Talk to any dog owner and dog drooling is just one of the things you get used to over time. However, for new pet owners or soon-to-be pet parents, you may want to learn a little bit more about excessive drooling and what you can do to possibly reduce the amount of drool you have to deal with. For some breeds, drool is just part of life, but for other breeds, excessive drooling can be a sign of health problems.
Drool Masters
Remember the drooling dog Hooch from the famous movie Turner & Hooch? Hooch was a Dogue de Bordeaux, a member of the Mastiff family, that is well-known for excessive drooling, explains the American Kennel Club. Although the Mastiff, Newfoundland and Dogue de Bordeaux breeds are more prone to drooling than other breeds, they all have many other great qualities that make up for the constant cleaning of dog slobber.
One way to deal with the dog drooling of these particular breeds is to have them wear a bandanna to collect some of the slobber. You can also keep towels nearby at all times to help wipe them clean. Also, try to keep them cool and change their water in the water bowl frequently. Drooling won't be eliminated, but you may see a reduction.
Tasty Tips
Slobber Stoppers
Although some breeds are prone to drooling, excessive slobbering can be a sign of mouth or gum problems. If you do notice your dog drooling more frequently, you may need to determine what is causing the excessive salivation, because it is possible the dog is just as uncomfortable with the drool as you are.
One of the first things to check is how much tartar your dog has on their teeth. Tartar rubbing against inside of dog's lip can cause the dog to drool, and you may need to start brushing his teeth to stop or reduce the drooling. Brushing your dog's teeth may seem like a challenge, but if you follow the right steps, and do it on a regular basis, you and your dog will be much happier.
If you notice that drooling is happening due to open mouth panting, you may want to determine if your dog is stressed, says VCA Animal Hospitals. For example, some dogs tend to only drool while in a car because they get anxious about leaving their home.
The Animal Wellness Center lists other causes of excessive drooling as:
- Heat stroke
- Kidney or liver disease
- Nose, sinus or throat infection
- Mouth injury or something is caught in his mouth
- Nausea or stomach ache
- Illness from eating a poisonous plant
Dial Down the Drool
If you are regularly brushing your dog's teeth, constantly providing fresh water, and can't find any causes of anxiety, and still aren't seeing a reduction in drool, it may be time to visit your veterinarian. Your vet can rule out a health condition or offer other suggestions on how to dial down the drool. Remember, having a dog means sloppy wet kisses will happen, but there are ways to keep the drool to a minimum and help you and your dog live a happy, healthy, and cleaner life together!
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