21 Reasons Why Your Dog Suddenly Drools (& Acts Strange)

Your dog’s name isn’t Niagara…

But right now it’s like they have a waterfall in their mouth!

Oh…what could’ve caused such sudden drooling?

You’re about to discover:

5 tips and remedies to help your pup stop drooling.
5 GI issues that might cause your dog’s hypersalivation.
3 conditions in your dog’s esophagus that could cause drooling.
5 types of oral problems that cause your canine to drool excessively.
And much, much, more…

Table of contents

Why is my dog drooling all of a sudden?
21 reasons why your dog suddenly drools (& acts strange)
How to stop dog drooling? 5 effective tips & home remedies
People also ask:

Why is my dog drooling all of a sudden?

Your dog drools all of a sudden due to dental, GI, oral, or esophageal problems. If you’re inside the car, it could be due to nausea. It can also be caused by anxiety, dehydration, seizures, heat exhaustion, and poisoning. Other times, your dog drools in anticipation of food.

21 reasons why your dog suddenly drools (& acts strange)

#1: Anticipation of food

Imagine this:

It’s morning, and you’re cooking bacon for breakfast.

You turn around and see your pooch attentively looking up at the counter.

Not only that, but they’re also suddenly drooling.

Ooooh…someone’s very excited about the bacon…

Along with the gaze and drool, your pup could be whining. Their cute paws might do a little dancey-dance, too.

Going back, dogs are known to salivate in the sight of food.

Moreover, dogs have a great sense of smell. According to research, canines can detect odors 10,000 to 100,000 times better than humans.

That’s why the aroma of food greatly affects them already.

Not just that!

Let’s take a look at:

Pavlov’s classical conditioning

In the 1890s, Russian physiologist, Ivan Pavlov, made an accidental discovery.

Initially, his experiment was to confirm increased salivation in dogs. He predicted it happens when dogs see food.

However, something else piqued his interest…

He realized that the dog started to salivate at the sound of his lab assistant’s footsteps.

So, he learned that any object associated with food could trigger salivation in dogs.

Furthermore, he continued his investigation in that new area.

In this new experiment, he used the metronome as a stimulus.

Every time the metronome clicks, he provides the food. Through repetition, the dog starts to salivate every stimulus.

With that, he successfully conditioned a dog to salivate at the sound of a metronome.

That’s why you can expect your dog to drool due to food anticipation. Here are stimuli that might make your dog drool:

The sight of a can opener.
The sound of their dog bowls.
Clinking of a spoon on a plate.
Opening the cabinet where you store food.
Opening a plastic bag (such as the one you hold treats in).

See the anticipation in action:

For further reading: 9 Reasons Why Your Dog Stares At You When You Eat + 3 Tips

#2: Pseudoptyalism

The condition that this article is centered on is called ptyalism.

It’s the excessive drooling of saliva.

Since the whole article will tackle the causes of ptyalism, here let’s talk about:

Pseudoptyalism or false ptyalism.

In this condition, excess saliva is released, too.

But, that excessive drooling is due to accumulation in the dog’s oral cavity.

Saliva is continuously excreted in your dog’s oral cavity. That’s because it’s constantly produced in the salivary glands.

Moreover, experts say that a thorough assessment is needed. They have to differentiate between ptyalism and pseudoptyalism. It’s because the two often overlap.

#3: Nausea due to motion sickness

As you and your pooch travel, you notice that they’re panting more. Along with that is sudden excessive drooling.

That might be a sign that your dog’s nauseated. That feeling causes your dog’s salivary glands to go into overdrive.

It’s due to motion sickness. The continuous movement and swaying make your pup feel woozy.

Observe that they look tense once you make a turn or hit a speedbump.

When you drive by an uneven pavement and make the car bounce…oops. Fido gets even more dizzy and prone to vomiting.

Additionally, dogs feel uneasy, too. They feel that way because they can’t tell where they are. They might be too small to take a peek of the road.

Oh…now you hear their tummy gurgle?

Uh-oh…

It might be time to pull over.

“Why?”

It’s because your pup’s about to throw up!

Poor Fido can no longer endure it.

Continue reading: Why Does My Dog Drool In The Car? 5 Reasons + 7 Tips

#4: Dehydration

Thirst makes your dog drool so much.

