Why Do Golden Retrievers Drool – 12 Causes and Their Solutions

There are some things that almost all dogs do; they will chew your furniture, they will leave hair on your clothes, and they will drool.

I think this answers your first question; do Golden Retrievers drool? Yes, Golden Retrievers drool like almost all other dogs. However, golden retrievers do not drool excessively and will not slobber all over your home. Their Drooling is very easily managed.

The drooling is also considerably less with Golden Retrievers than it is in breeds like Saint Bernards or Mastiffs.

Now that we have got this covered, you should still know how you can manage the drooling so it doesn’t become a problem. Let’s get to it, then.

Why Do Golden Retrievers Drool?

Golden Retrievers will drool mostly over exciting food, the smell of exciting food, or even the thought of exciting food. They will also drool over a bad taste to flush the taste away. Drooling can also be caused by some medical conditions that make them unable to swallow the normal amounts of saliva or produce an excess of saliva.

When it comes to getting a dog, drooling is simply a part of the package. Just like barking. However, while all dogs drool, not all dogs drool equally.

Golden retrievers drool a very reasonable amount, especially when compared to breeds such as the bloodhound or Mastiff. The reason is that these breeds have head/lip conformations that simply can’t retain the amount of drool they produce.

These breeds have extra skin around the muzzle and lips that make it harder to close and give the saliva places to collect in the folds before dripping from the openings.

This is not the case with Golden Retrievers, fortunately. Goldens almost never drool unless it’s for a reason, and this reason is mostly a delicious burger or a piece of steak.

When is drooling an issue?

Drooling becomes an issue in Golden Retrievers when it becomes excessive or unnaturally common. If you see your golden retrievers drooling every time you check them, then you might have a problem.

Excessive drooling is often caused by an underlying health issue, and while it’s often harmless, it’s still worth it to pay attention to it.

12 Possible Causes for Excessive Drooling

The following may cause excessive drooling in dogs;

1. Anxiety/Excitement
2. Foreign Objects
3. Motion Sickness
4. Dental Issues
5. Tummy Issues
6. Heat Stroke
7. Nerve Damage
8. Rabies
9. Poisoning
10. Liver Issues
11. Kidney Issues
12. Bloating

1. Anxiety/ Excitement

Sometimes your golden retriever will be so excited or so anxious that they will start to drool. This rarely happens with well-trained, dogs, though, and I have only really seen it happen with dogs that have been very well trained nor well-socialized.

What gets the dog excited is likely to be food, but it can also happen when the dog is excited for seeing his human for the first time in a while.

Solution:

Train your dog to stay calm in exciting situations and consult a professional if your dog has separation anxiety.

2. Foreign Objects

Humans explore the world with their hands, dogs explore it with their mouths. Your dog will often lick and chew on objects to “know” them. This will sometimes lead to certain objects getting stuck in their mouths, and this can cause excessive drooling.

If you see your dog drooling a lot, the first thing to do is to check for foreign objects in their mouths. I have taken out pieces of wires, strings, and at one time a piece of gum from my dogs’ mouths.

Solution:

If you can see something but your dog won’t let you get it out, then it’s time to go to the vet. You should also go to the vet is the drooling is excessive and sudden.

[su_box title=”Pro Tip” box_color=”#ec7050″]Train your dog to get accustomed to you putting your hand in their mouths when they are young. This will be extremely beneficial for when the dog gets older and you need to get stuff out of there without them biting you and for brushing their teeth. [/su_box]

3. Motion Sickness

If you take your golden retriever on a car ride and you notice them starting to drool, then they may have motion sickness. Needless to say this can also happen if you take them on a bus, a pickup truck, or a boat.

Solution:

If car rides with your dog are absolutely necessary, you should call the vet and ask them for a recommendation of OTC medication that can help your Golden Retriever with the motion sickness.

4. Dental Issues

If the drooling from your golden retrievers lasts for more than a few minutes, then your dog might have a dental issue that is causing the excessive drooling.

The issue could be simple or serious, here are a few examples of issues with your dog’s teeth or gum that might be causing the excessive drooling;

• A Gum or teeth injury
• A swollen gum
• Tartar Buildup
• Tooth Decay
• Tooth fractures
• Gingivitis

Dental issues are hard to recognize because your dog will show signs of pain. They will refuse you going anywhere near their teeth with your hands and they will likely refuse to eat. Dental issues also put golden retrievers in a really bad mood all day long and this is a sign that you must take him to the vet as soon as possible.

Solution:

If you think your dog has an issue with their teeth, consult a vet. They may also need a chewing toy and/or a certain toothpaste to keep their teeth and gum healthier.

5.Tummy Issues

If your golden retriever is suffering from an issue in their Digestive System or intestines, they may start drooling excessively. A twisting in the stomach or eating something bad for them can cause excessive drooling.

Always keep an eye on what your dog is eating and check their tummy to see if it’s bloated or if it’s causing them any pain.

Solution:

If you see any signs of tummy issues, take them to the vet right away.

6. Heat Stroke

If your golden retriever gets too hot, they may start drooling excessively. Your golden retriever can get too hot if they are left in a car in the summer day for even a short period of time or if they are left outside with no where to protect them from the sun.

Always try to keep your dog indoors in the hot summer days, take them on walks only if it’s early enough or late enough that the sun is not too much to handle and the ground is cool enough.

