The Bernese Mountain Dog drools moderately to let out accumulated saliva from the mouth.
Drooling is normal however excessive drooling can be a cause for concern and can be a sign of a serious problem.
So why is your Bernese Mountain Dog drooling so much?
Let’s look at the common reasons why Bernese Mountain Dog drooling occurs, the potential complications, and when to seek help.
Why is my Bernese Mountain Dog drooling so much?
Excessive Bernese Mountain Dog drooling can occur because of illness, excitement, esophageal obstruction, oral or dental disease, upper respiratory tract infection, heatstroke, poisoning, stress, nausea, motion sickness, allergies, and certain medications.
Do Bernese Mountain Dogs Drool A Lot?
Bernese Mountain Dogs drool, but the amount can vary from one individual to another. Bernese Mountain Dogs that have prominent floppy jowls tend to produce more drool and slobber, whereas those with lips that are more tightly drawn do not have this tendency. Other factors can cause excessive drooling in a Bernese Mountain Dog.
Causes of Bernese Mountain Dog Drooling
Illness
Some conditions and diseases cause a Bernese Mountain Dog to drool more than usual. Conditions such as seizures, liver disease or kidney disease, rabies, infections, and bloat cause drooling.
If your Bernese Mountain Dog is excessively drooling, an underlying disease or condition is likely to be the cause.
Related: Bernese Mountain Dog throwing up: Why and when to worry
Excitement
Drooling is normal in all dogs due to excitement. Excessive saliva production is triggered due to this emotion and your dog can’t help but drool.
Excitement can come from anything that makes your dog very happy such as seeing you after a long day of separation, car rides, or anticipation for food during meal times.
Esophageal obstruction
Esophageal obstruction means a foreign material or object lodged in your Bernese Mountain Dog’s throat or mouth.
The obstruction causes difficulty in swallowing saliva which accumulates in the mouth, resulting in excessive drooling.
The obstruction can occur when a Bernese Mountain Dog swallows things that they should not eat including broken toys, rocks, sticks, or bones.
Obstructions in the mouth and throat can also be due to the growth of tumors.
Oral and dental disease
Gum inflammation, tooth decay, tartar build-up, and oral tumors cause excessive drooling. Gingivitis and periodontal disease cause gum flare-ups
In addition to this, if your Bernese Mountain Dog has a mouth injury, cuts, chipped teeth, or bruises, these can also cause drooling.
Upper respiratory tract infection
Infection of the upper respiratory tract, which is an infection of the nose, throat, and sinus, can cause drooling.
Heatstroke
In hot weather, dogs pant to create a cooling effect and cool off. During this process, a dog can overheat and suffer from heatstroke and excessive drooling also occurs.
When your dog has been in the sun for too long and lacks access to drinking water, they are likely to suffer from heatstroke.
Poisoning
Ingestion of poisons also leads to drooling which is one of the many symptoms of poisoning.
A Bernese Mountain Dog may accidentally ingest poisonous substances such as plants, frogs, spiders, or household products.
Stress and Anxiety
Drooling is also a symptom of stress and anxiety. When your Bernese Mountain Dog feels uncomfortable in a stressful situation, this causes stress which triggers excessive drooling.
Stress can come from being in a new environment, meeting new people or animals, or loud noises.
Nausea
Nausea can result from eating items that they should not such as garbage, poop, or non-edible objects.
Dogs will always explore their environment with their mouth and nose and this is bound to happen.
Bernese Mountain Dog drooling will occur because of nausea which is accompanied by stomach discomfort.
Therefore if this happens, your dog may have ingested something it should not have eaten.
Nausea can also be a result of motion sickness which results in drooling.
Motion sickness
Bernese Mountain Dogs experience motion sickness when in a moving car. Motion sickness causes anxiety and nausea which causes your dog to drool excessively.
Other symptoms of motion sickness include licking or smacking of lips, constant yawning, whining, vomiting, inactivity, and uneasiness.
