If dogs drool, There's actually nothing they can do about it: the body is responsible for excessively stimulating saliva production. Some breeds are very susceptible to it for genetic reasons, but there are also animals that are only prone to it on certain occasions.
Very often, dogs actually start out inconspicuous during car rides to salivate very heavily. Very often this is due to Stress, to which the animals are exposed, including the Motion sickness Kinetosis is often responsible for this.
However, there is also other reasons, which can sometimes even be a symptom of a life-threatening emergency. You can find out what these are and what you can do about them in this article.
6 reasons Why a dog salivates heavily in the car
1. nervousness & stress
Many dogs don't like car rides at all. The unfamiliar vehicle is simply scary for you, every kilometer you travel is then pure stress for her. Particularly Cubs and Four-legged friends who were never used to traveling are affected.
Accordingly, they are often nervous before the trip starts: some four-legged friends start to tremble and want to run away as soon as they sense that it is about to start.
Unlike us humans, dogs often react to nervousness by producing a lot of saliva, i.e. they drool. Many affected animals continue to whine or whine.
2. Motion sickness
But some four-legged friends also suffer from the so-called Motion sickness or Kinetosis. This is caused by a disorder in the inner ear: the dog's brain cannot correctly classify the vehicle's movements, and the animal is led to believe that it is out of balance.
Also occurs in other means of transport
Kinetosis occurs particularly often in the car, but it can also other means of transport concern: Many dogs react to Train travel more relaxed because you can't easily look out the window and modern trains run very smoothly – but there are «problem cases» here too. They are often particularly critical ship trips, Because dogs can also get seasick.
Affected dogs often react with nausea and indigestion nausea and sometimes too Diarrhea. The body also releases stress hormones, which is why many animals begin to drool heavily.
Motion sickness can occur for the first time at any time: Some dogs have been good passengers for years before they get sick. However, there is also hope, because the inner ear often gets used to the unfamiliar movements at some point.
3. heatstroke
In some cases, drooling can also have other causes: Dogs occasionally do so in the car heat stroke victim, Due to intense heat, the body temperature then rises to alarming levels.
Life-threatening emergency
Heat stroke is always potentially life-threatening: Without rapid stabilization, there is a risk of circulatory collapse, which unfortunately often ends in death.
Heat stroke in the car often occurs in the summer when the Vehicle not air conditioned is. But there is also the option on cold days, provided that Heating at full blast running.
Affected animals often begin to salivate heavily and pant hectically at the same time. This is because the dog instinctively tries to evaporate fluid, causing the body temperature to drop. Unfortunately, this is often not enough for severe heat strokes.
4. Dehydration
It is also possible that the dog not drinking enough got. This can happen quickly, especially on long trips, because many dog owners think that their four-legged friends won't exert themselves in the car and therefore don't need fluids.
But that is a fallacy: it needs a lot of water, especially if the animal is nervous while driving. If it doesn't get this, it quickly risks drying out. The salivary glands are then instinctively activated and the dog then drools profusely.
Nevertheless, he slowly dehydrates: You can do that, for example wrinkled skin or pale mucous membranes recognize.
5. Symptom of poisoning
But be careful: If your dog suddenly starts drooling in the car, it can also be a problem poisoning be behind it. The salivary glands are then activated, among other things, because the body is desperately trying to flush the toxins out of the body.
Poisoning while traveling can occur for various reasons:
- On the one hand, many poisons – such as pesticides – often work time-shifted only after several hours or days.
- On the other hand, it is quite possible that curious four-legged friends Tried unusual things on the way that were poisonous.
- Some holiday regions are also toxic Insect bites or even Snake bites possible.
However, excessive salivation is not the only symptom: affected four-legged friends often also react seizures, Digestive problems like severe, bloody diarrhea and sudden apathetic behavior, that can drift into unconsciousness.
6. Foreign body in the mouth
If your dog suddenly starts drooling after a stopover, it could also be that he is drooling during his run Foreign body got in his mouth. Most of the time this is about Grasses, wood splinters or small stones.
These irritate the four-legged friend and in the medium term they can also cause inflammation. The body knows this and tries to defend itself: the dog instinctively activates the salivary glands to flush the foreign body out of its mouth.
