My cat is drooling a lot – is this normal?
Have you noticed your cat drooling? If so, is it something to worry about?
While a certain amount of drooling is common and considered normal – your cat may do this while relaxing or in a stressful situation, for a short time – excessive drooling could be an indication of a health problem.
If your cat is drooling a lot, you should consult your veterinarian. Excessive drooling in cats is often referred to as hypersalivation.
Why do cats drool?
We tend to think of dogs drooling more often than cats; it’s not uncommon to see a dog drooling in the presence of tasty food, for example! Cats might drool because their anticipation of their next meal is overwhelming, but it’s less likely compared to a food-obsessed canine.
Normal causes for a cat drooling can vary – from being stressed out to super relaxed! These include:
Stress — such as during a car journey, or a visit to the vets
Stress — such as during a car journey, or a visit to the vets
Relaxing — such as purring, sleeping or kneading
Fear — from loud and unexpected noises, such as fireworks
These are all typically harmless and temporary situations – though if your cat is, like many pets, scared of fireworks, you should manage that and try to minimize exposure to loud noises as much as possible. Read our tips to keeping your pet calm around fireworks here.
These are all typically harmless and temporary situations – though if your cat is, like many pets, scared of fireworks, you should manage that and try to minimize exposure to loud noises as much as possible. Read our tips to keeping your pet calm around fireworks here.
If you witness your cat drooling excessively and can’t put it down to some of those situations we’ve detailed here, a health issue could be the cause.
My cat is foaming at the mouth! What does this mean?
If your cat is foaming at the mouth, it may be nothing to be concerned about — but there’s also a risk there’s something wrong.
Fear and anxiety can cause your cat to foam at the mouth, but this symptom could also be an indication of dental disease, a viral infection or — perhaps most alarming – a toxic ingestion; poisoning, in other words. In all instances of suspected poisoning, treatment needs to be urgent – don’t wait around!
Read more about why a cat could be foaming at the mouth here.
Symptoms of a cat drooling excessively
It might be difficult to understand the distinction between normal drooling and a cat drooling excessively. While most signs of drooling are associated with the mouth, many underlying issues will create multiple signs throughout the body.
All of these secondary signs should be noted, as they can make identifying the health problem easier. Some signs of excessive drooling in cats are as follows:
All of these secondary signs should be noted, as they can make identifying the health problem easier. Some signs of excessive drooling in cats are as follows:
- Excessive drooling (sometimes lasting for hours)
- Blood in the saliva
- Bad breath
- Inability to eat or drink, or a loss of appetite
- Swelling or masses in the mouth
- Vomiting
- Pawing at the mouth
- Weakness
- Lethargy
- Swollen lymph nodes
- Labored breathing/breathing difficulties
Why is my cat drooling excessively?
There are many causes of hypersalivation in cats – your cat drooling a lot. The cause could be directly linked to a problem in the mouth, or it might be a sign of an internal problem. If your cat is drooling excessively suddenly, it could be an indication of a serious issue.
As we’ve already covered, your cat might be drooling because of excitement, nervousness or simply being near to appealing food. In which case, there’s nothing to worry about. But, more serious causes can lead to excessive drooling in cats – including:
As we’ve already covered, your cat might be drooling because of excitement, nervousness or simply being near to appealing food. In which case, there’s nothing to worry about. But, more serious causes can lead to excessive drooling in cats – including:
- Poisoning (from a variety of sources)
- Medication side effects
- Foreign body stuck in mouth tissue
- Teething (in kittens)
- Injury to the tongue or mouth
- Insect stings
- Gingivitis and other gum disease
- Abscessed tooth
- Stomatitis (inflammation of the mouth and lips)
- Acid reflux
- Rabies
- Pseudorabies
- Cancer of the mouth
- Nausea/motion sickness
- Upper respiratory infection
- Liver shunt
- Chronic kidney failure
- Heat stroke
- Viruses (such as feline immunodeficiency virus, feline leukemia virus or feline herpesvirus)
How is excessive drooling in cats diagnosed?
With lots of potential causes of excessive drooling in cats, your veterinarian is — as always — best placed to examine your pet and provide a diagnosis, which will help to identify the correct course of treatment to resolve the problem.
When taking your cat to the veterinarian, be sure to provide the cat’s full medical history to help sort out potential underlying causes of excessive drooling. The veterinarian will perform a complete physical and oral examination — be aware that the cat may need to be sedated for the oral examination to be successful.
All signs will be noted to see how they match with possible health problems. The veterinarian will look for obvious injuries, abscesses, foreign objects, or masses within the mouth.