It’s a visual sign that your dog needs to drink water ASAP.

Fido needs it more if their drool looks slimier than ever.

It becomes that way because saliva gets more concentrated. The body has no more water to spare. Thus, the thick drool.

If your dog doesn’t get access to water, they might get dehydrated.

Other things that might affect your dog’s hydration:

Weather.
Activity level.
Diet, specifically dry kibble.
Medications that they’re taking.
Underlying medical condition. Examples are UTI, Cushing’s disease, and bladder stones.

AKC tells us the symptoms of dehydration in dogs. And they are:

Panting.
Diarrhea.
Vomiting.
Lethargy.
Sticky gums.
Lack of appetite.
Dry-looking eyes.
Cracked and dry nose.
Loss of skin elasticity. To check, pinch the skin near your dog’s shoulder blades. If it stays up like a tent, then your pup is dehydrated.

Warning: If your dog starts vomiting due to dehydration, then it’s life-threatening.

#5: Heat exhaustion

Let’s first talk about dogs’ temperature systems:

Your pooch needs the proper temperature settings. That’s because it’s trickier for them to regulate their body heat.

Vets say that a dog’s normal temperature is between 101.0°F (38.3°C) to 102.5°F to (39.2°C).

For dogs, sweating is just a small part of how they regulate their body temperature.

Moreover, your pup doesn’t sweat as you do. They have fur that makes it hard for sweat to evaporate.

“Then how do dogs sweat?”

They do through the 2 limited sweat glands that experts recognize:

Merocrine glands

The function of these sweat glands is similar to a human’s.

These are located in their paw pads.

These glands get activated when your dog’s temperature increases.

Moreover, the merocrine glands are the culprit for your dog’s damp paws on a sunny day.

Lastly, dogs have little fur on their feet. With that, it’s the perfect place to have these sweat glands.

Apocrine glands

Vets consider apocrine glands to be sweat glands.

However, their primary purpose is to excrete pheromones.

This one’s located all over your dog’s body.

With that, dogs are able to identify each other. They take a whiff of the distinctive pheromones each excretes.

Now back to your drooling dog…

Fido might be slobbering due to heat exhaustion.

Note: Even a little heat exposure could cause discomfort for your dog. Like I said, dogs regulate their temperature differently from us. And they have a hard time doing so.

So what more if the heat becomes intolerable?

Then your dog might overheat, which is critical.

The elevation of one’s body heat is called hyperthermia.

Signs of such include:

Panting.
Excessive drooling.
Difficulty in breathing.

Moreover, vets gave us factors that can lead to hyperthermia:

Obesity.
Intense exercise.
Increase humidity.
Lack of access to water.
Being confined somewhere with no proper ventilation. An example is a car with no windows down, or the AC is turned off.

Additionally, these dogs are more prone to overheating:

Puppies.
Senior dogs.
Long-haired canines.
Short-nosed dogs, like Pugs.

Warning: Unattended overheating can lead to heatstroke.

Signs of heatstroke in dogs:

Coma.
Vomiting.
Seizures.
Dry nose.
Staggering.
Warm body.
Muscle tremors.
Rapid heart rate.
Reddened gums.
Poorly responsive or unresponsive at all.

#6: Foreign objects in their oral cavity

Your Dog Suddenly Drools Due To Foreign Objects In Their Oral Cavity

A dog first explored the world through their nose and mouth.

That’s why your pup will tend to investigate new things using their mouth. Therefore, their chewing behavior is natural.

Because of that, dogs are prone to keeping their chewables in their mouth. Although, some may be unintentional.

What I mean is that objects get stuck in their oral cavity. Examples are:

Hair.
Sticks.
Grass.
Bones.
Wood splinters.

If this is the case, a sign would be excessive drooling. Along with other symptoms such as:

Whining.
Coughing.
Bad breath.
Rubbing face.
Bleeding gums.
Loss of appetite.
Pawing their mouth.
Constant swallowing.
Making gagging sounds.

Check these areas in your dog’s mouth:

Gums.
Tongue.
Cheeks.
Upper palate.

#7: Glossitis

This is the inflammation of the tongue that might be causing your dog to drool.

In this condition, you can check and see that your dog’s tongue is swollen.

