Health Topics > Dental and Oral
Excessive Salivation or Drooling
By Emily Segal, RVT. Reviewed by Dr. Elizabeth Davis, MVB
Salivation (or drooling) is a normal bodily function in dogs, usually to aid in the initial breakdown of food and to move it down the esophagus. However, sometimes dogs can have excessive salivation (you’ll know when they have this as you’ll always need to clean up their slobber!).
There are multiple causes for excess salivation, from nausea to dental disease to breed-specific causes, but there are a few signs to look out for to decide if you need to make a trip to your veterinarian. These include if the dog is vomiting, not eating, or if you suspect your dog has ingested a toxic substance.
Learn more about excessive salivation in dogs:
Pro tips for visiting the veterinarian:
- If you notice a foreign body in your dog’s mouth, be careful when removing it as they may bite.
- Contact your veterinarian if your dog is drooling excessively and exhibiting one or more of the following: vomiting, inappetance, foreign body in mouth, difficulty swallowing, toxin ingestion
- If your dog’s excessive drooling is persistent for more than a day and if the drooling increased suddenly, contact your veterinarian
