Is Your Dog Drooling Excessively

Saliva production is a normal response to stimulation. It lubricates the mouth, helps to prevent tooth decay and gum disease, and breaks down food for digestion. However excessive drooling caused by too much saliva in the mouth is not normal and can be a sign of a serious condition. Some breeds drool more than others, like a Boxer or a Bloodhound, but you know what is typical for your dogs. If you feel as if your dog is drooling excessively, there are some reasons why this could be occurring: Dogs tend to drool more in the summer when they are overheated In the summer, sudden drooling may be a sign of heatstroke. If temperatures are high, and your dog is panting and appears fatigued, get her into the shade or air conditioning immediately, as well as offer her a cool drink of water. If the drooling doesn’t stop, make sure to call your vet immediately. Stress, anxiety or even excitement can cause excessive drooling in dogs If your dog is anxious about something or if anything different has occurred in your home, drooling can also be the outcome. If this is the case, look for other signs, such as bad breath, fever, changes in appetite, changes in behavior or anything else can cause your dog to drool. A dog can also drool when seeing a puppy or another dog as a sign of excitement. Drooling can be caused by something in your dog’s mouth that doesn’t belong there Drooling can be caused by anything that doesn’t belong in your dog’s mouth, such as wood splinters, fish hooks, bone fragments, or bits of plant matter or fabric. These could be embedded in your dog’s gums or tongue or wedged between her teeth or across the roof of her mouth. If you see something foreign and can remove the object on your own, try to do so. But, make sure this won’t make matters worse. Otherwise, take your dog to the vet immediately. A small cut in your dog’s mouth can cause excessive drooling Sometimes a hairline crack at the border of the gums can extend into the root and cause your dog pain and salivation. You might see some blood. Since the area inside a dog’s mouth is loaded with blood vessels, injuries there bleed a lot. For the same reason, small cuts, scratches, and even ulcerations in the mouth often heal quickly without you doing a thing. Liver and kidney diseases can cause excessive drooling Liver and kidney diseases, for example, can cause drooling. As they age, dogs are more likely to get sick. If you keep up with your annual vet visits, this should and will be addressed if there is an issue. If your dog is having dental issues, it could cause drooling Areas of red, sensitive gum tissue, often with tartar accumulation and parts of the tooth roots exposed, with or without pus indicates gingivitis, which is a common symptom of dental disease. If you discover any fractured teeth, your dog is probably going to need some veterinary attention. Only the simplest cracks and breaks, right near the tip of the tooth and not exposing any of the pulp cavity, can safely be left untreated. Plant consumption can cause excessive drooling Certain types of plants can be poisonous to dogs and cause excessive drooling as well as other problems. Common plants that are poisonous to dogs include chrysanthemums, tulips, and azaleas. You’re the best judge of your dog’s behavior. If your dog is drooling more than usual or acting strange for more than a day, make sure to make an appointment with your vet.