Why Do Dogs Drool When Excited? (And How To Calm Them)
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It’s possible that you’ve observed your dog drooling when he gets excited. If you do, you’re not alone. What causes dogs to behave in this manner?
What types of things or circumstances may a dog get overjoyed about?
And what methods do you use to calm your dog down? Here’s all you’ll need to know about the subject.
So, what causes dogs to drool when they are excited?
During an emotional response to specific stimuli, dogs typically drool as part of their bodily reaction. Drooling may occur as a consequence of an increase in saliva, forgetting to swallow, or physical incapacity to retain saliva in their mouths at all times. All of this may be triggered by a variety of exciting scenarios, whether they are just observing or actively engaging.
When your dog meets another dog or when he gets a whiff of excellent food, you’ll likely notice him drooling.
To some, this may seem to be strange!
Why do dogs drool when excited?
It may seem like an obvious question, but why do dogs drool when they get excited?
They’re salivating like Pavlov’s dogs, with lots of slobber and tongue action that can be embarrassing if you are around other people.
There is no one definitive reason for dog drooling when excited, but there are some common reasons that you should know about and understand.
PRO TIP:
If you go down on your knees to your dog’s level, you’re likely to be smothered with doggie kisses in the form of forceful licks all over your face as a result.
Of course, you run the risk of getting coated with a material that is less than appetising to the eye. What exactly are we discussing? Of course, drool from a dog!
Drool, on the other hand, is merely saliva, which you would recognise as spit in other contexts.
Dogs have four pairs of salivary glands, which leak into the mouth when they eat or drink. Similar to the saliva produced by your own mouth, a dog’s saliva assists in the digestion of food and aids in the swallowing of food.
Saliva
It is common to see soft and floppy jowls on dogs’ lips, where the skin folds to create pockets.
When there is an overabundance of saliva, these pockets fill up and overflow.
For whatever reason, some dogs drool more than others simply because of the way their lips are built.
In most cases, your dog’s mouth has trapped typical quantities of saliva, which he releases all at once because he’s enthusiastic and doesn’t want it to be wasted.
Physiological Trigger
Excited dogs produce more saliva than normal because they are expecting a reward or reward-giving situation.
For example, he could be waiting for something to eat, to get into the vehicle, to play with you, or to meet another canine companion.
Having Forgotten To Swallow
Occasionally, if your dog is really enthusiastic, he may forget to swallow, and the saliva will just stream out of his mouth.
Consider the following scenario: if your dog is used to receiving scraps of food from the table, he will most likely forget to swallow while watching other people eat.
His enthusiasm will be such that he will only be concerned with when he will be able to eat, and not with the drool that is dripping over the floor below him!
What Can a Dog Get Excited About?
We are all aware that most dogs get thrilled at the prospect of going for a walk, but there are other things that might get a dog enthusiastic as well as going for a walk.
The Smell of Food or the Thought of Eating
Just like you may find yourself salivating when you smell freshly baked cookies or bacon sizzling, your dog will salivate when he detects the scent of food.
Our Cavapoo loves the coffee smell or even I say ” I’m making Coffee” , whenever I Make coffee at home he starts salivating… 🙂
When your dog smells either his own food or your meal, he will have a response that is equal to (if not greater than) his own reaction.
We hoomans have 400 smell receptors, but dogs have over 200 million!!
It’s possible that when your dog hears you open his food can or bag, he may start drooling with eagerness.
He is aware that food is on its way, and the mere notion of it might cause him to slobber in delight.
Grooming or brushing ( going to the Groomer)
If your dog enjoys being groomed or combed, he is likely to slobber with delight as a result of his enthusiasm.
When you are brushing your dog, some dogs drool, and others start slobbering as soon as they see you with the brush in your hand.
Is It A Chase or a Game?
It is probable that your dog will be drooling with excitement during any kind of chase or activity or favourite toy.
He could have seen a squirrel in the park, or you might have pulled out his favourite ball or tug-of-war toy, and he’s aware that you’re ready to engage in some playtime with him.
The presence of other canines
When a dog is in the company of another dog, he or she will drool.
