Creating Awareness: Why Do Cats Drool?

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Salivation in Cats

Salivation or drooling in cats is often expected, but why do cats drool? There are many reasons that cause drooling in cats, and it may occur because of fear, excitement, or when the cat is upset. Keep reading this article to understand more details and get knowledge about salivation in cats. 

Why Do Cats Drool?

Some Cats frequently drool while rubbing against objects or purring. A cat drool is usually a common sign of happiness or ease in Kittenhood. Kittens frequently knead their mothers’ paws when feeding to stimulate milk release.

The following are several reasons that cause cat drooling, which fall into three major groups:

  • Emotional triggers
  • The cat is attempting to “wipe away” his irritations
  • Pathologic disorders that cause swelling, pain, or difficulty in swallowing.

The majority of drooling is intermittent and only produces little amount of saliva. If you have a drooling cat, it is a good idea to call a veterinarian to check your cat’s health if she is drooling excessively. Early detection is usually preferable because some of these can be quite dangerous.

Ecstacy and Cat Drool

When a cat is content and enjoying the cuddles and touches from people, it may start to drool. This joy is normal and just shows a physiological reaction to happiness. Additionally, some cats may drool while sleeping due to how comfortable they are.

Imagine it as a tiny wet spot you discover on your pillow after a restful night’s sleep. Drooling like this is frequently a sign of a happy cat.

Cat sleeping

Cat Drool and Fear

When some cats are overly happy, fearful, or upset, they tend to drool. The cause of drooling in cats is commonly nausea and anxiety before vomiting. Car travel or stress can cause motion sickness. It usually stops at the end of the ride, regardless of the situation. It won’t last if your cat drools out of fear.

Indicators of Fear in Cats

Sometimes cats usually go through a lot of fear when a situation becomes overwhelming for them to handle. The following are some of the symptoms of anxiety in cats:

  • Withdrawal and hiding.
  • Lethargy and depression.
  • Increase in weight.
  • Trembling and shaking that is visible.
  • Loss of weight.
  • Different changes in appetite.
  • Destructive behavior in cats.
Cat hiding

Grooming Excessively

Cat Drool and Dental Problems

Some illnesses, such as dental disease, can cause oral irritation. In those circumstances, the drooling attempts to alleviate or soothe the tongue or throat irritant. A cat’s excessive drooling is frequent as a result of dental problems.

Symptoms of Dental Problems in Cats

  1. A bad breath
  2. Yellow or brown teeth
  3. Excess yawning or grinding their teeth.
  4. Loose or missing teeth.
  5. Chewing from one side of the mouth
  6. Loss of weight
  7. The cat is not able to groom itself.
  8. Drooling or red bleeding gums.

Up to 85% of cats older than three years have tooth or gum problems. The resulting saliva could have a bloody tint or smell bad.

Cat Drool and Oral Cancer

Oral malignancies can develop in certain cats. However, they are considerably less common than dental or viral infections, and they can form anywhere from the tongue tip to the back of the throat.

Symptoms of Oral Cancer in Cats

A visible growth or lump of the oral cavity in cats may be a sign of mouth cancer. Squamous cell carcinoma tumors that develop in the tongue, tonsils, roof, or back of the mouth can go without a diagnosis for a very long period, which is unfortunate. Most cat owners become aware of a health issue when they observe them, and the following are some of the signs:

  1. Loss of weight.
  2. Pain in the mouth
  3. Swelling of the face
  4. Loss of teeth
  5. Difficulty in eating and drinking
  6. Blemishes on the nose
  7. Bad breath (Halitosis)
  8. Bloody mouth

Excess drooling

Drooling that is excessive and persistent may be a result of several disorders. This kind of drooling signifies that your cat needs a thorough examination from your veterinarian, focusing on dental health issues.

Cat Drool and Presence of Foreign Objects

Drooling too much may be a foreign body. A small fish bone, a blade of grass, or a sewing needle can end up in the mouth or esophagus. Swallowing is uncomfortable, and the cat will not swallow.

Breathing Conditions and Cat Drool

Some cats who suffer viral respiratory illnesses also get mouth ulcers, which causes their salivation to flow more.

Signs of a Cat With Breathing Conditions 

The following are the signs and symptoms of a cat experiencing breathing problems.

  • Stridor (noisy breathing) is a sign of rapid breathing rate.
  • The chest and belly were moving when the cat was breathing.
  • The nostrils are wide.
  • The cat is breathing while allowing the elbows to protrude from the body.
  • The neck and head are held low and in front of the body.

Nauseous and Cat Drooling

The organ illness and toxic exposure can create the urge to vomit in cats, resulting in drooling. Only the veterinarian should deal with an infection. However, you can take actions to keep your cat from getting one: Maintain the vaccination records, keep them inside and away from other animals and wash your hands after handling each animal.

