Drooling in dogs
What to do
Causes
When to worry
Prevention
Diagnosis
Home treatment
Vet treatment
Risk
Drooling in dogs
Excessive drooling in dogs can have many causes. In general terms, the more sudden and intense it is, the more concerning it becomes. If your dog has a sudden onset of excessive drooling, it is best to speak to a vet straight away, especially if there is a chance they may have come into contact with something poisonous. If your dog also has laboured breathing, the situation could be life-threatening, and you should see a vet immediately.
Drooling is normal in some situations and for some breeds. However, changes in how much a dog drools are usually due to a problem. This can range from stress, nausea or pain to poisoning or having something stuck in their mouth. Often there will be other symptoms that may point to the cause, such as pawing at the mouth or vomiting. Most causes of excessive drooling will require veterinary attention, but the urgency will vary greatly.
What to do if my dog is drooling excessively
If the excessive drooling just started, try to see if their breathing has changed.
Are their chest and tummy moving more than normal?
Are there unusual noises when they breathe?
Are they taking more than 30 breaths per minute?
Do their gums look pale or blue?
Is their tummy swollen or bloated?
Is there anything abnormal inside their mouth? Be careful when checking, if distressed or in pain, they may act out of character and bite.
If you have any concerns about their breathing or bloat, speak to a vet straight away.
If the breathing is normal, consider:
Could they have been exposed to a poison?
Have they been chewing sticks or bones?
Are there other symptoms, such as vomiting, tummy pain or lack of coordination?
If there are other concerns or you’re not sure it is best to call a vet for further advice.
Even mild, occasional drooling can be a sign of an underlying disease. Even if everything else seems normal, consider a check-up at the vet if you’ve noticed increased drooling.
Common causes of excessive drooling in dogs
Motion sickness
Injuries to the inside of the mouth
Foreign objects or lumps in the mouth or throat
Dental disease
Many types of poisons, such as herbicides, blue-green algae, plants, toads or even large amounts of chocolate
Caustic or irritant substances, such as concentrated detergents or the liquid inside batteries
When to worry about drooling in dogs
Take your dog to an emergency vet straight away if, alongside the drooling, you notice:
Gums or tongue look blue, purple or pale
Something obstructing the airway that cannot be safely removed
Your dog is breathing with the mouth open, neck extended, front limbs spread apart and cannot lie down or settle
Their abdomen looks swollen or bloated
They seem disoriented or unaware of their surroundings
They are collapsed or are unable to stand
Speak to a vet straight away if:
Breathing seems laboured or sounds abnormal
Your dog is distressed or acting out of character
There is blood or a bad smell in the drool
There is swelling around their face, mouth or throat
There are multiple episodes of vomiting or severe diarrhoea
Things to look out for
Very excessive drooling is usually quite obvious, but in more chronic cases you may instead notice:
Wet patches on their chin, neck or inside of front legs
Wet patches on their bed or where they rest
Dermatitis or sores around the corners of their lips
Changes in the way they eat their food
More frequent or obvious swallowing movements
Prevention tips for drooling in dogs
Monitor your dog carefully during walks to ensure they don’t eat things they shouldn’t
Do not leave medications or potentially dangerous products within the reach of children or pets
Do not let your dog play with objects that could get stuck in their mouth/throat or could splinter and injure them
Routine dental care and a healthy diet may prevent or reduce dental disease
Diagnosis of drooling in dogs
Diagnosis of excessive drooling usually starts with a full physical examination, with particular attention paid to the mouth and throat. Sometimes a detailed examination of these areas may require sedation or anaesthesia. Depending on the findings of the examination, further tests may be necessary:
Dental x-rays
Neck, chest or abdominal x-rays
Home remedies for excessive drooling in dogs
Most cases of excessive drooling will require veterinary treatment, especially when it is severe and develops rapidly.
If you think your dog has come into contact with something caustic or irritant, contact a vet straight away and try rinsing their mouth with water if you can do this safely. Be very careful not to point any water stream towards their throat to prevent choking.
When associated with vomiting or a tummy upset, a bland diet may help. Please see more information in the article vomiting in dogs.
Preventative dental care is very important in avoiding and managing dental disease. However, when symptoms such as drooling develop, vet treatment is usually needed.
If your dog suffers from motion sickness, medication is available to prevent this and make travelling much more comfortable for them.
Vet treatment for excessive drooling in dogs
Because there are many possible causes for excessive drooling, treatment may vary:
Suspected poisoning cases will need to be seen straight away to prevent further absorption of the poison and to manage other symptoms
Any foreign objects will need to be removed as soon as possible to prevent further problems. Mouth injuries may need to be cleaned and treated with prescription medication
Heat stroke requires active cooling and detailed assessment of potential complications
Nausea and vomiting can be treated with injections and a bland diet
Lumps or masses will likely need to be tested to determine if they are serious
Dental disease will likely require a full assessment under anaesthesia. Treatment may require the extraction of diseased teeth
Is my dog at higher risk for drooling?
Some breeds of dogs have lips and mouths that are shaped in a way that causes drool to easily escape, even when it’s not excessive. Common examples are St Bernards, Newfoundland, Bloodhound, Bulldog and Bernese Mountain Dog.
Dogs that scavenge and have a tendency to eat everything are more likely to expose themselves to poisons or irritants
Dogs that play with sticks, eat bones or stones are more likely to injure their mouth and teeth
Other causes of excessive drooling in dogs
Problems with the facial nerve
Disease of the salivary glands
Side effects of some medications
Viral diseases like distemper
Adder bites
