Do Boston Terriers Drool? Can It Be Stopped?

In a perfect world, our Boston Terriers would live forever and never drool. While the former is impossible, the latter might be mostly possible, depending on your luck.

So, do Boston Terriers drool?

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Most Boston Terriers drool less than many other dog breeds. However, there are always exceptions to the rules, and sudden drooling can signify a health problem.

I’ll help you understand when drooling is and isn’t normal in Boston Terriers and give you tips for managing it.

How Much Drooling to Expect From a Boston Terrier?

If you’re looking for a dog that doesn’t drool much, here’s the good news: Boston Terriers rank low on the list for being big droolers. That’s because they don’t have the large jaws and droopy lips that Mastiffs and other dog breeds notorious for drooling have.

Nevertheless, your Boston Terrier might drool as a result of brachycephalic syndrome. That’s because this condition causes your Boston Terrier to have an unnaturally flattened face and shorter nasal passageways.

As a result, they may drool more. Furthermore, the brachycephalic syndrome can cause your Boston Terrier to snort and reverse sneeze, both actions which can prompt drooling.

a boston terrier outdoors with its large tongue hanging out — A Boston Terrier outdoors with its large tongue hanging out.

Reasons Why Boston Terriers Drool

It’s important to recognize that there are many reasons that cause some Boston Terriers to drool more than others. In fact, if you have a Boston Terrier that has a relatively longer snout, they might not drool at all.

Nevertheless, below are some reasons why your Boston Terrier may suddenly begin drooling more than usual.

Non-Medical Reasons for Drooling

Salivating from looking at or anticipating food
A piece of debris caught in their mouth
Panting from exercise
Puppy teething
Excitement (acting hyper)

two white and black boston terrier puppies sitting — Two white and black Boston Terrier puppies sitting.

Medical Reasons for Drooling

Nausea
Rabies
Heatstroke
Car sickness
Periodontal disease
Neurological issue

Boston Terrier looks scared in blanket — Boston Terrier looks scared in a red blanket.

Regardless of the reason, if you notice your Boston Terrier suddenly having abnormal amounts of drooling and appearing distressed, you should take them to the vet.

What to Do If Your Boston Terrier Drools More Than Normal?

If cleaning up trails of Boston Terrier drool isn’t part of your normal routine, it’s time to assess what could be causing the excess drooling. Below are the steps I recommend you take.

a boston terrier at a veterinarian office — A Boston Terrier at a veterinarian’s office

Step 1: Look for Debris

It may sound unpleasant, but take a good look inside your Boston Terrier’s mouth to see if something got stuck. If this is the case, you might already know where the debris is, given that your dog might paw at the location.

A common scenario is if your Boston Terrier got ahold of a cooked chicken bone. These are notorious for splintering and getting caught in a dog’s gums or throat, making them drool excessively.

Step 2: Check Your Dog’s Teeth

While you have your Boston Terrier’s mouth open, and assuming you don’t find any debris, it’s time to observe their teeth and gums. Do you notice any rotting teeth? How about bleeding?

According to Petco, you should brush your dog’s teeth one to two times per week. That’s the best way to ward off the kind of dental disease that can cause your dog to drool from discomfort or pain.

Step 3: Keep Them in a Cool Environment

Boston Terriers have more issues with body heat control than other dogs because of their brachycephalic nature. So, if you notice that their drooling is stemming from them panting excessively, it could be because they’re overheated.

Heatstroke is a serious condition, and you should ensure your Boston Terrier doesn’t physically exert themselves or spend so much time in a hot environment that this happens to them. But if this appears to be the case, immediately getting them into a cooler environment with lots of water is crucial.

Step 4: Watch for Signs of Distress

If you’ve gone through the three steps above and can’t pinpoint the reason for your Boston Terrier’s sudden drooling spell, observe their behavior. Do they look stressed? Are they acting strange or farting more than usual?

If so, take them to the vet. Otherwise, it’s likely safe to observe them for a day or two to see if their excessive drooling dissipates. Nevertheless, taking them to the vet when you’re unsure is never a bad idea.

How to Stop Your Boston Terrier From Drooling So Much?

So, now that you know the answer to the question “Do Boston Terriers drool?” is “it depends,” I’ll show you ways that you can prevent them from drooling for non-medical reasons.

Boston Terrier running on a leash — A Boston Terrier on a leash running with her owner.

Manage Their Exercise

It’s easy to go overboard playing ball with your Boston Terrier or letting them play extra long at the dog park with their best dog buddy. However, Boston Terriers don’t handle excessive exercise well due to them being a brachycephalic breed. So, keep their exercise in check to avoid excess drooling.

Brush Their Teeth

Dental health is crucial for your Boston Terrier’s wellbeing, and it can reduce the amount of drool on your floor. Although you should brush their teeth one or two times per week, you can also give them dental-friendly chew toys and treats to keep their mouth healthy.

Eat Away From Your Dog

I know it’s tempting to have your Boston Terrier by your side whenever you’re home. However, if you notice that their drooling increases when you’re eating in front of them, it’s best to move them out of the kitchen at mealtimes.

Keep Questionable Items Out of Their Mouth

If your Boston Terrier has free range in the backyard, check to ensure there’s nothing poisonous that they’re eating which could spark a drooling episode. Even other dog poop could upset your Boston Terrier’s stomach, causing them to drool from nausea.

Cleaning Up Boston Terrier Drool

Regardless of why your Boston Terrier drools, you understandably don’t want the germs and spots it can leave on your floor. So, I recommend putting together the following concoction:

1 cup of hydrogen peroxide (3%)
¼ cup of dish soap

Mix these ingredients, and pour them into a spray bottle. Then, spray the solution onto the drool and let it sit for up to ten minutes. Depending on the floor material, you can then use a cloth or brush to remove your Boston Terrier’s drool stains.

Boston Terrier sitting with owner — Boston Terrier sitting with his owner on a couch.

Solving Your Boston Terrier’s Drooling Problem

In some cases, solving your Boston Terrier’s drooling is as simple as dislodging a piece of debris in their mouth. Other times, there’s a more serious medical reason for it. And in other cases, it just might be your dog’s genetics.

However, most owners agree that Boston Terriers are such a joy to have that even if they drool, it’s worth it for the love they bring into their home.