Drooling and slobbering are not new to dog owners. All dogs do it from the tiny Chihuahua to the giant Saint Bernard and bulldogs are no different. But, how much do bulldogs drool compared to other breeds and why do bulldogs drool?
English bulldogs drool and are one of the top ten breeds that drool the most. Bulldogs drool because their loose lips and jowls lead to saliva flowing from their mouths. Bulldogs also drool because they are brachycephalic (flat nosed) which causes them to pant and slobber more than other dogs.
Bulldogs will harmlessly drool at higher volumes when they’re excited to see you or are around treats and food. Be mindful of your bulldog’s drooling habits as it could be a sign of a more serious condition.
Why do English bulldogs slobber and drool?
- It’s genetic: The bulldog’s jaw structure and loose lips prevent a good seal from setting and preventing the drool from running freely
- Food or treats! Most dogs (and humans, when they’re hungry!) start to salivate when food is nearby
- Excitement: When a bulldog is excited they are known to slobber and drool
- Dehydration: A thirsty bulldog will drool. Make sure to keep your pup well hydrated!
- Overheating: If your bulldog is hot they will begin panting which will lead to drooling
- Anxiety
- Poor oral hygiene
- Motion sickness
- Mouth injuries
- Other health conditions that need to be addressed
Are English bulldogs among the top 10 most drooling dogs?
Oh yes, bulldogs are up there on the list of most drooly, slobbery dogs. We’ve yet to come across a scientific canine study on the topic but we’ve found plenty of dog experts giving their informed opinions. Below is a generally excepted list of breeds who drool the most:
- Bernese Mountain Dog
- Black and Tan Coonhound
- Bloodhound
- Bull Terrier
- English Bulldog (our personal favorite}
- Neapolitan Mastiff
- Newfoundland
- Saint Bernard
- Schnoodle
- Mastiff
Expert tips to deal with an English bulldog’s drooling and slobbering
Currently,, there is no cure for bulldog drool. That being said, there are a few ways to reduce the drooling impact on your floor and furniture. We’ve scoured the web and collected the best tips we could find from various bulldog experts.
- Get a bandana for your bulldog. Tying a bandana around your bulldog’s neck will act as a slobber catcher. After a day of drool catching make sure to throw the bandanna in the laundry and use it again!
- Have a towel handy at peak drooling times. Bulldogs tend to drool most after eating and drinking, so plan to have a towel at the ready to wipe his or her mug clean after every meal and drink. Just make sure the towel is soft enough not to cause irritation, as bulldogs have sensitive skin.
- Fuzzy cloth-based chew toys. Get your bulldog pup good quality fuzzy cloth chew toys. These toys will keep your furry baby entertained and happy while wicking away excess drool and slobber.
- Make sure your bulldog doesn’t get overheated. A sign of overheating is excess drooling, so it’s important to make sure your bulldog is cool as a cucumber. To keep your bulldog from overheating, get a cooling mat and keep him or her well hydrated.
- Keep your bulldog’s teeth clean. Poor oral hygiene can lead to excessive drooling. Brush your bulldog’s teeth regularly and give him or her lots of dental chews to keep their breath as fresh as can be, while also reducing the volume of drool.
- Make sure your bulldog has a positive environment. Anxiety can lead to drooling. Make sure your bulldog has a stress-free and happy environment to ensure excess drooling is kept to a minimum!
How to clean up English bulldog drool stains?
Oh the joys of cleaning up the bulldog drool around the house. We’ll eventually give this topic a post of its own. But for the time being we’ll provide you with some basic tips and solutions for removing bulldog drool stains from around the house.
- Use a Magic Eraser for hard surfaces. For laminate wood floors, base boards, and walls this handy household cleaning tool does the trick.
- For windows, use equal parts vinegar and water. We’ve heard it tends to do a better job than Windex when breaking up the crusty slobber spots.
- For fabrics and fabric-based furniture, use 70 percent isopropyl alcohol. Put the rubbing alcohol in a spray bottle and spritz the stain. Use a cloth to rub it out. The rubbing alcohol will eventually evaporate away. Double check the tags on your furniture to make sure this technique is okay to use!
Top health issues that can lead to your English bulldog drooling excessively
Poor dental hygiene: Pull back your bulldog’s lips to look at his or her teeth. If you notice a lot of tartar build-up or swollen or bleeding gums, take you bulldog to the vet to have his or her teeth clean. Most dental hygiene issues can be prevented with reoccurring care. Regularly brush your bulldog’s teeth and give him or her dental health chews.
Heatstroke: Bulldogs are very susceptible to overheating. Try to limit your bulldog’s time outside on hot days. And if you are outside while it’s warm, make sure they have access to shade and clean, cool water. If you think your bulldog might be having a heatstroke, take him or her to the vet immediately.
Organ disease: Liver and kidney diseases are known to lead to excessive drooling as a symptom. Take your bulldog to the vet annually for regular checkups. After the age of six, semi-annual check ups are important to detect these diseases early.
Eating poisonous plants: Always be aware of what your bulldog may be eating. Many common plants are poisonous to dogs and will cause serious health issues or even death if they eat them. If your bulldog eats plants like azaleas, chrysanthemums, or tulips they will become ill. One of the telltale signs that they’re having a reaction to the plant’s toxicity is excessive drooling.
Respiratory infections: If your bulldog gets an infection of the nose, throat, or sinuses they will most likely drool. Keeping a clean environment for your bulldog to live in will help prevent respiratory infections. For treatment, take your bulldog to the vet if you believe he or she has a respiratory infection. Bulldogs have a more difficult time breathing due to their genetics, so timely treatment is important.
Yes, English bulldogs are known to dribble, drool, and slobber but that is part of their charm. Hopefully, you’ve found this post helpful in answering the questions of why bulldogs drool, what it means, and what to do about it. If you have a bulldog or are planning on getting one we wish you happy cleaning!
