Why Do Puppies Drool? And How Much is Normal?

Puppies often drool as a normal part of their development. This is due to teething, curiosity and tasting new things or as a response to fear and excitement. If drooling is excessive, it could indicate a health problem and should be checked by a vet.

Have you ever noticed your puppy drooling? It’s a common occurrence, but did you know there are many causes of puppy drool? From teething to anxiety, you’ll learn why puppies drool and how to handle it in this article.

Key Takeaways

• Puppy drool is a mixture of saliva and mucus that helps keep the gums and teeth hydrated and healthy.
• Drooling is normal for puppies unless it increases significantly or is accompanied by other symptoms.
• Teething is a common cause of excessive drooling in puppies and can lead to discomfort.
• Excessive drooling can be a sign of infection, allergies, or gastric problems.

What Is Puppy Drool and Why Is It Important

You may have noticed that puppies drool a lot – but do you know why dog drool is important?

Puppy drool is usually saliva that has mixed with mucus, and it serves an essential purpose for canines.

The saliva helps to keep your pup’s gums and teeth healthy by keeping them hydrated, as well as removing any bacteria or food particles from their mouth.

Drooling in puppies is normal and shouldn’t cause concern unless the amount of drool increases drastically or there are other symptoms present.

Normal vs. Excessive Drooling for Puppies

Obviously puppies are going to drool, but how do you know if the drooling is excessive? It’s not like you can simply measure the saliva, so you’ll have to look for the following signs:

• Drooling while sleeping
• Constant presence of saliva on their fur
• Presence of saliva on their bedding
• Presence of saliva on their toys
• Presence of saliva on their food or water bowls
• Loss of appetite

If you notice any of these signs, it is important to take your puppy to the vet for an examination and diagnosis.

Teething – The Leading Cause of Excessive Puppy Drool

Teething is often the leading cause of excessive drooling in puppies. Puppies start teething around 4-6 months old (although it depends on the breed) as their baby teeth begin to fall out and adult teeth take their place.

During this process, puppies may drool more than usual due to sore gums or an increased production of saliva. Too much drool can be a sign that your dog may be uncomfortable, so if you notice excessive drooling, try to find ways to alleviate the pain from teething.

Other Natural Causes of Excessive Drooling

Aside from teething, there are several other natural causes of excessive drooling in puppies. Stress can cause dogs to drool more than usual, and so can anxiety and fear. Illness or injury can also be a cause for excess drool, as it is the body’s way of dealing with pain and discomfort.

Other common causes include smelling food or being hungry, extreme temperatures, and even excitement. If you notice your dog excessively drooling, it’s important to assess the underlying cause so that you can provide them with the best care possible.

Stress and Anxiety

Stress and anxiety can cause dogs to drool more than usual. It’s natural for your pup to feel overwhelmed or scared in certain situations, such as when meeting unfamiliar people or animals. When this happens, the body releases hormones that trigger a response, including increased salivation.

If your pup is showing signs of stress or anxiousness, provide reassurance and comfort in order to help them relax and reduce their drooling. If your dog gets a little too anxious, it’s best to take them away from whatever is causing the stress.

Allergies

Allergies can also cause drooling in puppies. Their bodies may be trying to flush out the allergen, causing them to drool more than usual.

If your puppy has a known allergy, watch for signs of increased drooling and take them to the vet for treatment. Allergy-induced drooling can be managed with medication or other treatments depending on the severity of the case.

Hunger/Food

Dogs drool when they are hungry because saliva is the body’s way of preparing to eat. When a dog is hungry, it produces more saliva than usual to help break down food. Saliva also helps moisten dry food, making it easier to swallow. Dogs also have an instinctive desire to lick their lips in anticipation of food, which can cause them to drool.

Excitement

Dogs drool when excited because of a phenomenon known as “Excitement Drooling,” which is a common behavior exhibited in many dog breeds. Veterinary experts believe that dogs often produce more saliva when they are feeling happy and excited. This is especially true for dogs that have been conditioned to associate certain stimuli with a positive response.

Medical Causes of Excessive Drooling

Excessively drooling can sometimes be a sign of a medical issue. Visit your veterinarian if your pup is drooling excessively, as it could be the result of dental disease or gastrointestinal issues.

Be sure to provide your vet with all the information they need, such as diet and any recent changes in behavior. They will help you determine the underlying cause and develop a plan for treatment.

Together, you’ll work to get your pup back to their healthy self!

Infectious Diseases

Infectious diseases can cause excessive drooling in dogs, so it’s important to be aware of potential signs and symptoms. Puppies are especially vulnerable as their immune systems are not fully developed.

Some common diseases that can lead to drooling include rabies, distemper, parvovirus, and leptospirosis. Treatment will depend on the specific disease and may involve antibiotics or other medications.

