If you are a dog owner, then you must be aware of the fact that mostly all dogs drool. It is one of the very natural things that canines do, especially when they see food. There can also be other reasons that are causing them to drool, like stress, the arrival of a new dog, or the arrival of unfamiliar faces. You also probably know how much a dog can drool at the sight of anything that has meat in it.
Speaking specifically about golden retrievers, if you’ve asked this question “why do golden retrievers drool?” you should know that golden retrievers are also very food motivated dogs and hence drool at the sight of food. They also drool when they see other humans eating. Other than their food motivation, they tend to drool if they are panicking over something. It is a known fact that golden retrievers that have larger jaws drool more than those with smaller jaws. Such dogs are also known to drool more after they eat, drink, or indulge in any sort of exercise.
However, excess drooling in golden retrievers is not a common occurrence. If you see your golden retriever drooling all the time, sometimes uncontrollably, then it is something that should definitely catch your attention. Excessive drooling can be a sign of an underlying problem, so knowing what the issue is, and getting your dog the appropriate treatment for said issue will go a long way in ensuring that your furry friend stays healthy and happy.
Problems That Cause Golden Retrievers to Drool Excessively
Mentioned below are a few problems that can cause your golden retriever to drool more than usual. You should keep an eye out for these problems and get your dog checked if need be.
Poisoning
This is one of the major reasons that can cause excess drooling in golden retrievers. If your dog has been exposed to any sort of dangerous toxins, then this can lead to him drooling excessively. In the case that your dog has food poisoning, it might slow down and even collapse in extreme situations due to excess pain.
Liver Problems
Liver issues are a very serious problem for golden retrievers. If your golden retriever is suffering from any sort of liver issue, it will probably start to drool a lot – more so than usual. That is why it is highly advised that you get your dog checked by a professional veterinarian if you notice this excessive drooling. Liver problems can also cause your golden retriever to feel weak, have uncoordinated movement, and change its behavior.
Heatstroke
If your golden retriever has fallen prey to the extreme heat, then you might find him drooling excessively. Heatstroke can happen if your golden retriever is exposed to the sun for long hours at a stretch. This is why it is highly advised that you protect your golden retriever from extreme weather conditions. Owing to the fact that the golden retriever is double-coated, it will feel the heat more than other dogs will, and so, you need to take extra care of your dog. Other conditions that might occur as a result of heatstroke are fever, vomiting, and redness in the tongue.
Dental Problems
If you see your golden retriever drooling excessively, then the chances are that it might be suffering from certain dental problems. These can include tartar, gingivitis, tooth decay, and tooth fractures. If your dog has sustained an injury to the mouth area, then it’s possible that it might have swollen or bleeding gums, which can also be a cause of excessive drooling.
If your golden retriever is refusing to eat, whining and whimpering excessively, or is just in a bad mood all the time, then a visit to the vet is an absolute must.
Digestive System Issues
A blockage in the intestines or the twisting of the stomach can cause your golden retriever’s stomach to get bloated and dilated. This condition is called gastric dilatation-volvulus (GDV). When your dog cannot vomit out the trapped food and water, or expel the gas in its stomach, it starts drooling excessively.
This drooling can be because your golden retriever is in a lot of pain because of its stomach problems. If you see any such issues, you should immediately get your dog checked by a vet. Being proactive in this situation will ensure that your dog does not have to live in pain for very long.
Stuck Objects
If your golden retriever has any objects stuck inside its mouth, then this can cause your golden retriever to drool excessively as well. Dogs love to chew on whatever they find around the house. This can be food items like a fishhook or a bone; it can also be pieces of string or wires. If such materials get stuck in your dog’s teeth or gums, it can cause your dog a lot of pain, which leads to excessive drooling.
If you notice that your dog is drooling a lot, you should probably check its mouth to see if there is anything stuck inside. If you can’t find anything, then take your dog to a vet instantly to see if there are any other reasons for the excessive drooling.
Rabies
This is one of the most serious causes of excessive drooling in golden retrievers. The rabies vaccine for dogs only lasts for a certain period of time (about a year or so), after which, a dog needs to be vaccinated again. If you haven’t kept up with your dog’s vaccination needs, then getting it vaccinated for rabies is a good idea. Remember, the rabies disease isn’t just bad for your dog; if your dog bites you or anyone in your household, it can lead to them getting infected by rabies.
Nerve Damage
If your dog has a damaged trigeminal nerve due to an injury or tumor, then this can be a problem for it. Dogs with this type of injury might not be able to close their mouths fully, and that can cause them to drool excessively. Nerve damage can also hinder your dog’s ability to move its facial muscles properly. Due to this reason, it might have a lot of trouble while eating and drinking.
Motion Sickness
This can also be one of the reasons behind excessive drooling in golden retrievers. If you make your dog sit in a car or a bus to take him along with you somewhere and you notice that he starts drooling because of this, then the right medication will be needed to help the dog deal with motion sickness.
A vet who is experienced in the field can tell you which medicines can help your golden retriever overcome this problem. Medicines can calm your dog’s nerves and make it feel calmer.
Anxiety or Excitement
If your golden retriever is feeling the slightest bit excited or anxious, it can cause the dog to start drooling. However, this is not the case with most golden retrievers. Some are more anxious than others, and these are the kind of dogs that you can see drooling excessively.
Your dog can be excited about anything; be it by seeing more food or by seeing other dogs or other humans that it loves. This extra excitement can also cause your dog to drool.
How to Prevent Excess Drooling
If you find that your golden retriever is drooling excessively, then there are a few measures that you can take. These measures are explained below in detail. However, you should always consult a vet if you’re worried about your dog’s excessive drooling.
Find the Trigger
The first thing you should do when you see your golden retriever drooling excessively is to try finding out what exactly is triggering that. The first thing that you should do is to check if your dog has anything stuck inside its mouth. If you see anything stuck, then you need to remove it immediately to avoid further problems.
If you don’t find anything, then it is best to get your dog checked by a vet. A vet will be able to tell you what is really causing your dog to drool excessively. Other triggers for excessive drooling in golden retrievers can be unfamiliar faces and loneliness. In such cases, giving your dog some extra cuddling time can also ensure that he stops drooling so much.
Tie a Bandana Around Its Neck
If your golden retriever drools excessively, then it can cause its neck area to become sticky and wet. This can make your dog highly uncomfortable. To catch the drool before it wets your dog’s neck, you can tie a bandana around its neck. With the drool absorbed, your dog will no longer feel sticky.
Our Final Thoughts
Having said all this, drooling is very natural in dogs. You don’t need to be overly concerned if your golden retriever is drooling too much. However, it is always best to be on the safe side, and so, you should have a vet check your dog if it is drooling excessively. A vet can diagnose the problem and can also tell you the right way of tackling the issue.