You alone are aware of your cat’s typical behavior. Always inform your vet if anything unusual occurs for more than a day, if they seem anxious, or if they stop eating and playing as usual.

Signs of a Nauseous Cat

The most typical signs of a nauseous Cat are drooling, poor appetite, licking, excessive chewing, excessive meowing (hyper vocalization), and excessive licking. Cats that have nausea are always uncomfortable and restless. Some cats will pace while meowing, while others may drool while lying in the same place.

Cat Excessive Drooling

Generally, Cats are prone to drooling; however, if you notice excessive drooling, getting an assessment test is the best remedy to know whether the excessive salivation is severe or harmless. Knowing the cause is better for detecting the health issue so that veterinarians can treat it successfully.

Cats mostly drool for many reasons, but if the salivation is in excess, it may be a cause of concern. Usually, a cat drooling will result because of joy or pleasure, while abnormal drooling appears suddenly and end in hours. Additionally, a cat drooling excessively but acting normal can be because of some diseases, viruses, and injuries. 

Signs and Symptoms of Excessive Drooling in Cats

Knowing the signs of the underlying issues in cats is essential to see the health problem in cats drooling excessively. Some of the symptoms include:

  • Difficulty in eating or drinking water
  • Lack of strength
  • Too much drooling that lasts for many hours
  • A smelly breath
  • Saliva that contains blood
  • Difficulty in breathing 
  • Lymphadenopathy (swollen lymph nodes)
Cat drinking water with help

Cat Drooling Diagnosis

When taking your cat to a veterinarian for a checkup, always provide a full medical history to help solve the underlying issue that causes excess salivation in cats. The veterinarian will conduct an oral and physical examination after sedation for the oral examination to be a success.

The veterinarian will note all the signs to see if they match the possible health issues. Then, he will look for foreign materials, masses within the mouth, apparent injuries, or abscesses.

The veterinarian will also perform complete blood work, including a full blood count, to help determine the presence of cancer, anemia, and the biometrical profile to help discover signs and symptoms of metabolic disease.

The veterinarian can conduct urinalysis to assist in assessing how the functioning of the kidneys. Furthermore, to know the function of the cat’s liver, the veterinarian will perform a bile acid blood test. After getting the results of the urine culture, it might help the veterinarian to identify bacterial infections that might be present in the Cat’s body.

For the veterinarian to identify them, assess the organ’s health, and trace tumors or lesions in the cat’s mouth, he will need to perform an ultrasound or X-rays. The veterinarian will make sure he conducts a biopsy to discover any masses.

The Treatment for Excessive Drooling in Cats

The treatment for excessive drooling in cats is only necessary when the veterinarian finds the health issue. A good treatment that the cat gets will be according to the underlying problem as the Veterinary discovers.

Liver or Kidney Problems

These cat problems may require medication and care application for the rest of the cat’s life. To alleviate liver and kidney problems, you will get a special diet to follow when you feed your cat.

Exposure to Toxins in Cats

When your cat consumes poison, the veterinarian will consider emptying its stomach according to the timing; he will administer some medication to reduce the effects of the poison. To stop toxin absorption in the body, the veterinarian will give the cat activating charcoal.

Is it Normal for Cats to Drool?

It is normal to see cat drools when petted because they are very calm animals. When cats are afraid or anxious, you could notice some saliva or spit bubbles on the side of their mouth. However, if the salivation in your cut is excessive, consider paying a visit to a veterinarian to help you figure out the cause.

10 Reasons Behind Feline Drooling

The list below contains reasons behind drooling in cats. They include:

  1. Stings from insects
  2. Gum disease (Gingivitis)
  3. Tongue or mouth injuries
  4. Foreign substances stuck in the mouth
  5. Side effects of medication
  6. Toxins (from several sources)
  7. Appetizing foods
  8. Some viruses
  9. Inflammation of the mouth and lips (Stomatitis)
  10. Infection in the upper respiratory.

When is Cat Drool Normal?

Some cats frequently drool while rubbing against objects or purring. When cats reach adulthood, the content results in kneading, which associates with feeding and stimulates drooling. If your cat starts drooling on your lap, it is perfectly normal.

Cats don’t typically drool at the sight of food as dogs do. Additionally, it is still possible, but it’s probably nothing to worry about if your cat only drools when it smells or sees food and not at other times.

Drooling in Cats That is Abnormal

If the cat is drooling nonstop, there might be a health issue if there is no connection between drooling, happiness, or food. Even if the cat appears healthy, you should take the cat to a vet at least once a year for regular wellness checks. The veterinarian can identify issues before your cat exhibits symptoms.

You should immediately contact your vet if you notice unusual drooling between regular checkups. Your cat can undergo testing. Drooling in cats can signify several health issues that need urgent medical attention.

Final Words

After getting information about cats in this article, you can conclude that drooling in Cats is Normal unless when the salivation happens in excess. Consider taking the cat to your veterinarian to examine the cause of excessive drooling in cats.

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