Mary Allen
In this article we will introduce you to the 7 most common causes of excessive salivation in dogs and show you what you can do about it.
In addition to heat, fear or dental problems, a foreign body, medication or poison can also be responsible for the increased salivation.
In a nutshell: Why is my dog dripping like a faucet?
If your dog is salivating and munching heavily, it may be warm, it may have swallowed a foreign object, or the salivating indicates possible dental problems. Excessive drooling, while disgusting and annoying, is rarely a cause for concern. Most of the time it is enough to calm the dog down or give him some water.
If the salivation coincides with other side effects, an illness or poisoning may also be present. Your vet can tell you more about this.
7 causes: where does the dog suddenly drool?
1. Heat
Some dog breeds start to drool a lot in the heat. Bulldogs, pugs and Pekingese in particular tend to salivate more when it’s hot.
If your dog drips from its mouth in summer, you should make sure that its mouth is wet. Give your darling enough water to drink and put him in the shade. In the worst case, he has heat stroke.
2. Foreign body
You noticed that your dog is dripping from its mouth. Then he or she may have just swallowed a foreign object. This can be a bone, a piece of wood or a bone.
Carefully check your animal’s mouth and look for the troublemaker. In an emergency, your trusted veterinarian can always take a look and remove the foreign body.
3. Poisoning
If your dog salivates heavily and smacks his lips, then poisoning can also be behind it. Maybe your dog discovered the cleaning product, nibbled on the plant, or swallowed poisoned bait on a walk. If he also vomits, trembles or has cramps, poisoning can be assumed.
If you suspect poisoning, you should consult a veterinarian as soon as possible.
Good to know:
Some plants or chocolate are toxic to dogs. They should be kept out of the reach of animals.
4. Dental problems
If your dog is dripping like a faucet, it could also be because of their teeth. Increased salivation in dogs can indicate dental problems. Dogs with dental problems produce more saliva. Other signs of dental problems in your dog would include:
- Red gums
- loss of appetite
- tooth discoloration
- aggressive behavior
- Sensitive to touch
- bad breath
If you suspect your dog has dental problems, it is advisable to consult a veterinarian as soon as possible.
Good to know:
Dogs do not indicate pain in the mouth and throat by howling.
5. Medication
Does your dog have increased salivation lately? Then it could also be because of his new medication. Some medications will cause your dog to salivate and drool more frequently.
6. Illness
Diseases can also be used as a cause for increased saliva production. Examples of possible illnesses are:
- liver problems
- Gastrointestinal complaints
- indigestion
- stomach pain
- Diseases of the esophagus
- tumors
- abscesses
The disease usually comes in conjunction with other side effects. A vet can tell you more about this.
7. Anxiety and/or stress
If your dog is salivating heavily and is restless, then fear or stress can be the cause. Many dogs tend to produce a lot of saliva, especially when driving.
If your animal salivates more in the car, it is an advantage to take away the fear of driving the four-legged friend. Get him used to the car carefully and take frequent breaks. Your furry friend will become calmer, more relaxed and therefore salivate less.
Does your dog even vomit in the car? Check out our article dog vomits while driving.
When do I have to go to the vet?
If your dog drools a lot, that’s not necessarily a job for the vet. Many dogs have a tendency to salivate from time to time.
The reasons for this are of various nature. They can be due to race, anxiety, dental problems, heat, or medication.
Only if the increased salivation occurs permanently or coincides with other symptoms, you should consult a veterinarian.
It could be a serious illness or poisoning. Worrying side effects would include:
- Vomit
- Tremble
- cramps
- loss of appetite
- unconsciousness
How can I support my dog?
Hardly any herb has grown against drooling and salivating in dogs. Behavior is an integral part of their nature. You can’t do much about it either.
For example, if your four-legged friend drools out of fear, you can try to calm him down and resolve the stressful situation.
If the saliva is due to an illness or poison, you should make an appointment with your vet immediately.
A veterinarian can also help you if you have a foreign body in your mouth.
Conclusion
Excessive salivation is not uncommon in dogs. It can indicate anxiety or stress, heat, poisoning or illness. As the owner, you should keep a close eye on your dog. Most of the time, giving him water or calming him down will do the trick.
If he continues to salivate heavily and is also exhibiting symptoms such as vomiting, tiredness, or loss of appetite, you should consult a veterinarian. He will take a closer look at your friend and take countermeasures.