According to the MSD Vet Manual, it’s caused by:

Irritations.
Infections.
Insect stings.
Electrical burns.
Wounds in the oral cavity.
Tongue exposure to chemicals.

Along with drooling, the symptoms are:

Weakness.
Unwillingness to eat.
Sores on the edge of the tongue.
Reluctance to get their mouth checked.
Excretion of thick, brown, and smelly discharge in their tongue. In rare cases, it might be bleeding.

Since your dog’s reluctant to open their mouth, the case might stay undiscovered.

#8: Gingivitis or stomatitis

Oh, how beautiful are those pearly whites…

But, uh-oh…

Where are those pearly whites?

Because along with your dog’s drooling is evident yellowing of their teeth. Plus, their gums are swollen!

What could it be?

Gingivitis

This condition refers to the inflammation of your dog’s gums around their teeth.

It’s also the earliest stage of periodontal disease in dogs. (To be elaborated in reason #9)

Vets tell us that a bacterial infection causes it.

“How did bacteria get in my dog’s teeth?”

Unfortunately, your dog has poor oral hygiene.

Every time your dog eats, tartar gets accumulated in their teeth.

Tartar is hardened saliva that consists of plaque and other minerals.

Once your dog has a plaque buildup, the area becomes habitable for bacteria.

The condition’s also caused by bacteria entering the gingival sulcus. The latter is the small gap between the gums and teeth.

Once the bacteria makes its way there, an inflammatory reaction will take place.

Stomatitis

This is considered a more generalized condition. Additionally, it’s also more severe than gingivitis.

That’s because more is involved in this condition. Namely:

Gums.
Tongue.
Roof of the mouth.
Inner surfaces of the lips.

According to vets, some cases of stomatitis have unknown causes.

Other times, it could be caused by a dysfunction in a dog’s immune system. The malfunction leads to an excessive inflammatory response.

Here are the symptoms of stomatitis:

Large sores.
Receding gums.
Lack of appetite.
Swollen tongue, lips, and other tissues in their mouth.
Unkempt haircoat. It’s because your dog’s no longer self-grooming.

Moreover, it commonly affects:

Maltese.
Greyhounds.
Labrador retrievers.
Miniature schnauzers.

#9: Periodontal disease

This is another dental problem that causes your dog to drool.

Not only that, but you’d also notice that their drool is blood-tinged.

Periodontal disease is the inflammation of your dog’s periodontium. Those are the tissues around the teeth that support them.

A study shows that 84% of dogs over 3 years old have this condition.

There are 4 stages of this disease, and they are

Stage 1: Gingivitis

Remember what I said in the previous reason? Gingivitis is the first stage of periodontal disease.

That’s why the condition is also caused by poor oral hygiene. With that, your dog’s plaque buildup becomes a site for bacterial infection.

Note: This is the only reversible stage of this disease.

In this stage, there are no loose teeth…yet.

Stage 2: Early periodontitis

In the condition’s stage 2, more than 25% of your dog’s teeth lose attachment to tissues.

Your pup’s gums might also begin to recede.

Stage 3: Moderate periodontitis

During x-rays, bone loss is evident.

Moreover, at least 50% of tooth attachment is lost. Plus, gums are visibly receding.

Stage 4: Advanced periodontitis

In this period, your dog will start losing teeth. That’s because more than 50% of tooth attachment is lost.

You’d notice that pus will start to ooze from the periodontium.

Behavioral and visual symptoms of periodontal disease:

Bad breath.
Aggression.
Withdrawal.
Loose teeth.
Hesitating toothbrushing.
Swollen and bleeding gums.
Making noises when they eat.
Inability to pick up food using their mouth.
Not letting you check their mouth by pulling away.
Blood drippings in their food and water bowls. Their chew toys might be covered with a little blood, too.

#10: Loose teeth

Dogs have 2 sets of teeth in their lifetime, just like with humans.

A puppy’s baby teeth begin to fall out around 4 months of their age.

There, their milk teeth are replaced with 42 permanent adult teeth.

And possibly replaced with a treat, too. But, only if Fido knows about the tooth fairy…

That aside, the permanent teeth should be secure in their sockets. That’s why adult dogs shouldn’t have wobbly teeth…

But what if they have it?

Then, that might be the explanation for Fido’s drooling.

