Why Do Dogs Drool When in the Car? + 7 Tips

Motion sickness can be a big mess especially when planning for family travels. But does this affects our dogs too? Why do dogs drool when in the car?

Could motion sickness be part of the reasons why dogs drool in the car?

In this article, we will be looking at this topic in a much detailed manner to better info you on why this is happening to your four-legged friend.

Continue reading to:

• Understand drooling in dogs
• Why they tend to drool
• Why they drool in the car
• And so much more …

Why Do Dogs Drool?

To start us off, we’ll first look at some of the main reasons why dogs drool. Dogs will drool because they rely on saliva to eat and digest their food better. Drooling is a normal and natural part of the dog’s digestive process, however, excessive drooling or irregular drooling can be a sign of something else. It could mean an injury or a health issue.

Drooling is common across most dog breeds, however, there are certain breeds that drool more frequently and in greater quantities than in others.

Breeds such as bulldogs, boxers, basset hounds, and other hound breeds are known to be excessive droolers. These breeds of dogs drool because they have loose skin around their mouth that collects saliva until it fills up and spills over (drool).

When you notice excessive or irregular drooling from your pooch, you may want to visit your local vet to get him checked. You could be dealing with something way more than just normal drooling in dogs.

Let’s now look at some of the causes of drooling in dogs and what to watch out for.

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Causes of Drooling in Dogs

When it comes to drooling in dogs, there are a number of causes for this. Ranging from behavioral to health issues. Let’s now get into some of the key causes of drooling in dogs.

• Mouth Disease or Tooth Decay: When your dog starts showing signs of excessive drooling there could be some health issues related to it. Excessive drooling could be a case of tooth decay or mouth disease. You may also notice the gums becoming inflamed or sore.
• Motion and Car Sickness: Motion sickness has been associated with drooling in dogs. In such a case, you’ll notice your dog licking her lips excessively then accompanied by drooling. Your dog may also start whining, refuse to move or vomit. Some dogs may also experience incontinence. Car sickness is more common in younger dogs than older breeds.
• Excitement: Your dog may get super excited about going to their favourite place such as the playground or when going for their daily walk. They may end up drooling from the excitement.
• Heat Stroke: When the temperature rises in their environment they may end up relying on drooling to cool themselves. We need to remember that what is comfortable to us may not be comfortable to our fur baby at all. So, if you notice excessive drooling especially in hot summer, you may want to rule out the main reason is not a heat stroke.
• Anxiety: When your canine friend are anxious and unsure about their environment, they may end up acting in certain manner such as drooling, panting, and putting their tails between their legs. Some dog breeds may be prone to anxiety than others and are therefore more prone to such behaviour than others.
• They’re Thirsty: Thirsty dogs are more prone to drooling than hydrated dogs. It’s a way for the dog’s body asking for more water. If you notice your pooch drooling all the time, you may want to make sure there is an automated drinking trough for them. Keeping a bowl of water can help in reducing drooling in such situations.
• Digestive Problems: Digestive problems such as bloating or tummy upset could easily lead to excessive drooling for your doggo. Recognizing such signs early enough will help prevent any issues and prevent excessive drooling.
• Foreign Object: When a foreign object is stuck or caught in your dog’s mouth, tongue, or between the teeth; this could lead to excessive drooling in dogs.

Why Do Dogs Drool When in the Car?

Dogs can drool in the car due to a couple of different reasons. Some dogs could drool when they feel anxious or excited. It could be also because they are anticipating going for their daily walks or visiting their favorite dog park. Some dogs could also drool in the car because they are too hot and are trying to cool their bodies.

Dogs also drool due to car sickness. Motion sickness also affects some dogs. Car sickness is caused by swaying motions, sudden turns, and uneven driving. This is most common in puppies and young dogs than in matured dogs.

This behavior will vary from breed to breed and how they reach to being in a car. For some breeds, they just may have excess saliva which will come out of through their mouth and coat the interior of your car.

Some dogs will always enjoy car rides, but others may require frequent car rides before the drooling reduces. They just need to get comfortable with the situation before they start enjoying car rides.

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Do Dogs Drool When Car Sick?

Yes, it’s very common for dogs to drool when car sick. The swaying motion and turns may cause some discomfort in your dog leading to drooling due to motion sickness. This is most common in puppies and young puppies but will grow out of it as they grow old and get used to it.

When they are car sick, you may observe them being lethargic, whine, and may end up vomiting all over the back seat. It’s not a surprise that most young dogs don’t like car rides.

Offering them treats in such cases may help prevent them from getting carsick and make them focus on the treats, relieving the stress. Offering them fresh air either from the car’s aircon or by lowering down your car window, may help them relax and relieve the drooling.

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How to Stop Dog Drooling in the Car

When it comes to stopping dogs from drooling, it’s important to first understand the main reason causing the drooling in your pooch. In this particular case, we will look at how to stop drooling in dogs while in the car.

Below are tips to help prevent dogs from drooling in your car.

1 – Rolling Down the Windows

Rolling down your car windows plays a major role in terms of offering fresh air and providing the best ventilation to your canine friend. This will help cool down your dog making prevent any motion sickness, heatstroke, or thirst.

Rolling down your window is a much-preferred option compared to the air conditioner. The air conditioner contains substances that have been known to increase the chances of car sickness and should therefore be the last resort.

2 – Making Frequent Stops

Making frequent stops can help with car sickness and in so doing helping with preventing drooling.

Not driving for too long without stopping helps your dog relax as they are able to catch their breathe and control any anxiety they may have before proceeding with your journey.

3 – Drive on an Empty Stomach

It’s recommended to ensure that you are not planning a road trip with your dog just after they’ve had something to it. A full stomach is more likely to cause nausea to your canine friend.

You should wait at least one hour after any meals before hitting the road with your dog. When it comes to snacks and treats, only give them some when the drive is more than 3 hours long.

4 – Drive Frequently

For puppies and young dogs, frequent drives will help in preventing motion sickness and hence reduce the chances of drooling in dogs. Considering taking them on short trips every now and then can help the situation.

You shouldn’t wait too long between rides otherwise you will lose all grounds made with your doggo. Once they are used to it, you’ll see a significant drop in car sickness as well as drooling while in the car.

5 – Removing Clutter in Your Car

Your dog will require more space than while traveling in the car. Removing any clutter in your car would allow some walking space for your dog. Allowing them to move from one area to another is an excellent cure for drooling.

Smaller cars may often be too small for dogs and may lead to them being anxious or stressed elevating drooling behavior in dogs.

6 – Visiting the Vet

Once you’ve tried everything and nothing is working for your dog, you may opt to visit your local vet.

Your vet will prescribe motion sickness medicine for your dog. Small quantities of this are known to significantly help the situation making your road trip much smoother.

7 – Making it Fun

Making the road trip fun and exciting will help in making sure your dog enjoys the ride and does not feel stressed or anxious about the trip.

Happiness will reduce stress and therefore plays a major role in eliminating the drool problem.

Conclusion

There are a number of reasons why dogs drool in the car. This could range from anxiety, stress, heat-stroke, or excitement.

It’s important to know what exactly is the cause of the drooling problem to better help you identify the right cause of action to be taken.

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