Humans typically swoon and drool over dogs and puppies. Their cuteness, tilted heads, and their big pleading eyes bring out the fuzziness in even the toughest of males and females.
But some dogs can’t help but drool all the time. And it’s nothing to do with cuteness or falling in love with themselves. There are breeds which are genetically and physiologically predisposed to slobber.
So, is a Westie one of the contenders in the slobbers department? Let’s find out.
Are Westies Known to Drool a Lot?
If you are talking about the waterfall type of drooling, then the answer is no. Westies do not drool as some other big dogs such as Bulldogs and Mastiffs do.
But of course, he will drool when he is excited about food or is stressed. He is a dog after all, so temporary episodes of drooling are nothing to be worried about.
But if you have a Westie that is salivating all over the place, it warrants immediate medical attention.
What are the Reasons for Canine Drooling?
The anticipation or the sight of food will trigger drooling in a Westie. But it is only temporary and will subside as soon as the episode is over.
When you have a Westie that is covering your home in slime, then it is definitely a matter of concern. Possible reasons for the slobbering include:
Anxiety and Stress
According to César Milan, the famous dog trainer, excessive drooling can be triggered when the dog is anxious. It can be due to an environmental stressor such as car rides.
He suggests acclimatizing the dog first by taking short, frequent rides before embarking on a long trip. He also suggests ginger pills to ease nausea.
Dental Problems
Issues such as ulcers, mouth diseases, and build-up of tartar on the teeth can also cause your Westie to drool.
While brushing the dog’s teeth, use paste and brush meant for dogs, as human toothpaste can cause complications for the Westie. While cleaning his teeth, check for signs such as redness, sore and swollen gums as well.
Craniomandibular Osteopathy
This health condition, which results in abnormal enlargement of the skull, is very prevalent in Westies. Apart from swelling jaws and difficulty opening the mouth, it can also cause the dog to drool uncontrollably.
Injuries Inside the Mouth
When a Westie drools, the first and logical thing you want to do is check its mouth. It is possible that the drooling is caused by injury or a foreign object inside the mouth.
If you see any solid objects such as shards of bones, plant, cloth or splinters, carefully remove it. If you don’t see any foreign object, inspect for signs such as bleeding, and cuts.
If you are not confident or experienced to treat an injury inside the dog’s mouth, take the Westie to the vet immediately.
Excessive Heat
Westies are sturdy dogs which can withstand any type of weather and temperature. However, if the heat in the surrounding atmosphere is too much, he can pant and drool to cool off.
In rare cases, drooling can also be a sign of heatstroke. If the drooling is accompanied by unresponsiveness, it needs immediate medical attention.
Medical Condition
Oral infections and dental problems cause drooling in a Westie. These types of diseases can be easily detected.
Internal illness such as liver disease can also cause excessive slobbering in dogs, but they can be harder to detect. Westies are prone to infections in the bowel, so if your canine baby is slobbering all over the place, take him or her to the vet.
Poisoning
As curious as they are, Westies will not refrain from checking out plants that may be poisonous for them. Even if the dog did not ingest the plant, chewing on the plant can cause drooling.
Westies are also expert rat chasers. Sometimes they can end up biting a rat that was poisoned. This can also cause drooling and needs immediate medical attention.
What Can You Do When Your Westie is Drooling?
In some cases, the drooling can be stopped when you take the Westie to the vet. However, there can be times when your fur-baby needs some time to curb slobbering helplessly.
This can happen when the dog is undergoing medication or waiting for a wound to heal. Some measures that you can undertake in such cases include:
Use a Dog Bib
Yes, these are colorful and practical cloth bibs for the canine babies. Dog bibs are similar to the ones worn by babies and are great to soak up the saliva.
They also are a great accessory. But remember to change the bib after a couple of hours depending on the amount of drooling.
Drool Rag
When your Westie drools, it is inevitable that the slimy mess will leave a trail on the floor. Keep a drool rag ready to soak up the mess and keep the floors clean. You can also use a separate drool rag to clean the dog’s mouth.
Use a Rinse-Free Shampoo
If the front legs or his chest fur gets slimy, even with the bib, spritz the canine baby with a rinse-free shampoo and comb his hair.
Clean Your Home Frequently
No matter how adorable Westies are, their drool is messy. It can also harbor a lot of bacteria, and it can be harmful to humans, especially children.
Use vinegar or other cleaning chemicals to wipe down the areas that have been drooled over by the dog. Furniture, clothes, and other materials can be cleaned using rubbing alcohol.
Final Thoughts
Unless your Westie is sick, this particular breed of dogs is not associated with drooling. But illness, poisoning, and other external factors can cause a certain amount of drooling.
It is vital to ensure that your Westie gets immediate medical attention in case of excessive slobbering. As a responsible dog owner and a guardian, the dog’s well being is our responsibility.
Have you ever had an experience with a drooling Westie? What was the cause, and how did you deal with it? Share your experience with us in the comments.