German Shorthairs do not drool excessively, which is good news for potential owners who do not want to clean up excessive slobber. Common reasons why your German Shorthair might be drooling include being hungry, or nearing feeding time, being excited/happy, teething and going through puberty.
That said, if this starts happening uncontrollably, then it might be a cause of concern. Excessive drooling can also cause difficulty in swallowing, infections or in the digestive canal, and stomach problems.
In this article, we will give you a deeper insight into the drooling habits of German Shorthairs and explain how you can best handle potential problems.
Do German Shorthairs Drool: Answered
Alright, so let’s cut to the chase: German Shorthairs don’t drool much. That’s right, you can breathe a sigh of relief knowing your home won’t turn into a drool-zone.
Common Reasons for Drooling
A little bit of drool never hurt anybody, and for your German Shorthair, it’s perfectly normal as long as it doesn’t turn into a slobberfest. If you see a bit of saliva around your dog’s mouth, don’t worry – it’s just their digestive system and brain teaming up in anticipation of food. It’s like when we humans start salivating at the sight of a delicious pizza, you know?
Anticipating Food
The most common drool trigger for your German Shorthair is hunger, or when it’s chow time. Some dogs might even start drooling at the sight of food – we can’t blame them, food is pretty awesome.
Dogs drool when they see food due to a biological response called the cephalic phase of digestion. This is like your dog’s body saying, “Hey, get ready for some grub!” Saliva contains digestive enzymes, which help break down food and protect the mouth from those pesky food particles. So if you find your German Shorthair drooling around meal times, don’t fret – it’s just happy and hungry, as it should be.
Excitement/Joy
Joy is a natural instinct for your German Shorthair to have. Just being excited for something or enjoying something can get your dog to start drooling like there’s no tomorrow. This is because its brain considers being fed and being excited as similar positive stimuli. A good game of catch, a nice walk, or maybe even a cute little crush on another doggo can get it to salivate in sheer joy, which is a great sign of happiness.
Stress/Fear
Being stressed or fearful can cause reactionary drooling in your German Shorthair. This is because the adrenaline rush causes it to feel similar reactions to being excited, but in a roundabout way. This fight or flight response makes it want to do things with fervor. Hence the drool signals the German Shorthair being overwhelmed.
This is why you may notice that when your dog is being yelled at or scolded, it may react by being more slobbered up than usual. Similar situations may also occur when it is around an aggressive dog or being overly stimulated in terms of visuals or noise.
Teething
When dogs are teething, they drool due to a combination of physiological and behavioral factors. In simple terms, teething stimulates their salivary glands to produce more saliva, and their natural response to the discomfort leads to drooling.
Here are the main reasons why dogs drool when teething:
- Saliva production: Teething stimulates the salivary glands to produce more saliva, which is a natural response to help protect and lubricate the gums. Saliva contains enzymes, proteins, and other substances that assist in breaking down food, maintaining oral hygiene, and promoting wound healing.
- Pain relief: When dogs are teething, their gums can become swollen, tender, and uncomfortable. Chewing and biting on objects can help alleviate this discomfort, as it provides a counter-pressure on the gums. However, this action also stimulates more saliva production, leading to drooling.
- Cooling effect: Increased saliva can help cool and soothe inflamed gums during teething. As the saliva evaporates, it creates a cooling effect, providing some relief to the dog’s sore gums.
- Inability to swallow: Teething puppies may not swallow as effectively, due to the discomfort and distraction caused by the erupting teeth. This can lead to saliva pooling in their mouths and eventually drooling out.
Heat/Puberty
When your German Shorthair is going through puberty, it may start drooling when attracted to other dogs. Females when going into their first heat cycle may also drool to signal the same. This is perfectly normal and shows that your dog is growing up healthy.
Pitfalls of Excessive Drooling
In cases where your dog suddenly starts drooling uncontrollably without any prior history of the same, you might need to schedule an urgent vet visit immediately! Here are a few precautionary signs to look for when you dog starts drooling out of nowhere:
Difficulty Swallowing
Drooling may be a sign that your GSP has difficulty in swallowing. This may be due to an irritation or blockage in the throat. It may also be due to an infection or disease in the digestive canal.
If you see your dog struggling or drooling while eating or suddenly gagging while eating, you should check to make sure it has something stuck in its throat, and help it get it out.
Stomach Problems/ Food Poisoning
Your German Shorthair might start drooling non stop if it is having digestive issues or has food poisoning. This is because it is trying to get its digestive system to work properly, hence causing hyper-salivation.
This has to be looked into if your dog seems uninterested in eating or seems to be in pain. Consulting a veterinarian at the earliest is recommended in case such problems arise.
Oral/Dental Issues
Your dog might be drooling to soothe the pain arising from any dental problems it has. Infections, irritations or soreness in the gums might be some of the reasons why it may do so. Some common issues to watch out for are:
- Periodontal disease: This is a common dental issue in dogs, involving inflammation and infection of the gums, ligaments, and bones surrounding the teeth. It can cause pain, bad breath, and difficulty eating, leading to increased drooling.
- Tooth abscess: A tooth abscess is a pocket of pus that forms around the root of an infected tooth. This condition is painful and can cause a dog to drool excessively.
- Broken or loose teeth: Dogs can break or loosen their teeth due to accidents, chewing on hard objects, or dental disease. This can cause pain and discomfort, leading to drooling.
- Oral masses or tumors: Growths in a dog’s mouth, whether benign or malignant, can cause drooling. These masses can interfere with normal chewing and swallowing, causing discomfort and increased saliva production.
Fever/Rabies Symptoms
In case of your dog running a fever, it might start drooling a lot to regulate its body temperature and try to get rid of the germs in whatever means possible.
In either case, a quick trip to the vet will do you no harm. If the vet does find any actual symptoms in the end, it can be nipped in the bud. After all, a stitch in time saves nine.
Tips for Dealing with Excessive Drooling
Given below are some common ways through which you can handle/curb drooling in your German Shorthair:
- Regularly check your dog’s mouth for signs of dental issues, oral infections, or foreign objects.
- Maintain a balanced diet for your dog, including dental chews or treats to help reduce plaque buildup.
- Keep your dog hydrated by providing fresh water at all times.
- Monitor your dog’s drooling patterns to identify any changes that may indicate a health problem.
- Provide your dog with chew toys that promote dental health and help to clean their teeth.
- Schedule routine dental cleanings and checkups with your veterinarian.
- If drooling is stress-related, minimize stressors and provide a calm environment for your dog.
- Use a waterproof or easily washable dog bed cover or blanket to manage drool during rest times.
Conclusion
In conclusion, German Shorthaired Pointers are not typically known for excessive drooling. While they may drool occasionally, especially when anticipating food or during physical exertion, it’s generally not a significant concern. However, any sudden increase or change in drooling patterns could indicate an underlying health issue, such as dental problems or oral infections.
Regular dental care, routine veterinary checkups, and monitoring your dog’s behavior are essential for maintaining their overall health. If you notice any unusual drooling in your German Shorthaired Pointer, consult your veterinarian to identify and address any potential issues.
