As a cat owner, you may have noticed your cat drooling and questioned “why do cats drool?”. Why would a cat suddenly start drooling? There are generally two different types which are normal drooling and abnormal drooling.
Normal drooling occurs when a cat is purring or kneading and abnormal drooling happens through stress, oral disease, and toxin exposure. All of these, plus much more will be covered in greater detail to give you a better understanding of why cats drool.
Normal Drooling in Cats
Is cat drooling normal? Can drooling can be normal, and here are the reasons why.
#1 Cat Drooling When Purring
You may of noticed this yourself and wondered why is my cat drooling when purring? Purring is a positive reaction from a cat that usually happens when you are petting or feeding them.
A cat drooling when they are purring maybe because they are recalling comforting “feeding time” with their mother from when they were a kitten. Drooling and purring is a positive sign and a very good indication that your cat is feeling super relaxed.
#2 Cat Drooling When Kneading
As kittens they will knead their paws on their mothers which helps to stimulate the release of milk. As mentioned above, drooling is a sign of relaxation that can relate back to feeding time from when they were kittens.
So if you combine the two together, a cat kneading which is a feeling of contentment will lead to the action of drooling as this is a connection to nursing. As well as kneading and drooling, you may also find your cat purring to go along with it.
Abnormal Drooling in Cats
So you’ve so normal drooling in cats which goes hand in hand with kneading and purring and can be very cute, but cat drooling can also be abnormal.
If you cat is drooling constantly and it cannot be associated with food or contentment, they may have some kind of health issues. If this is the case then you should contact a veterinarian immediately.
Here are some of the possible causes:
#1 Stress
Breathing and panting are signs of anxiety, and the stress levels can cause your cat to drool. There are a number of different factors that can cause stress in a cat. Here are some of the most common reasons:
- Moving home
- Other pets
- Competition for resources in a multi-cat household
- Unfamiliar cats intruding into the home
- A change in your routine
- Guests visiting the home
- Trips to the vets
Always book an appointment with a veterinarian to check that there are no underlying conditions causing your cats anxiety. The key is to identify the cause of your cats anxiety.
#2 Oral and Dental Disease
As you don’t very often see the inside of a cats mouth, dental issues can very easily go undetected. They are only usually discovered once they cause your cat pain or illness. This is why it is important to have regular check ups with a vet.
Oral issues such as gum disease, ulcers, and tooth injuries can cause excessive saliver which leads to your cat drooling.
#3 Foreign Body
A foreign body or something stuck in a cats mouth can cause them to drool. There a number of different things that may cause this including string, toy parts, or grass. If you do notice string sticking out of your cats mouth, never pull it out!
This due to the fact that they may have swallowed something and could possibly be wrapped around the stomach or intestines. Pulling the string out could then cause serious damage to your cat.
#4 Nausea
Nausea in cats can be caused by a number of different factors, including:
- Changes in diet
- Upset stomach
- Eating something indigestible
- Allergies
- Motion sickness
- Hairballs
There are also a number of conditions or diseases that can your cat to experience nausea such as the Gastrointestinal system. If your cat has nausea then this may cause them to drool.
#5 Toxin Exposure
Excess salivation can occur if your cat has chewed on, licked, or ingested a poisonous substance, which can lead to drooling. A number of different things can cause this such as:
- Toxic foods
- Caustic chemicals
- Pesticides
- Flea and tick prevention not meant for cats
There are also certain poisonous plants that you should be aware of as they contain things like insoluble calcium oxalate. They are:
- Calla lily
- Peace lily
- Diffenbachia
- Elephant ear plant
- Umbrella plant
- Mother-in-law’s tongue
All of the above can result in severe drooling. Luckily they are minimally poisonous. You may also find a cat sticking their tongue out due to a bad taste in their mouth.
#6 Trauma
Your cat may have an injury to their mouth that can cause excessive salivation and lead to drooling. This may have been cause through fighting with another cat or through chewing on electrical cords.
This means they may be no visible signs of injury on the outside, but injuries on the inside of their mouth may be causing the drooling.
#7 Heatstroke
Although not as common in cats as other animals, too much sun and not enough water may cause heatstroke which can lead to excessive drooling. It’s important to ensure your cat has access to clean, fresh water at all times.
Making sure they stay hydrated is a difficult task as cats naturally have a very low thirst drive. One of the best solutions for this is to use a cat water fountain such as the Veken Automatic Pet Fountain.
#8 Kidney Failure
Kidney failure is one of the number one killers of cats. Chronic renal failure can result in increased thirst, weight loss, increased urination, and bad breath. Another common sign of this is drooling.
#9 Upper Respiratory Infections
These are infections of the throat, nose, or sinuses that can lead to drooling. A cat has a higher risk of developing an infection if they live in a home or shelter with other pets.
The way to combat this is to have regular checkups with your vet and keep them up to date with their vaccines. You can also keep them indoors and away from other animals.
#10 Cancer
One of the more serious causes of drooling is cancer. As well as drooling, other clinical signs of cancer include:
- Drooling
- Halitosis
- Not eating
- Dropping food from the mouth
- Weight loss
- Inability to close the mouth
Popular Cat Drooling Questions
How do I stop my cat from drooling?
You can stop your cat from drooling by following all of the tips and guidelines in this article. This in includes preventing any stress or anxiety, regular dental checks, and reducing toxin exposure and poisonous plants.
It’s simply about making sure your cats health is in optimum condition and that their diet is providing them with quality nutrition.
Why is my cat drooling after I put flea medication on her?
This is due to your cat consuming the toxicity that is found inside of the product. Your cat ingesting even a small amount can cause excessive drooling. This may happen due to some people using the wrong kind of product.
Make sure you are use flea treatment that is specifically designed for their use, and not one that is meant for dogs.
Do cats drool when they sleep?
A cat drooling when they sleep is generally nothing to be concerned about. This is normal behavior and is usually just a sign that they are very relaxed. However, always keep a close eye out for any other signs or unusual behavior.
Do cats drool when stressed?
Yes, cats do drool when they are stressed or anxious. A number of factors can cause your cats anxiety levels to rise. It’s simply a case of doing everything you can to provide a calm environment for your cat and eliminate anything that is going to stress them out.
Why is my cat drooling but acting normal?
As we spoke about in this article, normal cat drooling occurs when they are purring or kneading. This is a sign that they are very relaxed and content. If your cat is drooling but acting normal then there shouldn’t be a need for concern.
Why does my cat drool and have bad breath?
This is generally due to an oral condition or inflammation of the mouth that can casue excessive drooling.
Why is my cat drooling in the car?
A cat travelling in a car is usually a bad experience that can cause them stress and their anxiety levels to rise. Anxiety can cause a cat to drool.
Conclusion
The next time you ask yourself why do cats drool?, remember that this is perfectly normal cat behavior. If the drooling becomes excessive, this maybe due to more serious health conditions.
If ever you are concerned, always seek the advice of a professional vetarinarian.