If your puppy is exhibiting any signs of illness, contact your veterinarian immediately for a proper diagnosis and appropriate treatment plan.

Neurological Disorders

If you notice your dog exhibiting any odd behaviors, neurological disorders could be the cause. Dogs can suffer from a range of neurological issues that can lead to drooling. These include seizures, hydrocephalus (fluid buildup in the brain), and encephalitis (brain inflammation).

In some cases, abnormal head movements or altered behavior may be observed along with drooling. Early detection and treatment are essential for managing these conditions and helping your pup live their best life.

Dental and Nasal Issues

Sometimes dental and nasal issues can lead to extra drooling in your dog. Tooth decay, bad breath, and foreign objects can all be the cause of this extra saliva production.

Foreign Objects

You may notice your pup drooling more if they have a foreign object in their mouth. This can happen easily as curious puppies are prone to putting anything and everything into their mouths.

Foreign bodies, like small sticks or rocks, can lead to drool hanging from the corners of their mouth due to discomfort or injury.

How to Know if Excessive Drooling Is a Medical Issue

So how are you supposed to know if your puppy’s excessive drooling is normal or if it’s a medical concern? In this section, we will discuss the various warning signs and symptoms to look out for that could indicate a medical issue, such as loss of appetite, lethargy, and changes in behavior.

Loss of Appetite

A loss of appetite in puppies can be a sign of a medical issue, such as an infection or a digestive disorder. It can also be a sign of a parasite infestation, or a reaction to medication.

Lethargy

Puppies sleep a lot and play a lot. However, if you notice your puppy continues to sleep a lot but isn’t playing much, there may be something going on, such as infection, dehydration, or malnutrition.

Other medical conditions that can cause lethargy in puppies include heart disease, liver disease, and kidney disease. Puppies are particularly susceptible to viral and bacterial infections, which can lead to lethargy. ==

Change in Behavior

If your pup has recently had an unexpected change in behavior, it’s important to pay attention and take notice. Anything from decreased appetite, lethargy, or excessive drooling could be signs of a medical issue.

If your pup is having difficulty swallowing, shows signs of motion sickness, or any other changes that seem out of the ordinary for them, call your vet right away. Even mild symptoms can indicate a more serious underlying cause and prompt action is key in keeping your pet healthy.

How to Manage Excessive Drooling

Drooling can be an embarrassing and inconvenient problem for puppies, but it doesn’t have to be. We’ll show you how to address the issue through behavioral modification, the use of a bandana, and keeping towels handy. We’ll also provide tips on how to make the process as easy and stress-free as possible for both you and your puppy. So let’s get started!

Visit a Veterinarian

Before doing anything, you’ll want to visit a veterinarian to determine the underlying cause of excessive drooling in your pup. Talk to your vet and find out what steps you can take to help manage it.

Going to the vet hospital can also be a good idea if your pup’s drooling doesn’t seem to be improving. Your vet will be able to provide advice on how to care for your pup, as well as any necessary medications or treatments that may help reduce their drooling.

With patience and understanding, you can get your pup back on track with proper management of their excessive drooling.

Use a Bandana

You can also try using a bandana to help control your pup’s drooling. It may sound like a strange idea, but it works for some breeds of dogs, such as Mastiffs who are known for their tendency to drool quite often.

To use the bandana technique, simply tie the bandana around your pup’s neck and adjust it so that it is slightly snug. This will prevent excess saliva from dripping down their chin and onto your floor or furniture!

Keep Towels Handy

Having towels handy is a great way to keep your pup’s drool from getting everywhere. Towels can help absorb the excess saliva that comes from your dog’s salivary glands and keep them, as well as their surroundings, dry.

If you’re out for a drive, it might be a good idea to have some extra towels on hand just in case of dog slobber or drool in the car. Being prepared will allow you and your pup to enjoy the ride without worry!

Brush Your Dogs Teeth and Provide Dental Chews

Regularly brushing your pup’s teeth and providing dental chews can help keep their breath fresh and promote healthy oral hygiene. Dental chews are specifically designed to remove plaque from your dog’s teeth, helping reduce drooling.

Brushing their teeth at least once a week is also essential in keeping their mouth clean and free of bacteria that causes bad breath, which can lead to excessive drooling. Make sure you use a toothbrush designed for dogs, as human toothbrushes are too abrasive for canine mouths.

These simple steps will go a long way in keeping your pup happy and healthy!

Breed-Specific Drooling – Some Breeds Drool More Than Others

Certain breeds naturally drool more than others, with Bulldogs and Saint Bernard’s having particularly high amounts of slobber. Other breeds that tend to drool include Bloodhounds, Mastiffs, Great Danes, and Boxers. All of these breeds have loose upper lips and jowls which cause their saliva to drip out when they pant or get excited.