Drooling is a natural part of every dog’s health and can result from salivating over an incoming meal or stress from an unknown situation. Drooling can also indicate health issues such as a tooth infection, overheating, or tumor growth in the mouth. Some dog breeds droop more than others, so it’s essential to have a baseline for how much your dog drools before getting worried.
Do Akitas drool? All dogs drool since it’s a natural function, but Akitas don’t regularly drool like other dog breeds. Akitas don’t have floppy lips, like a St Bernard, so they aren’t more likely to drool than any other dog. However, Akitas are sensitive dogs and can experience stress and anxiety when separated from their owner or around other dogs, which can also cause drolling.
Keep reading to learn what it means if your Akita is drooling a lot, what warning signs to look for that mark their drooling as a sign of illness, and some tips for dealing with drool in general.
Do Akitas Drool?
Akitas drool about as much as other dogs though they may slobber slightly more. Akitas are very playful and affectionate dogs which means they will want to play and snuggle up to their own, leaving drool marks on clothing.
Akitas also have a heavy fur coat that is great for cold weather but can cause them to overheat in summer weather. As a result, your Akita may pant and drool more as a way of trying to cool themselves down.
Remember that your Kaita isn’t drooling on you on purpose and that drool is involuntary, so don’t get upset with them. Drooling isn’t something you can train out of your dog, and sometimes it’s a great indicator of whether your dog is experiencing stress or feeling sick.
Why is my Akita drooling so much?
There are multiple reasons why your Akita is drooling so much, and it depends on the situation. If they are waiting for a meal or a treat, they could be drooling because they anticipate food. It can also be a way for them to help cool themselves down in hot weather.
However, there are instances where an increase in drooling can indicate illness or other underlying health issues, so if you are worried about how much your Akita is drooling, you should speak with your vet.
Drooling before eating
Akitas are likely to start drooling when they know a meal or treat is on the way. The anticipation and excitement will cause them to produce more saliva, which will dribble out when it collects in their cheeks. You may even notice that there is more drool after they drink water which is entirely natural.
Drooling during exercise
It could be that your Akita is drooling more during exercise because they are panting more to cool down. However, excessive salivation while exercising means that your dog is experiencing stress which means that the activity is too intense or too long in duration.
If you notice your dog is drooling a lot or foaming at the mouth while exercising, it’s a sign that they need a break.
Drooling while sleeping
Dogs drool in their sleep for similar reasons humans do: gravity. The muscles in the mouth relax while sleeping, and the laying down position means that the mouth is likely to open and salivate may drip out. Usually, this is nothing to get worried over unless it becomes excessive.
Drooling in the car
One of the most common reasons your Akita may be drooling more when in the car is stress. Some dogs don’t enjoy a car ride like others, and they may start to drool more as a result. The best you can do in these cases is find ways to relax your Akita and see if they acclimatize to being in the car over time.
Another reason for more drool is motion sickness. Feeling ill can cause your dog to lick their lips more, which in turn causes saliva. You can help prevent this by making sure your dog has an empty stomach before long car rides or making more stops while driving a long time so that they can take a break from the motion.
Excessive and unhealthy drooling – warning signs
Knowing the baseline of how much your Akita drools is vital so that you will know when their drooling increases without any apparent reason. Excessive drooling can indicate a health issue, and you should take your dog to a vet so that they can give you a complete diagnosis. Here are some diseases that come with increased drooling.
Dential disease
It’s no wonder your Akita would drool more if there were some issue in their mouth. If there’s something wrong with their gums or teeth, they are more likely to drool excessively. Dential diseases can happen naturally over time as tartar builds up, but you may find a sudden change if something becomes stuck or causes damage in their mouth.
Drooling is one of the early signs that there is a dential issue with your pet. Changes in their eating patterns will only occur when the problem has advanced to the point where it’s difficult for them to eat.
Nausea
Drooling might increase because your Akita is feeling nausea as their body produces more saliva as a response. You should notice your dog licking their lips more as their drool increase. Your dog will often feel nauseous because of motion sickness, but it could also be because of something they ate.
Substances that can cause temporary drooling are flea/worming spot-on treatment or amphibians. Many toads have nasty-tasting skin as a defense. More toxic substances can also cause more drooling, like poisonous plants and household chemicals. If you think your dog might have eaten or licked something harmful, you should contact your vet immediately.
Heatstroke
Akitas come from cold weather conditions and have an outer and undercoat of fur. The extra coat means that they are susceptible to hot conditions. During hot weather, drooling can be a sign that your Akita is experiencing heatstroke.
Make sure your Akita always has access to shade and water, and if you think your dog is spending too much time in the sun, you should encourage them to come inside or spend time in the shade.
Other signs of heatstroke are:
- heavy panting
- restlessness or agitation
- very red tongue
- pale gums
- vomiting and/or diarrhea
If you think your Akita is experiencing heatstroke, you should take them immediately to your vet.
Trouble swallowing
It’s infrequent, but the reason your Akita is drooling so much may be because their throat is malformed or they have nerve problems. It could be that the nerves that help move the head, jaws, and throat aren’t working as they should, so your dog is drooling more as a result.
There are also other reasons your dog may have issues swallowing, such as ingesting something poisonous or damage to their throat. It’s best to consult your vet if you think there is an issue with your dog’s throat.
Infections and blockages
There are plenty of other health issues that can cause less common drooling than anything listed above. It could be an issue with your Akita’s salivary glands, such as infection or blockage, or it could be a sign of liver disease or kidney failure.
In older dogs, more drooling could be because of a growth in their mouth, possibly cancerous, that can not spread or could spread to other parts of the body.
It would be best if you didn’t start jumping to conclusions when you see your Akita start to drool more. These reasons for excessive drooling are worse case scenarios, and you should consider them only after exhausting all other possibilities. Your vet will examine your dog and give you a solid idea of what the issue is.
Final Thoughts
You might find that your Akita drools slightly more than average, but in general, all dogs drool to some extent. Increases in drool usually mean that your dog is experiencing increased emotions, whether it’s excitement for a treat or stress from a new situation. It’s essential to figure out how much your dog drools so you will know if their drooling increases excessively.
Excessive drooling can be one of the early signs of some underlying health issue that you should consult a vet about. Knowing what to look for or expect can be a good way of making sure your Akita is healthy and happy.