Why Does My Dog Drool While in His Crate?

Some dogs drool more than others, especially in large breeds such as the great Dane and mastiff. For others, overexertion or hot temperatures cause drooling. Drooling is often more noticeable after crating the dog because the dog and its drool are confined to a smaller space. Drooling in the crate can also suggest physical or mental illness, veterinarian Douglas Brum says.

  1. Causes

    • Some causes of excessive drooling in the crate include stomatitis, gingivitis, dental disease, injury to the oral cavity or tongue, mouth or tongue ulcers, oral or esophageal tumors and nausea, Brum says. Another cause of excessive salivation when crated is separation anxiety, says animal behavior consultant Sherry Woodard from Best Friends Animal Sanctuary in Utah. Motion sickness also causes excessive drooling in the crate, according to PetPlace.com.

    Identification

    • When identifying the cause of a dog's excessive salivation in the crate, there are some other symptoms to watch for, Brum says. Abnormal swelling of the lips or mouth could suggest mouth, tongue or esophageal ulcers, erosions or tumors. A foul odor from the mouth could signify gingivitis or other dental diseases. An inability to swallow, eat or drink, as well as lethargy, weakness, excessive vomiting and problems breathing all suggest illness and should be checked by a vet. Distress signals such as pacing, vomiting, barking, howling and whining suggest separation anxiety, Woodard says. A dog with separation anxiety follows its owner around as he makes preparations to leave the house, and the dog often displays inappropriate behaviors when left alone, such as destructive chewing, urinating and defecating. As well as drooling, vomiting and diarrhea could suggest motion sickness, according to PetPlace.com.

    Misconceptions

    • Owners often ignore symptoms such as drooling in the crate, assuming the dog was drooling due to the temperature. While this can be the case, drooling in the crate either when in the car or when left alone suggests a more-serious problem, and ignoring it can make it worse, according to PetPlace.com. Owners sometimes misconceive separation anxiety symptoms such as destructive chewing and inappropriate elimination as spiteful or anger-driven behaviors and punish the dog for it, which only makes the dog's anxiety grow.

    Prevention/Solution

    • Drooling because of dental disease is preventable by maintaining the dog's oral hygiene. Regular brushing of teeth, as well as periodic physical and oral veterinary exams help diagnose the problem early, Brum says. Conditioning the pet to travel can help prevent drooling due to motion sickness, according to PetPlace.com. Some medications such as diphenhydramine, meclizine and dimenhydrinate can help reduce nausea and drooling due to motion sickness. These medications are available over-the-counter, but PetPlace.com recommends getting prior approval from a vet before giving them to a dog.

      Prevention of separation anxiety is possible, as long as the owner is willing to put in the time and effort to help her dog overcome its anxiety. The owner can desensitize triggers such as picking up keys or putting on shoes by performing these rituals without leaving the house, Woodard says. Leaving the house through the back door and returning after a minute can also help break the dog's anxiety. Breaking the dog's separation anxiety may take weeks, or even months, depending on the severity.

    Warning

    • Certain painful diseases such as gingivitis often cause a dog to bite when a hand is placed in its mouth, Brum says. Owners often decide to crate dogs that drool excessively because of separation anxiety to end the destructive behavior. Crating the dog does not cure the anxiety and may make symptoms such as drooling worse, according to the Humane Society of the United States. The dog may try to escape from the crate in an attempt to reunite with its owner and may cause itself harm in the process.