10 Reasons Your Dog Salivates At Random
Excessive drooling is among the worst nightmare for most dog owners. Based on research, hypersalivation can indicate a life-threatening or serious health problem, especially if your furry friend has other symptoms. For instance, you should visit a veterinarian if your dog shows symptoms such as loss of appetite, diarrhea, vomiting, changes in behavior, bleeding, uneven pupils, abdominal distention, difficulty swallowing, pawing at the mouth, and lethargy. Some dog breeds drool more than others. A professional vet will recommend an array of tests, including CT scans, X-rays, ultrasound, MRI, and tissue biopsy. Therefore, dog owners should be keen to identify abnormal drooling. All dogs are prone to drooling, although some breeds drool the most, such as Saint Bernard, Dogue de Bordeaux, Bulldog, Bloodhound, Newfoundland, Neapolitan Mastiff, and Bernese Mountain Dog. Below are 10 reasons your dog salivates at random:
1. Toxins
Dogs use their mouth to explore new things. Your dog may experience sudden drool if it licks or eats toxin substances. For instance, hypersalivation may occur when a dog licks its flea medicine, chocolate, toads, chemicals, and non-edible things. Licking or eating toxic substances can contribute to seizures. It’s normal for a dog to drool before, during, and after a seizure. Other than drooling, some toxic substances can initiate other symptoms, including general body weakness, vomiting, and lack of coordination. To reduce the risk of a dog drooling as a result of toxins:
– Plant dog-friendly plants
– Keep cleaning products out of reach
– Keep medicines and chemical products out of reach
2. Nausea
Nausea in dogs increases the production of saliva in the mouth that’s accompanied by a bad taste. There’s a wide range of factors that can contribute to nausea. For instance, kidney disease, tummy issues, anxiety, motion sickness, liver disease, and vestibular syndrome can cause nausea in dogs. According to research, a dog who drools due to nausea may have a poor appetite. At some point, you may notice vomiting and drooling. If you suspect your furry friend is suffering from nausea, visit a professional vet for checkups.
3. Dental Issues
Dental issues are more common in older and middle-aged dogs. There’s a small percentage of puppies that suffer from dental problems. Some of the common dental problems that dogs suffer from are gingivitis and excessive tartar. These health issues may have symptoms such as sore and inflamed gums. What causes dental problems in dogs? There are many factors that can lead to dental health issues in dogs, including genetic predisposition, sugary treats, wet foods, and lack of tooth cleaning. Young excitable dogs can experience broken teeth, thus leading to teeth infections. Most infected teeth are prone to an abscess, especially around the root. A tooth root abscess can be characterized by pain and swelling. These dental health issues can cause excessive drooling in dogs. If your furry friend is drooling due to dental issues, then the drool can be characterized by a bad smell, brown discharge, and blood stains. Dog owners should clean their dog’s teeth regularly using dog-safe toothpaste.
4. Growths
Any bumps or lumps in the dog’s throat, mouth, or stomach can cause extreme hypersalivation, whether cancerous or benign. One of the major causes of bumps in the mouth is salivary mucoceles. This is the damage to the salivary duct or gland. The most common lumps or tumors in a dog’s mouth are squamous cell carcinomas, benign fibromas, and melanomas. If your furry friend is drooling due to growth, it may have other symptoms, including lack of appetite, swelling under the chin or in the neck, and pawing at the mouth. In most cases, the saliva may have blood stains. In addition, some dogs may experience vomiting, unexpected weight loss, and other critical symptoms. If you identify these symptoms, consult your vet.
5. Heat Stroke
Dogs are prone to heat stroke, particularly aged dogs with flat faces and thicker coats. When a dog experiences too much heat, it starts to drool to maintain normal body temperatures. During the summer, if your dog is panting and drooling, then heat stroke might be the problem. There are various symptoms associated with heat stroke, including agitation, heavy panting, collapse, lack of coordination, vomiting, and red gums. To reduce the risk of heat stroke, create a serene and conducive environment for your furry friend. In addition, make sure your dog drinks sufficient water.
6. Gastrointestinal Problems
There are various gut-related issues that can cause hypersalivation in dogs. Reflux can irritate the food pipe, thus leading to excessive salivation. Based on research, gut problems increase the risk of nausea. Mega-esophagus can cause drooling, especially on your puppy. This condition occurs when the puppy’s food pipe becomes less effective and enlarged. Some other symptoms that your dog may experience due to gastrointestinal problems are diarrhea and reduced appetite.
7. Traumas
Throat and mouth traumas can lead to excessive drooling. The most common traumas in puppies are electrical burns that occur as a result of chewing cables. In addition, stick injuries and dogs biting their tongues can cause traumas. Dogs that are experiencing traumas may have blood-tinged drool and vocalizing.
8. Foreign Bodies
Your dog might drool due to an external object stuck in the throat or mouth. For instance, when a piece of bone or stick gets stuck between the upper jaw, your furry friend will experience hypersalivation. Note that other foreign things can get lodged under your dog’s tongue.
9. Rabies
Rabies is a virus that can deteriorate your dog’s health and cause excessive drooling. This virus can be transmitted through animal bites. Other than hypersalivation, your dog may experience other symptoms, including aggression, temperament change, difficulty swallowing, and facial feature changes. Currently, your pooch can be vaccinated against rabies. Therefore, you don’t need to worry about rabies.
10. Hunger and Excitement
Hunger and excitement are harmless causes of drooling in dogs. Some breeds of furry friends drool more than others. The structure of their lips may determine the rate of drooling.
Conclusion
Drooling in dogs can be normal or an underlying medical condition. If you notice excessive drooling, consult a professional veterinarian.