Dear friends who have dogs, have you ever come across your own precious dog with a long drool hanging from the corner of his mouth, or found a puddle of it on the floor ‘small lake’? These seemingly amusing images may in fact hide a number of doorways and potential health secrets behind them. Today, I'd like to talk to you about the small details of excessive drooling in dogs, from the causes to the possible effects, to what we can do to deal with it.
Common Causes of Excessive Drooling in Dogs
Today, I'm going to share with you those common cause of excessive drooling in dogs as someone who has experienced it.
Physiological factors
When it comes to dog drooling, it's actually quite normal, just as we sometimes unconsciously secrete saliva. Especially when it sees food, it is a perfect display of physiological reaction.
Whenever I am ready to cook for him, he will be eagerly waiting at the kitchen door, with two bright eyes full of anticipation. As soon as I take out his favourite dog food or snacks, before I put them into the bowl, the corners of his mouth start to moisten, and then his saliva drips down one by one. When I look at him, I know he's ready for a big meal. Dogs drooling like this is actually to help digest the food, so that every bite can go smoothly into the stomach and be absorbed properly.
However, in the past, using those traditional dog bowls was really quite a headache, and if you were not careful, you would overflow and splash food all around your dog's mouth and on the floor. This is not only unhygienic, but sometimes it also affects the dog's mood to eat. Later, I bought a stainless steel spillage dog bowl for dogs, the effect is really much better.
This dog bowl is stainless steel, especially strong and durable, not afraid of the dog bite or paw raking. Cleaning is also particularly convenient, will not leave odours and bacteria, the dog's health is also more secure.
What's more, the shape and design of this dog bowl is also particularly in line with the dog's habits. The bottom of the bowl is very stable, not easy to be knocked over, the dog is not afraid to eat even if he is excited. The mouth of the bowl is also just the right size, so it won't get stuck in your dog's mouth, but also allows him to eat every bite of food easily.
Psychological factors
Psychological factors are also a major cause of drooling in dogs, and it's something that's often easy for us to overlook.
Take the matter of taking your dog to the veterinary clinic for example, every time you mention going to the hospital, your dog looks particularly nervous. His little eyes are full of anxiety, his body is trembling slightly, and even before he goes out, the corners of his mouth are already wet, and drops of drool slide down the corners of his mouth. I knew that this was a sign that it was drooling profusely because it was nervous. Although it's a little heartbreaking to watch, I also understand that it's a natural reaction of a dog when faced with the unknown or stress. Its increased salivation is probably to relieve the tension inside.
Besides tension, fear is also a psychological factor that causes dogs to salivate. I remember once, there was a strange guest in the house, the dog was curious at first, but not long after, it hid in the corner, the body shrunk into a ball, the mouth also made a ‘whimpering’ sound, accompanied by drooling. I know that this is the behaviour of a dog when it is afraid. It uses this way to protect itself and try to make itself look stronger to scare off potential threats.
Of course, drooling due to psychological factors is not all negative. Over-excitement can also lead to drooling when a dog meets a new friend or a new environment. For example, once I took my dog to the park to play, once it saw so many new friends and new toys, it was so excited that it kept ‘huffing’ and puffing, with crystal drool hanging from the corners of its mouth. Looking at his happy face, I knew that this was an outward expression of his inner joy and his curiosity and anticipation for new things.
Health issues
During my dog owning days, I slowly noticed that the whole dog drooling thing is sometimes not as simple as it seems. At first, I always thought that dogs drooled because they saw food or played too much. But as time went on, I realised that if my dog drooled a little too much, it could be a warning that something was wrong with his health.
I clearly remember a time when my dog suddenly started drooling so hard that the corners of his mouth got wet. I was naïve enough to think that he was just tired from playing or that he had seen something good to eat. But after several days of observation, the situation did not get better, but worse. I became anxious and took him to the doctor.
