Why Does My Dog Drool Around Other Dogs? (7 Reasons + Solutions)

It’s hard to imagine that many people regret their decision to get a dog. Even though dogs require a lot of time, energy, and patience to be happy and healthy, the companionship they offer is unrivaled. From the moment you bring your new puppy home, they’re eager to please and form a bond with you that will last a lifetime.

If you’re thinking about getting a dog, make sure you’re prepared to commit to taking care of it properly. That doesn’t only mean being willing to spend time walking, playing with, and training your dog every day, but also learning about your dog’s quirks and behaviors.

It’s important to know if your dog is doing something odd that signals he needs medical attention or if he’s just being a silly dog. For instance, you’d investigate if your dog growled when you hugged him or if he only ate at night.

So about dogs that drool when they get around other dogs? Why does my dog drool around other dogs? There isn’t a simple and easy answer that explains why some dogs drool around other dogs. Excitement, anxiety, jealousy, and more can all lead to dogs drooling around other dogs. There’s also the possibility that your dog isn’t extra drooly around other dogs, it’s just that you’re paying more attention to your dog.

What Is Dog Drool?

To make sure we’re all on the same page, let’s quickly go over exactly what dog drool is. Dog drool is excess saliva that is produced by glands in your dog’s mouth. All dogs have these salivary glands, which help to keep their mouths moist. Dogs use saliva to push food down to their stomachs and it helps them cool off while they pant.

Generally speaking, dogs produce more saliva when they’re hungry or thirsty. But excitement, fear, pain, and other emotions can also lead to increased drooling.

Why Do Dogs Drool Around Other Dogs?

Now that we have the same understanding of what dog drool is, let’s take a closer look at why your dog might be drooling around other dogs.

Excitement

If your dog is excited to see another dog, he may start to drool. This is especially true if your dog is a puppy or young adult. Puppies and young dogs are often very excitable and may even jump up and down or run in circles when they see another dog.

Stress

Stress can come in many forms, it’s important to figure out what is causing your dog stress around other dogs. Once you do it’ll be easier to address. Here are the most common stressors that can cause dogs to drool around other dogs.

Anxiety

Anxiety can cause stress in dogs that are around other dogs. If your dog is anxious or nervous around other dogs, he may start to salivate more than normal. This is because anxiety can cause an increase in adrenaline, which can lead to increased saliva production.

Jealous

Jealousy is another emotion that may cause your dog to drool around other dogs. If your dog is jealous of the attention you’re giving to another dog, he may start to drool while attempting to get your attention.

Fear

Being scared or afraid of other dogs can also lead to increased drooling. If your dog is scared, he may start to pant and salivate more than normal. It can even get to the point that it almost looks like your dog is foaming at the mouth.

Being Defensive

Some dogs may start to drool when they see another dog because they’re feeling defensive. If your dog feels like he needs to protect you or himself from another dog, he may start to drool as a way to show that he’s feeling threatened.

New Scent

If your dog is drooling around other dogs, it’s also possible that he’s just smelling something new. Dogs have an amazing sense of smell and can often pick up scents that we can’t. So, if there’s a new dog in the area, your dog may start to drool because he’s trying to figure out what the new scent is.

Male Dog Ready To Mate

When a male dog notices a female that is in heat, he may start to drool. This is because the male dog is picking up on the female’s scent and is getting ready to mate.

You Are Paying More Attention

It might not be that your dog actually drools around other dogs. At least not any more than he normally does. There’s a real possibility that you are just more on guard and watching your dog much closer when other dogs are around.

You don’t want your dog to start a fight, damage someone else’s home, or in some other way embarrass you. For whatever reason, you are keeping one eye glued to your dog while he is around others and now you’re noticing just how much he drools. Because you don’t watch him this closely at home, you aren’t aware that this is normal for him so you think that he is drooling because he is around other dogs.

If you catch yourself constantly watching your dog when he is around other dogs, try to keep just as watchful eye on him at home, you may learn that he always drools this much!

