Many pet owners want a dog that checks off all of the boxes on their potential dog list, and not drooling is frequently one of those boxes. So, how does a German Shepherd fit into that category?
While German Shepherds drool a little, they aren’t droolers in the extreme. They may drool, for example, if they’ve done a lot of activity, had a lot of alcohol, or are anticipating a pleasure. They aren’t, however, well-known droolers. If your German Shepherd is drooling excessively, there might be a problem.
Continue reading to learn more about whether German Shepherds drool, how much drool a German Shepherd produces when to be worried about your German Shepherd’s drooling, and more.
Do German Shepherds Drool?
While you may not want to deal with dog drool, the reality is that, while all dogs drool, the amount varies by breed. While some dogs have a lip and jowl design that prevents them from drooling, even those dogs will slobber on occasion. Overall, a German Shepherd will drool a little, but not too much.
Since excessive drooling in German Shepherds can indicate severe health issues, it should always be addressed. However, before you panic, make sure your dog’s excessive drooling is not caused by a more natural instinct, like a desire for your food.
How Much Drool Do German Shepherds Produce?
While German Shepherds aren’t known for drooling, they do drool. Drool is more prevalent and thicker during intensive action, although they will almost certainly drool at all times.
Keep in mind that when they become older, they’ll probably start drooling even more, which is perfectly natural. Overall, German Shepherds don’t drool nearly as much as other dog breeds, though, and they should never drool excessively.
Why Do German Shepherds Drool?
Can Dental Problems in a German Shepherd Cause Drooling?
Tooth decay, gum inflammation, oral tumours, infection, and a variety of other oral issues are all common causes of excessive drooling in dogs. While a toothache may not seem like a huge concern at first, oral illnesses may quickly escalate into life-threatening situations.
Even if they don’t proceed that far, they may be quite unpleasant for your dog, which should be reason enough to get them looked out by a veterinarian.
German Shepherds Will Drool When Anticipating Food
The anticipation of meals might be one probable and less concerning factor. If your German Shepherd drools a lot when it’s going to eat or sees food, it’s most likely because its mouth is watering and it’s about to eat.
This form of drooling is typical, and you can prevent it by not allowing your German Shepherd to see food until it’s time to eat or providing it food in regions where you don’t mind the excessive drooling.
Will a German Shepherd Drool Excessively Due to Stress?
If your German Shepherd drools when you’re going to leave it or while you’re not there, the drooling might be caused by separation anxiety. This is when your German Shepherd does not appreciate being left alone and becomes worried, with excessive drooling being one of the probable outcomes.
Other symptoms that this is the case include it being anxious when you leave, destructive behavior while you’re gone, barking, or screaming while you’re gone, and if it cries while you’re gone.
Will a German Shepherd Drool Excessively if Overheating?
It’s also conceivable that your German Shepherd’s excessive drooling is due to the heat. If your German Shepherd has been drooling excessively during a time when the weather has risen where you live, it’s possible that being too hot is the culprit.
When it becomes hot, it might be difficult for them to keep cool. If it’s hot outside where you are, you need to take precautions to ensure that your German Shepherd stays cool.
You can accomplish this by making sure it has plenty of water to drink, providing it with plenty of shade, and grooming it more frequently so that it doesn’t have a lot of loose hair on its fur.
Can Illness Cause Excessive Drooling in a German Shepherd?
Certain diseases can also cause excessive drooling in some dogs. If your German Shepherd has been exhibiting additional signs of illness, such as vomiting, a loss of appetite, or a sudden change in behavior, illness might be the culprit. If you suspect this is the case, have your German Shepherd examined by a veterinarian.
When Should You Be Worried About Your German Shepherd’s Drooling?
While a little extra drool is typical at times, you should be concerned if you detect excessive drool. If your German Shepherd is drooling excessively, you should have them checked out, especially if there are no other possible causes.
Your German Shepherd is generally fine if they drool after playing, drinking a lot of water, or waiting for dinner. If they drool excessively at other times, you should investigate why they are drooling.
What To Do If Your German Shepherd Begins Drooling Starts Unexpectedly?
So, what should you do if your German Shepherd begins drooling out of nowhere? First, determine whether your dog is a natural drooler. If not, when did you start drooling? It’s sometimes just a case of your dog’s mouth hurting, too much exercise, or too much water.
The drooling in the examples above is just transitory and typically goes away within a few days. Other causes of excessive drooling, on the other hand, may take longer to resolve and ultimately necessitate medical care.
More significant concerns that induce excessive and unpredictable drooling in German Shepherds include disease, oral injuries, dental disorders, and heatstroke. Unfortunately, any of these conditions will need a trip to the veterinarian as soon as possible.
How to Stop Your German Shepherd from Drooling?
Cleaning Your German Shepherd’s Teeth on a Regular Basis
Drooling in German shepherds can be reduced by a variety of methods. One of them brushes their teeth regularly. If your German shepherd drools on occasion, brushing their teeth regularly would suffice.
Otherwise, if the cause is significant, you should check with your veterinarian. Depending on the situation, they may prescribe medication or undertake minor surgery to alleviate the problem.
Keeping Your German Shepherd Hydrated
Give your dog lots of fresh water so they don’t become thirsty or dehydrated since dehydration causes excessive salivation, which can induce drooling in your German shepherds.
German Shepherds can also drool as a result of being thirsty or dehydrated. This might be an indication of an underlying health problem, such as renal disease or diabetes, and you should take your dog to the vet right away.
Exercising Your German Shepherd to Prevent Drooling
Exercises to strengthen the muscles of the mouth and throat are the final recommendation for how to stop German Shepherds from drooling.
Swimming is an excellent workout for dogs since it strengthens joints and ligaments in the rear legs while also balancing muscles. It also provides kids with plenty of cerebral stimulation since they must concentrate on swimming laps around the pool while following the person in front of them.
The “sit” command is another activity that can assist your dog in becoming more attentive when given directions. Try teaching your German Shepherd to do stunts like jumping rope or running an obstacle course if you’re feeling really ambitious.
Which is Worse: German Shepherd Drooling or Shedding?
While you won’t have to worry about drooling with a German Shepherd, it doesn’t mean they’re without annoyances. Shedding is the most noticeable one you’ll have to deal with if you have a German Shepherd.
German Shepherds have two coats and sheds throughout the year. Not only do German Shepherd owners have to deal with continual shedding all year, but they also blow their coat twice a year.
When this happens, your Shepherd will lose one of their coats completely, resulting in a lot of shedding. It’s so bad that many new German Shepherd owners misdiagnose it as a medical problem when it first appears.
Why Do My German Shepherd Drool and Stare When I Attempt to Eat Any Food?
When you eat, your German Shepherd will drool because the sight of the meal makes your dog think of food and, in turn, moisten their mouth in case you decide to give them a bite.
This is because the sight of the meal moistens your dog’s lips, helping it to devour the food more quickly. You may either educate it to wait in a different place while you eat or feed it right before you start eating to get it to stop.
Final Thoughts
While you may not want to deal with dog drool, the reality is that all dogs drool, but the amount will vary depending on the breed. While some dogs have a lip and jowl design that prevents them from drooling, even those dogs will slobber on occasion.
In the end, a German Shepherd will drool a little, but not too much. Unlike their fur, which sheds all year, you’ll probably never notice it with a German Shepherd.