It might be surprising for some cat owners to witness their feline friend drooling. Drooling, often associated with dogs, can indeed occur in cats. This release of saliva from the mouth, instead of being swallowed, is medically known as hypersalivation or ptyalism. It arises either from an overproduction of saliva or from issues within the mouth or throat that hinder swallowing.
However, it’s important to note that cat drooling isn’t always a sign of alarm. Sometimes, it’s perfectly normal. But when why does my cat drool become a question you frequently ask, it’s crucial to understand the potential reasons behind it.
Is Cat Drooling Normal?
While not as common as in dogs, a bit of drooling can be a normal behavior in some cats, particularly when they are content and relaxed. You might notice it when your cat is purring happily on your lap or enjoying a good petting session. However, if your cat is drooling excessively, or if drooling is a new development, it could indicate underlying issues, ranging from anxiety to a more serious illness or injury.
If you observe excessive drooling in your cat, it’s best to consult with your veterinarian. Many of the causes of abnormal drooling require professional evaluation and cannot be accurately diagnosed at home.
Common Reasons: Why Is My Cat Drooling?
There are various reasons why a cat might drool. Some of these are perfectly benign, while others can signal medical emergencies. Understanding these reasons will help you determine when to be concerned about why does my cat drool.
Drooling Due to Relaxation and Happiness
If you find your cat drooling while purring or in a deep sleep, it’s often a sign of pure contentment. When cats purr or knead, endorphins, the body’s natural feel-good chemicals, are released. These endorphins can stimulate the salivary glands, leading to increased saliva production and subsequent drooling.
Some experts believe this behavior is linked to kittenhood. Many cats who drool when happy started this habit when they were very young, possibly associating it with the nursing behavior and comfort they experienced as kittens. It’s a comforting, regressive behavior in a positive context.
Fear, Stress, and Anxiety-Induced Drooling
Interestingly, endorphins can also be released in response to stress. In this case, drooling becomes a physiological reaction to fear and anxiety. When stress is the culprit, drooling is often accompanied by other tell-tale signs of feline distress such as vocalization, flattened ears, a tense posture, and attempts to escape the stressful situation.
Common anxiety triggers for cats include car rides and visits to the veterinarian. If your cat gets anxious during travel or vet visits, discuss strategies to reduce their stress with your vet. Options can include environmental modifications, pheromone diffusers or sprays, calming supplements, or even anti-anxiety medications in severe cases.
Nausea and Drooling in Cats
Drooling during car travel might also be a symptom of motion sickness and nausea in cats. Nausea can also occur due to other gastrointestinal upsets, such as when dealing with hairballs. If nausea is causing the drooling, you might also observe other signs like vomiting or a decrease in appetite.
Oral Pain and Dental Issues as Drooling Causes
Many aspects of dental disease in cats can lead to drooling. The accumulation of tartar can cause painful inflammation of the gums, known as gingivitis, and even mouth ulcers. Beyond pain, loose or displaced teeth can make swallowing difficult, resulting in drooling.
Unfortunately, oral cancer in cats can present with similar symptoms. Differentiating early-stage oral cancer from dental disease can be challenging without a biopsy. Another potential cause of oral pain and drooling is foreign material lodged in the cat’s mouth or throat.
Drooling from oral disease is often accompanied by other signs like foul breath, blood in the saliva, pawing at the face, and reduced appetite. A definitive diagnosis often requires sedation or anesthesia to allow for a thorough oral examination.
Toxins and Poisons Leading to Drooling
Exposure to various household plants toxic to cats, chemical toxins, and certain medications can trigger drooling in cats. This could be due to irritation of the mouth or esophagus, nausea from gastrointestinal upset, or the toxin itself directly stimulating saliva production through the nervous system.
If you suspect your cat has ingested a toxic substance, immediate action is crucial. Contact the Pet Poison Helpline® at 855-764-7661 right away.
Medication Administration and Drooling
Sometimes, the medications prescribed for your cat, while beneficial, might not be palatable. Liquid medications or the taste of a bitter pill can often cause a cat to drool excessively as a reaction to the unpleasant taste.
Heatstroke and Excessive Drooling
A cat in a very hot environment may drool as a symptom of heatstroke in cats. These cats might also exhibit other heatstroke symptoms like heavy breathing or panting.
Heatstroke is a life-threatening emergency. If you suspect your cat is experiencing heatstroke, seek immediate veterinary care at an emergency facility.
Rabies and Drooling: A Rare but Serious Cause
Rabies in cats is now rare, especially in vaccinated adult cats, but excessive drooling is a classic symptom in affected animals. Typically, rabies will also present with other neurological abnormalities and behavioral changes.
If your cat is unvaccinated against rabies and shows clinical signs, your veterinarian may recommend quarantine or, in severe cases, humane euthanasia due to the public health risk. Definitive rabies diagnosis requires post-mortem testing.
Rabies vaccination is vital for all cats, even indoor cats, as rabies is fatal and can be transmitted to humans.
When Should You Worry About Cat Drooling?
Drooling is not a common occurrence in cats, so any instance of drooling warrants attention. It’s always a good idea to discuss any drooling you observe with your veterinarian during your cat’s regular wellness exam.
However, certain situations require more immediate attention. If the drooling is a new behavior, if it’s excessive, or if it happens frequently, schedule a veterinary appointment promptly, even if your cat seems otherwise normal.
Seek more urgent veterinary care if drooling is accompanied by other concerning symptoms such as:
- Loss of appetite or decreased eating
- Abnormal behavior or lethargy
- Hiding more than usual
- Vomiting
- Difficulty breathing
If you suspect toxin ingestion or if your cat is drooling and also exhibiting lethargy and breathing difficulties, take them to an emergency veterinarian immediately.
Cat Drooling: Frequently Asked Questions
Why does my cat drool when I pet them?
If your cat drools while purring and being petted, it’s likely a sign of happiness and deep relaxation. This type of drooling is often linked to endorphin release, similar to the comfort response kittens have when nursing.
What should I do if my cat is drooling excessively but acting normal?
Cats are masters at masking illness. Even if your cat seems to be behaving normally, a sudden or significant increase in drooling is a reason to consult your veterinarian. Schedule an appointment with your primary vet as soon as possible for an examination.
Do cats drool when they are sick?
Yes, pain and illness are common causes of drooling in cats. If drooling is a new symptom for your cat, it’s important to have them evaluated by a veterinarian to rule out any underlying health issues.
Jamie Lovejoy, DVM
Veterinarian
Dr. Jamie Lovejoy graduated from Tufts Cummings School of Veterinary Medicine in 2012 after an undergraduate degree in Marine Biology. …
