Excessive Drooling In Dogs: 7 Warning Signs And Care Tips

Spotting abnormal saliva flow early uncovers problems before they escalate.

By Anjali Sayee

Created on Aug 29, 2025

Spotting abnormal saliva flow early uncovers problems before they escalate.

Excessive Drooling in Dogs: Causes, Concerns, and When to Seek Help

For many dog owners, a little slobber is a normal part of their petâs daily life. However, when drooling becomes excessive, persistent, or is linked to other symptoms, it can be a sign of underlying health issues or even a veterinary emergency. This article explores the common and serious causes of excessive drooling in dogs, how to distinguish between harmless dribble and concerning symptoms, and what actions owners should take to keep their canine companions healthy.

What Is Normal Drooling in Dogs?

Drooling, also known as ptyalism, is the production and excretion of saliva beyond whatâs typically expected for a specific dog.

Breed Variations: Some breedsâlike Saint Bernards, Mastiffs, and Bloodhoundsâhave loose lips and excess facial skin, naturally causing them to drool more than others. Their anatomy traps saliva, which collects and drips, especially after eating or drinking.
Salivaâs Role: Saliva helps lubricate the mouth, aids digestion, and plays a role in dental health.
Food Anticipation: Even non-drooly breeds may drool at the sight or smell of food, due to the natural anticipation of eating.
Normal Triggers: Excitement, exertion, or certain medications can also increase normal saliva flow for short periods.

Brief, mild increases in drooling are typically no cause for concern if your dog otherwise appears healthy and happy.

When Is Dog Drooling a Cause for Concern?

However, excessive, sudden, or persistent drooling outside of whatâs normal for your dog can signal medical issues, pain, or toxin exposure. Dogs rarely drool without a reason: understanding the root cause is critical to safeguarding their health.

Significant Increase: If your dog is producing much more saliva than usual, especially leaving puddles or soaking their bedding, something may be wrong.
Changes in Appearance: Thick, ropey, or discolored saliva (yellow, green, or blood-tinged) can indicate infection, injury, or internal problems.
Accompanying Symptoms: When drooling is associated with behavioral or physical changes (e.g., pawing at the mouth, swelling, lethargy), urgent evaluation is often necessary.
Persistent Drooling: If the drooling lasts for hours or recurs frequently without a clear trigger, seek veterinary advice.

Main Causes of Excessive Drooling in Dogs

Excessive drooling can range from harmless (breed-related or momentary anticipation) to medical emergencies. Below are the most common categories and examples:

1. Dental Disease and Oral Problems

Periodontal Disease: Gum infections, tartar, and tooth decay commonly cause oral pain and excessive drooling.
Mouth Injuries: Cuts, burns, chewing on sharp objects, or trauma to the tongue, lips, or gums increase saliva.
Oral Tumors: Growths in the mouth, whether benign or malignant, may disrupt normal swallowing and cause drooling.
Foreign Bodies: Sticks, bones, or toys lodged in the mouth or between teeth often result in drooling and pawing at the face.
Mouth Ulcers or Infections: Bacterial or viral infections of oral tissues increase discomfort and salivation.

2. Nausea and Gastrointestinal Issues

Motion Sickness: Car rides or unusual movement can trigger nausea and drooling.
Digestive Upset: Eating something that doesnât agree with your dog can cause nausea, vomiting, or lip-smacking before drooling starts.
Serious Conditions: Diseases such as gastrointestinal obstruction or gastric dilation-volvulus (GDV/bloat) are emergencies marked by excessive drool, abdominal discomfort, and retching.

3. Toxins and Poisoning

Exposure to Toxins: Contact with certain chemicals, plants, household cleaners, or ingestion of unsuitable foods (e.g., chocolate, xylitol) disrupt salivation pathways and may be accompanied by vomiting, diarrhea, shaking, or seizures.
Medication Side Effects: Some drugs cause drooling as a reaction or allergy.

4. Stress and Anxiety

Stress Responses: Dogs may drool excessively when stressed, frightened, or anxiousâespecially during thunderstorms, fireworks, or separation from owners.
Behavior Changes: Look for other signs of anxiety such as lip licking, panting, whimpering, or hiding.

5. Allergic Reactions

Facial Swelling and Hives: Allergies to bites, stings, or food can cause rapid swelling of the face and mouth with drooling.
Anaphylaxis: A severe, life-threatening reaction includes difficulty breathing, swelling, collapse, and must be treated as an emergency.

6. Neurological Conditions

Nerve Disorders: Issues like facial nerve paralysis, botulism, or other neuromuscular diseases may hinder normal swallowing, causing saliva to pool in the mouth.

7. Infections

Mouth, Sinus, or Throat Infections: Local inflammation or infection makes swallowing painful and increases drooling.
Systemic Infections: Illnesses causing fever, lethargy, or widespread pain often amplify salivation.