All signs will be noted to see how they match with possible health problems. The veterinarian will look for obvious injuries, abscesses, foreign objects, or masses within the mouth.
Full blood work is likely to be recommended, including a complete blood count to help detect anemia or the presence of cancer, and a biochemical profile to find signs of metabolic disease.
Urinalysis can help to assess how well the kidneys are functioning. A bile acid blood test will indicate the function of the liver. Cultures of the urine may identify bacterial infections present in the body. X-rays or ultrasounds may be used to assess organ health or to locate tumors or lesions in the mouth or body. A biopsy may need to be collected from any masses found.
Urinalysis can help to assess how well the kidneys are functioning. A bile acid blood test will indicate the function of the liver. Cultures of the urine may identify bacterial infections present in the body. X-rays or ultrasounds may be used to assess organ health or to locate tumors or lesions in the mouth or body. A biopsy may need to be collected from any masses found.
Treating excessive drooling and hypersalivation in cats
The best course of treatment for a cat drooling abnormally will be based on the underlying issue identified. Treatment is only necessary if a health problem is present. Some potential treatment pathways for common causes are as follows:
Poisoning
If your cat is foaming at the mouth, he or she may have been poisoned. If so, the stomach may need to be emptied, depending on the timing. Certain medications may be administered to counteract the effects of the poison and activated charcoal may be given to stop toxin absorption in the body.
Dental Issues
Dental surgery may be necessary if abscesses or cavities are found. Singular or multiple tooth extractions may also be needed. Any wounds should be cleaned, and antibiotics may be prescribed to eliminate infection.
Cancer
If malignant tumors have been found as a cause for your cat drooling excessively, surgical removal may be attempted. This is only possible in certain locations of tumor growth. Both radiation therapy and chemotherapy may be used to fight cancer on a microscopic level.
Upper Respiratory Infection
Many URIs are the result of viral infections, which have no curative treatment. Supportive care can greatly assist in recovery. This includes intravenous fluid administration, medications, humidifier use and appetite stimulants.
Kidney or Liver Issues
These complications may require ongoing care and medication application for the remainder of the cat’s life. Special diets may need to be followed to help alleviate these organ problems.
Foreign Body Presence
To remove a foreign body causing salivation, the cat may need to be sedated. Certain cases may require surgery.
Worried about the cost of treating your pet's symptoms?
Pet Insurance covers the cost of many common pet health conditions. Prepare for the unexpected by getting a quote from top pet insurance providers.
Will my cat recover from excessive drooling?
Recovery from hypersalivation is, of course, achievable — though how long it takes for your cat to recover depends mainly on the treatment involved. The prognosis for recovery greatly depends on the type of health issue that has been diagnosed.
If surgery has been part of your cat’s treatment, recovery may take weeks — and you’ll need to follow all at-home care guidelines provided by the veterinarian. This will include monitoring your cat for signs of infection near the incision site.
Painkillers, medication or antibiotics may need to be administered daily. Your veterinarian will have you return for follow-up appointments to see how the surgery site is healing and to assess the overall health of the cat.
If surgery has been part of your cat’s treatment, recovery may take weeks — and you’ll need to follow all at-home care guidelines provided by the veterinarian. This will include monitoring your cat for signs of infection near the incision site.
Painkillers, medication or antibiotics may need to be administered daily. Your veterinarian will have you return for follow-up appointments to see how the surgery site is healing and to assess the overall health of the cat.
Dental issues generally resolve with surgical repair, cleaning, and a good oral health routine. Recovery from being poisoned greatly depends on how quickly the poisoning was identified and what substance has been consumed.
Kidney and liver disease prognoses are guarded, and often require lifelong treatment. Most cats will typically recover from an upper respiratory infection.
If the underlying cause of the infection is a virus, it may stay in the cat’s system permanently. Cancer prognosis depends on how soon it is treated and how aggressive the cancer is. If your cat is suspected of having rabies, it will need to be quarantined. Vaccines to prevent rabies should be a part of your annual veterinary visit.
Kidney and liver disease prognoses are guarded, and often require lifelong treatment. Most cats will typically recover from an upper respiratory infection.
If the underlying cause of the infection is a virus, it may stay in the cat’s system permanently. Cancer prognosis depends on how soon it is treated and how aggressive the cancer is. If your cat is suspected of having rabies, it will need to be quarantined. Vaccines to prevent rabies should be a part of your annual veterinary visit.
