Dog kisses—some humans love them, while others cringe and turn away. There are those dogs, those especially drooly, slobbery dogs, that nobody wants to get near for a sloppy kiss. Why do some dogs slobber so much?

Dogs Drool for the Same Reasons People Drool

Think about a lemon or a sour pickle. Right away, saliva begins to accumulate in your mouth. You have to swallow to get rid of it (don’t spit!). When you aren’t thinking about sour foods, your mouth still stays wet from saliva.

Saliva is nature’s mouth moisturizer. More than that, it serves to cleanse your mouth of debris and bacteria. It works that way in dogs, too. They smell food, and they begin to salivate. If they have an irritant in their mouth, they’ll salivate. Too much saliva could equal drippy drool. Why?

Dogs Don’t Always Drool When They Can Swallow

When dogs experience an excessive buildup of saliva, it could mean that their tummies are upset. If you see your dog swallowing more often than expected, the cause may be in their stomach. Saliva will go into heavier production; your dog will swallow the excess, which will help soothe the upset (in most cases).

If a Dogs Don’t Swallow, They Slobber

Does your dog have droopy jowls? How about a loose, hanging lower lip? There are some breeds of dogs that are, quite simply, built to slobber.

Hounds and Saint Bernards, bulldogs and boxers, are some breeds with a mouth structure that cannot hold all the saliva they produce. Saliva pools in their lower lip then leaks out in the form of drool, sometimes thick, ropey drool!

When Slobber is a Warning Signal That Fido Isn’t Well

Apart from stomach upset or an irritant in your dog’s mouth, consider these other causes of excessive drooling:

• Does the drool smell bad? Your pup may have a dental issue that needs attention right away.
• Is your dog too hot? Rapid panting and drooling are signs that your pet needs to cool down.
• Is your dog anxious or suffering from motion sickness? These conditions can also cause excessive drooling.  Consult with your veterinarian on how to help your pet with anxiety and motion sickness.

What Can I Do To Limit My Dog’s Slobber?

If all the physical catalysts for drooling have been addressed, your dog may just be a big ol’ slobberer. In that case, there isn’t much to be done. Keep a towel in your pocket for those unfortunate slobber-on-your-leg moments. Tie a towel or bandana around your pet’s neck to catch some of the excess flow. And love the pup you’ve got, saliva overflow and all!

When to Check With Your Veterinarian

Anytime you have questions about your furry friend’s behavior or health, come in for a wellness check. Call our office at (705) 223‑3404 to schedule an appointment. We’re here to help you help your pets live happy and healthy lives. Remember, dogs 7 and older benefit from twice-yearly wellness exams.