Why do dogs drool?

Summary

Podcast Summary: "Why Do Dogs Drool?"
Who Smarted? - Educational Podcast for Kids
Release Date: August 15, 2025

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Introduction: Meeting Bernie the Saint Bernard

In the episode titled "Why Do Dogs Drool?" from Who Smarted?, host Trusty introduces listeners to Bernie, a lovable Saint Bernard, while playing fetch at the park. Trusty's playful banter with Bernie sets the stage for an engaging exploration into the world of canine drooling. As Trusty jokes, “I heard cat, fish, guinea pig… but all wrong answers. Today I'm playing with a dog” [00:04], he seamlessly transitions into the main topic, highlighting his playful interaction with Bernie and sparking curiosity about why some dogs drool more than others.

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Understanding Drooling: The Basics

Trusty opens the discussion by posing essential questions: “Why do dogs drool so much? And why are some dogs particularly slobbery?” [01:18]. Bernie humorously chimes in, “Drooling is just part of being a dog. Same as barking, sniffing, and chasing squirrels” [01:02], emphasizing that drooling is a natural behavior for all dogs, albeit more pronounced in certain breeds.

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Breeds That Drool the Most

The podcast delves into which dog breeds are notorious for their drooling habits. Bernie lists, “Bloodhounds, Saint Bernards like me, and Mastiffs tend to drool the most” [03:33], followed by other breeds such as Newfoundlands and Bulldogs. Trusty engages the young audience with an interactive question: “Which dog breeds do you think drool the most?” [03:21], fostering an engaging learning environment.

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Why Certain Breeds Drool More

Exploring the reasons behind excessive drooling, Trusty presents multiple-choice options and reveals, “their heads and lips are not structured to hold the amount of drool they make” [04:11]. Bernie adds, “While we may look adorable, the size and shape of our heads and lips is not good at holding and drool” [04:11], explaining the anatomical factors contributing to their drooling tendencies.

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Managing Excessive Drooling

Addressing concerns from listeners with drooly dogs, Bernie suggests practical solutions: “A bandana or handkerchief tied around your dog's neck can… help to absorb the drool” [04:42]. Trusty humorously remarks, “A bandana looks way cuter on you, Bernie” [05:05], highlighting stylish yet functional ways to manage drool.

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Drooling and Excitement

The conversation shifts to emotional triggers for drooling. Trusty states, “Dogs often drool when they get excited” [05:10], particularly about food. Bernie confirms, “Dogs aren't alone in that… when you walk past a pizzeria” [05:36], illustrating how anticipation of tasty treats can lead to increased drooling.

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Health Implications of Drooling

Trusty and Bernie discuss when drooling might signal health issues. Bernie warns, “Sometimes too much drool can even mean there's something wrong with a dog's mouth” [06:13]. They explore various conditions, including car sickness and heatstroke, with Bernie explaining, “When dogs have heat stroke, they pant to cool off. All that panting causes extra drool” [09:50]. Trusty emphasizes the importance of veterinary care: “If you think your dog may be drooling because of any of these serious conditions, it is important to contact your vet” [10:17].

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Safe Foods for Dogs

In an interactive segment, Trusty quizzes listeners on safe and unsafe foods for dogs. Items like onions, avocados (in large amounts), chocolate, and grapes are identified as unsafe, while eggs, carrots, blueberries, and bananas are deemed safe [08:26]. This playful game reinforces important safety information for pet owners.

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Drooling: A Healthy Aspect for Dogs

Contrary to human perceptions, Bernie explains that drooling can be beneficial for dogs: “My drool acts as a moisturizer and keeps the skin on my mouth from getting too dry” [16:11]. Trusty adds, “Saliva helps people and dogs chew and digest their food” [16:40], highlighting the physiological advantages of saliva production in dogs.

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Dogs vs. Cats: A Comparison

The episode includes a comparison between dogs and cats regarding drooling. When asked why cats don’t drool as much, Bernie states, “Dogs tend to be messier than cats because we push our tongues further down into a bowl of water” [17:37]. This comparison underscores the differences in drinking behaviors between the two species.

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Human Health Considerations

Trusty and Bernie address the implications of dog drool on human health. Bernie cautions, “Bacteria can be found in the mouths of dogs and cats. And those germs can make people sick or cause allergic reactions” [15:58]. They advise washing hands or faces after being licked to maintain hygiene and prevent potential illnesses.

