If you have a dog, it is crucial to keep a close eye on them every day. Dogs can get into things that can make them sick. Even if they do not get into anything, they can become ill. You should look for symptoms to help your dog avoid succumbing to an illness, such as drooling clear slime. If your dog is drooling clear slime, a handful of things could be the cause.
If you see that your dog is drolling clear slime, the worst thing you can do is ignore it. Like any other symptom that is out of the ordinary, you should investigate to determine the cause.
Some causes could be unproblematic such as your dog anticipating a treat. However, others could indicate an illness. Here we will look at some common causes of excessive drolling.
Before you scroll down this guide, “Why Is My Dog Drooling Clear Slime,” check out: Why Does My Dog Drool in the Car? (2023) and Why Is My Dog Shaking After Eating? Common Causes and Treatments! (2023).
What Are the Causes of Dogs Excessively Drooling Clear Slime?
A few things could cause your dog to drool clear slime excessively. Some are things to be concerned about, while others are natural reactions to everyday events.
Here we will be looking at the most common causes of excessive drooling.
The Shape of Your Dog’s Mouth and Jaw Cannot Hold Much Saliva
While we talk about dogs broadly, they come in different breeds. Dog breeds have differences in how they look, and as a result, there are differences in bone structure. You can see it when you look at different dogs; there is a big difference between a Golden Retriever and a Chihuahua.
Some dog breeds are more prone to drooling than others. For example, Bloodhounds, Mastiffs, Boxers, and Saint Bernards are known to be heavy droolers. These dogs drool more than most other dog breeds because they have extra skin around their muzzle and lips.
Saliva collects in the skin folds and drips from their mouths. Alternatively, it will be flung everywhere when the dog shakes its head.
Furthermore, it is common for these dog breeds to get water trapped in their skin flap. So, it is possible that if you have one of these dog breeds, they are dripping water instead of saliva.
Your Dog Thinks They Are Going to Get a Treat
Another reason your dog might be drooling excessively is they think you are going to give them a treat.
Dogs, like humans, begin to produce saliva in anticipation of something they enjoy eating. You can notice this happen in your mouth when you think about your favorite food or see a delicious meal in front of you. The same is true for dogs.
If you tell your dog you will get them a treat, it will likely know what you mean and start to drool in anticipation.
Your Dog Might Have Eaten Something They Do Not Like
On the other end of the spectrum, some dogs drool after they eat something they do not like. The physiological reaction of drooling is meant to cleanse the tongue of all flavor. As a result, it is common for dogs to drool after they have their medication.
Your Dog Ingested Something Harmful or Poisonous
Another possibility is your dog could have eaten something harmful or poisonous. Before we go any further, we want to say that your dog drooling after eating something harmful does not mean it will die.
If they were at serious risk of dying from eating something poisonous, they would have much worse symptoms than just some excessive drooling. However, your dog could still be sick, so you should get them treated.
Dogs need to go outside every day to go to the bathroom and to go on walks. Most dog owners take their dogs out at least twice a day, if not more often. Furthermore, most dogs love to get into things they should avoid.
So, it is common for them to eat things. Most of the time, your dog will be fine because of their strong immune system. However, there are some instances where they will get sick from eating something.
If your dog eats something inedible in your house, like an old sock or piece of string, it might start to drool excessively. If it does not pass through your dog’s system, you will need to have it removed, or their symptoms can worsen.
Fortunately, most of the time, eating small objects like a piece of string will not be an issue and will pass through their system.
You can run into serious problems if your dog eats something toxic. Toxic materials include poisonous garden plants, antifreeze, cleaning products, and dangerous human foods like chocolate.
If your dog eats one of the above items, it will likely produce symptoms in addition to drooling. Common symptoms include vomiting, lethargy, and shaking. Contact your veterinarian if you notice these symptoms in conjunction with excessive drooling.
When Do You Need to Worry About Your Dog’s Excessive Drooling?
Excessive drooling is not in itself harmful. If your dog is drooling in anticipation of a treat or because of its physical makeup, you don’t need to worry. Even if it is reacting to a medication, it should be fine. You should start to worry if it is drooling because of a medical issue.
