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Cats might drool a little when they’re relaxed. But if your cat is salivating too much, it could be a sign of an underlying health condition. Let’s explore the reasons why your kitty might be drooling, what can cause excessive drooling, and when it may be a good idea to see the vet.
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Drooling may not be as common in cats as it is in dogs, but even felines can drool on occasion. Regardless of how often or how much, drooling cats may benefit from a trip to the vet to rule out any serious causes. Let’s take a look at some of the reasons they might be salivating more.
Cats who are happy and relaxed may drool a bit due to a release of endorphins — even when they’re sleeping. This is because the endorphins sometimes signal the salivary glands to make more saliva. Endorphins might also cause drooling if a cat smells a tasty treat and is excited about it. Happy, slightly drooling cats typically aren’t concerning.1
Endorphin release could also cause drooling if your cat is under stress, or feeling anxious or fearful. In this case, you may notice your cat showing other signs of stress — such as vocalizing, flattening their ears, trying to hide, or having dilated pupils.1,2
Nausea can commonly result in extra salivation. Whether your cat is experiencing motion sickness, a digestive upset from eating something bad, or regurgitating a hairball, some drooling may occur if they’re nauseous.1
A variety of oral issues can cause drooling in cats, including:1,2,3
If your cat is salivating too much, it’s a sign they may be experiencing an oral problem, and a trip to the vet is advised.3
There are times when drooling may be a result of ingesting or being exposed to toxic substances or items. Some of these can include plants that are toxic to cats, household cleaning products, chemicals, antifreeze, pesticides, or human medications.1,2
If you think your cat may have poisoning symptoms, take them to the nearest emergency vet for prompt care. You can also call the ASPCA Animal Poison Control Center hotline at (888) 426-4435 or the Pet Poison Helpline at (855) 764-7661 for 24/7 assistance.
Sometimes, cats may drool as a reaction to medication that tastes bad or bitter to them. This kind of drooling may subside after the bitter taste is gone from their mouth. But if this continues, it may be helpful to ask your vet if there’s another way to get your kitty’s needed medication(s) that doesn’t cause them to drool.1,2
Cats who are overheating can be at risk of a life-threatening situation — heatstroke. Drooling, excessive panting, vomiting, diarrhea, and weakness or collapsing can all be signs of heatstroke. If you notice any of these, it’s advised that you put your cat in a cool area and contact your vet ASAP.1,4
Some causes of drooling in cats may not be as apparent as others. Neurological issues, upper respiratory infections, liver or kidney disease, inflammatory bowel disease (IBD), diabetic ketoacidosis, and feline distemper can all cause cats to drool for various reasons.2
Getting your cat checked by your vet can provide a proper diagnosis — especially if they’re showing other signs of discomfort or abnormal behavior alongside the drooling.
If your cat is drooling excessive amounts, one unfortunate cause could be rabies. The signs of rabies, in addition to drooling, can include sudden and intense behavior changes and paralysis that develops seemingly without explanation. But rabies is fatal, and the only way to truly diagnose it is at the lab once an animal is deceased.5
The good news is rabies is very uncommon in vaccinated adult cats, which is one reason why it can be important to keep up with the vaccinations your cat needs.1
Feline excessive salivation is called ptyalism, and it happens when a cat can’t effectively swallow their saliva or may be producing too much of it.3 A little bit of drool when your cat is relaxed or salivating for a tasty treat is considered normal. But any amount of drool, if abnormal for your cat, could be cause for concern and a trip to the vet.1
Rabies is likely the first thing your vet will want to try to rule out when your cat is drooling a lot. If rabies isn’t a probable suspect, there’s typically another underlying cause — commonly an oral issue — they’ll try to diagnose.3
Excessive drooling in cats can signal a more serious health concern than just a happy or hungry kitty. It’s a good idea to take your cat to the vet for a full examination if you notice they’re drooling a lot and also showing signs of:1,2
Depending on your cat’s symptoms, your vet may do a full physical examination, look inside their mouth, take samples of saliva, run blood tests, or take X-rays or ultrasounds to diagnose the cause of drooling.2
Based on the diagnosis your vet gives your cat, they’ll form a treatment plan to help address the reason for your cat’s drooling.
For infections and other health conditions, your vet may provide supportive care and send your cat home with specific medications and follow-up instructions. If oral issues are the cause, dental care will likely take place and could involve cleaning, extractions, surgery, or medications. Any foreign objects will typically be removed, either by endoscopy or surgery — it’s not advised to try to remove them yourself.2
Anxious or nauseous cats may need medications or a change in lifestyle to help relieve what’s causing the anxiety or nausea, and resulting drooling.2
While slobbery dogs are fairly common, drooling in cats is generally more concerning. If you’re worried your cat’s salivating too much and need to take them to the vet, MetLife Pet Insurance may be able to reimburse you up to 90% on covered costs — like exam fees, diagnostic testing, medications, and more.6
Excessive drooling doesn’t have to cause an excessive hit to your bank account with costly vet bills. Get a free quote for a custom cat insurance policy today.