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Conclusion: Embracing Dog Drool

Wrapping up the episode, Trusty acknowledges the dual nature of drooling: “While most people are fine getting a little dog drool or saliva on them, dog saliva can actually be healthy for dogs” [16:03]. Bernie reassures listeners that drooling doesn’t bother dogs, saying, “It doesn't bother dogs at all when we drool” [13:43]. The episode concludes with a light-hearted interaction, reinforcing the educational content with humor and warmth.

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Key Takeaways:

• All Dogs Drool: While some breeds drool more due to their anatomy, all dogs produce saliva.
• Breed-Specific Drooling: Breeds like Saint Bernards, Bloodhounds, and Mastiffs are more prone to drooling.
• Health Indicators: Excessive drooling can signal health issues such as heatstroke, poisoning, or diseases.
• Managing Drool: Practical solutions include using bandanas or bibs to absorb drool.
• Healthy Aspects: Drooling aids in digestion, moisturizing the mouth, and reducing oral acidity for dogs.
• Human Precautions: Avoiding direct contact with large amounts of dog saliva is advisable due to potential bacteria.

Notable Quotes:

• Bernie: “Drooling is just part of being a dog. Same as barking, sniffing, and chasing squirrels.” [01:02]
• Trusty: “True or false, some dog breeds drool more than others. If you Said true. Nice job.” [02:50]
• Bernie: “If you said the dog is happy to see you, you're right… a dog's lick is not the same as a human's kiss.” [14:35]
• Bernie: “We sure can [be allergic to things].” [17:01]

Final Thoughts:

This episode of Who Smarted? effectively combines humor with educational content, making complex biological and health-related topics accessible and engaging for young listeners. The interactive segments and relatable dialogue between Trusty and Bernie not only entertain but also impart valuable knowledge about dog behavior and health, fostering a deeper understanding and appreciation for our canine companions.

Transcript

[Trusty]

And now it's time for who's Smarted?

[Bernie]

Psst.

[Trusty]

Hey, smarty pants. Today I'm headed to the park to play with an animal that some of you might have as a pet. Go ahead and shout out some random guesses. I heard cat, fish, guinea pig. All great guesses and all great pets, but all wrong answers. Here's a hint. That's right. Today I'm playing with an alligator. Just kidding, smarty pants. I'm playing with a dog. Yep, today I'm in the park playing fetch with my furry friend, Bernie the Saint Bernard. Here, boy. Here, boy. Fetch. In case you're wondering what kind of dog a Saint Bernard is, let's just say they are big. As in very big. As in 160lbs or 72.5kg. Running full speed, right at me. Big. Oh, boy. Stop. Good boy. Drop it. Good boy. Okay, Bernie, you ready to fetch again? Let me just grab the ball and. Ew, it's all wet.

[Bernie]

Sorry, Trusty. I can't help but save Bernard's drool a lot.

[Trusty]

You sure do. And I don't want to say it's gross, but it's definitely not not gross.

[Bernie]

Hey, I don't complain when you drool over pizza.

[Trusty]

Fair point. But now you've got me thinking. Why do dogs drool so much? And why are some dogs particularly slobbery? And what does it mean when dogs drool? It's time to find out the answers to these questions and more as we take another sniff and whiff of science and history.

[Bernie]

On who Smarted. Who's Smarted? Who's smart? Is it you? Is it me? Is it science? Or history? Listen, everyone, we make smarting lots of fun. On who's Smarted.

[Molly]

The Mysteries about True Histories podcast is back for season two. If you're a kid who would love to travel through time to solve cool mysteries, perplexing puzzles and tricky riddles, then this podcast is the perfect audio treat for you every week. Join me, Molly, and my best friend Max as we take our problem solving skills to amazing places like ancient Egypt, ancient Greece, or the Galapagos Islands in 1870 to help out the one and only Charles Darwin. We never know where we're going to wind up or what we're going to find, which is all part of the fun. So put on your time traveling shoes and listen as a family. You can listen to mysteries about true histories on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, or wherever you listen to podcasts.

[Trusty]

Smarty pants. True or false, some dog breeds drool more than others. If you Said true. Nice job. But while certain dog breeds drool a lot, all dogs drool.

[Bernie]

That's true. Drooling is just part of being a dog. Same as barking, sniffing, and chasing squirrels. The medical name for drooling is tilism. But we could just call it drooling for today.

[Trusty]

Good idea. So, Smarty Pants, which dog breeds do you think drool the most? Go ahead and shout out some answers. Uh huh, uh huh. Good stuff, Smartypants. Let's find out if any of your answers made our list.

