When it comes to a drooling dog, certain breeds seem to be more likely to drool copious amounts while others barely drool at all. Drool may disgust your guests, stain your sofa or simply leave slobber marks on your carpets. Discover six tips that help alleviate this troublesome issue.
Avoid Breeds that Drool
If you cannot stand the thought of a drooling dog, you should consider purchasing a breed lacking a large, droopy muzzle. Dogs with excessive skin around their lips and muzzle do drool more because saliva and water collect in the pockets. When they shake their head, drool flies.
Breeds notorious for their drooling issues include:
- Bassett Hounds
- Bloodhounds
- Boxers
- Clumber Spaniels
- Great Danes
- Great Pyrenees
- Mastiffs
- Newfoundlands
- Saint Bernards
If your favorite dog is here, ease drooling by keeping a cloth around. Learn to wipe the muzzle after the dog eats and drinks. This will not eliminate slobber from a drooling dog, but it will keep the spread of saliva to a minimum.
Oral Causes
Gum disease or broken, infected teeth cause the majority of dog drool issues. If you have a drooling dog, especially one that has not drooled before, examine his/her mouth. Yellowish-brown plaque, red gums and obvious fractures to the teeth irritate a dog's mouth causing the excessive amount of saliva.
Dogs like to chew things. A splinter of wood, rock chip or even a piece of grass stuck in the gum lead to excessive slobber. If you find anything, carefully remove it and then brush the teeth and gums to remove any bacteria.
If you believe an oral problem is causing your dog's drooling issue, make an appointment to see your vet. Vets handle root canals, cleanings and even crowns. Once you solve your dog's tooth issue, the drooling will stop.
Digestive Problems
Sometimes, the dog eats its food too fast taking in too much air. The rush of food and air causes the stomach to twist and no food moves into the intestine. Not every breed is susceptible to gastric torsion, also called dog bloat, but drooling and a hard stomach are key signs of this ailment.
Drooling and Illness
Advanced liver disease, epilepsy, heat stroke, rabies and Masticatory Muscle Myositis cause excessive drooling. When you have ruled out oral problems, have your pet tested for these illnesses. Immediate care is the best way to help your dog.
Poisons and Allergic Reactions
If you have a drooling dog, check for spider bites and bee stings. Insect bites frequently occur on a dog's muzzle. Their drool may be related to swelling from a bite or sting.
Ingested poisons also cause drooling issues. Never leave your dog unattended while outside. Common poisons like antifreeze and chocolate can kill. Training your dog to only eat things you hand him/her prevents the possibility of poisoning.
Quarantine while Feeding
Some dogs simply drool a lot after eating and drinking water. If you have a drooling dog and the problem is most apparent after the dog drinks, consider putting his/her water dish in a separate room. Close the door and allow half an hour to pass before letting the dog back out. By the time the dog roams the house, the drool from water intake is no longer an issue.