After a series of careful examination, the doctor told me that the dog drooled so much because it had gingivitis. Inflammation of the gums makes its mouth very difficult, so the saliva secretion is more, want to use this to ease the discomfort. When I heard this, I felt both heartbroken for my dog and blamed myself for not catching the problem sooner.
In addition to oral diseases, I also know that digestive problems can also make a dog salivate profusely. For example, if a dog eats something he shouldn't, or if his stomach gets a little upset, it can make him start drooling. And yeah, respiratory infections, poisoning, and other serious conditions can also cause a dog to drool. Not only are these problems difficult for the dog, but they can also be life-threatening.
In the process of taking care of my dog, I have also worked out some tips to deal with my dog's drooling. For example, I will brush my dog's teeth regularly to keep its mouth clean; I will also pay attention to my dog's diet and try not to give it too oily or too stimulating food; and ah, I will spend more time with my dog to let it feel my love and warmth, which can also reduce its anxiety and stress to a certain extent, so that it will drool less.
Dogs with high temperatures
After getting a dog, I gradually realised that although dogs can't talk, they have their own unique ‘language’ and way to express their needs and feelings. Especially in the hot summer, dogs do not have sweat glands like human to sweat to cool down, they mainly rely on panting and drooling to help the body dissipate heat. Whenever I see dogs panting rapidly with their mouth open and crystal saliva flowing from the corners of their mouths in hot weather or after strenuous exercise, I know that they are working hard to cool themselves down.
It always breaks my heart to see dog working so hard to cool themselves down. So, I began to think about how to better help my dogs cope with the hot weather. Firstly, I have adjusted the time I walk my dog, trying to avoid taking him out for a walk at the hottest time of the day in the middle of the day, and instead choosing the early morning or late afternoon when the temperature is relatively lower and more comfortable for the dog. Secondly, at home, I also switch on the air conditioner or fan to create a cooler environment for my dog.
However, just adjusting the environment and the time of day is not enough; I also need more cooling gear for my dogs. That's when I think of my dog bed. This dog bed can provide a comfortable resting environment for your dog. Moreover, it is designed to conform to the curves of the dog's body and can provide a good sense of support and wrapping, making the dog more relaxed and comfortable while resting.
Since I changed this dog bed for my dog, I found that he is more active and happy in the hot summer. Instead of looking tired and irritable from the heat like before, he like to roll and play on the dog bed, enjoying the coolness and comfort. I also feel very happy and satisfied to see my dog enjoying this dog bed so much.
There is a foreign body stuck
If the dog suddenly saliva flow, accompanied by sound coughing, swallowing difficulties, at that moment, our heart seems to be tightly gripped - foreign objects, is likely to have quietly sneaked into its throat, or oesophagus that narrow channel. This is a race against time, an emergency to the breathless alarm, the slightest hesitation, may let our baby into a life of desperation.
At this point, we should not hesitate to pick up our dog and head to the veterinary clinic. There, professional doctors will quickly take over the baton of life. With a keen eye and skilful techniques, they carry out a comprehensive and meticulous examination and treatment for the dog.
Potential effects of excessive dog drooling
I've gradually come to realise that the whole dog drooling thing, while it may seem a bit funny, can hide quite a few potential effect behind it.
Physical health effects
The phenomenon of excessive drooling in dog is often more than just a natural response to salivation. It can also signal certain underlying health problem. For example, oral disease, digestive disorder, and poisoning can all be trigger for excessive drooling in dog. Ignoring these potential health problem and failing to take timely treatment measure is likely to worsen the condition and even pose a serious threat to the dog's life.
In addition, excessive drooling in dogs may also have an adverse effect on their appetite and nutrient absorption. Excess saliva dilutes gastric juices, which in turn reduce the activity of digestive enzyme, and the process of food digestion and absorption is thus disturbed. In the long run, dog may face a series of health problem such as malnutrition and weight loss. Therefore, we should not take the phenomenon of excessive salivation in dog lightly, but should seek professional veterinary help as soon as possible to ensure the health and safety of our dog.
