You know what to do when your dog drools, but what do you do when he suddenly stops drooling? If your dog is experiencing dry mouth, there could be more serious underlying issues. Learning the possible causes and treatments of dog dry mouth can help you keep your pup at his best.
Dog drool may seem gross at times, but it is a sign that your dog is producing saliva. Saliva helps keep a dog's mouth comfortable. If you're not seeing any slobbering and your dog's mouth seems to be dry, your four-legged companion may have dry mouth, also known as xerostomia. Without liquid washing over the teeth to keep them clean, this condition can cause bad breath in both dogs and people. It's not always painful, but xerostomia in dogs can affect swallowing and eating. Besides bad breath, dogs with dry mouth may have sticky, dry-feeling gums, notes Wag!.
It is important to monitor your dog from head to toe on a regular basis. During a wellness visit you may want to ask your veterinarian about normal levels of saliva. If he has dog dry mouth, is it related to his breed, age, diet or something more serious? If your dog's bad breath and dry mouth seems to be getting worse or causing your pet to act differently, then a special trip to the vet is a good idea. It's always better to be safe than sorry, so if something just doesn't seem right, schedule an appointment as soon as you can.
Dog dry mouth can come from a wide variety of environmental and health conditions:
Once your vet determines the cause of dog dry mouth, Merck Vet Manuals writes that they may suggest any of the following treatments:
If you notice your dog producing less saliva than normal, start with getting him to drink more and checking for dehydration. If his dry mouth continues or worsens, it's time to see the vet to determine the cause. Since dry mouth can be a side effect of more serious conditions, it is important to have your vet properly diagnose the issue and recommend a treatment method.
Chrissie Klinger is an educator, writer and mother of two children, three dogs and three cats. Her dog Jake loves sitting on her lap every chance he gets! She enjoys living an active and eco-friendly lifestyle in rural Pennsylvania.
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