Hypersalivation Questions and Advice from Veterinary Professionals
Male Domestic medium hair cat
One Year
1 found this helpful
1 found this helpful
My pet has the following symptoms:
Urinating, Drooling, Tongue Sticking Out, Acting Distant
I came home to my cat sitting in a puddle of his own urine. He was acting fine after I cleaned him up. Them about an hour later he started drooling with his tongue slightly out. He has also been acting a bit distant since I cleaned him up
July 22, 2020
Answered by Dr. Ellen M. DVM
1 Recommendations
Hello, thank you for your question. I am sorry to hear that your cat isn't feeling well.
Without examining your cat, it is very hard for me to know for sure what might be going on. What you describe could be consistent with a toxicity of some sort. Marijuana toxicity can cause excessive urination and drooling, but a lot of other toxicity types can as well. It could also indicate kidney damage causing nausea and increased urination.
I recommend treating this as a potential toxicity, as depending on what could be causing the suspect toxicity, it could be serious. I recommend having your cat seen at an emergency veterinary clinic right away in order to be as cautious as possible and it's better safe than sorry.
I hope that your cat starts feeling better soon!
July 22, 2020
Was this question and answer helpful?
Cat
One Year
0 found this helpful
0 found this helpful
My pet has the following symptoms:
Excessive Licking, Pawing At Mouth, Throwing Up, Lethargy, Tired Eyes
I’m extremely worried about my cat. He’s a domestic longhair male, neutered and he recently started throwing up and pawing at his mouth while licking aggressively, I thought he was choking and then he looked like he was trying to get something out but nothing is there. He’s very tired and looks unwell :( please help
July 21, 2020
Answered by Dr. Michele K. DVM
0 Recommendations
Thank you for your question. He may have a tooth infection or something causing pain in his mouth. Since I cannot examine him, it would be best to have him seen by a veterinarian as soon as possible, as he sounds like he is not doing well. They will be able to see him, look in his mouth and assess what might be going on, and let you know what can be done to make him feel better again.
I hope that all goes well for him!
July 21, 2020
Was this question and answer helpful?
Ragamuffin
8 years
0 found this helpful
0 found this helpful
My pet has the following symptoms:
Excessive Drool, Lethargic, Hiding In Corner, Wont Eat
I cant afford a $300 visit at the vet clinic. Is there something I can do at home?
July 11, 2020
Answered by Dr. Michele K. DVM
0 Recommendations
Thank you for your question.
Unfortunately, without being able to see your pet, I can't say what might help to give at home. Those signs are very worrisome in an animal, and having him/her seen by a veterinarian is probably necessary. The initial visit should not be $300, and they will be able to give you an idea as to what might be going on and what can be done. Most clinics also take Care Credit and ScratchPay to help with unexpected expenses.
I hope that your pet is okay.
July 11, 2020
Was this question and answer helpful?
British Shorthair
Meko
2 Years
0 found this helpful
0 found this helpful
My pet has the following symptoms:
Salivating
Salivatiing
My 2 year old cat suddenly started salivating white foamy drool and running round leaving little drops round the flat. Lasted about 10mins max and then it suddenly stopped and he laid down beside me and now sleeping quite heavily. He won't let me look in his mouth.
Sept. 9, 2018
Was this question and answer helpful?
Himalayan
Neko
4 Months
0 found this helpful
0 found this helpful
My pet has the following symptoms:
Sometimes Playful Sometime Tired
I have a cat, half persian half siamese. Who has been having excessive cat saliva. Sometimes for 30mins, and he drools when he's sleeping. And it has a bad breath too.
Aug. 31, 2018
Was this question and answer helpful?
American
xena
3 Months
0 found this helpful
0 found this helpful
My pet has the following symptoms:
Drooling
got kitten drooling like crazy her drool drenched her arm and face took her to the vet several times very worried lost a tooth recently usually very playful but has been very ify very scary please on any insight lmk
European Shorthair
Arlo
1 Year
0 found this helpful
0 found this helpful
My pet has the following symptoms:
Drooling
Hello, my cat is a relatively healthy little guy. He’s usually sleeping but loves to play and eat. But this morning I noticed he was salivating like crazy and had it all over him so I gave him a bath. Few hours pass, he’s still salivating so I began to worry.. though now, he’s not salivating and only has a runny nose a bit. He’s acting like his normal self though. Still playful, eating and drinking normal.. but I’m still worried.. should I be? Please help so I know if my baby is okay..
DOMESTIC
Maomao
1 Year
0 found this helpful
0 found this helpful
My pet has the following symptoms:
Drooling
Loss Of Appetite
We brought our cat in an out of town trip for a week.. he started to eat less and sleep alot, he is also scared of new surrounding and other people. When we get back home he still doesnt eat much and wasnt active as before. He looks so tired and sleep all day. He also drink water less than he used to, i also notice some watery in his mouth. Can you help me find what can i do for him