In certain cases, this might occur when dogs are worried or nervous, but they can also drool when they are sexually attracted by another dog.
A Road Trip in a Car
Some of us may not be very enthusiastic about the prospect of a lengthy automobile drive.
A vehicle journey, on the other hand, will cause some dogs to visibly shiver (and drool) with excitement at the prospect of going along with the family.
Is drooling in dogs considered normal?
Dogs are known to drool on occasion, and this is quite natural.
Some dog breeds drool more than others, and this is often due to the fact that they have seen food or detected an attractive smell.
However, if your dog is drooling excessively or oddly, or if they are exhibiting other symptoms, it might be an indication of a medical condition that requires veterinarian treatment.
Veterinary care may be required for a variety of reasons, including dental issues, poisoning, and heat stroke.
If you’re not sure if you should be worried about drooling, consult with a veterinarian for guidance and assistance. Even if there is nothing to be concerned about, it is still prudent to remain cautious.
However, it’s important to remember that various dogs interpret “extreme” drooling differently;
what is excessive for one dog may be typical for another. Only you and your dog will be able to determine what is excessive for your dog based on their usual behaviour.
Excessive drooling in dogs may have a variety of causes.
Dog drooling may be caused by a variety of factors, including:
Reaction on an emotional level (excitement, fear or nervousness) Some drugs have a negative side effect and can cause drooling.
Nausea
Motion sickness is a medical condition that occurs while a person is in motion. Dental issues are a common occurrence that can cause drooling.
Injury/Infection
A burning sensation in the mouth or lips
It is also possible that something has been lodged in their mouth, teeth, or throat.
Or If your pooch consumed a toxin or poison can cause drooling.
Heatstroke
You are the most knowledgeable person about your dog, so if you have any reason to be worried, you should see a veterinarian for guidance on whether or not your dog needs medical attention.
In the event of an emergency, while your daytime veterinarian is closed, you should contact your closest emergency veterinarian – you need to contact your local Vets ASAP.
If you do not believe you have an emergency but would want some professional guidance, you may arrange an online video consultation with one of our veterinarians by clicking here.
You should consider what information you can provide the veterinarian in order to make his or her job easier. Some examples include:
Is your dog drooling excessively or in a different way than usual?
If so, you should investigate more.
What additional symptoms are they displaying? Are they exhibiting indications of lethargy, diarrhoea, or pawing at their mouth?
I’m curious how long they’ve been drooling like this.
Are they drooling from both sides of their mouths or only from one side?
Have they consumed anything odd or been into contact with something that might be toxic?
If you have any reason to believe that your dog’s condition is potentially life-threatening, you should seek medical attention immediately.
This includes situations where your dog has swallowed any kind of poisonous chemical or poison, or has anything lodged in his or her throat.
Hypersalivation may be induced by a broad range of physical factors as well as psychological factors.
Tooth decay, rabies, distemper, heat stroke, motion sickness, and cysts, infections, and tumours in the salivary glands are just a few of the more typical occurrences.
If you see your dog drooling when it is enthusiastic or when it is near to meal time, there is typically no need to be concerned.
You should see a veterinarian if you find your pet drooling excessively or at inconvenient times, and it does not appear to be tied to anything else that is going on in his or her life.
There is certainly a range of therapies that may be explored depending on what is causing the hyper-salivation.
Your veterinarian may advise you to take medication or use food supplements.
More extreme situations may need the use of additional procedures.
What should I do if my dog is drooling [How to Calm a Dog Down]
Dogs who are excited may involuntarily drool. This occurs when their saliva glands open up to produce large amounts of saliva due to their overactive state.
Many dogs with an overactive excitable nature will also sniff and lick objects and people; others may whine or bark.
The goal of training is to improve a dog’s behaviour by eliminating these things from happening when they’re overstimulated.
Dogs often have a higher tolerance for excitement than humans do, but it can still be irritating or uncomfortable to watch them so frenzied!
The first step in training your dog how to calm down is determining whether or not he has too much energy, or whether he’s simply struggling with basic obedience commands.
Things You Can Try to stop them drooling
Dogs don’t have a great way to control their body temperature.