Other symptoms of loose teeth are:

Bad breath.
Mouth pain.
Bloody saliva.
Reduced appetite.
Pawing their mouth.
An odd-angled tooth.
Swollen areas around the face.
Rubbing their face against surfaces.
Having trouble eating. They drop their food or have a hard time chewing. Then, this also results in a messy eating area.

Causes of loose teeth, according to experts, are:

Tumors.
Oral trauma.
Periodontal disease.

#11: Oral tumors

Tumors are described as the abnormal growth and replication of cells.

There are 2 types of tumors:

Benign	These grow slowly and don’t spread.
Malignant	These are aggressive tumors and can spread.

Note: Malignant tumors are cancerous.

Your Dog Suddenly Drools Due To Oral Tumors

These tumors are usually found on the roof of the mouth. However, it could be present anywhere in their mouth.

Unfortunately, vets say that causes for oral tumors aren’t straightforward. That’s why some cases have no identifiable reason.

Moreover, the symptoms of tumors depend on its:

Size.
Type.
Location.
Presence of spread.

Oral cancer

If the tumor is malignant, it will multiply.

With that, your dog might develop oral cancer.

According to PetMD, these are the most common types of oral cancer in dogs:

Melanoma.
Fibrosarcoma.
Squamous cell carcinoma.

Drooling is a symptom of oral tumors and cancer. Other symptoms are:

Oral pain.
Bad breath.
Weight loss.
Loose teeth.
Swollen face.
Difficulty chewing or drinking.
Mass and growths in the mouth.
Occasional swelling of the lymph nodes. You can feel it in their neck.

#12: Pica disorder creating GI blockage

First, let’s talk about pica disorder in dogs.

It’s a serious condition where your pup craves and ingests non-food items.

It manifests differently from one dog to another. Some only eat a specific type of object, while others eat a variety.

“What could’ve caused this disorder?”

To answer:

Anxiety.
Boredom.
Malnutrition.
Chronic stress.
Learned behavior.

Experts tell us that dogs usually consume things that have your scent. That’s why eating socks, underwear, and towels are observed more in this disorder.

With that, this disorder brings another problem:

Gastrointestinal (GI) blockage

Your pup can’t digest non-food items. That’s why the objects are prone to create a severe blockage in the GI tract.

That blockage results in drooling. Along with other signs such as:

Lethargy.
Diarrhea.
Vomiting.
Loss of appetite.
Inability to defecate or urinate.

Also read: 11 Real Reasons Why Dogs Lick Their Toys (#3 Is Weird)

#13: Ingestion of chemicals + burns

Uh-oh…

Your dog might’ve gotten access to your stash of household chemicals.

Such is very harmful to your canine and could cause chemical burns.

I’m talking about these substances:

Salt.
Bleach.
Motor oil.
Oxidizers.
Ammonia.
Fertilizers.
Antifreeze.
Insecticides.
Battery acid.
Paint thinner.
Concrete mix.

Even licking those chemicals could already cause your dog to drool excessively.

Here are the usual side effects of chemical ingestion:

Fainting.
Seizures.
Red eyes.
Dizziness.
Coughing.
Swollen tongue.
Irregular heartbeat.
Pawing their mouth.
Constant swallowing.
More frequent drinking of water, especially at night.
Difficulty breathing. You’d often hear them gasping for breath.
Cold paws, weakened pulse, and pale gums are signs of shock.

Warning: Ingestion of chemicals can cause chemical burns in your dog’s mouth. It also causes them to drool.

Your pup’s mouth isn’t the only possible victim.

Fido can knock over the substance and irritate different parts of their body.

#14: Toxic plants

Oh no…

Fido’s mistaken…

They might’ve thought that the plants around them are vegetables.

Whether or not that’s the explanation for this case, let’s focus on your pup that might be in trouble…

First, I’ll answer this question:

“It’s normal for dogs to eat plants and grass, right?”

Yes, grass is rich in fiber. That’s why it can help your dog’s digestion.

But, that’s it. It doesn’t make it totally okay for your pooch to ingest other plants.

In fact, your dog’s drooling might be caused by toxic plants in your household.

So say that your dog has indeed chewed, bitten, and ingested the toxic greenery…

What would happen?

First, it would irritate your dog’s oral cavity. That includes the tongue and lips.