[Bernie]

Bloodhounds, Saint Bernards like me, and Mastiffs tend to drool the most. And Newfoundlands, Basset hounds, English bulldogs, great peonies, Shar Peis, boxers, and Great Danes also rule the drool.

[Trusty]

Smartypants, why do you think these breeds drool the most? Is it because A, their heads and lips are not structured to hold the amount of drool they make, B, they are bigger, or C, they drink the most water? If you said A, their heads and lips are not structured to hold the amount of drool they make, you're right.

[Bernie]

Yep. While we may look adorable, the size and shape of our heads and lips is not good at holding and drool. So we tend to drip. And my loose, floppy lips let out a lot of drool.

[Trusty]

I can see and feel that. But that's okay. I don't mind a little dog drool. Or a lot of dog drool.

[Bernie]

Sorry.

[Trusty]

But wait, Bernie. What if the Smarty Pants have a drooly dog at home? Is there nothing they can do to help keep them and their dog dry? What do you think, Smarty Pants?

[Bernie]

Actually, there is something you can do to help with dog drool. It's time to accessorize. A bandana or handkerchief tied around your dog's neck can act as more than just a fashion statement. It can also help to absorb the drool.

[Trusty]

Ah, yes. I was thinking a bib might work, but a bandana looks way cuter on you, Bernie.

[Bernie]

Thanks. Looking good and keeping dry. How exciting.

[Trusty]

And speaking of excitement, Smarty Pants, true or false? Dogs often drool when they get excited. The answer is true.

[Bernie]

Oh, yeah. And there's one thing that always gets all dogs excited.

[Trusty]

Smarty Pants. Do you know what that is? Is it A, a walk, B, food, or C, a game of fetch? The answer, of course, is B, food.

[Bernie]

Of course. Dogs aren't alone in that. I've seen you when you walk past a pizzeria.

[Trusty]

What? Okay, maybe. But hey, being excited about food is a good reason to drool, right? Have you ever drooled at the smell or thought of your favorite food, Smarty pants? No, just me. Anyway, moving on. What other things might make you or other dogs drool, Bernie?

[Bernie]

Well, if a dog is swallowing normally, it may drool because its saliva builds up until it drips from its mouth.

[Trusty]

Oh, and just to be sure, the smarty pants know what saliva is. Is saliva the same as A, chewed up food, B, spit, or C water? If you said saliva is just a fancy word for spit, you got it.

[Bernie]

Of course, dogs aren't spitting to be rude. There's usually a good reason why we might be drooling. Sometimes too much drool can even mean there's something wrong with a dog's mouth.

[Trusty]

Oh, no. How can you be sure it's not a problem that's causing your dog to drool?

[Bernie]

For one thing, you could take a look inside your dog's mouth or maybe even brush their teeth. At the very least, have a vet check inside your dog's mouth at least once a year.

[Trusty]

Say.

[Bernie]

Ah.

[Trusty]

Ruff. Close enough.

[Bernie]

A dog might also drool because it doesn't feel well from something else.

[Trusty]

Oh, no, Smarty pants. What do you think that could be? Is it A, getting tired from chasing a squirrel, B, drinking too much water, or C, getting car sick? The answer is getting carsick.

[Bernie]

Yep, sometimes dogs need to go in a car, and all that movement and bouncing around can make us a little sick.

[Trusty]

Yikes. What can you do to help keep your dog from getting car sick?

[Bernie]

Well, it's good to get dogs used to riding in a car as young as possible. And allowing your dog to stick their head out the window and feel the wind on their face can also be helpful. Your vet can also provide nausea treatments that can help your dog.

[Trusty]

Good to know.

[Bernie]

But unfortunately, there are other things that can make your dog nauseous, which will cause drooling more.

[Trusty]

What else can make a dog nauseous?

[Bernie]

Well, your dog may become nauseous and drool after eating a poisonous plant in the garden or cleaning chemicals from under the sink. If this happens, you'll probably notice lethargy or extreme tiredness, shaking or vomiting along with the drooling. In those instances, you'll want to contact your vet right away, Smarty pants.

