You\u2019ve probably seen those slow-motion videos where a dog shakes their head and wads of drool fly off everywhere. They\u2019re funny to watch, but not so funny when you\u2019re on the receiving end!<\/p>\n
For some dogs, a never-ending string of drool dripping from their mouth is just part of who they are. But for others, it can be a sign of a medical condition and possibly one that\u2019s life-threatening.<\/p>\n
Drool is just saliva dripping out of a dog\u2019s mouth. Saliva helps moisten and lubricate food so that dogs can swallow it easily. Unlike human saliva, canine saliva doesn\u2019t contain an enzyme (amylase) that begins to break down carbohydrates in food into sugars. And despite the myth, a dog\u2019s mouth is not cleaner than ours<\/a>.<\/p>\n All dogs drool sometimes, especially when they\u2019re about to eat something scrumptious (like pet food from Diamond<\/a>!) or they smell a scintillating scent. If you\u2019ve been eating a delicious meal in front of your dog, you\u2019ve probably noticed a puddle of drool next to you \u2014 or on you!<\/p>\n There are some dog breeds that are famous for their drool strings. If you own a Newfoundland, Saint Bernard, mastiff, bulldog or any breed of hound, you\u2019re probably an expert at wiping up drool. These breeds (and some others) typically have loose skin around their mouths where saliva collects and then drips out. Pet parents of these dogs may keep a \u201cdrool rag\u201d handy to wipe their dog\u2019s mouth and stop the drool from covering their floor, furniture, walls and every other surface of their house. A bandana or bib around your dog\u2019s neck can also be useful to catch drool drips.<\/p>\n If your dog doesn\u2019t usually drool, or if the amount they\u2019re drooling has increased, it could be a sign that something\u2019s up. Sometimes it\u2019s a behavioral issue, like when they\u2019re nervous or anxious about something (e.g., when you \u201cveterinarian\u201d). However, there are also medical conditions that can cause excess saliva production (hypersalivation), ranging from something mild, like an upset tummy, to a life-threatening condition like toxin ingestion. Here are some medical conditions that can cause dogs to drool.<\/p>\n If your dog doesn\u2019t usually drool but is now drooling all the time, or the amount of drool they\u2019re producing has greatly increased, contact your veterinarian. You should also look for other signs of illness, including vomiting, diarrhea, changes to their eating and drinking habits, behavioral changes or any other signs that aren\u2019t normal for your dog. Identifying those symptoms can help your veterinarian make a diagnosis and find a reason for your dog\u2019s increased drooling.<\/p>\n <\/p>\n All dogs drool. So even if you don\u2019t have one of the breeds we listed above, at some point you\u2019re going to see some drool. Remember that if your dog suddenly starts producing a lot of saliva, make sure you contact your veterinarian. That way they can rule out a medical reason for the change.<\/p>\n <\/p>\nDrooling Is in Some Dogs\u2019 DNA<\/h2>\n
Drooling Can Be a Sign of Illness<\/h2>\n
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\nIf there is a possibility that your pet has consumed, inhaled, licked or otherwise been exposed to something toxic, immediately call your veterinarian, an after-hours emergency clinic, or one of the two animal poison control centers in North America:<\/p>\n\n
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When to Call the Veterinarian About Your Drooling Dog<\/h2>\n