And, of course, NEVER, EVER leave your dog alone in a parked car.

Remember that Golden Retrievers are double-coated and they will feel the heat more and get hotter faster than other dogs with lighter coats.

If the drooling is accompanied by things like a fever, vomiting, or a red tongue, then it’s quite likely that they’re having a heat stroke.

Solution:

You need to lower your dog’s body temperature gradually. Move them to a cool area and start to douse them with cool water.

Don’t use ice or water that’s too cold as this may cause shock. You can also use wet towels. Placing your dog under an air conditioner unit or in the breeze of a fan is also a good idea.

7. Nerve Damage

Your dog can also drool excessively if they have a damaged nerve (that may be caused by a tumor or an injury). Dogs with damaged trigeminal nerve damage can’t move normally and can’t close their mouths fully.

This can also cause your dog to have troubles eating, drinking, and moving their facial muscles properly.

Solution:

Take them to the vet.

8. Rabies

Rabies can also cause excessive drooling in golden retrievers, and it’s one of the most serious things that can cause your golden retriever to drool excessively.

The rabies vaccine expires in a year, which means your dog should get it annually, and if you miss your rabies vaccine and start seeing your golden retriever drooling excessively, you must take them to the vet quickly.

Solution:

Give them the rabies shot. If your dog already had it, go to the vet to get the treatments needed.

9. Poisoning

Just like you, your dog can get poisoning if they are exposed to dangerous toxins for an extended period of time or if they eat something poisoned (this can be as minor as a berry).

Food poisoning will cause your dog to drool excessively before slowing down considerably, and in some extreme cases, your dog can even collapse under the excess pain.

Solution:

If your dog is showing any signs of pain with the drooling, it’s time to rush them to the nearest vet or animal hospital.

10. Liver Issues

This is one of the most serious issues that can cause drooling in golden retrievers. Excessive drooling is one of the symptoms of liver issues, and the faster your dog gets diagnosed the easier it will be to treat it.

Other signs of liver problems in golden retrievers include:

• Feeling weak and slowing down
• Changing the normal behavior and activities
• Having uncoordinated movements (like stumbling around)
• Feeling pain and refusing to interact or play

11. Kidney Issues

Problems with your dog kidney can also cause them to drool, and drooling is considered one of the early signs of the Kidney disease in Golden Retrievers.

Kidney issues are life-threatening in dogs, and if you find your dog is having other symptoms such as difficulty standing or pain, you should take them to the vet.

12. Bloating

Bloating is a life-threatening condition, and it’s one that you should act on it immediately.

Bloating is also called Gastric Dilating Volvulus (GDV) and it truly is the “mother of all emergencies”.

Bloating can be fatal to the dog within a few hours.

If your dog’s abdomen looks unusual or is bloated, drop everything and rush them to the vet immediately. Every minute counts when your dog is bloated.

Dogs can get bloated when because of many things.

A few things that cause bloating:

• Eating from a raise food bowl
• Lots of exercise or running after eating a large meal
• Eating too quickly
• Eating only one large meal per day
• Drinking too much
• Consuming foods they shouldn’t consume (like chocolate or alcohol)
• Stress

Solution:

IF your dog has bloat, rush them to the nearest animal hospital or vet. There, they will decompress the stomach to release the excess gas, manage the shock, give them medications to stabilize their heart, and once stable, it’s very likely the dog will go into surgery.

You can learn more about bloating in the Pets.Webmd article I have linked in the ‘sources’ section at the end of the article.

When to Rush to the Vet?

You should rush your dog to the vet if the drooling is sudden and excessive and/of if it’s accompanied by any of the following:

• Visible pain
• Painful whimpering
• Difficulty standing up
• Visible signs of tiredness
• Changes in behavior
• Vomiting
• A thick, smelly, or bloody saliva
• Refusing to eat or eating too little
• Problems with going potty
• Your knowledge of something the dog consumed that they shouldn’t have
• Changes in their sleep routine

For the last one, snoring is often not a serious change in their sleep routine, and you can learn why is your golden retriever snoring here.

Conclusion

I really hope I haven’t spooked you with the talk about the serious issues. The truth is, in the real world, your dog’s drooling will happen rarely and it will be even rarer to be caused by something serious.

However, knowing what may be the causes and what to do in every situation can be extremely helpful in quickly diagnosing possible issues. Issues that are identified and diagnosed quickly are much easier to treat and handle.

Related Questions

Do Golden Retrievers drool a lot?

No, Golden Retrievers don’t drool a lot. Their drool is much easier to handle than other dog breeds like the Masitff.

Why is my Golden Retriever suddenly drooling?

The most probable reasons why your golden retriever is suddenly drooling is an injury to their gum or teeth – such as a fractured tooth, something stuck in their mouth, or if they are too hot.

Is drooling a sign of stress in dogs?

Excessive drooling can be a sign of stress in dogs. Dogs can also lick excessively when they are feeling anxious or stressed. Their eyes will also be wide-open and their pupils may be more dilated than usual. You can also notice your dog blinking more rapidly.

Sources

Is Your Dog’s Drool Cool? When It’s Natural and When It’s Cause for Concern – AKC

Behavior Problems of the Dog and Cat By Gary Landsberg, Wayne Hunthausen, Lowell Ackerman – Third Edition

Dog Bloat: Symptoms, causes, and treatments.