It’s normal for dog breeds with drooping jowls—such as Bloodhounds, Saint Bernards, and Mastiffs—to drool a lot. But, excessive drooling, otherwise known as ptyalism, is not always normal for Golden Retrievers. Sometimes, it’s a sign that something’s wrong. Not all excessive drooling is a cause for concern. Like all dogs, goldies drool in anticipation of food. In this article, we’ll take a look at when drooling is normal, and what excessive drooling might mean.
Why Do Dogs Drool? All dogs, including Golden Retrievers, drool for much the same reason as humans do. When they smell food, anticipate a meal, or even at the sight of tasty treats, their glands release saliva into their mouth, to help them digest food. A delicious meal will get a Golden Retriever’s mouth watering more than usual. Coincidentally, the same reaction can happen for fowl-tasting foods, for example, some medication. Causes of Excessive Drooling in Golden Retrievers Image Credit: Neelsky, Shutterstock What if your Golden Retriever drools excessively outside of meal times? Several issues may stop your dog from swallowing properly, leading to a buildup of saliva in their mouth and other conditions that may cause excess production of saliva. Teeth and Gums A number of dental and oral issues could cause your Golden Retriever to drool excessively. It could be due to a bone or other foreign object stuck between his teeth or in his throat. In this case, it’s his body’s natural reaction to trying to wash out the foreign object. Fractured teeth, tartar, and irritated gums, amongst other oral issues, can lead to excessive drooling too. Other symptoms of dental issues include reduced appetite and whining. Your dog’s drool might even contain a small amount of blood mixed in. Check his mouth for red, swollen gums, and look out for brown spots on his teeth. If you suspect there’s an issue with his teeth or gums, it’s best to take your goldie to a vet for a proper check-up. Swift action can prevent more serious problems like infections. Stomach and Digestive Issues If your dog has ingested something poisonous, be it a plant in the garden or a cleaning solution, he may be reacting to a toxic substance. If poisoning is the cause of excess drooling, it might be accompanied by nausea, vomiting, and shaking. Other digestive issues, such as bloat, may be the culprit. In the case of bloat, it can be a potentially life-threatening condition, so it’s important to act fast. If you think poisoning or bloat is the cause of your dog’s excessive drooling, you should call a vet as soon as possible. Image Credit: SasaStock, Shutterstock Heatstroke When it comes to regulating their body temperature, dogs don’t have sweat glands as we do. On hot days, you’ll notice your Golden Retriever opening his mouth wide and panting. Along with plenty of water and shade, this should be enough to cool your dog down. However, excessive drooling on particularly hot days may be a sign of your dog overheating. Make sure they have access to drinking water and try not to take them on long walks in the sun. Remember to offer him plenty of shade, and preferably a nice pool or river for them to dip in. Anxiety Excessive drooling could be a sign that your Golden Retriever is anxious about something. If you’ve begun leaving the house for long periods, a loyal dog like a goldie may be suffering from separation anxiety. New situations, thunderstorms, and fireworks can all lead to your Golden Retriever feeling anxious. Idiopathic Trigeminal Neuritis This illness can affect any breed, but Golden Retrievers seem to be more susceptible. This condition affects the trigeminal nerves on each side of the head, making the dog unable to close its mouth. The main symptoms are difficulty in eating and excessive drooling. Image Credit: StudioByTheSea, Shutterstock Oral Tumours and Cancer Tumors in the mouth, throat, or esophagus can cause excessive drooling in dogs. Sometimes, the drool can be fowl smelling, and sometimes a dog with a tumor may have bad breath. Other symptoms include difficulty eating, drinking, and swallowing. If your dog is finding it difficult to swallow, it’s strongly advised that you take them to see a vet. Other Problems There are a large number of other conditions that can cause Golden Retrievers to drool excessively. For example, neuromuscular conditions (e.g., botulism and paralysis), rabies, liver disease, and ear, nose, and throat infections can all be causes of excessive drooling. While some of these conditions are easy to solve with a round of antibiotics, others are more serious and need a good care plan.
Wrapping Up It’s not normal for a Golden Retriever to drool excessively. If there’s no sign of food, excessive drooling in Golden Retrievers usually points to an underlying issue. While some issues—like a small amount of food stuck between their teeth—are easy to solve, others could be potentially life-threatening. If your dog has suddenly started to drool excessively, look for other signs and symptoms. Loss of appetite, lethargy, shaking, vomiting, and whining are all signs that require swift action. In the end, you know what’s normal for your dog, and if they are acting in a way that’s concerning, it’s probably best to take them to see a vet.