With that, your pup might start to drool.

Note: If a plant’s toxic enough to make your dog drool so much, then it can have serious side effects.

Next, your fur baby might experience vomiting and GI upset.

Warning: Effects of plant poisoning might manifest in different ways.

The case varies. It could range from mild to severe.

Moreover, there are about 700 to 1000 harmful plants for your dog.

So, if you have any of these plants in your house, keep them away from Fido:

Aloe.
Lilies.
Tulips.
Azalea.
Daffodils.
Hyacinths.
Oleanders.
Sago palm.
Dieffenbachia.
Autumn crocus.
Castor oil plant.
Lily of the valley.

#15: It’s seizure-related

A commonly reported neurological condition in dogs is seizures.

It’s also known as convulsions or fits.

“What happens during a seizure?”

Your dog’s normal brain functions get suddenly disturbed.

With that, a seizure could happen. During that, involuntary and uncontrollable muscle activity shows.

“What is the difference between epilepsy and a seizure?”

Great question, as the two get mixed up with each other a lot of times.

Epilepsy is the term for chronic episodes of seizures.

“Then, what causes epilepsy in dogs?”

According to vets, most cases of epilepsy are inherited. It’s called idiopathic epilepsy.

And, the many other causes of epilepsy are:

Poisoning.
Head injury.
Liver disease.
Kidney failure.
Brain tumor/s.
Unbalanced electrolytes.
Low or high blood sugar.

Now…as for your last and (probably) main question:

“What’s the connection between seizures and drooling?”

Excessive salivation occurs in all 3 phases of a seizure.

Pre-ictal phase (aura)

In this stage, your dog shows alterations in their behavior. Namely:

Whining.
Drooling.
Trembling.
Nervousness.
Restlessness.

This can last between a few seconds to a few hours.

Ictal phase

Here, mild changes in mental awareness are displayed.

You’d notice that your dog is:

Gazing.
Dozing off.
Mildly shaking.
Repeatedly licking their lips.

Warning: Your dog could experience a grand mal seizure. This is referred to as the full-blown case.

In here, your dog might lose consciousness and drop their body.

Moreover, a seizure longer than five minutes is called status epilepticus.

Post-ictal phase

The immediate period after the seizure.

Here, your dog’s confused and disoriented.

That’s why Fido might show:

Pacing.
Restlessness.
In some cases, temporary blindness.

#16: Sialadenosis

One type of salivary disorder is sialadenosis, which is a tricky condition to spot.

Why?

It’s non-inflammatory. Meaning there is not much evident inflammation.

Your dog’s eyeballs would also look like they’re bulging. It’s called exophthalmos.

However, your pup might not show any apparent pain.

Moreover, dogs who have sialadenosis look like they’re over-excited. That’s because they retch and gulp usually.

“What if it’s closely looked at?”

The MSD vet manual says that even in cells and tissues, abnormalities aren’t obvious.

With that, it’s indeed a little tricky to identify.

Take it from this case report:

An 8-year-old Pomeranian has had chronic nausea and vomiting for 2 years.

During the study, the Pom was finally diagnosed with phenobarbital-responsive sialadenosis (PRS).

There, it’s learned that aside from nausea and vomiting, here are effects of PRS:

Depression.
Weight loss.
Lip-smacking.
Hypersalivation.
Lack of appetite.
Inability or trouble swallowing.

#17: Anxiety

Let’s go back to the same setting as reason #3: the car ride with your pup.

Motion sickness couldn’t be the only explanation.

In this situation, anxiety’s on the table, too.

An open mouth and constant panting is a sign of anxiety in dogs. Both signs make your dog suddenly drool.

Along with excessive salivation, signs of anxiety also include:

Yawning.
Tucked tail.
Lowered ears.
Barking at you.
Sudden aggression.
Repeatedly licking their lips.
Carrying tension in their body.

Anxiety is described as the response to a fearful or agitating situation.

The stimulus for anxiety might be present or anticipated.

An example of a present stimulus could be the outside noises.

While you drive, the busy highway might be scary for your pooch. Or if you’re driving slowly, the unfamiliar people that pass by are alarming for your dog.

Next, for the anticipated stimulus example:

Your dog might be anxious because they know they’re being taken to the vet.

The thought alone makes your dog uneasy.