More reasons
Of course there are still many more reasons which can cause a dog to drool excessively. However, these are of a more general nature and do not only occur when driving, but also also in everyday life on.
You can find out more about this in our information article on the topic “Dogs salivate a lot”.
Dog drools while driving: 6 proven solutions
As you can see, the causes of drooling while driving are often related to the trip itself: in most cases it's nervousness or nausea caused by motion sickness. Occasionally, however, there are other, sometimes dangerous, reasons behind it.
But no matter where it comes from: If a dog suddenly drools in the car even though he doesn't otherwise tend to, that's a problem Sign that something is wrong. The four-legged friend is not feeling well, which is why you definitely have to do something about the causes.
The following are particularly important: Solution strategies proven.
1. Car rides so short & keep it as painless as possible
If your dog reacts anxiously to car rides or even suffers from motion sickness, one basic rule applies: you should Travel as short and gentle as possible plan.
This means: Unnecessary car journeys should be avoided as much as possible. If there is no alternative, it helps special consideration for the four-legged friend gain weight.
This means in particular
- Quiet driving style
- Lots of breaks so the dog can relax
- Activity, e.g. in the form of cuddly animals or toys
- Ideally there is a caregiver in the back seat who can support the four-legged friend.
With difficult four-legged friends, travel side effects cannot be completely avoided, but they are often significantly alleviated. Occasionally, with a lot of patience and love, it is even possible to “re-educate” the animal into a car-friendly dog in this way.
2. Sedatives
Many dog owners swear by stress and nervousness Sedatives. For a long time this meant that the four-legged friend had to be more or less anesthetized for the car ride. Of course, this is not very animal-friendly and will only be practiced in extremely exceptional cases in 2025.
Instead, there are now many gentle alternatives. Products with herbal active ingredients are on the rise; they calm the dog easily without any sedating effect or personality change being observed.
Depending on the preparation, the time it takes for these tablets to take effect varies greatly: some help after just a few hours, others are designed in such a way that administration has to be started days before the car journey.
3. Travel tablets
However, if your dog is under one Kinetosis suffering are likely Travel tablets the better choice. These remedies are primarily designed to combat both nervousness and nausea symptoms.
Veterinarians sometimes prescribe antihistamines for this, but these are not always recommended due to their side effects. Instead, more and more are being used in this segment herbal remedies with minimal unwanted effects.
4. Comfortable & safe transport box
Also a good choice for dogs that suffer from nervousness or kinetosis is a Dog transport box for the car. This offers the same several advantages at once:
- The Dog is secured and cannot get into the driver's compartment and become a danger.
- As long as the animal has been well accustomed to the box in advance, it provides support and is effective like a piece of home on the go.
- Due to the side walls, the four-legged friend can barely look out the window, which often greatly limits the effects of kinetosis.
Most dog transport boxes can also be used in the car, and some models are even designed so that you can install them permanently in the trunk. There are also dog beds for the trunk, which, in conjunction with a divider, can ensure safety and comfort.
However, drooling cannot always be avoided. So that your seats are not unnecessarily damaged, a car seat cover may also be worthwhile for dogs that tend to salivate a lot.
5. Offer plenty to drink
In the event of dehydration or even heat stroke, you must immediately stop the journey and offer your four-legged friend a shady place to rest with plenty of fresh air. Immediately afterwards you have to tell him a lot to drink – if you take regular drinking breaks, these problems can often be avoided in advance.
So never forget to take enough water with you. Travel bowls are extremely practical for when you're on the go, as they are particularly easy to clean and in most cases can be folded to save space.
6. If in doubt, go to the vet
Sometimes the cause of the sudden drooling is so serious that a life-threatening medical emergency consists. In these cases you cannot and must not hesitate go to the vet immediately!
Especially with Heat strokes and poisoning is not to be trifled with – without quick medical help, the animal can die quickly.
Call ahead
Even if it's difficult: In a life-threatening situation, you shouldn't panic, you must stay calm and constructive! It is also advisable to check before arriving at the practice or clinic register by phone. In this way, the doctor can prepare and, for example, select an antidote – your pet's chances of survival can be drastically increased!
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