Why Does my Cat Drool? All Possible Reasons

A cat that has been poisoned or intoxicated will drool in most of cases and, if this is the reason, the cat must be taken to the vet immediately. Cats are at risk of ingesting poison accidentally mainly when they have access to the outside, either because they forage in outdoor, because they eat meat from a smaller animal that has died due to poisoning and even because there is someone with bad intentions toward animals in the surrounding area.

However, inside the home there are also risks, such as poisoning due to cleaning and hygiene products, which at all times should remain as far away as possible from your cat.

Pipettes and other treatments that are applied on the body for flea and ticks treatment produce a similar effect if the cat decides to lick that area of the body. In either of these cases, their saliva tends to be abundant and thick, and even take foam-like appearance. If you suspect of cat poisoning, go to a professional immediately and never make them vomit if you do not know what substance they have ingested. Bleach, for example, may cause caustic burns if you try to make them vomit it.

You will notice your cat drools due to poisoning when you also detect the following symptoms:

• Vomiting
• Diarrhea
• Difficulty breathing
• Convulsions (shaking and spasms)
• Depression
• Frequent urination
• Difficulty coordinating their limbs

It is possible that your cat's drooling is due to an illness that is underway and that produces vomiting or nausea in your cat, which speeds up salivation. If this occurs frequently (some days, several times in the same day), this indicates a problem that must be treated quickly. There have been studies that have shown cases of cats with primary bone tumors to present a history of excessive drooling^[1]. Another disease in cats that presents excessive drooling as one of its symptoms is myasthenia gravis, which is a chronic autoimmune disease that causes weakness in the muscles, especially arms and legs.

If, on the contrary, drooling appears after the expulsion of hairballs, for example, somewhat sporadically, there is no need to worry.

We know that stress in cats is an important trigger for multiple discomfort, especially when certain facts associated with situations that seem to them unpleasant, as for example an unexpected visit to the veterinarian.

Symptoms that may indicate that your cat is going through a stressful situation, include uncontrolled drooling. Why? When something produces excessive fear or nervousness in your cat, their neurological system sends a series of response orders as a shield against the situation which they are not able to control, and this can be expressed in the form of drooling.

If this is the case, you will also notice a lack of appetite in your cat, diarrhea, sweat on their paws and lack of hygiene. If the situation is chronic you should take your cat to the vet for appropriate treatment.

Anyone who has a cat at home knows how complicated it becomes to medicate a cat, especially when it comes in the form of syrup. If your cat fits the description, then they will surely drool all over the house after giving them the treatment's dosage, accompanied with those looks of hatred towards you, of course.

Usually, this type of drooling disappears after a while, since it is caused by the displeasure that the taste of the drug produces in the animal, and because you are forcing them to take it. However, if you notice that drooling persists for a long time they might be intoxicated and need to be checked by a veterinarian.

Your cat's dental health is extremely important, aspect that often tends to be neglected. Conditions such as tooth decay, an infection on the tongue or gums, tumors, ulcers and wounds in the mouth, trauma on the jaw, etc., cause excessive drooling that comes with bad smell, unusual colors in their saliva such as red or green, among others.

On the other hand, it is also possible that there is some object stuck in the teeth or your cat's oral cavity, either something that they have hunted by themselves, or even chicken bones or spines. That's why it's always recommended give them meat without bones or spines. You may notice that they are drooling excessively while they are eating, as this is a time when their mouth may hurt more than usual.

Although not very common, some cats drool out of pure pleasure that certain situations they love produce in them; like receiving love from their masters and being stroked. When this is the reason for the drooling, is often presented since the animal is young.

A cat that absolutely loves catnip can drool when they smell it, and even when they think that you are about to give them their favorite food. Behaviors such as these, even though seeming unusual, are actually possible, which makes them a little bit more similar to us. For more information, take a look at our article: why does my cat drool when you pet them?

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