Dog Drooling In Crate? Here Are 6 Possible Reasons
Does your dog slobber whenever you’re putting it inside the crate? This may surprise you, but a dog drooling in crate actually has a logical explanation.
However, if your pooch doesn’t normally drool or if its salivation got worse in the crate, you might be dealing with a problem. In this post, I share my personal experience as a dog owner and how this same concern happened to my pet Sherlock before.
Reasons why dogs drool inside the crate
If your dog is drooling excessively inside the crate, the following might be the reasons why:
1. Separation anxiety
The main reason why a dog will drool inside the crate is separation anxiety.
Separation anxiety is an adapted mechanism a canine does when it gets separated from its owner. This condition will lead to escape attempts, crying, accidents, and excessive drooling.
However, the crate is supposed to help with separation anxiety. So if your dog still gets anxious inside, you probably did something wrong during crate training.
Also, it’s important to check whether the crate is too small or too large for your pet. Most of all, the crate will only work if you train your dog to use it as a safety retreat.
The American Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals (ASPCA) states that shelter dogs that lost their guardians tend to suffer from separation anxiety. So if you’ve adopted your dog from a shelter, this may explain why it’s more anxious than other canines in the same breed.
2. Stress and fear
Another possible reason behind your dog’s excessive drooling in the crate is stress. The likes of moving to a new house, traveling, loud noise, and the presence of strangers can trigger this problem on your pet.
Aside from that, the crate itself might be the cause of stress. It’s probably poorly sized or your adopted dog has associated the crate with a negative experience.
When a dog is stressed, it will perform self-soothing habits like licking its lips. This is usually accompanied by intense drooling.
Also, stressed dogs will pant and may have episodes of aggression. A fully housebroken canine can also have accidents inside the crate when stressed.
In this case, it will help a lot to drape a blanket or towel all over the crate. This will block your dog’s view of the surroundings, so it won’t be exposed to various stressors.
3. Excessive heat
If your dog doesn’t seem to be stressed or anxious, the next thing you should check is the temperature in your home. Since dogs don’t sweat the same way as humans do, they are susceptible to overheating.
One of the tell-tale signs of overheating or heatstroke in dogs is increased salivation. It’s the canine’s attempt to cool down its body.
Aside from intense drooling, an overheating dog will also experience panting, lethargy, bluish/pale gums, and collapsing.
Take note that overheating can become deadly within minutes. So if you notice these symptoms on your dog, you should take it out of the crate and in a ventilated area.
It’s also important to cool down your dog by giving small amounts of water at a time, pouring water on its body, and regulating the room temperature.
4. Poisoning
Poisoning is common in canines due to their dietary indiscretion. And when a canine consumes toxic substances, it will start to drool, vomit, and have diarrhea.
Aside from that, a poisoned dog will become lethargic. Depending on the toxicity level of the substance, the canine may collapse, suffer from respiratory distress, and succumb to comatose.
In this case, being in the crate is just a coincidence. Your dog probably ingested the toxin a few hours earlier before you put him inside the crate.
5. Dental problems
If your dog isn’t stressed, anxious, or poisoned, another possible reason behind the drooling is dental problems. Tooth decay, gum disease, abscess, and similar problems will lead to drooling.
Aside from increased salivation, dental problems can also cause bad breath and a slew of infections. If not addressed, dental infections can spread into the bloodstream and trigger a life-threatening health condition.
Overall, dogs with dental problems will drool whether they are inside or outside the crate.
6. Respiratory infections
Another health problem you should rule out is respiratory infections. Usually, upper respiratory infections will trigger symptoms like drooling, foaming of the mouth, coughing, and more.
If you suspect that your dog has this condition, you should bring it to the vet for proper examination. The earlier you seek treatment for respiratory infections, the faster your dog will recover.
In general, the vet will prescribe antibiotics and conduct tests to ensure that your dog doesn’t have other illnesses.
Is it normal for dogs to drool while sleeping?
Dribbling is normal for dogs while sleeping, much like we, humans, drool in our dreams. Your dog might be dreaming of treats, bones, and food.
Also, you should check whether your dog is really asleep or was knocked unconscious by heatstroke. Take note that unconsciousness, drooling, and rapid breathing, are some of the signs of overheating, which may appear as if your dog is slobbering on its sleep.
Why is my dog drooling from one side of his mouth?
If your dog is drooling from one side of the mouth, you should check for foreign objects that got stuck on its throat. You also get your dog examined at the vet for any dental problems on the affected side of the mouth.
Aside from that, a dog may drool on one side if it suffered from physical trauma. It could be due to a bad fall, being hit by a vehicle, or being struck by a blunt object.
Why is my dog drooling around the new puppy?
Stress is the main reason why your dog is drooling around the new puppy. This is a normal reaction as the scent and presence of the new pet is unfamiliar for your resident doggo.
With proper introduction and desensitization, your dog will acclimate to the pup. At the same time, its drooling will stop.
Why would a dog start drooling all of a sudden?
A sudden increase in salivation is often associated with dental problems. Your dog is probably experiencing tooth pain, gum issues, infections, and the likes.
Take note that dental problems don’t go away on their own and just get worse over time. This is why you should bring your dog to the vet for immediate treatment.
Does a dog drool when in pain?
Drooling can be a sign that your dog is experiencing dental pain. However, dogs can still suffer from dental problems without increased salivation.
Beyond drooling, a dog in pain will often cry out, show agitation, breathe rapidly, and become lethargic. The canine will also be reluctant to perform its usual activities.
If you observe these on your canine, you should bring them to the veterinarian for proper examination treatment.
Conclusion
A dog drooling in crate can be a sign of stress, anxiety, overheating, and health problems. If you suspect that your dog is unwell, the vet is always the best person to consult.
Overall, drooling is normal for canines as long as it’s not accompanied by other adverse symptoms. It’s also typical to some dog breeds and canines that have lost all their teeth.
