Why Is My Dog Salivating and Licking at Their Mouth?

If you’ve noticed that your dog is suddenly drooling heavily or repeatedly licking their lips, you may understandably be alarmed. This behavior can signal a wide range of things, such as hunger, nausea, dental pain, or even anxiety.

While some causes are harmless or easily treated, others will require prompt veterinary attention, especially if symptoms persist or worsen. Here, we’ll answer your common questions about this behavior so that you’ll know how to respond appropriately and keep your dog comfortable.

Q1: Why is my dog salivating and licking at her mouth?

The following are common reasons for a dog salivating and licking their mouth:

• Hunger: The simplest and least alarming reason your dog might be salivating and licking their lips is if they’re anticipating a particularly tasty treat.
• Nausea: Salivation increases when the body anticipates vomiting. Nausea may be mild or caused by a more serious underlying health issue.
• Oral Pain or Discomfort: Dental disease, a foreign object stuck in the mouth, or an odd taste or feel in the mouth are all reasons a dog might start salivating or licking their lips.
• Anxiety or Stress: A dog licking their lips repeatedly is a common sign of anxiety. When this anxiety or stress becomes extreme, the dog might start drooling a lot, too.

To narrow down the cause, it’s important to look at other symptoms. For example, if the dog is vomiting, has diarrhea, has a decreased appetite, or has a painful abdomen, you might consider nausea as a potential cause of hypersalivation.

Your dog’s veterinarian is your best source for determining the cause of your dog’s excessive drooling and lip-licking.

Q2: Could something be stuck in my dog’s mouth?

Yes, foreign objects stuck in the dog’s mouth can cause excessive drooling and lip-licking. Sticks, grass awns, bones, or pieces of toys can lodge between teeth, under the tongue, or into the soft tissues of the mouth.

In addition to excessive drooling, the dog may paw at their face or be disinterested in food. If a sharp object has caused physical injury in the mouth, you may notice swelling or bleeding.

If your pet is calm, you can gently check their mouth to see if you can see any abnormalities. If your dog resists or seems to be in pain, make sure to consult a veterinarian. You should not force your dog’s mouth open—if needed, the veterinarian can sedate your dog to do an oral exam.

Q3: Can nausea cause drooling and mouth‑licking?

Yes, drooling and mouth-licking are common dog nausea signs. Other signs can include swallowing repeatedly, pacing, restlessness, and abdominal pain. If your dog vomits or develops diarrhea, the behavior was very likely due to nausea.

Nausea can be caused by eating something new or unusual, motion sickness, foreign objects stuck in the gastrointestinal tract, infections (like parvovirus), and even systemic health conditions like kidney disease or diabetes.

Mild nausea often resolves, but if your dog has persistent nausea, develops additional symptoms like repeated vomiting, or has any worsening symptoms, they need a veterinary evaluation.

Q4: Could dental or mouth pain be the cause?

Dog mouth irritation, dental disease, and oral pain are common causes of drooling and licking. Examples include periodontal disease, broken teeth, gum inflammation (gingivitis), oral infections, or sores (ulcers) in the mouth. Less commonly, a growth or mass in the mouth could also cause drooling and lip-licking.

A dog may drop food while eating, chew on one side, or avoid hard kibble. You might also notice bad breath (halitosis), visible tartar on the teeth, or redness along the gumline.

Dental issues are very common in dogs, and they usually require veterinary treatment, such as a dental cleaning with or without extraction of teeth.

Q5: Are there other medical causes I should consider?

Yes, other medical causes for a dog salivating too much should be considered. Examples include:
• Allergic reactions: These can be triggered by insect stings, environmental allergens, medications, and certain foods.

• Toxin exposure: Certain plants, chemicals, and medications can cause sudden salivation, either due to causing nausea or due to irritation in the mouth.
• Nausea from systemic illness: As mentioned, systemic illnesses like kidney disease or pancreatitis could cause hypersalivation due to nausea.
• Seizure activity or neurological issues: Some dogs drool before or after a seizure episode.

While the causes listed in this section are often more serious, that doesn’t mean that treatment isn’t available. If symptoms persist, make sure to see a veterinarian.

Q6: When should I take my dog to the vet?

For when to see a vet for drooling, check your pet for any of the following clinical signs:

• Sudden, severe drooling that is accompanied by pawing at the mouth
• Swelling of the face, lips, or tongue
• Difficulty breathing
• Vomiting or diarrhea
• Lethargy
• Signs of pain when opening the mouth
• Bleeding from the mouth
• Known exposure to toxins or ingestion of foreign objects
• Symptoms lasting more than a few hours
• Seizures

Your veterinarian can rule out serious causes and develop a treatment plan that helps your pet feel better faster.

When in Doubt, Visit the Vet

Excessive salivation and licking at the mouth can stem from hunger, nausea, oral pain or discomfort, or anxiety. Occasionally, this symptom is indicative of a more serious medical issue. While mild, short-lived episodes may resolve on their own, persistent or severe symptoms warrant a veterinary examination.

If you’re noticing excessive drooling or lip-licking, monitor your dog closely. If safe to do so, you can check for any obvious mouth issues. When in doubt, it’s best to seek veterinary care. With prompt attention, most causes of drooling and mouth-licking can be identified and treated effectively.