Why Do English Bulldogs Drool So Much? (& How to Stop It)

It’s perfectly natural to see your English Bulldog drooling a lot after a walk or around mealtimes. In fact, it’s a trait that’s considered endearing by many pet parents.

However, your dog’s drooling might become problematic and cause too much of a mess sometimes. This is why it’s very important to understand why English Bulldogs drool excessively so you can find a way to get the problem under control.

So, why do English Bulldogs drool so much? English Bulldogs drool excessively because they can’t close their mouth completely causing drool to build up and dribble down their chin. They also have breathing issues so they often breathe with their mouth open. It’s expected for them to start drooling more when they’re excited, anxious, or sick.

Keep reading to learn more about why English Bulldogs can’t control their drooling, when they are expected to drool excessively, and how to stop them from drooling.

What Can’t English Bulldogs Control Their Drooling?

The main reason why English Bulldogs can’t control their drooling is that their mouths are open most of the time which causes drool to build up and dribble down their chin

English Bulldogs are a brachycephalic breed which means they have a flat face with a short muzzle. This causes them to have breathing problems so they have to breathe with their mouth open.

They also have undershot jaws which means their lower jaw is longer than their upper jaw. This condition makes it difficult for them to close their mouth completely as their teeth do not align properly and they usually have problems with chewing food.

Speaking of jaws, you can learn why do bulldogs have underbites here (and if they all have it).

When Is It Normal for Bulldogs to Drool Excessively?

There are times when English Bulldogs are expected to drool more than usual. It’s important to be aware of these times, so you can determine whether your dog’s behavior is natural.

So, let’s take a closer look at times when English Bulldogs drool excessively:

When They Are Excited

All English Bulldogs will start drooling when they feel excited. There are many random things that can get dogs excited such as seeing their favorite toys, playing with their humans, watching people or other dogs walk down the street, but the thing that gets them excited the most is food.

A famous experiment was done by a Russian physiologist named Ivan Pavlov in the 1890’s which proved that you can get dogs to drool in response to the sound of a bell if you associated the sound with giving them food.

When They Are Anxious or Scared

English Bulldogs are sensitive to sudden changes in their environment which might cause them to feel anxious or scared. It’s a natural response to emotional stimuli that’s very similar to the way they drool when they are excited.

If English Bulldogs do not receive proper socialization when they are young, they are more likely to feel anxious and scared in new situations. The more anxious or scared your dog is, the more drool it might produce.

When They Are Eating

Bulldogs are known for being messy when it comes to eating as they tend to jam their entire face into their bows and chew with their mouths open.

Having their mouth open combined with their overexcitement about eating, frequently causes them to get food bits all over the place as well as produce excess drool.

When They Are Overheated

English Bulldogs cannot handle hot weather as they have trouble with regulating their core body temperature and they don’t have sweat glands. So, they often tend to open their mouth and stick their tongues in an attempt to cool themselves off which causes them to drool more.

Overheating and heat strokes are a serious concern for English Bulldogs, so you need to be on the lookout for some symptoms along with excessive drooling such as heavy panting, fast or irregular heartbeat, lack of energy, and laying down.

If you notice any of these symptoms you need to help your English Bulldog cool down immediately by making it drink cold water, moving it to a cooler area in the house, and wiping it down with a wet towel.

If you fail to cool down your dog using any of these methods, you need to take it to a vet to prevent serious complications.

When They Get Motion Sickness

If you noticed that your English Bulldog is drooling excessively while riding in the car, it’s likely due to motion sickness.

Other symptoms of motion sickness include licking their lips constantly, yawning, whining and barking, vomiting, and staying too still as they are afraid to move.

The best way to deal with motion sickness is to keep the car ride short and give your dog ginger to calm their stomach at least 30 minutes before moving. Your dog can get motion sickness from anything that’s moving, even skateboards (although bulldogs are pretty darn good at skateboarding).

How to Stop Your English Bulldog from Drooling Excessively?

Drooling is often beyond your English Bulldog’s control because of its physical features. So, there’s nothing you can do to stop your dog from drooling completely.

However, there are some ways to reduce your dog’s excessive drooling, depending on what’s causing it.

If the drooling is caused by psychological factors such as excitement or anxiety, you can try to make note of what triggers your dog’s emotion and find a way to calm your dog down.
If the drooling is caused by overhearing, you can help the dog cool down by providing it with cold water, moving it to a cooler area in the house, and wiping it down with a wet towel.
If the drooling is caused by messy eating, you can tie a baby bip or a bandana around the dog’s neck during mealtimes to catch food bits and excess drool.

It’s also recommended to get your dog multiple chew toys to soak up some of the excess drool and to have some towels ready to clean up the drool at any time.

When to Consult a Vet About Your English Bulldog’s Drooling?

If your English Bulldog is suddenly drooling more excessively than usual with no apparent cause, physical or psychological, it’s recommended to consult a vet as there’s a possibility that the dog is suffering from a health problem.

Here are some other warning signs that you need to look out for in your dog’s drool:

The drool has a strong or bad smell – Drool is normally odorless. If you are picking up a bad smell from your dog’s drool, that’s a sign that there’s a problem with the dog’s health.
The drool is discolored – Drool is normally milky white. If you notice that the drool coming out of your dog’s mouth is yellow, green, or pink, then that’s a sign that there’s a problem with the dog’s health.
The drool has thick consistency – Drool is normally sticky with a runny texture. If you notice that the drool coming out of your dog’s mouth has a thicker texture, then that’s a sign that there’s a problem with the dog’s health.

Now that you know what to look out for, let’s take a look at some of the health problems that might cause your dog to drool excessively:

Mouth Diseases and Tooth Decay

Excessive drooling is often caused by tartar buildup, gingivitis, mouth ulcers, tooth decay, and even oral tumors.

Make sure to regularly check your dog’s mouth for brown teeth, discolored swollen gums, or any bleeding. If you notice anything out of the ordinary, you need to take your dog to a vet to determine the problem and prescribe the proper treatment.

Organ Diseases

Excessive drooling can be a symptom of diabetes, kidney diseases, or liver diseases along with other symptoms like decreased energy levels, lack of appetite, vomiting, and yellow coloring in the dog’s gums.

So, it’s very important to take your dog to the vet for regular checkups to make sure it’s doesn’t have any disease that you are unaware of.

Rabies

Excessive drooling is a symptom of rabies which is a viral disease that causes inflammation in the dog’s brain. You will also notice that your dog’s drool has an unusual foamy texture.

Dogs can get rabies if they get bitten by an infected animal such as a bat, coyote, fox, raccoon, skunk, etc.

So, if you notice a bite on your dog or any sign that it might have rabies, you need to take it to a vet immediately as this disease can be fatal. You also need to be careful not to allow the dog to you or anyone else, so they don’t pass the disease along.

Why Do English Bulldogs Drool So Much? (& How to Stop It)

What Can’t English Bulldogs Control Their Drooling?