Dental Issues
Dogs do not go to the dentist like humans, so it is common for dental issues to arise as they age. Some causes of drooling, like tartar buildup and irritated gums, can be prevented by brushing your dog’s teeth. However, drooling could also be caused by a fractured tooth or tumor in and around the mouth or throat.
The Existence of a Foreign Body
A foreign body in your dog’s stomach can cause serious issues. Most foreign objects your dog ingests will pass through their system without any problems. However, if they linger, they can cause drooling and other symptoms. If the object is large enough, it can even get lodged in its throat, which is very dangerous.
Stomach Issues
If your dog drools because of an upset stomach, you should have them checked. Many dogs will start to drool because they are experiencing nausea from motion sickness. You can determine if motion sickness is the cause of your dog’s drooling if they stop drooling once they get out of your vehicle.
Heat Stroke
If you live in an area that gets very hot during the summer, it is common for dogs to experience heat stroke. The likelihood is increased for dogs with thick coats of fur, like golden retrievers.
Dogs sometimes drool excessively and pant when they start to experience heat stroke. Their body does this to cool themselves down with drool. The reaction is similar to the reason we sweat when we are hot.
Your Dog Could Have an Allergic Reaction
Unfortunately, it is not as common for people to determine their dog’s allergies as it is for humans. As a result, your dog can drool excessively when they experience an allergic reaction.
Along with drooling, you will likely see your dog’s face, lips, and tongue swell up. If you notice these symptoms, you should immediately contact the local animal hospital.
An Infection or Disease
While the above causes are things to be worried about, many will subside on their own. However, if your dog has an infection or disease, it will probably need treatment. Common infections that cause drooling include nose infections, infected throats, and sinus infections.
Liver and kidney disease can also cause your dog to drool excessively. A vet must treat these conditions quickly if you want your dog to live long. Rare diseases like rabies and distemper can also cause excessive drooling.
Should You Contact Your Vet If Your Dog Is Drooling Clear Slime?
If you are ever concerned about the health of your dog for any reason, you should not hesitate to contact your vet. They are there to help the pets in your community, so do not think twice about contacting them. It is better to be safe than sorry when it comes to your dog’s health.
What Will Your Vet Do When You Bring in Your Dog?
If you bring in your dog with excessive drooling of clear slime as the main symptom, they will do a few things. The first thing they will do is rule out rabies. Then, they will check your dog’s vaccination records and look for other symptoms. They check for rabies first because it is highly contagious and dangerous to other animals.
Once rabies is ruled out, your vet will examine your dog’s mouth, throat, and teeth. First, they will look for visible foreign objects, dental issues, and possible medical problems in the area. Next, they will examine your dog’s saliva glands to see if they are swollen.
If it gets to this point and your vet has not determined a cause, they will run further tests. So don’t worry — they will eventually figure out the problem.
Frequently Asked Questions
Before we wrap up, we want to answer some final questions we expect many of you to have.
Slimy saliva can be a reaction to many things. For example, if your dog is dehydrated, it may produce slimier saliva than usual. It is also possible that the cause could be a medical issue or poor dental hygiene.
You should worry when you notice it in excess and if it lasts for an extended period. When you first notice it, monitor your dog to see if it continues before contacting your vet.
Your dog could be drooling slime for any number of reasons. The ones to be concerned about include medical conditions, allergic reactions, and infections.
Conclusion for “Why Is My Dog Drooling Clear Slime”
If your dog is drooling clear slime, it is probably a symptom of a larger issue. However, there is no reason to jump to conclusions. Monitor your dog to see if it continues. If it lasts for a few hours, contact your vet to have your dog examined.
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Garrett loves animals and is a huge advocate for all Doodle dog breeds. He owns his own Goldendoodle named Kona. In addition, he volunteers at the Humane Society of Silicon Valley, where he fosters dogs and helps animals. Garrett enjoys writing about Doodles and believes that dogs can teach humans more about how to live than humans can teach a dog.
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