While we often associate drooling with our canine companions, it can be surprising and concerning to see your cat drooling. Drooling, also known medically as hypersalivation or ptyalism, occurs when saliva escapes from the mouth instead of being swallowed. This can be due to an overproduction of saliva or issues within the mouth or throat that make swallowing difficult.
However, it’s important to know that not all instances of cat drooling are cause for alarm. Sometimes, a little drool is perfectly normal. But how do you differentiate between normal and concerning drooling in cats? Let’s delve into the reasons behind feline drooling, helping you understand when it’s just a quirk and when it signals a potential health issue that warrants a vet visit.
Is Cat Drooling Normal? Recognizing When to Be Concerned
It might seem unusual, but some cats do drool a little when they are feeling happy and completely relaxed. Think of it like a human smile – it’s just a part of their contented expression. However, excessive drooling in cats, or drooling that is new or accompanied by other symptoms, is often a red flag. It can indicate underlying anxiety, a medical condition, or even an injury.
If you’ve noticed your cat is drooling more than usual, or if the drooling seems excessive, it’s always best to schedule a check-up with your veterinarian. Many of the causes of drooling in cats are not easily diagnosed at home and require professional veterinary assessment. Early detection and treatment can make a significant difference in your cat’s health and comfort.
Decoding the Drool: Common Reasons for Cat Drooling
There’s a range of situations that can lead to drooling in cats, from perfectly benign to potentially serious. Understanding these reasons will help you better assess your cat’s condition and know when to seek veterinary help.
Contentment and Relaxation
If you notice your cat drooling while they are purring contentedly on your lap or drifting off to sleep, it’s likely a sign of pure bliss. When cats purr or knead, they release endorphins, those wonderful “feel-good” hormones. These endorphins can sometimes stimulate the salivary glands, leading to increased saliva production and, consequently, drooling.
Interestingly, this type of happy drooling might be linked back to kittenhood and nursing behaviors. Many cats who drool when happy started this habit when they were very young, possibly associating deep relaxation with the comfort and security of nursing from their mothers.
Stress, Fear, and Anxiety
Just as endorphins can be released during happy moments, they can also be triggered by stress and fear as a coping mechanism. In these situations, endorphin release can also lead to drooling. This stress-induced drooling is often accompanied by other classic signs of feline anxiety, such as increased vocalization (meowing, hissing, or growling), flattened ears pressed against the head, a tense body posture, and attempts to escape or hide from the stressful situation.
Common triggers for fear and anxiety-related drooling include car rides, visits to the veterinarian, loud noises, or the presence of unfamiliar people or animals. If your cat gets stressed during car travel or vet appointments, discussing strategies with your vet is a good idea. Options like pheromone diffusers or sprays, calming supplements, or even anti-anxiety medications can significantly reduce your cat’s stress and drooling in these situations.
Nausea and Gastrointestinal Upset
Drooling during car rides isn’t always just about stress; it can also be a sign of motion sickness and nausea. Cats can experience nausea for various reasons, including motion sickness, hairballs, or general gastrointestinal (GI) upset. When a cat feels nauseous, their salivary glands may overproduce saliva as a protective mechanism.
Drooling due to nausea is often accompanied by other symptoms like vomiting, retching, lip licking, decreased appetite, or lethargy. If you suspect your cat’s drooling is related to nausea, monitor them for these additional signs and consult your vet, especially if the symptoms are persistent or severe.
Oral and Dental Problems
Dental disease is a very common culprit behind drooling in cats. Various issues in the mouth can cause pain and discomfort, leading to increased saliva production and difficulty swallowing, resulting in drooling.
Tartar buildup, a common dental problem in cats, leads to painful inflammation of the gums (gingivitis) and can even progress to mouth ulcers. Loose or broken teeth, another consequence of dental disease, can also make swallowing difficult and painful. In more serious cases, oral tumors or mouth cancer can cause similar symptoms. It’s crucial to remember that early stages of mouth cancer can be difficult to distinguish from dental disease without a professional veterinary examination and potentially a biopsy. Even foreign objects lodged in a cat’s mouth or throat can cause significant drooling.
