What to Do If Cats Drool?

It's perfectly normal for cats to drool when they are being petted or purring happily. This occurs because the body is relaxing and loosening up. When a cat is extremely stressed or frightened, you may see some saliva or foam around its mouth. In both cases, drooling in cats is perfectly normal. However, drooling can also be caused by poisoning, physical trauma to the mouth, or various dental diseases. In short, there are multiple answers to the question "Why do cats drool?".

Harmless Drooling in Cats

Saliva production begins in cats as their bodies relax. Cats, especially when feeling happy and relaxed, start opening and closing their paws as if massaging. This movement is actually a behavior they've maintained since kittenhood. While nursing, kittens massage their mother's belly to stimulate milk production. This action helps create a strong bond between cats and their mothers. Because this bond is permanent, saliva flows when they start massaging with their paws even in adulthood. This drooling can be considered a way for cats to show affection.

Unlike dogs, cats don't drool when they see food. However, this can very rarely occur in some cats. If your cat only starts drooling when it sees or smells food, there's no need to worry.

Stress or fear are other conditions that can cause excessive salivation in cats. Car journeys, vet visits, or very noisy environments at home can cause excessive drooling in cats. If you suspect your cat is constantly drooling due to stress, you should consult a veterinarian. Because this persistent drooling indicates that the cat is in a difficult psychological state.

Causes of Abnormal Drooling in Cats

Constant drooling in cats is not a normal occurrence. Some health problems can lead to this. All cats, even if healthy, should have a routine veterinary check-up once a year. During these check-ups, diseases can be diagnosed before they show symptoms, and early diagnosis allows for treatment before they progress. If excessive drooling is observed, the cat should be taken for an examination without waiting for the annual regular visit.

Drooling in cats is seen due to many reasons. Usually, when the disease causing this condition is treated, the drooling itself disappears.

Dental Diseases

Some dental diseases in cats progress without showing symptoms before causing serious pain and illness. Excessive pain in a cat's mouth causes excessive salivation. Mouth ulcers, tooth sores, gum disease, resorptive lesions, and infections are among the oral problems that cause drooling in cats. During a veterinary examination, the cat's teeth are checked in detail. When the problem causing drooling is diagnosed, necessary interventions such as tooth extraction or oral cleaning are performed. A significant portion of these procedures are performed under general anesthesia. In cases of infection, antibiotic medications are used to eliminate the problem causing drooling. Nausea Cats that are nauseous or vomiting often drool excessively. Nausea and vomiting can have many causes in cats. Internal parasites, kidney disease, and gastrointestinal disorders are some of them. If your cat is nauseous, vomiting, has a poor appetite, and is drooling, it would be beneficial to take it to the vet.

During a veterinary examination, the cat's teeth are checked in detail. When the problem causing the drooling is diagnosed, necessary interventions such as tooth extraction or oral cleaning are performed. A significant portion of these procedures are performed under general anesthesia. In cases of infection, antibiotics are used to eliminate the problem causing the drooling.

Nausea is also a common symptom in cats that are nauseated or vomiting.

Nausea and vomiting in cats can have many causes, including internal parasites, kidney disease, and gastrointestinal disorders. If your cat is experiencing nausea, vomiting, loss of appetite, and excessive drooling, it's advisable to visit a veterinarian.

Foreign Object

When an object gets stuck in a cat's mouth, this can cause drooling. A piece of a toy, a ball of fur, grass, or a plant leaf can trigger drooling. If you see a string hanging from your cat's mouth, you should not force it out. Because the string may be tangled somewhere in the stomach or intestines. Pulling the string out could damage your cat's internal organs. Instead, going to an open veterinary clinic will help your cat get rid of this problem more easily.

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Excessive salivation is one of the symptoms seen in cats that have ingested, chewed, or licked toxic chemicals. Plants, chemicals, or foods that are poisonous to cats can cause this. Salivation is seen with the consumption of some topical chemicals such as insect or rat poison. If you suspect your cat is poisoned, you should take it to a veterinary clinic immediately. If you see a potentially poisonous substance in your cat's mouth and you don't have a chance to remove it, you shouldn't force it. This will cause a waste of time and may lead to the cat being exposed to more toxic substances.

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Injuries occurring inside the mouth are another cause of excessive salivation. Excessive drooling in cats that chew on electrical cords can be caused by electric shocks or burns to the mouth. It's also common after physical traumas that lead to jaw fractures. Some of these injuries are not visible from the outside. If you notice sudden excessive drooling in your cat and can't find the cause, contacting a veterinarian is the best option. Cats are masters at hiding their illnesses or health problems.