspect your dog is experiencing heatstroke, this should be treated as an emergency situation. Take your dog to the emergency vet without waiting.

Dog Drooling is Normal in Some Cases

Now that you’ve had a chance to read through this information, you may have a better idea of the potential causes of your dog’s excessive drooling. In many cases, drooling is nothing to worry about or can be resolved with a quick trip to the vet. However, it’s important to learn how to recognize signs of more serious drooling, too.

If you have any further questions or concerns about your pet’s health, call or book an appointment online with your Heart + Paw veterinarian. Your vet can give you specific information and instructions regarding your individual dog based on their health history and will work with you to make the right decisions for your pet. Heart + Paw has many locations to provide your dog with the best service and care.