Why Is My Cat Drooling?

While drooling is often more associated with dogs, cats can drool too.

Drooling is when saliva is released from the mouth instead of swallowed. Also known as hypersalivation or ptyalism, this can happen due to increased saliva production or from abnormalities in the mouth or throat that lead to difficulty swallowing.

But cat drooling isn’t always a cause for concern.

Do Cats Drool?

While uncommon, a small amount of drooling is a normal behavior in some happy and relaxed cats. But a drooling cat, or a cat that’s drooling excessively, can also be a sign of anxiety, serious illness, or injury.

If you notice your cat excessively drooling, schedule a checkup with your veterinarian. Many causes are difficult to evaluate properly at home.

Why Is My Cat Drooling?

Many situations can cause a cat to drool. Some are completely normal, but others might be medical emergencies.

Relaxation

If your cat’s drooling when purring or sleeping, it may simply be because they’re relaxed. Endorphins released during purring or kneading may also tell the salivary glands to produce more saliva.

Some theorize this may be related to nursing behavior as kittens, as most cats that drool when they are happy start doing so when they’re very young.

Fear and Anxiety

Endorphins can also be released as a stress response, once again leading to drooling. This drooling will often be accompanied by vocalizing, flattened ears, and attempts to escape the situation.

Car rides and vet visits are extremely common causes of fear in cats. You can discuss environmental changes, pheromone diffusers/sprays, supplements, and anxiety medications with your veterinarian to make these situations easier for you and your cat.

Nausea

Drooling during a car ride may also be a sign that your cat is experiencing nausea from motion sickness. Cats can also become nauseous and drool when experiencing hairballs or gastrointestinal upset. Nauseous drooling may be seen with vomiting or decreased appetite.

Oral Pain

Many components of dental disease can lead to drooling in cats.

Excessive tartar buildup leads to painful inflammation of the gums (gingivitis) and even mouth ulcers. In addition to being painful, loose teeth can become displaced and make it difficult for your cat to swallow.

Unfortunately, mouth cancer can cause similar symptoms, and its early stages can be very difficult to differentiate from dental disease without a biopsy. Foreign material stuck in a cat’s mouth or throat can also cause drooling.

Drooling from oral disease is often accompanied by a foul odor, blood-tinged saliva, pawing at the face, and a decreased appetite. Many cats will need sedation or anesthesia to get a definitive diagnosis.

Toxins and Poisons

Many household plants, chemical toxins, and medications will cause cat drooling. This may be due to irritation of the mouth or esophagus, nausea from intestinal upset, or even the toxin itself causing an increased production of saliva through the nervous system.

If you suspect that your cat may have ingested a toxin, it’s extremely important to call the Pet Poison Helpline® at 855-764-7661 immediately.

Medications

Medications that have been prescribed for your cat may not taste great, even if they are feline-safe. Liquid medications or chewing a bitter pill frequently cause a cat to drool a lot.

Heatstroke

A cat left in a very hot environment may drool as a symptom of heatstroke. These cats are often also breathing heavily or even panting.

Heatstroke is an emergency and a cat experiencing heatstroke should be seen by an emergency veterinarian immediately.

Rabies

Rabies is very rare in vaccinated adult cats, but a common symptom for affected cats is excessive drooling. Usually there are also other nervous system abnormalities and behavior changes.

If your cat is not vaccinated for rabies and is showing clinical signs, your veterinarian may recommend quarantine or even humane euthanasia. The only way to truly diagnose rabies is through samples taken after death.

Rabies vaccines are extremely important, even for indoor cats, because the condition is fatal and can be spread to humans.

When To Worry About Cat Drooling

Drooling in cats is relatively uncommon, so it’s always reasonable to discuss the behavior with your vet at your cat’s wellness exam.

If the drooling is a new behavior, if your cat is drooling excessively, or if it happens a lot, make an appointment at your vet even if your cat is otherwise behaving normally.

Drooling cats that are not eating well, behaving abnormally, hiding, or vomiting should be seen more urgently by a veterinarian. If the drooling is accompanied by difficulty breathing and lethargy, or if toxin ingestion is suspected, take your cat to an emergency vet.