[Trusty]

It's also a really good idea to keep dangerous things away from your dog. That also includes some foods that people love to eat that are actually poisonous for dogs. Smartypants. Do you think you know what those foods are? Let's play a little game to see how well you know which people foods are bad. For your dog, I'll name a food and you call out either safe or unsafe. Ready? Go. Onions, Unsafe. Avocados, Unsafe in large amounts. Eggs. Safe. Chocolate. Unsafe. Garlic. Unsafe. Carrots. Safe and healthy. Grapes, Unsafe. Blueberries. Safe. Bananas, Safe. Raisins, Unsafe. Great job, smarty pants. And of course, you'll want to keep a close eye on your doggy when you're outside so they don't eat wild mushrooms or other plants or garbage that they shouldn't.

[Bernie]

Good point, Trusty. You should definitely keep an eye on your dog outside, not only to make sure they don't eat anything dangerous, but also if it's too hot outside. When things get too hot, they can get heatstroke, which can lead to excessive drooling.

[Trusty]

Hmm. I wonder, why would heat stroke lead to drooling? I would understand sweating, but drooling?

[Bernie]

When dogs have heat stroke, they pant to cool off. All that panting causes extra drool.

[Trusty]

It sounds like drooling can sometimes be a sign of some serious issues.

[Bernie]

It sure can be. Dogs can also drool after having a seizure. And drooling can be a symptom of kidney disease, liver disease, rabies, or a life threatening condition called bloat.

[Trusty]

Smartypants, if you think your dog may be drooling because of any of these serious conditions, it is important to contact your vet as soon as possible.

[Bernie]

It helps if you know what's normal for your dog. By the way, I'm completely healthy. I just drool a lot.

[Trusty]

I'm glad you're healthy, but I've always wondered, is it uncomfortable for you or other dogs to drool so much?

[Bernie]

Ooh, that's a great question, Trusty.

[Trusty]

And we'll find out right after this quick break. And a word from our sponsors. Who Smarted is brought to you by Squarespace. Now, you know I'm good about creating new adventures and episodes of Whosmarted, but you don't know that I procrastinate on other stuff, like a website for one of our new projects. Oops. When the website builder Squarespace reached out about sponsoring WhoSmarted, I decided to test it out. And now I feel silly for putting off building that website. Squarespace's blueprint AI thing literally built me a custom website in minutes. I just told it a few details about the project and boom, it generated everything. And everything you need is right there. I can schedule guest interviews, send email campaigns, even sell merch, all from one dashboard. Now it's your turn to stop procrastinating and start building. You can use Squarespace to launch that business site or any site that you've been dreaming about. But putting off today. There's no excuse anymore. Especially since you can head to squarespace.com smarted for a free trial. And when you're ready to launch, you can use Code smarted to save 10% on your first purchase of a website or domain. That's squarespace.com smarted code smarted smarty parents trusty here. And I have to tell you about IXL because our whole team is absolutely obsessed with it. My niece and nephew use it, my colleagues kids are on it daily. And honestly, every homeschool parent I know has become a total fan. IXL is an award winning online learning platform that covers math, language arts, science and social studies that adapts to each child's level. It fits perfectly into homeschool routines, even summertime ones. And it keeps kids motivated and confident. And IXL isn't just a sponsor. They've actually become part of our team's lives. And here's why. Instead of spending hours hunting down worksheets, IXL organizes everything by grade and topic. My 9 year old nephew works on multiplication, while my colleague's 12 year old tackles algebra. So same program, totally personalized. When kids get something wrong, IXL explains the mistake and walks them through the right approach in an easy and fun way. Plus, detailed reports show where they're crushing it. Over 15 million students use IXL. WhoSmarted listeners get 20% [e-mail] smarted with code WHOSMARTED. That's IXL.com smarted with code WHOSMARTED. Now back to who Sparted. Okay, smarty pants. We've come to learn how and why dogs drool. And how sometimes drooling is due to factors such as excitement over food or overheating or even feeling sick or serious illness. But for doggies like my friend Bernie, the Saint Bernard, who drool a lot no matter what, I need to know, does all that slobbering and drooling feel, well, uncomfortable? What do you think, smarty pants? Uh huh. Yeah, I don't know either. What do you say, Bernie?

[Bernie]

I say while it may look uncomfortable or even gross to a human, it doesn't bother dogs at all when we drool. Not even when we flip rope like strands of saliva across our snouts and noses. Whoa.

[Trusty]

That's good to know. I don't even like when my sleeves get wet when I wash my hands.

[Bernie]

For dogs, drool is just saliva leaving our mouths. Who knows, maybe it's making room for something a lot tastier Good point.