Because of that, they tend to overheat when they get excited. Overheating is dangerous because it could lead to heat stroke. So, A dog’s drooling is a way for them to cool down.
The easy method is spraying your dog with water; not only does it help them stay hydrated, but it also gives them something else to focus on than what you’re doing at that moment, which will help reduce any excess excitement.
But if they’re still overheating, try giving them a bath or using one of those cooling towels you can buy online and in pet stores.
Don’t use ice cubes though – dogs can accidentally swallow them and cause even more damage!
Dog Calming Aids
You’re right to be concerned about how to calm your dog when excited.
Dogs are great, but their excitement can be hard to handle. Luckily, there are a number of ways you can help take control of excitable dogs without resorting to medication.
It may seem like a lot of work at first, but after practicing with your pet you’ll have a good handle on how to keep dogs calm and relaxed before they destroy your couch or hurt themselves in their frenzy.
Without further ado, here are some possible home cures that you might try to alleviate your pup’s drooling problems.
1. Rinses made with coconut oil and herbal tea
If your pup’s drooling is caused by oral injuries, you may clean and aid in the healing of the injuries by washing his mouth with strongly brewed herbal tea.
Teas offer relaxing anti-inflammatory properties that may help to alleviate the itching and pain associated with injuries.
2.Doggie Bibs/Bandanas are available in a variety of colours.
Tieing a doggy bib or bandana around your pup’s neck can assist you in controlling the quantity of saliva released and will provide your dog with something to absorb any extra saliva that falls as it falls.
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3.Lemon Juice (Extract)
Dog drooling may also be controlled by mixing a few drops of lemon juice with water.
Lemon extracts work by temporarily drying up your dog’s mouth, so reducing his tendency to drool excessively.
Lemon, on the other hand, is not advised for dogs since it includes psoralen chemicals, which may cause a variety of problems in dogs, including upset stomachs, vomiting, lethargy, diarrhoea, and even skin cancer if consumed in large quantities.
Using calming agents diffuser can help reduce drooling caused due to Anxiety
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Is drooling a symptom of discomfort?
Perhaps your dog is in discomfort, as seen by his drooling and excessive salivation.
For example, oral or dental abnormalities that might induce drooling can be uncomfortable as well as embarrassing.
It is also possible that they have something lodged in their throat, making it uncomfortable to swallow and leading in an excessive amount of saliva being produced.
Always keep in mind that not all disorders caused by drooling will be uncomfortable, but they may still need veterinarian assistance, so don’t wait until there are symptoms of discomfort before acting.
Is drooling in a dog an indication of stress?
You may be startled to find that your dog’s drooling might be caused by a stressful situation.
When faced with stressful scenarios like moving home, driving in a vehicle, or watching fireworks, you may notice that they drool more than normal as a result of their anxiety.
If you’re concerned that your dog may need assistance with anxiety or stress, it’s a good idea to speak with your veterinarian about the best methods to help them.
What can I do to get my dog to quit drooling?
The best technique to deal with a drooling dog will be determined by the source of the problem.
If your dog is drooling and you’re not sure what’s causing it, always see a veterinarian for guidance and clarification.
While it is possible that there is nothing to be concerned about, it is best to be safe than sorry.
It is possible to make your dog as comfortable as possible in order to ease their anxiety in specific conditions if they are drooling as a result of their tension.
If watching fireworks are the source of the problem, learn how to prepare ahead of time.
Look into techniques to help socialise your dog so that he or she becomes more comfortable around strangers if people make your dog anxious.
If the anxiousness is creating significant issues, it is recommended that you consult with a veterinarian.
For dogs that suffer from motion sickness, it is recommended that you minimise their car rides and consult with your veterinarian about a possible treatment options.
About the Author:
I’m Div Acharya. I’ve been a dog lover my entire life. When my daughter wanted a new Puppy I was looking for another furbaby to share my life with.
As a result of my research, I’ve come to love oodles and wanted to share some of what I’ve learned with you. Whether you’re looking to get a Puppy, or already own one, these Blogs t to be the ultimate guide to help you find the answers you need.
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