We love our fur-babies. Even when they race through the house soaking wet after a bath…when they steal your spot on the couch…and, yes, even when they drool, we love them. About that drool, though. It can be a lot. All dogs do it, but some breeds can fill up an entire swimming pool with their slobber. Heck, whole movies have been made on the hazards of doggie drool (think: Turner & Hooch, Beethoven, etc.). So why do they do it?
In most cases, all that visible drool is harmless. Messy, but harmless. Just like us humans, dogs emit saliva in order to aid their digestive process. Saliva moistens food (which could be the reason why you pup wolfs down entire chunks of their dry dog food like a Hoover vacuum). Saliva also helps clear their mouth of bacteria, which is good for their oral health. When a dog visibly drools, it’s most likely because they’re excitedly anticipating their next meal. (Yes, I know…it’s like they’re almost always anticipating their next meal.)
But if your dog is overly slobbery, it’s could be symptomatic of an underlying problem like an upset stomach, having eaten some inedible non-food item, or, worst-case, a tumor. You should definitely take your dog to the vet if they begin excessively drooling all of the sudden, or if you notice blood in their saliva.
Certain breeds, like Basset Hounds, St. Bernards, or (my favorite) Mastiffs, are all well-known for their slobbering prowess, but not necessarily because they produce more of it. Actually, breeds with certain mouth structures or uneven lips can just have difficulty containing their drool, which leads to leakage.
Nobody likes dog drool, but it helps if you just consider it a visible sign of just how much they love & trust you. A damp, slick, messy sign…but a sign nonetheless.
And, if you’ve got a Mundane Mystery you’d like to know about, send me a message via social media (@AndyWebbRadioVoice), or shoot me an email at [email protected].
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