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Why Does my Cat Drool?

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We all know that dogs drool a lot, but maybe you own a cat and wonder why does my cat drool all of a sudden?

There are many reasons why your kitty is doing it, and you should find out the most probable ones.

This is important because you need to know when it’s the right time to take your pet to the vet. Before we go into details and explain why your little feline creature may be drooling, let’s answer some questions first.

You’ll probably find your solution in one of the following questions. However, I’d advise you to read the entire article because it will be full of useful info on your cat’s drooling.

Frequently asked questions about cats drooling

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  • Is it normal for my cat to drool when she’s happy

Absolutely!

Your cat’s happiness and joy is most likely the reason why he/she is drooling in the first place.

This indicates that your pet is happy, relaxed, and in the perfect state.

That’s why you shouldn’t be alarmed if you find a bit of the drool on the pillow or your hand.

Your kitty is joyful, and you can be relieved.

  • How to stop a cat from drooling?

The answer to this question isn’t simple because it depends on the reason behind the drooling.

While some of the solutions are easy, some of them require professional help and vet’s consultation.

The best answer is to find the cause of your cat drooling and use the remedies or training according to that.

But more on that later!

  • Should I take my cat to the vet because he’s drooling?

In some cases, yes.

A lot of the times when your cat drools, it probably isn’t anything serious or deadly.

It’s probably the cat’s way of expressing happiness and relaxation.

Sometimes, he/she may even “clean” the mouth from something that he/she didn’t like.

In those cases, the visit to the vet isn’t necessary.

On the other hand, if you notice your pet drooling too often, consult a professional.

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  • Why does my cat drool

As said before, there is more than one reason why cats drool.

You may be wondering why your cat is drooling when sleeping or on a daily basis.

You should know that it’s important to discover the reason and help your kitty if necessary.

These are some of the most frequent reasons why cats drool and what to do to prevent it.

Keep in mind that some of them are harmless, but some will require a visit to the vet. 

  • Dental issues

Cats can have dental problems, too.

If you see your cat drooling a lot and you notice a bit of blood or unpleasant smell, it’s time to visit the vet.

Whichever dental problem your cat is having (from tooth injuries to gum disease), it will be unpleasant for him/her.

More often than not, your pet will experience severe pains.

That’s why it will produce more saliva to try and calm down the inside of the mouth and relieve pain.

What to do: Take your cat to the vet.

The professional will examine your cat’s teeth to see what measures to take.

Sometimes all your cat will need is a professional dental cleaning.

On the other hand, your pet may even need tooth extraction that’s performed under general anesthesia.

You may also need to give your kitty antibiotics to help her/him with the treatment.

After this problem is taken care of, your cat will stop drooling.

  • Your cat is nauseous

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If you have problems with your cat drooling and vomiting, he/she may have some of the serious diseases.

The most frequent ones are gastrointestinal inflammation, liver, or kidney disease.

Nausea caused by these and other issues may be the cause of your cat drooling.

What to do: In case you’re wondering, “why does my cat drool and vomit”, the vet is the one to give you the answer. You should take your pet to annual checkups anyway, but especially if you notice drooling and vomiting. After the vet examines your cat, he/she will know what exactly is the problem and treat the cat accordingly. 

  • The foreign body inside the mouth 

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Sometimes the cat may have something lodged inside the mouth or between the teeth.

That can be very annoying and unpleasant to them, and that’s what causes drooling. If the foreign body is inside for a couple of days, you’ll also notice a strange smell, not only drool.

These objects can be various, from grass to small fishbone. Your pet will probably try to vomit it but not always successfully.  

What to do: Try to remove the foreign body by yourself if it’s easily reachable. However, if the process seems complicated, take your kitty to the nearest vet office.
Professional help is needed, especially when it comes to fishbones because your cat may choke. 

  • Consumed toxins

Since cats are very curious, they are most likely to lick something that could be poisonous for them.

Only a couple of examples are toxic plants or chemicals that you have at home.

Avoid having these plants at home if you’re a cat owner.

What to do: Do you suspect that your cat consumed something poisonous? Well, this is yet another reason to visit the vet immediately.

He/she will know how to proceed, treat your kitty, and get rid of the toxins from the body. As a result, your cat will stop drooling as soon as the toxins are out of its system.

  • Respiratory infections

Another reason that could be the answer to “why does my cat drool” is a respiratory infection.

These infections may cause difficulty in breathing and swallowing food.

That’s why your cat will produce more saliva and, therefore, drool.

Other than that, your pet may also sneeze or show that it has an infection in other ways. Loss of appetite is another indicator.

What to do: The vet is the only one who can treat these types of infections, probably with antibiotics.  There are some measures that you can take to avoid infections, such as regular vaccination. But once there’s an infection, you need to take your cat to the vet. 

  • Oral cancer (rarely)

Even though this condition is, luckily, very rare, some cats are unfortunate enough to have oral cancer. This can cause excessive and unstoppable drooling, and the vet is the only one that can help.

  • Happiness and joy

Like said at the beginning of the article, the most probable reason for your cat’s drooling is happiness.

When your pet is joyful, happy, and stress-free, it will be so relaxed that it will start drooling.

So if you notice your cat drooling and purring, your cat is super-happy! This is, of course, a good sign, but it’s understandable why it may be annoying.

What to do: You can’t actually prevent this kind of drool, but you can do something about the mess if it irritates you.
Keep the towel on your lap while you’re petting your cat to avoid the mess and wash hands afterward. You’ve probably already noticed that happy drool isn’t excessive. As opposed to doggy’s drool, cats produce a small amount when it comes to feeling relaxed. If the amount is excessive, there may be another reason why your cat is doing it. 

  • Stress, fear, or other strong emotions

Occasionally, your cat will drool when under stress, scared, or when he/she feels other emotions intensely.

You don’t need to be worried if you notice this during car rides in a carrier or any other environment that causes stress to your cat. It’s a completely normal thing, just like it happens when they are very happy and relaxed. This drooling is their way of coping with certain situations.

What to do: Try to pet your cat and calm him/her down when nervous. This will help your pet to feel more relaxed and less scared. However, if you notice ongoing anxiety and stress, consult the vet for the advice.

 

Bottom Line

As you can see, other than being relaxed and satisfied, your cat may be drooling for a variety of reasons.

The most important thing is to note that all of them are treatable if discovered on time.

That’s why it’s important to monitor your cat and pay attention to its behavior.

You’ll surely notice when something is wrong not only by the drool but other movements or changes in behavior as well such as sneezing. 

These other reasons do require a visit to the vet because only a professional can help with infections or other diseases.

However, if your little furball is drooling only occasionally when you pet it, feed it, or while it is sleeping, you have nothing to worry about.

You should actually be glad that your pet is healthy, relaxed, and happy.