They learned that in the vet’s clinic, there’ll be needles and uncomfortable tests.

The waiting room might also cause your dog anxiety. As I mentioned, unfamiliar people can scare your dog. That and other animals that could make Fido anxious, too.

Reading tip: 19 Proven Ways To Calm Your Anxious Dog (How-To Guide)

#18: GI disorders

This time, an upset stomach could cause your dog to drool too much.

Not only that but they’re also bound to show new behaviors.

Those unexpected actions could be a symptom of something going on in their tummies…

Gastric reflux

Gastric reflux is short for gastroesophageal reflux disease. A much shorter name for it is GERD, which I’ll use in this section.

It’s a condition where stomach acid makes its way up. It travels from your dog’s stomach to their esophagus.

GERD causes heartburn in humans. However, dogs can’t really tell you if they’re experiencing that or not.

But, you could still watch out for signs of discomfort.

Take notes for the signs of GERD:

Pacing.
Coughing.
Licking their lips.
Restlessness at night.
Changes in their appetite.

As I said, GERD makes acid go back up your dog’s throat.

With that, it also sends fluids up. Such occurrences could cause hypersalivation.

Gastric ulcer

In this case, ulcers developed in your dog’s mucosal lining of the stomach.

According to the MSDVM, GI ulceration is more common in dogs than in cats.

Listed are the possible causes of GI ulceration in dogs:

Poisoning.
Addison disease.
Liver problems or diseases.
Inflammation in the GI tract.
Repetitive strenuous exercise.
NSAID administration (steroids).
Bacterial, fungal, or viral infections.
Obstructions in the GI tract, e.g., tumors.
Neoplasia, which is the abnormal growth of cells or tissues.

The symptoms of this condition are:

Fever.
Anemia.
Lethargy.
Weight loss.
Abdominal pain.
Black tarry stool.
Loss of appetite.
Vomiting, and sometimes it’s bloody.

Bloating or gastric dilatation-volvulus (GDV)

Bloating is a common condition in dogs. It’s also a deadly one.

It occurs when your dog’s stomach gets filled with gas, fluid, or food. With that, their tummies expand.

Once their stomach inflates, it pushes other organs. Therefore, putting pressure on them.

Bloating is referred to as gastric dilatation-volvulus (GDV).

It’s common among large and deep-chested dogs. According to the MSDVM, those dogs are:

Irish setters.
Great danes.
Saint bernards.
Basset hounds.
Gordon setters.
Standard poodles.
German shepherds.

However, any dog may still be affected.

Moreover, there are no known exact causes for GDV.

Vets only relate the condition to a dog’s meal.

An example is the elevation of a dog’s food bowl. Or they’re being fed with multiple small meals, instead of a large one.

Symptoms of GDV include:

Retching.
Restlessness.
Hypersalivation.
Enlarged abdomen.

Hiatal Hernia

This condition is also known as a diaphragmatic hernia.

A hernia is described as a part of the body protruding another body part. It’s able to do so using a gap or opening.

Hiatal hernia happens in the diaphragm.

There, the esophagus protrudes the stomach. It’s due to the weakness of the muscle tissue, which prompts the stomach to bulge.

There are limited causes for this condition. Namely:

Acquired through trauma.
Congenital, which means your dog’s born with it.

The clinical signs of hiatal hernia are:

Anorexia.
Vomiting.
Coughing.
Weight loss.
Bloody vomit.
Regurgitation.
Hypersalivation.
Struggling to breathe.

#19: Problems in the esophagus

Your dog’s food pipe is the esophagus.

And in this case, that pipe is facing a condition that makes your pup suddenly drool.

Megaesophagus

In this condition, your canine’s esophagus is enlarged.

Megaesophagus causes food and fluids to accumulate in the esophagus. With that, your dog’s stomach won’t be able to receive any input.

Symptoms of this condition are:

Fever.
Vomiting.
Starvation.
Weight loss.
Weakened muscles.
Enlarged esophagus that bulges in their neck.
Foul breath. The smell could be described as fishy or metallic.

According to the MSDVM, the causes of megaesophagus are:

Cancer.
Poisoning.
Hypothyroidism.
Addison disease.
Abnormal blood vessels.
Presence of foreign objects in the esophagus.
Congenital disability. This is common among Miniature schnauzers and Wire-haired fox terriers.