Food Nearby

In school, we all learned of Pavlov‘s experiment. It’s something that I’ve witnessed with both of my dogs. One of my dogs, however, has excessive drool during dinner time when other dogs are around.

It’s also when she eats much, much faster than normal. The drool likely has more to do with the fact that she knows there is food nearby but she’s also trying to hurry so she doesn’t have to share.

Her extra drooling is tied to her belief that she needs to gobble up her food before the other dogs get it.

Drinking More Water Than Usual

It could be that your dog is playing more around other dogs and needs to drink more water. While drool is technically made up of excess saliva, to a person casually observing their dog the extra water dripping looks like a lot of extra drool.

That’s because your dog could just be drinking a lot more water after wrestling with his friends. If you notice that your dog is drooling more when he’s around other dogs and he’s also been playing more and drinking more water than usual, this is likely what is going on.

Is It Okay For Dogs To Drool Around Other Dogs?

While dog drool is almost always gross, it’s not always a bad thing. As I outlined above, dogs drooling around other dogs could be a sign that something is wrong – whether it be fear, anxiety, or some other emotion. Is it always a bad thing though?

It depends. Some reasons are perfectly okay for dogs, and others are concerning. If the reason your dog is drooling around other dogs makes you worried, look into helping your dog through the issue that is causing him to drool.

If your dog drools around other dogs, but nothing is lowering his quality of life, check the suggestions below for ideas on how to handle it.

What To Do If Your Dog Is Drooling Around Other Dogs

Now that you know some of the reasons why your dog may be drooling around other dogs, you can start to figure out what to do about it.

If your dog is drooling around other dogs because he’s excited, there’s not really much you can do about it. This is perfectly normal dog behavior and unless the drooling is excessive, you don’t need to worry about it.

If your dog is drooling around other dogs because he’s anxious or scared, you will want to help him through whatever is causing this issue. Dogs that are new to an area or who have had bad experiences with other dogs in the past may be more prone to anxiety around other dogs.

Socialize Your Dog

You can help your dog by socializing him more often.

If you have a puppy, especially, make sure to expose him to different types of people, pets, and situations often so he doesn’t get too uncomfortable when he is in a new situation.

Be Ready To Clean Up

If your dog is drooling around other dogs for perfectly normal and healthy reasons, like excitement or drinking extra water, the best thing you can do is be ready to clean the drool up.

My cousin had a dog that was prone to drooling when she got excited. At first, my cousin was embarrassed, but with time she grew to accept her dog was just a messy good boy. My cousin kept towels handy, both at home and in her car (for when she brought her dog to family’s and friends’ homes). My cousin would constantly be wiping her dog’s mouth and the floor while everyone laughed and carried on.

Check With Your Vet

If your dog has suddenly started drooling around other dogs or is suddenly drooling more than normal around other dogs it could be a sign of an underlying health issue. If you’re concerned, or if the drooling is excessive, check with your vet to be sure everything is okay.

Summary: Why Does My Dog Drool Around Other Dogs And What To Do About It

Dogs drool around other dogs for a lot of different reasons. Some reasons are okay, like excitement, while others could be a sign of an underlying health issue or anxiety.

If your dog is drooling around other dogs, the best thing you can do is figure out why he’s doing it. If the reason is normal and healthy, like excitement or reacting to food, then there’s not much you can do besides be ready to clean up the drool.

If your dog is drooling around other dogs because he’s anxious or scared, you’ll want to help him through his problem. Dogs that are in a completely new situation or who have had bad experiences with other dogs in the past may be more prone to anxiety around other dogs.

You can help your dog by socializing him more often. If you have a puppy, especially, make sure to expose him to different types of people, pets, and situations often so he doesn’t get too uncomfortable when he is around something new.

If you’re concerned about your dog’s drooling, or if the drooling is excessive, check with your vet to be sure everything is okay.