Some dogs and cats drool more than others by nature, but new or increased drooling is often a sign that something is uncomfortable in the mouth. In many cases, it reflects irritation, inflammation, pain, or difficulty swallowing normally.
When drooling appears alongside bad breath, chewing changes, pawing at the mouth, reduced appetite, or visible dental disease, an oral problem becomes much more likely.
Painful or inflamed mouths often produce more saliva. A pet may also drool because swallowing feels uncomfortable, because the mouth is not closing normally around a painful tooth or inflamed gum, or because irritation inside the mouth is triggering excess salivation.
Common causes include dental disease, fractured teeth, gum inflammation, oral ulcers, foreign material lodged in the mouth, infection, or more advanced pain affecting the teeth and soft tissues.
In dogs, drooling may be associated with periodontal disease, a fractured tooth, a painful object caught in the mouth, oral injury, or other dental problems. Some dogs also drool more when facial swelling or tooth root infection is present.
A dog may still seem bright and interested in food while drooling because of oral pain, particularly if the problem has developed gradually.
In cats, drooling is especially important because it can be a sign of significant oral pain. Cats may drool with gingivitis, periodontal disease, tooth resorption, oral inflammation, ulcers, or other painful mouth conditions.
Because cats are often quiet about pain, drooling may be one of the more obvious signs that something in the mouth needs attention.
Pets with mouth pain and drooling may also have bad breath, red gums, tartar, chewing on one side, dropping food, reluctance to eat hard food, pawing at the face, weight loss, or sensitivity when the mouth is touched.
Some may hold the mouth slightly open, shake the head, or show sudden resistance to having the face handled.
Drooling deserves prompt assessment if it is sudden, heavy, blood-tinged, accompanied by facial swelling, obvious pain, difficulty eating, or signs that something may be stuck in the mouth.
These situations can involve significant discomfort, infection, oral injury, or a foreign object and should not be left too long.
If your dog or cat has new or increased drooling and there is any concern about the mouth, teeth, gums, or eating behaviour, a dental or oral assessment is a sensible next step.
The aim is to work out whether the problem is dental disease, inflammation, a damaged tooth, an ulcer, a foreign object, or another painful oral condition requiring treatment.
An initial assessment involves examining the mouth as far as your pet will comfortably allow while awake. This may reveal tartar, inflamed gums, dental damage, ulcers, obvious foreign material, or signs that a more significant oral problem is present.
If pain or deeper disease is suspected, a professional dental procedure under anaesthetic may be recommended. This allows the mouth to be assessed properly, dental x-rays to be taken if needed, and any necessary treatment to be carried out in a controlled and humane way.
Drooling is often a sign that a pet is already uncomfortable. Early assessment helps identify the source of pain sooner and can prevent a smaller problem from becoming a more advanced infection, fracture, or chronic oral disease.
If your dog or cat has started drooling more than usual and you are concerned the mouth may be painful, we can help assess what may be going on and what the next step should be.
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