Featured Image Credit: archimede, Shutterstock
It’s normal for dog breeds with drooping jowls—such as Bloodhounds, Saint Bernards, and Mastiffs—to drool a lot. But, excessive drooling, otherwise known as ptyalism, is not always normal for Golden Retrievers. Sometimes, it’s a sign that something’s wrong.
Not all excessive drooling is a cause for concern. Like all dogs, goldies drool in anticipation of food. In this article, we’ll take a look at when drooling is normal, and what excessive drooling might mean.
Why Do Dogs Drool?
All dogs, including Golden Retrievers, drool for much the same reason as humans do. When they smell food, anticipate a meal, or even at the sight of tasty treats, their glands release saliva into their mouth, to help them digest food.
A delicious meal will get a Golden Retriever’s mouth watering more than usual. Coincidentally, the same reaction can happen for fowl-tasting foods, for example, some medication.
Causes of Excessive Drooling in Golden Retrievers
What if your Golden Retriever drools excessively outside of meal times? Several issues may stop your dog from swallowing properly, leading to a buildup of saliva in their mouth and other conditions that may cause excess production of saliva.
Teeth and Gums
A number of dental and oral issues could cause your Golden Retriever to drool excessively. It could be due to a bone or other foreign object stuck between his teeth or in his throat. In this case, it’s his body’s natural reaction to trying to wash out the foreign object.
Fractured teeth, tartar, and irritated gums, amongst other oral issues, can lead to excessive drooling too. Other symptoms of dental issues include reduced appetite and whining. Your dog’s drool might even contain a small amount of blood mixed in. Check his mouth for red, swollen gums, and look out for brown spots on his teeth.
If you suspect there’s an issue with his teeth or gums, it’s best to take your goldie to a vet for a proper check-up. Swift action can prevent more serious problems like infections.
Stomach and Digestive Issues
If your dog has ingested something poisonous, be it a plant in the garden or a cleaning solution, he may be reacting to a toxic substance. If poisoning is the cause of excess drooling, it might be accompanied by nausea, vomiting, and shaking.
Other digestive issues, such as bloat, may be the culprit. In the case of bloat, it can be a potentially life-threatening condition, so it’s important to act fast. If you think poisoning or bloat is the cause of your dog’s excessive drooling, you should call a vet as soon as possible.
Heatstroke
When it comes to regulating their body temperature, dogs don’t have sweat glands as we do. On hot days, you’ll notice your Golden Retriever opening his mouth wide and panting. Along with plenty of water and shade, this should be enough to cool your dog down.
However, excessive drooling on particularly hot days may be a sign of your dog overheating. Make sure they have access to drinking water and try not to take them on long walks in the sun. Remember to offer him plenty of shade, and preferably a nice pool or river for them to dip in.
Anxiety
Excessive drooling could be a sign that your Golden Retriever is anxious about something. If you’ve begun leaving the house for long periods, a loyal dog like a goldie may be suffering from separation anxiety. New situations, thunderstorms, and fireworks can all lead to your Golden Retriever feeling anxious.
Idiopathic Trigeminal Neuritis
This illness can affect any breed, but Golden Retrievers seem to be more susceptible. This condition affects the trigeminal nerves on each side of the head, making the dog unable to close its mouth. The main symptoms are difficulty in eating and excessive drooling.
Oral Tumours and Cancer
Tumors in the mouth, throat, or esophagus can cause excessive drooling in dogs. Sometimes, the drool can be fowl smelling, and sometimes a dog with a tumor may have bad breath. Other symptoms include difficulty eating, drinking, and swallowing.
If your dog is finding it difficult to swallow, it’s strongly advised that you take them to see a vet.
Other Problems
There are a large number of other conditions that can cause Golden Retrievers to drool excessively. For example, neuromuscular conditions (e.g., botulism and paralysis), rabies, liver disease, and ear, nose, and throat infections can all be causes of excessive drooling.
While some of these conditions are easy to solve with a round of antibiotics, others are more serious and need a good care plan.
Wrapping Up
It’s not normal for a Golden Retriever to drool excessively. If there’s no sign of food, excessive drooling in Golden Retrievers usually points to an underlying issue. While some issues—like a small amount of food stuck between their teeth—are easy to solve, others could be potentially life-threatening.
If your dog has suddenly started to drool excessively, look for other signs and symptoms. Loss of appetite, lethargy, shaking, vomiting, and whining are all signs that require swift action. In the end, you know what’s normal for your dog, and if they are acting in a way that’s concerning, it’s probably best to take them to see a vet.
Featured Image Credit: archimede, Shutterstock
