Excessive drooling in dogs can be the first warning sign of a serious health emergency that requires immediate attention. What might seem like a messy nuisance could actually signal anything from toxin exposure to a life-threatening condition.
Knowing when normal slobber crosses into concerning territory can make the critical difference in your dog's outcome. Let's explore when excessive drooling requires a quick trip to the emergency veterinarian and when it's likely nothing to worry about.
Top Questions About Excessive Drooling in Dogs
When should I rush my dog to an emergency clinic?
Excessive drooling requires emergency care when your dog has trouble breathing, can't swallow, has facial swelling, or shows signs of poisoning. Dogs with low energy, vomiting, or seizing alongside excessive drooling need quick veterinary attention. Call an emergency veterinary clinic before arriving to ensure they can see your pet right away.
What if my dog starts drooling excessively overnight?
Sudden nighttime drooling means you should watch your dog's breathing and check for objects in the mouth. If drooling continues for more than an hour, comes with retching, or your dog seems uncomfortable, call an emergency clinic right away. Nighttime symptoms can worsen quickly when left unaddressed.
Does excessive drooling mean my dog ate something toxic?
Excessive drooling often signals toxin exposure in dogs. Common household toxins include certain plants, cleaning products, and foods like chocolate or xylitol. If you think your dog contacted or ate something toxic, don't wait for more symptoms. Call an emergency veterinary clinic immediately for guidance.
How can I tell if my dog's drooling is normal or serious?
Normal drooling happens during food anticipation, excitement, or brief car rides and clears up quickly. Serious drooling is ongoing, often with pawing at the mouth, trouble swallowing, bad breath, or behavior changes like low energy. When drooling is severe or comes with other concerning symptoms, seek veterinary care right away.
Why Dogs Drool Excessively
Dogs drool excessively when they make more saliva than they can swallow. Some breeds naturally drool more because of their facial structure, including Saint Bernards, Newfoundlands, and Bulldogs. Abnormal drooling happens when a dog that doesn't typically drool starts doing so excessively, or when a naturally drooly dog shows much more drooling than usual. This change often points to a health issue that needs attention.
Spotting Mild Cases
Brief drooling can happen when dogs anticipate food, feel slightly nauseated, or get excited. Heat exposure can also cause increased drooling as dogs try to cool down. These mild cases typically clear up once the trigger is removed. If drooling continues for more than a few hours or gets worse, it may signal a more serious condition needing veterinary care.
Recognizing Serious Cases
Serious excessive drooling often comes with other concerning symptoms. Watch for trouble swallowing, pawing at the mouth, bad breath, bleeding from the mouth, or visible swelling. Dogs with serious conditions may show behavior changes like refusing to eat, low energy, or signs of pain. Drooling with vomiting, diarrhea, or collapse needs emergency care.
What To Do
Step 1: Check breathing and swallowing
First, make sure your dog can breathe properly by watching chest movements and listening for unusual sounds. See if they can swallow normally by offering a tiny amount of water. If your dog struggles to breathe or swallow, this signals a potential emergency requiring quick veterinary care.
Step 2: Call an emergency clinic
Call an emergency veterinary clinic to describe your dog's symptoms and get guidance on next steps. Be ready to answer questions about when the drooling started, what other symptoms are present, and whether your dog might have been exposed to toxins. The clinic can help determine if your dog needs to be seen immediately.
Step 3: Prepare for safe transport
Keep your dog calm during transport to minimize stress. For dogs with breathing difficulties, avoid tight collars that might restrict airflow. Bring any suspected toxins or objects your dog may have encountered to help the veterinarian find the cause of drooling.
Potential Life-Threatening Conditions
Bloat
Bloat is a life-threatening emergency where the stomach fills with gas and may twist. When this happens, dogs often drool excessively while trying to vomit without success. Other signs include a swollen stomach, restlessness, and rapid decline. Large, deep-chested breeds face higher risk, but bloat can affect any dog and requires emergency care.
Suspected Toxin Exposure
Many toxins trigger excessive drooling as an early warning sign. Common household toxins include certain plants, chemicals, foods, and medications. If you think your dog has been exposed to a toxin, don't wait for more symptoms to develop. Call an emergency veterinary clinic immediately for potentially life-saving treatment.
Helping Your Pet Before the Vet Visit
Offering small sips of water
If your dog can swallow normally, offer small amounts of water to prevent dehydration. Stop if this causes more drooling, gagging, or if your dog refuses. Don't offer food unless directed by a veterinarian. Call your veterinarian for specific feeding and watering instructions based on your dog's symptoms.
Watching for other concerning symptoms
Keep monitoring your dog for worsening or additional symptoms while preparing for veterinary care. Watch for changes in breathing, gum color (pale or blue gums are concerning), stomach swelling, or decreased responsiveness. Note when symptoms started and any changes to share with the veterinarian.
Preventing Future Excessive Drooling
Regular dental care helps prevent many causes of abnormal drooling in dogs. Schedule routine dental check-ups with your veterinarian and maintain at-home dental care as recommended. Keep potentially toxic substances away from your dog, including plants, chemicals, and human medications. For dogs prone to motion sickness, talk with your veterinarian about management strategies before travel.
We're Here to Help
Is this an emergency?
Mild symptoms like brief drooling during excitement or food anticipation can typically wait for an appointment with your primary veterinarian. Severe symptoms requiring immediate emergency care include difficulty breathing, inability to swallow, suspected toxin exposure, or drooling accompanied by vomiting, collapse, or seizures. If you're not sure whether your dog's excessive drooling constitutes an emergency, call us—we can talk you through the situation.
Key Takeaways
- Excessive drooling can range from normal breed traits to signs of serious illness
- Seek emergency care if drooling comes with breathing difficulties, swallowing problems, or signs of toxin exposure
- Quick action when addressing severe drooling can make a critical difference in your dog's outcome
The information contained in the article is for informational purposes only and is not intended to take the place of the advice of a veterinarian.