Moreover, the manual also gave us a list of dog breeds. That list defines those that are predisposed to the condition. They are:

Irish Setters.
Great Danes.
Newfoundlands.
Chinese Shar-peis.
German Shepherds.
Labrador Retrievers.

Esophageal tumors

This is an extremely rare condition in dogs.

Esophageal tumors occur due to abnormal replication of cells in the esophagus.

The tumors formed may be benign or malignant.

As I said in reason #11, the difference between the two is the tendency to spread.

And to reiterate, benign tumors are non-cancerous. Malignant tumors are the cancerous ones.

The cause for the formation of tumors is complicated to pinpoint, vets say.

That’s because, in some cases, the causes are mixed and complex. There are environmental and genetic factors.

Signs that your dog has tumors in their esophagus:

Drooling.
Weight loss.
Regurgitation.
Pain with swallowing.
Having trouble eating. You’d also notice that they cough and choke during meals.

Esophagitis

This condition refers to the inflammation of the esophagus.

Fun fact: Conditions that end with -itis means that it’s inflammatory.

The causes of esophagitis are:

Neoplasia.
Pica disorder.
Food allergies.
Stomach ulcers.
Megaesophagus.
Bacterial infection.
Chemical ingestion.
Gastric reflux (GERD).
Foreign objects in the esophagus.
Certain medications, e.g., doxycycline.

As MSDVM states, your canine may not require treatment for mild esophagitis.

Only a severe case of this condition requires treatment.

With that, the symptoms of esophagitis are:

Fever.
Anorexia.
Coughing.
Regurgitation.
Trouble swallowing.
Ptyalism, which is excessive drooling.
Frequent extension of the head and neck.
Whining or whimpering when swallowing food.

#20: Oral problems

If your dog is drooling, your first instinct might be to look in their mouth…

Your instinct might be right…

With that, here are diseases to look out for when you check Fido’s gobbler:

Chronic ulcerative paradental stomatitis (CUPS)

CUPS is a disease that creates painful ulcers in your dog’s oral cavity.

In this condition, the back of your dog’s mouth is inflamed, too.

The symptoms for CUPS are:

Pain.
Ptyalism.
Bad breath.
Swollen gums.
Loss of appetite.
Slimy and thick saliva.
Accumulation of plaque in your dog’s teeth.

The causes for this condition are divided into 8. According to PetMD, those are:

Type	Causes
Idiopathic	– Bone infection (osteomyelitis). – Skin disease (eosinophilic granuloma).
Traumatic	– Foreign objects in their mouth. – Shock and burn from electrical wires. – Misalignment of their teeth (Malocclusion).
Infectious	– Gingivitis. – Leptospirosis. – Periodontal disease.
Metabolic	– Diabetes. – Hypothyroidism. – Hypoparathyroidism. – Urine in the blood (uremia).
Nutritional	– Vitamin B2 deficiency. – Malnutrition due to low levels of protein-calorie.
Neoplastic	– Malignant tumors.
Immune-mediated	– Lupus. – Skin blisters (bullous pemphigoid). – Autoimmune skin disease (pemphigus). – Inflammation of the blood vessels (vasculitis).
Chemical poisoning	– Acids. – Thallium poisoning.

Abrasions

Maybe after you see Fido drool, they’re chewing something hard.

Well, that might be the explanation…

The hard object caused abrasions in your dog’s mouth.

It could also cause cuts.

And with that, your dog might start to drool excessively.

Tooth decay

Did you know? More than 80% of dogs over the age of 3 are combatting dental disease.

This condition represents at least 10% of those dental diseases.

I’m talking about:

Tooth decay, more known as cavities,

Factors that can cause cavities:

Diet.
Environment.
Plaque buildup that causes bacterial infection.

If you check, the cavities look like pits or holes in the teeth.

However, some cavities might only show after a dental cleaning.

Now, for the signs…

Unfortunately, they’re limited. It only includes:

Pain.
Bad breath.
Tartar buildup.

#21: Rabies

In mammals, acquiring rabies is one of the most fatal viral diseases.

It’s caused by the rabies virus, which is present worldwide.

Note: Humans could be affected by this.

Rabies’ mode of transmission is through a bite. That’s why it’s somewhat rare.

