It’s true that Boxers tend to be a drooly breed. But when the drooling becomes excessive, it causes many owners concern.
In this article, we will discuss the typical causes of drooling, what’s a normal amount, and when it might be time to consult your veterinarian.
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Is It Normal For Boxers To Drool?
Boxers are known to drool more than other breeds. While some dogs will never have visible drool coming from their mouths, this can be a normal concurrence for our Boxer friends.
Boxers have deep jowls, meaning they can collect excess drool in these pockets. When a Boxer is excited or worked up, this can cause the drool to spill over. This may cause your pup to drool on your clothes, on their toys, and any object they come in contact with. Grab the mop! lol
Due to drooling being a normal behavior for Boxers, it can be challenging to know when it’s time to be concerned. To help you better understand your pup, let’s discuss the details of a drooling Boxer below.
8 Reasons Why Your Boxer Is Drooling
If your Boxer is suddenly drooling, there is usually an explanation behind the behavior. Let’s discuss the most common reasons behind Boxer drooling, ranging from normal occurrence to something more.
1. Normal Boxer Drool
Like we mentioned above, Boxers are known to drool more than other breeds. A small amount of drool hanging from their mouth is usually nothing to be concerned with and is just a result of the loose skin around their mouth.
Boxers tend to come with a small trail of slobber, but it should always have an end in sight. If you think your boxer’s drooling is becoming excessive, there is a list of potential factors to consider.
2. Food Anticipation
Does it seem like your Boxer’s drool increases around mealtime? If so, this may be due to the anticipation of their meal.
Saliva plays a major role in a dog’s digestive process. Saliva helps to break down the food that will pass to the stomach, allowing for a smooth transition.
When a dog smells food, their body will automatically produce extra saliva to prepare for food consumption. This is why you often see dogs licking their lips before mealtime, as well as sporting a bit of extra drool.
3. Overexertion
Some Boxers will drool as a result of overexertion. When a dog participates in vigorous activity, this can cause them to pant excessively. A panting pup tends to create more saliva, leading to more drool around their mouth than usual.
The panting effect can also make it look like your dog is drooling more than they actually are. Panting can cause the drool in a Boxer’s mouth to foam, creating the illusion of excessive slobber.
If your Boxer is always drooling after physical activity, this may just be due to overworking themselves. As long as it revolves once they have calmed down from the activity, it is nothing to worry about.
It’s also important to note that dogs can drool excessively when they are overheated, meaning you should always bring them into a cool climate if they begin to slobber much more than usual.
4. Anxiety
Just like humans, our Boxers can fall victim to stress and anxiety. Changes in their environment can easily cause a Boxer to become overwhelmed, as well as individual triggers that plague them.
Dogs tend to hyper salivate in stressful situations, causing a trail of drool to fall from their mouth if they are feeling overwhelmed. This is another reason why dogs often lick their lips when they are feeling stressed, as they are reacting to the increased amount of saliva being produced.
For example, if your Boxer only drools excessively when you are on the way to the vet, this may be their way of telling you they are experiencing stress. As long as it revolves once the stressful activity has ended, it is nothing to worry about.
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5. Upset Stomach
A drooling Boxer can be a sign of gastrointestinal upset. Similar to you and I, a dog will often produce more saliva than usual when they are feeling nauseous.
A nauseous pup will often appear more stoic than usual, while having trails of drool hanging from their jowls. Your Boxer may also display other signs of GI upset, ranging from vomiting to diarrhea.
If you think your Boxer is drooling due to an upset stomach, we always suggest contacting your veterinarian. Your vet can get to the bottom of their nausea, and offer fast relief for your furry friend.
6. Mouth Pain
Mouth pain is another common cause behind excessive drooling in Boxers. Mouth pain of any kind will cause a dog to create an increased amount of saliva, leading to excessive drooling in many cases.
This reaction is so common, that drooling is listed as one of the most well-known symptoms of dental disease in dogs. Dogs may begin to drool, avoid their food, cry out when their mouth is touched, and even experience swelling in the facial area.
Not only can dental disease cause serious pain, but foreign objects in their mouth can lead to discomfort as well. Dogs are known to chew on things they shouldn’t, causing items to become lodged in their teeth and gums.
If you think your dog is drooling due to mouth discomfort, it’s best to contact your veterinarian for further care. Your vet can perform a proper dental exam, and find the best solution for your Boxer going forward.
7. Toxicities
Ingesting toxic substances can cause a Boxer to drool more than usual. This can be due to the toxic items making the dog nauseous, or even as a result of irritation in the mouth. Toxicities in our pets can cause a range of concerning symptoms, with drooling and nausea being at the top of the list in many cases.
If you think your Boxer has ingested any type of toxic substance, we suggest contacting your veterinarian as soon as possible. This is the best way to offer your pup the chance at a full recovery.
8. Other Medical Conditions
While we have discussed some of the most common causes of drooling in Boxers, there are some other conditions to be aware of. These factors are certainly rarer than the others on this list, but should be on your mind just in case.
Some other medical conditions that cause excessive drooling include:
- Tumors in the mouth
- Kidney disease
- Heatstroke
- Allergic reactions
- Airway obstruction
Most medical causes of excessive drooling will come along with other changes in their behavior as well. This is why it is so important to understand what’s normal for your Boxer pup, as this will help you spot any potential concerns in the future.
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When To See The Vet
If your Boxer is drooling more than usual, you may wonder when it is time to visit your veterinarian. If your pup is ever experiencing behavior that is abnormal for them, we always suggest contacting your vet.
Pet owners are the best judge of their dog’s behavior, as they are the only ones that see them day in and day out. If your Boxer’s drooling ever seems odd to you, it’s best to seek advice from a professional.
It’s always better to be safe than sorry, especially when serious complications could be the source. Be sure to scan through the factors that we listed above, as this will help you be best prepared to chat with your vet about potential causes.
Final Thoughts
Boxers may drool more than other pups, but excessive drool can always be a cause of concern. Be sure to read through the information that we discussed above, and you can get to the bottom of your dog’s slobbering in no time!
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