The Significance of Dog Drool
Getting close to your dog is part of every owner’s joy and daily activity. We love to cuddle and snuggle with our pups but for some, a slobbering welcome can be a little troublesome when seeking some quality time with your canine companion. No matter the size and breed of your dog, they are likely to greet you with enthusiasm and maybe with a little added drool. Drooling can tell you a lot about what’s going on with your dog and should not be taken lightly. Let’s have a look at the significance of dog drool and why it’s important to monitor drool levels.
The Drool Effect
Drooling levels can vary between dog breeds. Smaller dogs tend to drool less than bigger dogs and jaw structure also influences volume of saliva. Various lines of bulldogs are known to drool more and it can be indicative of numerous things.
Dogs are emotional friends that will often express joy, hunger and fear. When greeting your pup with a tasty treat, it’s perfectly normal to observe elevated levels of saliva. Just like us humans, it’s a natural reaction to a piqued appetite.
Drooling helps to maintain homeostasis within the body. It acts as additional heat dissipation that primarily relies on the respiratory system. If you’ve just been out on an adventure, exercise will require some form of heat release. Increased breathing is often accompanied by an open mouth, panting along with increased drool to support this cooling process.
Research reveals that dog saliva contains antibacterial properties and is capable of fighting off various pathogens. An increased level of drooling in your dog may be a sign of invading foreign bodies that it's trying to fight off. It’s important to monitor this to ensure adequate hydration levels are maintained.
Saliva Support
Saliva carries an important role in both humans and animals. It assists dogs in initial digestion processes as enzymes interact with food, facilitating easier eating and entry into the oesophagus. It doubles up as a buffer for healthy dental care, maintaining a slight yet consistent alkalinity in the mouth. Foul smells and increased saliva production is a sign that immediate care should given by a pet health professional.
Assessing and Reacting to Excess Drooling
If you notice that your dog has been drooling excessively for an extended period of time that is not related to previously mentioned reasons, a closer assessment is needed. A swift visit to your vet will be the best course of action to gain an accurate report of what is causing excess saliva. They will of course provide the most effective of form of treatment to set your pup back on course for recovery.
We often check for any signs of oral disease including gingivitis as bacterial build up over time is common. Diet and hygiene is especially important in dental care and we regularly brush our dog’s teeth to keep their teeth and gums clean and healthy. It also sets a habit for us to check for any injuries that would otherwise be unseen such gum damage, teeth fractures or foreign items lodged somewhere.
Stress can also induce elevated levels of drool and it’s best to figure out if your dog is experiencing some form of unease at home. Remedying this through removal of the source of stress is advised, we like to keep our dogs happy and safe at home. Bark!
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