But don’t let that fact dismiss the thought of the virus…

Moreover, the virus’ incubation period varies. It can range from 10 days to 1 year. Sometimes, even longer.

Vets say that the speed of the incubation period depends on:

The severity of the bite.
How much virus is injected by the bite.
The area of bite and infection. The closer it is to the brain and spinal cord, the faster it spreads. That’s because the aforementioned are sites of nervous tissues.

The symptoms of rabies are:

Fever.
Seizures.
Paralysis.
Hypersalivation.
Difficulty swallowing.

However, it’ll still depend on what stage your dog is in.

Prodromal phase

In this period, your dog undergoes behavioral changes. They’re more irritated and agitated. Either nervousness or shyness becomes evident as well.

Lastly, this phase can last from 2 to 3 days.

Next to that stage are 2 forms of the rabies virus:

Furious rabies

This makes your dog aggressive and overexcited.

Their appetite has increased, too. They’re so hungry, they might even develop pica disorder.

However, further into the disease, your dog develops paralysis. Here, the dog will be unable to eat or drink.

The last occurrence will be a violent seizure. That’ll be the end of it as the dog will finally die.

Dumb rabies

This is a more common form in dogs.

The paralysis is progressive on this one. Along with that, face distortion and difficulty swallowing are observed.

The dog will eventually go into a coma and die.

Warning: If this is the case, take precautions.

Make sure to not get any saliva on you.

Remember: Saliva is a mode of transmission of the rabies virus, too.

How to stop dog drooling? 5 effective tips & home remedies

#1: Time for a better dental hygiene

Protect your dog’s pearly whites!

Regularly brush their teeth.

Your dog’s teeth need to be brushed at least 3 times a week.

If you can get it to be twice daily, then much better. Vets say that that amount is ideal for dogs, just like in humans.

Note: Dogs can learn to enjoy toothbrushing. Once they get accustomed to it, they’d begin to expect and love it.

#2: Prepare for every car ride

There are many ways to prevent your dog from experiencing motion sickness. Those are:

No food policy

Make sure not to give your dog any food before traveling.

To be sure, 12 hours before driving is ideal.

This also prevents frequent bathroom breaks.

Note: Still provide fresh water for your dog during the car ride.

Make sure the environment in the car is calm

Fido will surely appreciate a quiet and calm drive. Such won’t contribute to their anxiety.

Did you know? Dogs can learn to love classical music. Plus, it will help them calm down and remain soothed.

Take it from this research:

Stimulation in hearing classical music is noted after 2 days of experimentation.

With that, you could start playing classical music during car rides.

Temperature

Set the right temperature in the car.

It should be cool enough for your dog.

Anti-nausea medications

An FDA-approved motion sickness medication for dogs: Cerenia.

It inhibits nausea and vomiting due to motion sickness.

Note: Consult your dog’s vet first. That’s because the medication requires a prescription from the doctor.

Make it homey

Throw in one of your used shirts in the car.

A blanket would do the trick, too.

You should do that to make your dog cozy and feel like they’re home.

#3: Herbal tea rinse

This will work if the cause for drooling is injuries or wounds in the mouth.

An herbal tea rinse would be soothing for your dog.

How so?

Tea has anti-inflammatory properties.

It’s ideal to use to lessen discomfort due to the injuries.

Here are teas that are suitable for your pup:

Ginger tea (in small doses only).
Turmeric tea (in small quantities only).
Chamomile tea, which can also help your dog’s stomach. It can also be mixed in their food.

#4: Maintain your dog’s hydration

Provide the right amount of water per day to your dog:

1 oz (30 mL) of water per 1 pound (0.45 kg) of their body weight.

Moreover, the right amount of water would also depend on other facts. Those are:

Diet.
General health.
Environmental temperature.

#5: Assess and treat

Notice that your dog’s drooling might be medical-related?

Then, the best way to aid it is to skip the home remedies.

Schedule an appointment with their vet.

Here are possible medical tests to expect.

Biopsy.
Dental x-rays.
Liver and kidney evaluation.
Complete blood count (CBC).
X-rays in their chest, neck, and abdomen.

Note: It will depend on the doctor’s findings.

There, your canine could get properly diagnosed. Once that’s done, essential treatment would be advised by the professional.