Why is my Cat Drooling?

Every cat is unique but you might notice that your cat sometimes drools when they are kneading away on your lap and purring. It happens when they are in such a relaxed state that their muscles fail to stop them from getting a little drooly. Some cats are more prone to it than others so it really comes down to the individual.

There are a few other reasons, both behavioural and medical that might cause your moggy to drool a little more than usual too. So it’s important that you’re aware of them.

When big changes happen, your moggy might be feeling a little stressed and that anxiety can trigger their drooling behaviour. You may notice they drool when you take them to the vet or if you’ve moved home recently, as such a big change can cause an anxious response. This isn’t a long-term habit they will develop, in fact as soon as their stress levels reduce you will notice that it stops.

In these situations, you can help by trying to bring down their stress levels. There are lots of different options including stress relief aids that can help them feel more secure. Products like the Feliway Pheromone Diffuser can make a world of difference by releasing calming pheromones into the environment to help settle your moggy’s nerves.

Dental issues like mouth ulcers, broken teeth and any other injuries inside the mouth can cause a surprising amount of drooling. If their mouth is painful, they’re much more likely to drool and you may even notice that they become messy eaters so they’ll have both drool and food stuck in their coat.

Dental care is so important for keeping cats happy and healthy. So if you suspect they have any oral issues causing them to drool, you should book a check-up with their vet who will be able to confirm if there’s a problem.

Feeling sick can cause the body to produce more drool than usual and it will be more noticeable for cats who don’t often drool. If they’re feeling nauseous then you will often notice the drooling alongside a few other symptoms. Other symptoms of nausea include:

If your feline friend likes to chew then there’s a chance something could be stuck in their mouth. Owners have found all manner of things in their moggy’s mouths from pieces of wood to fragments of bone from their hunting excursions, it could honestly be anything. Food and other items can become lodged in their gums but it’s also fairly common to find these things wedged between their teeth up in the roof of their mouths.

Cats love to chase and play with anything that moves so you might even spot string or thread in their mouth. If you ever see anything stuck in their mouth, it’s worth taking them to the vet to get it removed. You may think you just see a small thread stuck in there but that thread can be attached to something so it’s always best to let a vet take a look if you’re unsure.

In some cases, drooling can be an indicator of a more serious health concern. Both Kidney Disease and Cancer can have drooling as a symptom. Cancer of the throat can cause swelling and therefore make it difficult for cats to swallow so they drool instead. In most situations, drooling is something temporary and relatively easy to solve but it can be caused by something more sinister so if you’re ever worried, you can ask your vet for advice.

It’s quite common to notice drool when you’re petting your cat and usually it’s not because there’s anything wrong.  You can even look at it as a bit of a compliment if you get drooled on by a cat. Cats will only drool when they’re being pet if they’re totally relaxed. It means all the muscles in their face have no tension in at all and it’s not a very common state for a feline to be in.

Cats are generally always alert, often the slightest noise or movement will have them springing to their feet. So, if they’re so relaxed and they’re drooling it means they trust you and feel safe enough in that moment to truly and fully relax.

Cat drool is not at all harmful to humans. Much like humans, cat saliva contains different proteins and enzymes to start breaking down food, but it isn’t detrimental to the skin. The only time cat drool can be considered harmful is when someone is allergic to cats as getting their saliva on their skin can trigger a reaction

It’s safe to say that for the most part, when cats drool it’s nothing to be worried about. It can even be expected if your moggy is getting older or has had to undergo dental treatment to remove teeth. Prolonged drooling can be a cause of concern if it goes  hand in hand with other symptoms of your moggy feeling unwell. Signs that your cat isn’t feeling themselves include:

If your cat is showing any of these signs alongside drooling, then you should get them checked by a vet to make sure nothing more serious is occurring.

For everything you need to keep your kitty happy and healthy and all your other cat essentials, take a look at what we have in store and online.