Allergies
Allergic reactions cause drooling as an allergic response. Common symptoms of allergic reactions include itchy skin, sneezing, wheezing, coughing, or a runny nose or eyes.
Medication
Certain medications can also cause the production of excess saliva. If your Bernese Mountain Dog is under medication and drooling occurs, this is likely to be the side effect of the medication.
Complications
Moderate drooling in a Bernese Mountain Dog is normal however it can also be a symptom of life-threatening conditions or diseases.
Therefore the major complication of Bernese Mountain Dog drooling is a fatal outcome, that is, death if the underlying cause is untreated.
Conditions such as kidney disease, liver disease, seizures, infections, bloat, and rabies are fatal.
How to Stop Bernese Mountain Dog Drooling
It is important to note that you cannot completely stop a Bernese Mountain Dog from drooling, as it is a natural trait of the breed and many other large, jowly dogs. However, you can take steps to manage and reduce excessive drooling.
Here are some tips to help minimize drooling in your Bernese Mountain Dog:
Regular Dental Care: Maintain good oral hygiene by brushing your Bernese Mountain Dog’s teeth regularly. Dental problems can contribute to excessive drooling, so keeping their teeth clean and healthy is essential.
Have your dog’s teeth checked by a veterinarian regularly. Dental problems such as gum disease or tooth decay can cause increased drooling, so addressing these issues can help reduce drooling.
Control feeding: Make sure your Bernese Mountain Dog doesn’t eat too quickly or consume large quantities of water immediately before or after eating. Fast eating and drinking can lead to excess drooling.
Use elevated food and water bowls: Elevated bowls can help reduce the angle at which your dog eats and drinks, potentially reducing drooling.
Staying hydrated: Ensure your dog is well-hydrated, especially in hot weather. Dehydration can sometimes lead to increased drooling.
Manage stress and anxiety: Some dogs may drool more when they are anxious or stressed. Provide a comfortable and safe environment for your Bernese Mountain Dog, and consider training or behavioral support if anxiety is a concern.
Wipe their mouth: Keep a clean cloth or paper towels handy to wipe your dog’s mouth after eating or drinking, especially if they tend to drool excessively. This can help prevent drool from dripping all over the place.
Regular Vet check-ups: Ensure your Bernese Mountain Dog has regular veterinary check-ups to monitor their overall health. Sometimes, underlying health issues can lead to increased drooling, so addressing these issues can help.
Understand that some drooling is inherent to the breed, and trying to completely eliminate it may be unrealistic. Be prepared for occasional drooling and take steps to minimize it as best as you can.
Ultimately, managing drooling in a Bernese Mountain Dog is about maintaining their overall health and making practical adjustments to minimize the inconvenience of excessive drooling.
When to Seek Help for Bernese Mountain Dog Drooling
Some conditions that cause Bernese Mountain Dog drooling may not need medical attention such as excitement, drooling after drinking water, or due to medication.
These are normal typical Bernese Mountain Dog drooling and only require a drool rag to enable you to wipe their drool in these cases.
Bernese Mountain Dog drooling can also be caused by underlying health problems therefore it is also important to seek medical attention to help determine the underlying cause and rule out any illness.
Seek medical help if your Bernese Mountain Dog:
- Shows other symptoms of sickness such as weakness, fever, vomiting
- Displays behavioral changes such as not eating, or disinterest in activities
- Continuously drools
- Has an existing health condition
Treatment
Treatment of Bernese Mountain Dog drooling depends on the identified underlying cause. This can include:
- Administration of medication for the treatment of disease
- Removal of tumors
- Removal of a foreign object in the mouth or throat
- Surgery in case of bloat complications
- Anti-anxiety medication for stress
Conclusion
A Bernese Mountain Dog drooling a lot can be a cause for concern because it can be due to a serious underlying condition.
Even if your Bernese Mountain Dog’s drooling may not be linked to a medical problem, seek medical attention from the veterinarian to verify the root cause.