[Trusty]

Of course, for a human, random drooling can be embarrassing. Like when I'm walking past a pizzeria.

[Bernie]

Ew.

[Trusty]

But enough about me. Here's something else about dogs I want the smarty pants to know. What does it mean when a dog greets a human with a big wet lick? Does it mean the dog is excited to see you? The dog hopes you have a treat for them where the dog thinks you are a stick to chew.

[Bernie]

If you said the dog is happy to see you, you're right. However, while dogs often lick as a sign of affection, a dog's lick is not the same as a human's kiss. Dogs lick for several reasons, including affection, communication, taste, and even stress relief. It's more accurate to view a dog's lick as a friendly gesture than a human kiss.

[Trusty]

Good to know. And you should also be careful allowing a strange dog near your face. It's better to have them sniff or lick your hand first.

[Bernie]

Good idea, Trusty. You never know if a dog becomes stressed out or anxious. I will say I do enjoy licking faces after the human has eaten something tasty. In fact, I think you may have a little pizza sauce on your chin, Trusty.

[Trusty]

Hey, I was saving that for later. Just kidding. Now, obviously people want to avoid getting dog drool in their own mouths or eyes, right?

[Bernie]

Well, while most people are fine getting a little dog drool or saliva on them, bacteria can be found in the mouths of dogs and cats. And those germs can make people sick or cause allergic reactions. Your best bet is to wash your hands or face if you've been licked or slobbered on by a big friendly dog.

[Trusty]

Good idea. I'll just use this hand sanitizer for now.

[Bernie]

But while dog saliva or drool isn't the best for humans, dog saliva or drool can actually be healthy for dogs.

[Trusty]

Did you say healthy?

[Bernie]

As long as your dog isn't showing changes in behavior, less interest in food, having trouble swallowing, overheating, or having blood or odor in the saliva, then yes, their drool is healthy for them.

[Trusty]

Really? What's healthy about drooling?

[Bernie]

For one thing, my drool acts as a moisturizer and keeps the skin on my mouth from getting too dry. Also, drool moves food through my esophagus so I can digest it.

[Trusty]

Just like humans, saliva helps people and dogs chew and digest their food.

[Bernie]

Drool also reduces acid in my mouth and protects from a buildup of bacteria.

[Trusty]

Wow. I guess drool is cool.

[Bernie]

Yep, as long as it's not a sign of other issues or allergies.

[Trusty]

I didn't know dogs could have allergies too.

[Bernie]

We sure can. Including other dogs.

[Trusty]

Wait, dogs can be allergic to dogs?

[Bernie]

Yep. While it's more common for dogs to be allergic to things like pollen, fleas, or certain foods, they can also react to the dander, saliva, or other allergens produced by other dogs or cats. Meow.

[Trusty]

Speaking of cats, why don't cats drool the way dogs do? Smarty pants, what do you think? Is it because of A, the way their mouths are shaped, B, the way they drink, or C, they spend less time outside?

[Bernie]

If you said B, the way they drink, nice job. Dogs tend to be messier than cats because we push our tongues further down into a bowl of water than cats do. We use the same physical force to drink, but the difference is the way we do it.

[Trusty]

So I guess cats rule and dogs drool.

[Bernie]

Meow. Very funny, Trusty.

[Trusty]

I'm just kidding, Bernie. You know I love doggies. Here, let me make it up to you by getting a slice of pizza and giving you some of my crust.

[Bernie]

Oh, can I have pepperoni too? Please, please, please, please, please.

[Trusty]

Mmm, pepperoni. Great. Now we're both drooling. A big shout out to super smarty fan Trenton in St. Albans, West Virginia. Thanks so much for your beautiful note. I'm so glad to hear you're one of our biggest fans and that who Smarted is your go to show and you can't get enough. I also appreciate your offer to help with the show and be a kid interviewer or whatever we need. I'll let you know. But in the meantime, I'm so glad to have you smarting with us throughout your childhood. And thanks to your family for being such a great smartie. Family this episode, Dog Drool was written by Sarah St Bernard Sweetik and voiced by Adam Laberable Davis and Jerry Colber. Technical direction and sound design by Josh Hound Dog Hahn. Our associate producer is Max Mastiff Kamasky. The theme song is by Slobberin Brian Suarez with lyrics written and performed by Adam Tex Davis. Who Smarted was created and produced by Adam Tex Davis and Jerry Colbert. This has been an Atomic Audio production.

[Bernie]

Who's Smarted.