Why Is My Cat Drooling? Causes and When to Worry

What drooling usually means

The Merck Veterinary Manual explains that drooling happens for one of two reasons: the cat is making too much saliva, or it cannot swallow the saliva it makes normally. Happy drooling during petting, purring or kneading falls in the first group and is harmless. So is a brief burst of foamy drool after a cat tastes something bitter, such as a pill or eye drops that run down into the mouth, which usually stops within minutes.

When drooling is not linked to contentment, the mouth is the first place to look. Cornell Feline Health Center lists gingivitis, periodontitis and tooth resorption among the dental problems that make cats drool, and dental disease affects a majority of cats over four. Other mouth causes include broken teeth, ulcers from feline calicivirus, a severe inflammatory condition called stomatitis, an object such as a thread or bone stuck in the mouth, and oral tumors. Away from the mouth, Merck lists nausea, motion sickness, fear, toxins and medicines, painful swallowing, and metabolic illnesses such as kidney or liver failure.

Signs that point to the cause

Pay attention to what comes with the drool. Bad breath, red or bleeding gums, dropping food, chewing on one side, tilting the head while eating, or preferring soft food all suggest a painful mouth. Cornell notes that cats with tooth resorption may be reluctant to eat, drool and become irritable, while Merck describes cats with stomatitis approaching food and then pulling away in pain.

Lip licking, swallowing repeatedly and drooling before vomiting point toward nausea. Sneezing, runny eyes and a fever alongside drooling suggest a respiratory virus such as calicivirus. Drool tinged with blood, a lump or swelling of the face or jaw, or a bad smell that is new should be checked promptly. Sudden heavy drooling with foaming, shaking, wobbliness or dilated pupils raises concern about a toxin.

When to call your vet today

Call for an appointment the same day if your cat has drooled steadily for more than a few hours without an obvious harmless reason, is pawing at its mouth, has bloody or foul-smelling drool, has a swollen face, or is eating less or not at all. A cat that is still eating can nonetheless have a sore mouth, so do not wait for it to stop.

Also call if the drooling comes with vomiting, sneezing and fever, or weight loss over weeks. If you can see a thread or string in your cat's mouth, do not pull it; call your vet for advice right away.

When it's an emergency

Go to your vet or the nearest emergency vet immediately if your cat starts drooling heavily and suddenly along with foaming, trembling, seizures, collapse, difficulty breathing, or wobbliness. These can be signs of poisoning. If you think your cat has licked or chewed a toxic plant, a household chemical, a pesticide or any human medicine, call ASPCA Animal Poison Control at (888) 426-4435 or Pet Poison Helpline at (855) 764-7661 on the way. A fee may apply.

Also treat it as an emergency if your cat has had a burn or injury to the mouth, cannot close its mouth, is choking, or is drooling and behaving strangely, such as aggression, disorientation or difficulty swallowing. Merck notes rabies as the most serious cause of drooling, which is why an unvaccinated cat that may have been bitten by a wild animal must be handled with care and seen quickly.

What you can safely do at home

Do not give your cat any medicine, and never put human products such as mouthwash, toothpaste or pain relievers in a cat's mouth. Cornell warns that human toothpaste is not safe for cats. If your cat is calm and lets you, take a look inside the mouth in good light for redness, a broken tooth or something stuck, but do not force it open or put your fingers in a cat that is distressed.

Keep the skin around the lips and chin clean and dry with a soft, damp cloth, because Merck notes that constant drool can irritate it. Offer fresh water and soft food, and note whether your cat is eating, how long the drooling has lasted and anything new in the house it could have licked. Those details help your vet narrow down the cause.

Keep a secure cat carrier ready, because a drooling cat needs its mouth examined rather than home treatment.

What the vet will likely check

Your vet will start with your cat's history, vaccine status and a look in the mouth. Many cats will not allow a thorough oral exam while awake, so sedation may be needed, and Cornell notes that judging the damage from periodontal disease properly requires probing the gums and taking dental X-rays under anesthesia. If there is a mass, a small tissue sample may be taken to check for cancer.

Depending on what the exam shows, blood and urine tests can look for kidney or liver disease, and your vet may test for viruses such as calicivirus, feline leukemia virus or FIV, which are linked to gum inflammation. Treatment depends on the cause: a professional cleaning, removal of painful or damaged teeth, treatment of an infection, removal of a foreign object or managing nausea. Cats generally eat well after dental extractions once the mouth heals.

Prevention

Because dental disease is the most common cause, good dental care prevents a lot of drooling. Cornell calls daily tooth brushing the most effective measure, using only toothpaste made for cats, and suggests building up to it gently over several weeks. Ask your vet before brushing a cat with sore gums, since it may hurt. Regular checkups let your vet spot gum disease and resorbing teeth early.

Keep toxic plants, cleaning products and medicines out of reach, keep string, thread and ribbon put away, and keep rabies vaccination current as your vet and local law require.

This page is general information, not veterinary advice, and it cannot replace an examination by the vet who knows your pet.