How Much Does a Mastiff Drool? Vet-Verified Facts & Helpful Tips

Mastiffs are incredibly adorable and good-natured dogs, but their massive size can be intimidating for many. After all, the English Mastiff is one of the world’s heaviest dog breeds! So, it’s natural to get scared when these dogs approach or even look at you. They make great family dogs and excellent protectors. But before you bring them home, know that Mastiffs drool uncontrollably, periodically throughout the day, mainly due to their loose jowls and heavy facial skin. Drooling can be frequent, especially during mealtime, play, or warm weather.

How Much Does an English Mastiff Drool?

Mastiffs are big droolers, and that’s not because they are always hungry. Their drooling is primarily associated with the shape of their mouth. They have prominent jowls, which accumulate saliva. The saliva hangs from the mouth and drops wherever they go.

That’s why a Mastiff’s mouth is wet and sloppy a lot of the time. If you have an English Mastiff, you can expect them to salivate throughout the day. While drooling frequency can vary with age, health, and facial structure, English Mastiffs are generally heavy droolers, especially during meals, play, or warm weather.

For some people, the drooling characteristic of this dog is a deal breaker. However, many consider this quality natural and cute. If you are the former, know that this dog can be messy sometimes, and you may have to deal with slobber occasionally. So, adopt wisely!

When Does a Mastiff Start Drooling?

A Mastiff puppy doesn’t start drooling excessively until they are around 18 to 24 months old. This is because their jowls are tight and less noticeable at a young age. But once they start growing, salivation increases, leading to a high drool tendency.

Drooling is a natural quality of this dog breed. Some Mastiffs start drooling earlier if their growth is fast. Alternatively, a few dogs don’t show signs of expected drooling even if they have reached the 2-year mark.

Why Do Mastiffs Drool?

Mastiffs drool due to their distinct facial structure, but there are many other reasons that can contribute to this characteristic. These include the following:

• Excitement. If your Mastiff sees you preparing the food, they will drool more than usual. This is called “food excitement,” which triggers the dog’s brain to produce constant saliva. Your dog may also start drooling when they hear the rattle of their leash or see you putting on your boots and coat.
• Eating and Drinking. A Mastiff often drools more noticeably when eating and drinking, and shortly before and after.
• Overheating. A Mastiff also drools more in hot weather and particularly if experiencing a life-threatening episode of heatstroke. This may occur if exercise or walks are conducted in warm weather, or the dog is exposed to the sun without shade and access to fresh water. This condition is fatal if not treated urgently.
• Motion Sickness. A Mastiff may drool constantly due to motion sickness. Traveling in a car may cause your dog to lose their sense of balance and start feeling sick.
• Separation Anxiety. It can cause excessive drooling, panting, and licking, as well as barking and destructive behaviors.
• Dental Issues. Dogs may also develop dental problems such as periodontal disease and tooth root abscess.
• Oral Health Issues. If you notice a sudden increase in drooling, your pet might have an issue within the mouth, such as a foreign body.

Can You Manage Your Mastiff’s Drool?

Using wipes to clean your dog’s mouth while you are on a walk can be a massive hassle at times. Yet, you can’t stand your dog’s saliva landing on your belongings.

If you don’t want the saliva to stick to your carpets and ruin your furniture, here are a few tips for managing your Mastiff’s drooling. What if you can’t stop the dog from releasing saliva from the mouth? You can take a few measures to control its effect and keep your home safe and clean!

Use Towels Efficiently

Ensure you own many towels in all sizes to manage your dog’s drool efficiently. These towels can help clean the floors and furniture when the saliva drops. Small-sized towels make it easier to clean the pet’s mouth without letting their saliva splash on your body.

Keep all these towels handy to clear the mess before it worsens.

Invest in Bandanas or Bibs

Your Mastiff needs a bib or bandana to keep the neck and rest of the body clean from the dropping saliva. Make sure to tie the bandana loosely without suffocating your dog. You can invest in colorful bibs to make your furry friend look cool and clean while they go out for a walk.

Keep Your Mastiff Away From Heat

Long hours under the sun can lead to excessive panting and drooling. Therefore, instead of exposing your dog to the sun, keep them indoors. This can protect them from any heat-related problems and excessive drooling.

You can also control the time your dog runs or exercises outside. If your Mastiff loves being outdoors, build a kennel and increase their time spent in the shade during the warmest parts of the day.

Spread Out the Mealtimes for Your Mastiff

You may see your dog drooling more than normal when they are hungry. So, when you feed them meals every now and then, they won’t stop secreting saliva, causing more mess than you can handle.

This is why opting for meals rather than free feeding is imperative. How can you do that?

Instead of providing food throughout the day, prepare a strict schedule and train your dog accordingly. Therefore, if your Mastiff drools due to hunger and food excitement, they would only do it when it is time for their meal.

Mastiffs learn quickly. This trick may help them control their slobbering to a great level.

Manage Limited Exercise for Your Dog

Do you often notice that your dog slobbers when tired? Mild drooling after training and exercise is normal, especially in breeds prone to slobber. This usually happens because your dog is panting to cool down and catch their breath after physical activity.

However, vigorous exercise increases your dog’s oxygen demand, which can lead to heavy panting and more drooling than usual.

Therefore, make sure to set a specific daily exercise limit for your dog. Don’t cross the schedule so your pet doesn’t suffer from unnecessary breathing issues or risk heat strokes.

Manage Hypersalivation Through Proper Hygiene

Keep your dog's teeth clean and brush them regularly. Invest in plenty of dental chews for healthy teeth and visit a vet for a check-up regularly.

Medical Management or Surgery

If your dog has a lip infection, tumor, dental or other medical issue, medications and surgery may be necessary to treat the problem, and can sometimes reduce drooling. Cheiloplasty, a type of lip surgery, is used to repair injuries or correct certain defects, but it is not considered safe or ethical to change your dog’s anatomy or looks only to stop the pet from drooling, especially in breeds like Mastiffs that normally salivate a lot.

Ensure you familiarize yourself with the breed and accept the dog for who they are, or find another more suitable breed instead.

Give Your Dog Love and Attention

Finally, giving your dogs all the attention required to keep them healthy is imperative. Keep a watchful eye on issues like infections, overheating, and injuries.

You should also take your dog’s mental health seriously. If they have developed anxiety, take measures to reduce or manage it properly. Instead of practicing abuse or aggression during training, use the power of positive reinforcement to make a Mastiff feel encouraged. Ask a vet about the best training approach to your Mastiff so everyone can feel happy and comfortable.

Conclusion

A Mastiff is a gentle and loyal dog, making an excellent addition to your family. However, they drool a lot, which can sometimes be messy and embarrassing. Instead of making your dog feel unwanted or punishing them for this natural behavior, follow the tips and tricks above to manage their drooling properly.

See Also:

• How to Stop Dog Drooling? 8 Vet Approved Tips

• How Well Can a Mastiff Swim? Facts & Water Safety Tips

Featured Image Credit: Mikanah, Shutterstock