What To Do When A Dog Drools A Lot?
Some breeds, such as the boxer and pit bull, are known for their great “ability” to produce saliva. If your dog drools a lot, it may be due to a characteristic of his breed, but also to an infection, illness or health problem.
In this article, we’ll show you the possible causes and what to do about this situation.
Why does my dog drool a lot?
This is perhaps one of the most common questions veterinarians receive when a boxer, basset hound, or Great Dane arrives at the office. It is not so common for this to happen with other breeds as a physical characteristic, but due to some oral problems.
As a first step, it is necessary to know what are the reasons why a dog drools. In this way, we will know how to avoid, treat or reduce the problem.
1. A foreign object in the mouth
If after going to the park you notice that your dog starts drooling more than usual, it may be because he has an object embedded in his gums or between his teeth, such as a piece of tree branch or some small rock.
Also pay attention if you give him bones to eat, as they can chip and stick to the palate or anywhere else in the mouth.
Perhaps, at first glance, this foreign object is not detected, although you can see blood in the area and realize that this is the reason for the increased production of drool: the body is reacting to eliminate this foreign object.
2. Oral diseases
When a dog drools, the main causes include oral problems such as a broken tooth, plaque or tartar formation, gingivitis (inflammation of the gums), etc.
Be very careful as it could also be due to something more serious, such as a tumor in the mouth. Oral melanomas first appear as a dark spot that increases in size and must be treated to prevent metastases.
3. Allergies
Without knowing it, your dog may be allergic to certain plants, flowers or even pollen. If after a day in the field your pet starts drooling, it could be due to a temporary allergy.
In addition, excessive drooling can result from ingesting some dangerous or toxic substance, such as herbicides, detergents, cleaning products or rodent poisons.
In this case, in addition to the drool, the animal will produce a white foam and suffer from other symptoms, such as tremors, pain, loss of consciousness or lack of coordination.
4. Heat or hunger
These are the two main reasons a dog drools excessively. When the temperature is too high, the animal tries to reduce the heat in its body and, as it doesn’t sweat (as we humans do), wheezing and saliva production are its tools to cool off.
What to do with a dog that drools a lot?
Once you’ve determined the reason for or ruled out the causes of excess drooling, it’s time to act accordingly. If your pet belongs to a drooling-prone breed (such as the Saint Humberto dog, the French mastiff, or the Bernese cattle breeder), all you can do is place cloths or towels in the areas he frequents.
You can also inspect the animal’s mouth for foreign objects, and if you find them, try removing them with tweezers. However, if you notice that you are deeply ingrained or that the problem is a broken tooth or something more serious, take it to the vet immediately.
You should do the same if drooling is accompanied by other symptoms, such as foaming in the mouth.