Declining quality of life
Dogs are man's most loyal companions, eager to interact and enjoy play. But when I noticed that my puppy became untidy and even gave off an odour due to excessive drooling, I began to realise that this might affect his social life. Sure enough, when I took the puppy to the park to play, he excitedly ran toward the other dog, only to be shunned for drooling. At that moment, I could clearly see the loss and uneasiness in the dog's eyes, as he seemed to realise that he was ‘different’ and started to become cautious and withdrawn. This not only limited his interaction with other dog, but also affected his socialisation and quality of life.
A guide on how to deal with excessive drooling in dogs
When our dog are drooling excessively, as owner we should act quickly. This will safeguard their health and comfort. Below is a set of guidelines on how to deal with this, which I have put together from my personal experience of owning a dog as well as professional advice from my vet. I hope these tip will help you better handle your dog's drooling problem. Ensure they can be healthy and happy.
Observation and recording
Observation is the first step in understanding your dog's drooling. We need to pay attention to the time, frequency and amount of drooling in our dog. Does the drooling occur during feeding, or does it also occur during rest, play or excitement? Is the amount of drooling unusually high, such that frequent wiping is necessary? All of these detail can provide us with important clue.
At the same time, we also need to observe whether the dog is accompanied by other symptom. For example, does the dog have a loss of appetite and depression? Are there digestive symptom such as vomiting and diarrhoea? Are there respiratory symptoms such as difficulty breathing and coughing? These symptom may be directly related to your dog's excessive drooling, or they may indicate other underlying health problems.
Recording is an extension and supplement to observation. Keeping a detailed record of what we observe about our dog's drooling can help us better analyse the root cause of the problem and provide a basis for subsequent treatment.
When recording, we can use a simple form or diary. Record the time, place, situation, amount of drooling and whether it is accompanied by other symptom each time your dog drool. If possible, some photo or video can also be taken as supporting record.
Through long-term recording and observation, we can find out the pattern and changes of the dog's drooling situation. For example, is the dog more prone to drooling at certain times or situations? Is there a gradual increase in the amount of drooling? This information is crucial for us to determine the cause of the dog's drooling, assess the severity of the condition and formulate a treatment plan.
Preliminary treatment
When we see a dog drooling, we need to first mull over the possible cause. Then proceed with the initial response. If it's because of oral discomfort, we can feed the dog some oral anti-inflammatory medication or let it rinse its mouth. Hopefully these will alleviate the symptom. If the dog is drooling because he is nervous or too excited, then we can talk to him to stabilise him.
Seek professional help
If your dog's drooling is not getting better, or even getting worse, then we need to rush to a specialist. We need to take our dog to the veterinary clinic and have him examined thoroughly. Only then can we figure out why our dog is drooling. The vet will surely come up with a suitable treatment plan for the dog depending on his condition.
Adjusting the living environment
While you are treating your dog, you can also gently improve its living environment. Alleviate its drooling. Imagine preparing a peaceful and cosy retreat for him, a haven for him to relax and get away from the hustle and bustle. Such an arrangement will surely ease its tension.
Psychological care
Dogs drooling a lot is not just a physical problem, psychology also plays a big part. So, we need to care more about the psychology of the dog. Play with it more and let it feel our love. You can also give it toys and entertainment things to make it happy and joyful every day.
Conclusion
Excessive drooling in dogs may seem like a minor problem. However, there may be quite a few reason and potential health problems hidden behind it. As dog owner, we need to pay attention to our dog's drooling situation in time and take appropriate countermeasures. Through regular oral health check, reasonable dietary management, psychological care and living environment adjustment and other measure. We can effectively prevent the occurrence of excessive drooling in dogs, so that dogs have a healthy and happy life. At the same time, if the dog has symptom of excessive drooling, we need to seek professional help in time to ensure that the dog gets timely and effective treatment.