There is Drool on My Floor!
We all drool. Just imagine that one time when you (who is really, really hungry) were about to have a huge Thanksgiving feast. Your mouth would probably be watering even just at the thought of it.
Our dogs are no different! However, when there is excessive drooling, then this may indicate an underlying issue. With that said, let’s take a bite out of this mystery!
Why do we drool?
You are probably seeing a pattern here… I love talking about the topic’s background before really digging into it because not only do I get to learn more about this topic, but you as well. It’s a win-win!
Back on track. Why do we drool? Drooling is actually an adaptation that organisms acquired to help prepare us for eating. Saliva consists of 99% water with the remaining 1% containing uric acid, electrolytes, mucus-forming proteins, cholesterol, and digestive enzymes. Saliva also helps to neutralize acids in many foods and fluids organisms ingest, preventing them from damaging teeth and tissues. So theoretically by producing an excess amount of saliva, we can infer that drooling when seeing food isn’t just a coincidence, it is an adaptation we developed to help prepare our body for eating!
Is drooling abnormal?
It is not abnormal to see your pup drool once in a while. Situations that can cause your dog to drool is when they are anticipating a meal (shown in Pavlov’s famous bell experiments), fearful, and also when they are hot by the process of evaporative cooling!
But there are times when drooling is not normal. If you see your pooch drooling constantly, that can raise some concern. Below, I listed some conditions that your pup might be suffering from as well as other factors if they are experiencing excessive drooling.
(Note: Before I mention the possible conditions that could cause your pup to be drooling excessively, I would like to make a disclaimer that the information contained here is not meant to self diagnose your dog. Always consult your veterinarian for the best treatment! Thank you. ^^)
Factors Causing Abnormal Drooling (Part I)
If your pup has mouth and/or throat issues that prevents them from swallowing normally, it can lead to drooling. This could be due to a fractured tooth or tumors inside the mouth, esophagus, and/or throat. Dental debris, if causing an infection, can too lead to drooling. You can prevent this by practicing oral hygiene on your pup two times a day (I actually went over this in one of my other blogs which gives steps on how to train your kitten with becoming familiar with brushing Brushing your Cat’s Teeth. Even though it is a blog for cats, I believe the same training steps can be taken with dogs as well)!
Factors Causing Abnormal Drooling (Part II)
But what if there is nothing wrong with your pup’s mouth and throat? Then the drooling could be caused by your pup having an upset stomach. For example, motion sickness is a common cause of nausea which is why many dogs drool in the car. If this is the case, the drooling should stop after the cause comes to a halt. But if your pup ate something he/she should not have such as a toy and toxic substances that can lead to drooling as well. If you think there is a foreign body in your dog, take him/her to the veterinarian right away as this can become a potentially serious problem.
Factors Causing Abnormal Drooling (Part III)
More serious factors such as heat stroke, seizures, nose/throat/sinus infections, neuromuscular conditions, kidney disease, liver disease, bloating, inflamed/abscessed salivary glands, and rabies can contribute to excessive and abnormal drooling. If you think your pup suffers from any of the listed above conditions, always pay attention to any changes in your dog’s behavior and appetite. If he/she is having neurological symptoms such as seizures and difficulty standing, throwing up saliva, and having foul smelling/thicker/blood in the saliva, contact your veterinarian immediately. In some cases, drooling can be an overlooked symptom and can be life threatening.
Typical Drooling
If your pup has recently taken or is on medications, certain drugs when administered leave a bad taste in the mouth which can surprisingly lead to drooling. Even eye drops can be the culprit (rarely)!
One other factor that can be causing excessive drooling is if you decided to adopt a large or giant breed of dog with floppy lips. If you did, then drooling is going to be a regular occurrence due to the folds of the lips being thick and droopy, resulting in saliva pooling in the folds and hitting the floor. But if your pooch is slobbering significantly when he/she never had a history of doing so before, this is a good reason to schedule a visit to the vet.
How can I control the drooling?
If your pup is drooling excessively, a good solution to prevent the drool from dripping on your floor and furniture is to keep a drool rag handy. Keeping a cloth with you makes it easy to regularly wipe your pup’s muzzle. Make sure to do so whenever he/she eats or drinks. You can also tie a handkerchief around your pup’s neck so it can help absorb the slobber (make sure it’s not too tight or causing discomfort).
I hope you found this blog helpful. I know that a dog’s excessive drooling can be an unpleasant experience because I remember one of my aunt’s dog was a slobber as well! Still love her though. ^^
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And before we say goodbye, the reason why I wrote this blog a day late is because I would like to honor the victims and the heroes of 9/11. And even though at the time, some of us didn’t exist yet, that doesn’t mean that we can’t honor them. So let’s take a moment of silence…
20 years ago we were subjected to the 9/11 terrorist attack which targeted America’s symbols of power, expected to become weaker. But instead we did the opposite. We unified and became stronger. Let’s do the same what we did 20 years ago but extending this sense of unification with other countries. Let’s unify against the common enemy: the coronavirus.
Citations:
[1] “5 Essential Benefits of Saliva.” Your Dentistry Guide, 15 Nov. 2017, www.yourdentistryguide.com/ss-saliva/.
[2] Ashe, Catherine, et al. “Dog Drooling: The Juicy Truth about Why Dogs Slobber.” Whole Dog Journal, 21 Aug. 2020, www.whole-dog-journal.com/behavior/dog-drooling-the-juicy-truth-about-why-dogs-slobber/.
[3] “Fun Saliva Facts You Probably Don't Know: St. Louis.” Smile On Dental Studio, 10 Dec. 2020, www.smileonstl.com/blog/interesting-facts-about-saliva/#:~:text=Saliva%20is%20Made%20Of%20Mostly,%2Dforming%20proteins%2C%20and%20cholesterol.
[4] Stephanie Gibeault, MSc. “Is Your Dog's Drool Cool? When It's Natural and When You Should Worry.” American Kennel Club, American Kennel Club, 25 May 2021, www.akc.org/expert-advice/health/why-do-dogs-drool/.
[5] Wag! “How to Prevent Your Dog from Drooling.” WagWalking, Wag!, 21 July 2021, wagwalking.com/wellness/how-to-prevent-your-dog-from-drooling.