Drooling caused by oral issues often comes with other tell-tale signs, such as a foul odor from the mouth, blood-tinged saliva, pawing at the face or mouth, and a decreased appetite or difficulty eating. A thorough oral exam, often requiring sedation or anesthesia for accurate diagnosis and treatment, is usually necessary for cats with suspected dental or oral disease.
Exposure to Toxins and Poisons
Cats are curious creatures, and unfortunately, this curiosity can sometimes lead them to ingest substances that are toxic. Many household plants, cleaning chemicals, and certain medications are poisonous to cats and can cause drooling. Toxins can irritate the mouth and esophagus, induce nausea leading to drooling, or directly stimulate saliva production through the nervous system.
If you have even the slightest suspicion that your cat might have ingested a toxin or poison, immediate action is crucial. Contact the Pet Poison Helpline® or your veterinarian immediately. Time is of the essence in cases of poisoning, and prompt veterinary intervention can be life-saving.
Medication Administration
Sometimes, the drooling isn’t due to a medical problem but rather the medication intended to help! Certain medications, especially liquid forms or bitter pills, can have an unpleasant taste for cats. As a result, your cat may drool excessively as a reaction to the taste, even if the medication itself is safe and necessary. This type of drooling is usually temporary and resolves once the taste dissipates.
Heatstroke
In extremely hot environments, cats can suffer from heatstroke, a dangerous condition where their body temperature rises to a dangerously high level. Drooling is one of the symptoms of heatstroke in cats. Other signs of heatstroke include heavy breathing, panting, lethargy, weakness, and even collapse.
Heatstroke in cats is a medical emergency. If you suspect your cat is experiencing heatstroke, especially if they have been in a hot environment, seek immediate veterinary care. Cool your cat down gently with cool (not ice-cold) water while en route to the emergency vet.
Rabies (Rare but Serious)
Rabies is a viral disease that affects the nervous system and, while rare in vaccinated adult cats, it is a serious concern. Excessive drooling is a classic symptom of rabies in cats, often accompanied by other neurological abnormalities and changes in behavior, such as aggression or unusual tameness.
If your cat is not vaccinated against rabies and is showing signs of illness, including excessive drooling and behavioral changes, it’s crucial to contact your veterinarian immediately. Rabies is fatal and can be transmitted to humans, making vaccination a critical preventative measure, even for indoor cats.
When Should You Worry About Cat Drooling? A Guide for Cat Owners
While a little drool now and then might be normal, it’s always prudent to discuss any new or persistent drooling with your veterinarian during your cat’s regular wellness exams.
Pay close attention to the context and frequency of the drooling. If the drooling is a new behavior for your cat, if it seems excessive, or if it happens frequently, schedule a veterinary appointment, even if your cat seems otherwise healthy.
Certain situations warrant more urgent veterinary attention. If your drooling cat is also showing other signs of illness, such as decreased appetite, abnormal behavior, hiding more than usual, or vomiting, seek veterinary care sooner rather than later. If the drooling is accompanied by difficulty breathing, lethargy, or if you suspect toxin ingestion, take your cat to an emergency veterinary clinic immediately.
Frequently Asked Questions About Cat Drooling
Why does my cat drool when I pet him?
If your cat is purring and relaxed while you are petting them and they start to drool, it’s very likely a sign of contentment and happiness. This “happy drooling” is thought to be linked to endorphin release, similar to the comfort kittens experience while 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 acting normally, a sudden or significant increase in drooling warrants a veterinary visit. Schedule an appointment with your primary veterinarian as soon as possible for a check-up.
Do cats drool when they are sick?
Yes, pain and illness are common causes of drooling in cats. If drooling is a new behavior for your cat, it’s important to have them evaluated by a veterinarian to rule out underlying medical conditions and ensure they receive any necessary treatment.
By being observant of your cat’s behavior and understanding the various reasons behind drooling, you can ensure your feline friend stays healthy and happy. When in doubt, always consult with your veterinarian – they are your best partner in keeping your cat in tip-top shape.
