If your dog is drooling and swallowing a lot, it might seem harmless at first, but this combination of symptoms can be an indication of an underlying health issue.
Just like how dog diarrhea and drinking lots of water can signal gastrointestinal trouble or a systemic illness, excessive dog drooling and swallowing frequently can point to problems that range from mild to serious.
We outline the reasons why your dog is drooling excessively and swallowing often, what you can do about it, and when you should seek veterinary care.
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Here’s Why Your Dog Is Drooling and Swallowing a Lot
If your dog is drooling and swallowing a lot, it could be a sign of nausea, oral pain, anxiety, or something stuck in the mouth or throat. Excessive drooling (hypersalivation) often triggers repeated swallowing as your dog tries to manage the extra saliva.
This behavior may result from dental issues like gum disease or broken teeth, gastrointestinal discomfort, or even ingestion of a toxin or foreign object.
It’s also common for dogs to drool and swallow more when they’re stressed or feeling motion sickness.
If the symptoms persist, worsen, or are accompanied by other signs like vomiting, pawing at the mouth, or lethargy, it’s best to consult your veterinarian to rule out serious underlying causes.
Dog drooling is normal—especially in breeds known for it, like Saint Bernards or Bulldogs—but when it’s excessive, and paired with frequent swallowing, it could signal that something’s not quite right.
Swallowing frequently often means a dog is trying to manage excessive saliva, nausea, or discomfort in the throat or mouth. When these signs persist, it’s time to dig into what might be going on.
Common Causes of Excessive Drooling and Swallowing in Dogs
1. Nausea and Gastrointestinal Upset
One of the most common reasons a dog is drooling and swallowing a lot is nausea.
When a dog feels queasy, their body produces excess saliva as a natural response.
This excessive saliva leads to drooling, and frequent swallowing is your dog’s way of managing the increased fluid.
Nausea can stem from a variety of causes, including:
Motion sickness
Eating spoiled food or garbage
Gastrointestinal infections
Pancreatitis
You may also notice other signs of nausea like lip-smacking, restlessness, and even vomiting.
Related: Dog drooling and licking excessively (Explained)
2. Oral or Dental Issues
Dental disease is another common reason why a dog is drooling and swallowing frequently.
Problems such as periodontal disease, broken teeth, oral infections, or foreign objects lodged in the mouth (like a stick or toy part) can irritate the gums and make swallowing uncomfortable.
In these cases, excessive drooling is often due to pain, and the swallowing is a reflex to manage saliva or discomfort.
Dogs with oral issues may also have:
Bad breath
Pawing at the mouth
Difficulty eating
Swollen gums
Regular dental checkups and proper oral hygiene can help prevent these problems.
Related: Dog drooling and jaw chattering (Explained)
3. Foreign Object Stuck in Throat or Mouth
If your dog is drooling and swallowing a lot suddenly, it could be due to a foreign object stuck in the throat or mouth.
Dogs explore with their mouths and can easily get bones, toys, or other objects lodged where they shouldn’t be.
Signs that your dog may have something stuck include:
Gagging or retching
Pawing at the face
Refusing to eat or drink
Panic or pacing
This is a medical emergency. If you suspect your dog has something lodged in their mouth or throat, seek immediate veterinary care.
4. Exposure to Toxins or Irritants
Ingesting something toxic or irritating—like plants, chemicals, or medications—can cause a dog to drool and swallow excessively.
These substances often lead to hypersalivation as the body tries to flush out the toxin.
Common toxins that cause these symptoms include:
Household cleaning products
Human medications (e.g., ibuprofen)
Toxic plants (e.g., oleander, tulips)
Insecticides or rodenticides
In some cases, poisoning can also cause vomiting, diarrhea, seizures, and even collapse.
If your dog is drooling and swallowing a lot along with any of these signs, call your vet or an animal poison control center immediately.
5. Dental or Oral Tumors
Oral tumors, while less common, are a serious cause of excessive drooling and swallowing.
Tumors in the mouth or throat area can lead to difficulty swallowing, drooling due to impaired saliva management, and weight loss from reduced food intake.
Look for signs such as:
Unusual lumps in the mouth
Drooling blood-tinged saliva
Bad breath
Reluctance to eat
Early detection through regular oral exams is key to managing oral cancers or growths in dogs.
6. Heatstroke or Overheating
Dogs regulate their temperature by panting, but when they overheat, they may also start to drool excessively.
Overheating can make them feel nauseated, leading to frequent swallowing.
This is especially true for brachycephalic breeds like Pugs and French Bulldogs.
Symptoms of heatstroke include:
Heavy panting
Bright red or pale gums
Weakness or collapse
Vomiting or diarrhea
If your dog is drooling and swallowing a lot on a hot day or after heavy exercise, cool them down and contact a veterinarian.
Related: Dog Drooling and Yawning (Explained)
7. Anxiety or Stress
A stressed or anxious dog may drool and swallow more than usual.
Stress can trigger nausea or cause behavioral responses like lip-smacking, trembling, pacing, or hiding.
Situations that cause this might include:
Thunderstorms
Fireworks
Separation anxiety
New environments or routines
Managing stress through desensitization training, calming products, or anxiety medications may help reduce these symptoms.
Other Possible Causes of Dog Drooling and Swallowing a Lot
There are a few additional medical issues worth considering:
Throat Infections: Such as tonsillitis or pharyngitis, which make swallowing painful and stimulate excessive salivation.
Megaesophagus: A condition where the esophagus becomes enlarged and loses its ability to move food to the stomach, leading to drooling, regurgitation, and weight loss.
Liver or Kidney Disease: Both can cause nausea, increased salivation, and changes in behavior.
What to Do if Your Dog Is Drooling and Swallowing a Lot
Here are steps to take if you notice these symptoms in your dog:
Observe the context: Did your dog eat something unusual? Are they anxious or have they been exposed to heat?
Check the mouth: If your dog allows, carefully look for signs of injury, swelling, or stuck objects.
Hydrate: Make sure your dog has access to fresh, clean water, especially if nausea or heat is suspected.
Avoid inducing vomiting: Unless advised by a vet, do not attempt to treat toxin exposure at home.
When to Seek Veterinary Care
You should contact your veterinarian immediately if:
The symptoms last longer than a few hours
Your dog is vomiting, lethargic, or refusing to eat
You suspect poisoning
There are signs of pain, bleeding, or visible lumps in the mouth
Your dog has difficulty breathing or swallowing
Persistent dog drooling and swallowing a lot should never be ignored.
It may seem minor, but it can point to a serious problem that requires timely diagnosis and treatment.
Prevention Tips
While you can’t prevent every cause of dog drooling and swallowing a lot, there are steps you can take to minimize the risk:
Keep harmful substances out of reach
Practice good dental hygiene
Introduce new foods slowly
Monitor playtime to prevent ingestion of foreign objects
Address anxiety with training or calming aids
Key Takeaway: Dog Drooling and Swallowing a Lot
When your dog is drooling and swallowing a lot, it’s not something to brush off.
It could be a simple reaction to nausea—or a serious signal of poisoning, dental disease, or an obstruction.
Paying attention to the frequency, context, and accompanying symptoms is crucial.
By being proactive and consulting your veterinarian when symptoms persist or worsen, you can catch problems early and help keep your dog happy, healthy, and comfortable.
If your dog is showing signs like excessive drooling and swallowing, don’t wait too long.
When in doubt, it’s always best to get a professional opinion. After all, our pups rely on us to speak up when something’s not right.