Dog Drooling: Normal Drool, Causes and Warning Signs

By Tailwisp Editorial TeamUpdated October 17, 20263 min read

A little drool at dinner time is normal, but a sudden flood may need attention.

Normal drooling

Breeds with loose lips and jowls, such as Saint Bernards, bloodhounds, mastiffs and bulldogs, drool more because saliva collects and spills over. Dogs also drool in anticipation of food, when excited and when relaxed or sleeping.

Common causes of excessive drooling

• Dental disease, gum infection or broken teeth. See dental disease in dogs and broken tooth in dogs
• Nausea, including motion sickness and digestive upset. See dog vomiting causes
• Heat and overheating. See dog heatstroke
• Stress and anxiety, such as at the vet or in the car
• Foreign objects stuck in the mouth or throat. See dog choking first aid
• Mouth injuries and ulcers
• Toxins and poisons, such as toads, plants or chemicals. See dog poisoning: what to do
• Neurological problems affecting swallowing or facial nerves
• Kidney or liver disease
• Oral tumors. See mouth tumors in dogs
• Medications with a bitter taste

Warning signs

Seek urgent care if drooling comes with:

• Foaming at the mouth after contact with a toad or chemical
• Tremors, seizures or collapse
• Difficulty breathing or gagging
• Swelling of the face or tongue
• Pawing at the mouth
• Bleeding from the mouth
• Repeated vomiting
• Sudden onset in a dog who rarely drools

What to check

1. Look in the mouth gently for foreign objects, broken teeth, redness or swellings. Be careful, as a painful dog may bite.
2. Smell the breath. Foul odor suggests dental disease. See dog bad breath causes.
3. Check for swelling of the face or neck.
4. Note other signs, like appetite changes or lethargy.

What your vet may do

Your vet will examine the mouth, possibly under sedation, and may recommend dental X-rays, bloodwork or imaging. Treatment depends on the cause.

Car-related drooling

Many dogs drool when traveling due to nausea or fear. Ask your vet about anti-nausea medication, gradual training and tips. See how to train a dog to be calm in the car and why is my dog afraid of the car.

Managing breed-related drool

Wipe the lips and jowls regularly, wash bibs or towels and keep skin folds dry. See skin fold dermatitis in dogs. Keep a drool cloth handy.

Prevention

• Keep up dental care. See how to brush a dog's teeth
• Avoid giving hard chews that break teeth
• Keep toxic plants, chemicals and toads away
• Supervise outdoor play

Questions to ask your vet

Ask whether your dog's drool is normal for his breed, whether he needs dental X-rays and which signs mean you should return at once. Ask about motion sickness options.

Common mistakes

• Ignoring bad breath with drool
• Digging in the mouth with fingers
• Assuming drool is just breed trait
• Using human medication

Troubleshooting

• My dog suddenly drools a lot: check the mouth and call your vet.
• Drooling happens only in the car: discuss nausea options.
• He drools and paws his mouth: seek help promptly.

A simple plan

1. Compare with normal.
2. Check the mouth carefully.
3. Look for other signs.
4. Call your vet if sudden or heavy.

Real-life examples

A bloodhound's normal drool needs only regular wiping. A terrier with sudden drool has a tooth abscess. A puppy that licked a toad needs emergency rinsing and care. Context matters.

Knowing normal

Understanding your dog's usual drool makes changes easy to spot.

The takeaway

Drooling is normal for some dogs, but sudden or heavy drooling with other signs needs a vet check.

This article is general educational information, not veterinary advice. Every dog is different. If your dog is unwell, or you are unsure about a symptom, diet change or medication, contact your veterinarian.