Cause	Key Signs	Emergency?
Dental Disease / Oral Issues	Bad breath, pawing at mouth, swelling	Sometimes
Foreign Object	Pawing, distress, bleeding	Often
Nausea / GI Problems	Vomiting, loss of appetite	Sometimes
Toxin Ingestion / Poison	Vomiting, twitching, shaking	Yes
Heatstroke	Panting, collapse, high fever	Yes
Allergic Reaction	Facial swelling, hives	Yes
Neurological Disorders	Facial droop, difficulty swallowing	Sometimes
Stress / Anxiety	Pacing, whining, panting	No

Seven Signs You Need to Seek Immediate Veterinary Care

Not all drooling requires an ER visit. But prompt action is critical if you notice these signs:

Sudden increase in saliva volume: Dog leaves wet trails or puddles where they rest.
Saliva is thick, ropey, or discolored: Can appear white-tinged, yellow, green, or blood-stained.
Changes in behavior: Reluctance to eat, pawing at the mouth, head shaking, or new aggression when touched.
Physical symptoms: Swelling around face/neck, visible abnormalities, holding mouth open, or foul breath.
Other body symptoms: Lethargy, loss of appetite, vomiting, diarrhea, breathing difficulty, or visible pain.
Drooling occurs after potential toxin/exposure, or with specific timing: Such as following heat, car rides (motion sickness), or unusual ingestion.
Drooling persists for more than a few hours or keeps recurring: Especially if you canât identify a non-threatening cause like food anticipation.

Conditions That May Require Emergency Attention

The following situations require prompt veterinary evaluationâcall or visit your vet or a 24-hour animal emergency clinic if you notice:

Drooling combined with breathing problems: Suggests respiratory compromise or choking.
Blood in saliva: Indicates oral trauma, dental disease, or internal bleeding.
Pawing at mouth with drool: Could signal a stuck object or painful injury/ulcer.
Drooling with facial swelling/hives: Allergy or anaphylaxis risk.
Drooling with vomiting/retching: Possible poisoning, bloating (GDV), or obstruction.
Excess drool with collapse or weakness: Potential for shock or serious metabolic/neurological issue.
Drooling with clear signs of pain or distress: Whining, pacing, or abnormal posture may highlight serious pain or injury.

Special Note: Breeds Prone to Slobbering

Some breeds are simply genetically predisposed to drooling. For these dogs, a bit (or a lot) of extra saliva is normal and not usually harmful unless thereâs a change in pattern or amount.

Common “drooly” breeds: Saint Bernard, Mastiff, Bloodhound, Newfoundland, Boxer.
Breed-related tips: Use handkerchiefs or drool bibs, keep absorbent cloths nearby, and regularly wipe your dogâs face after eating, drinking, or outdoor play.

Home Care: Managing Everyday Drool

For non-emergency, breed-related, or short-lived increases in slobber:

Wipe your dog’s muzzle and lips regularly with a soft, clean cloth.
Keep a drool rag or towel on hand near food and water bowls.
Ensure their eating and watering spots are easy to clean.
Check your dog’s mouth periodically for stuck food or debris.
Avoid exposure to known triggers (stress, car rides, unfamiliar foods) if possible.

Veterinary Evaluation and Diagnosis

If you suspect your dog’s drooling is abnormal, your veterinarian will perform a physical examination and may recommend:

Thorough oral check for injuries, masses, tumors, and stuck objects.
Dental assessment and cleaning if periodontal disease is found.
Imaging (X-ray, ultrasound) for abdominal or chest issues.
Blood tests to rule out metabolic or systemic problems.
Investigation of toxin exposure or allergic reactions.

Treatment depends on the causeâanything from dental cleaning and antibiotics for infection, to surgery for tumors or removal of foreign bodies, to intensive care for poisoning or allergic emergencies.

How to Prevent Medical Causes of Drooling

Practice routine dental care: Brush teeth, provide dental chews, and schedule veterinary cleanings.
Keep hazardous substances and plants out of reach.
Supervise chewing with toys and treats; avoid bones and objects that can splinter or get stuck.
Minimize stress with training, positive reinforcement, and use of comforting aids during known triggers (e.g., thunder or fireworks).

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

Q: Why do some dogs drool more than others?

A: Breeds with loose lips and extra facial skin, like Mastiffs or Saint Bernards, are prone to normal drooling due to their physical anatomy. However, increased or abnormal drooling in any breed can indicate health issues and should be monitored.

Q: When should I be worried about my dog’s drooling?

A: Be concerned if the drooling is sudden, excessive, discolored, persists longer than usual, or comes with symptoms like vomiting, swelling, behavioral changes, trouble breathing, or visible pain. These may require prompt veterinary assessment.

Q: Can stress or excitement make my dog drool?

A: Yes. Temporary increases in drool can result from excitement, anxiety, stress during travel, thunderstorms, or new situations. If these symptoms occur frequently or intensify, consult your veterinarian for advice.

Q: What should I do if my dog eats something toxic and starts drooling?

A: Seek immediate veterinary attention. Bring information about what your dog ingested and how much. Toxin-induced drooling can be life-threatening and requires rapid intervention.

Q: How can I keep my drooly dog’s face clean?

A: Use a clean, soft cloth or handkerchief to gently wipe the lips and muzzle frequently, especially after eating or drinking. Some owners use dog-safe bibs or bandanas to help absorb saliva and protect furniture and floors.

Summary

While a little slobber comes with the territory for many dogs, recognizing the difference between harmless and harmful drooling is vital for their ongoing health. Monitoring your dogâs normal habits, providing regular oral hygiene, and acting quickly on sudden changes ensures your four-legged friends stay happy, healthy, and drool (mostly) for the right reasons.

References

Author

Anjali Sayee

Anjali is an Associate Editor at StyleCraze with 7 years of experience specializing in hairstyles, hair care, and skin care. She has authored over 300 articles and offers expert advice on hair styling techniques, effective skin care routines, and tips for maintaining healthy hair and skin.

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