7 Shocking Reasons Why do Cats Drool?

Why do Cats Drool? 1. Dental pain 2. Mouth infection 3. Stress or fear 4. Heatstroke 5. Nausea 6. Foreign object 7. Poison exposure.

Why do Cats Drool?

Cats normally do not drool much, so when you suddenly see saliva dripping from your cat’s mouth, it can look worrying. Some issues aren’t serious, but others should be checked quickly.

Understanding why your cat is drooling can help you decide when to relax and when to call the vet. Below are the 7 most common and shocking reasons why cats drool and what each one means.

Do Cats Drool

Reason	What You’ll Notice	What It Means	What To Do
Relaxation	Soft purring, eyes half closed	Cat is calm and comfortable	Normal behavior
Nausea	Drooling + refusing food	Stomach upset or hairball	Watch 24 hrs, vet if continues
Dental Pain	Bad breath, pawing mouth	Gum disease or bad tooth	Dental vet check
Something Stuck	Pawing mouth, distress	Object irritating mouth	Immediate vet
Heat Overload	Panting + drooling	Cat is too hot	Cool cat, vet if no improvement
Poisoning	Heavy drool + tremors	Toxic substance eaten	Emergency vet
Respiratory Infection	Sneezing + mouth breathing	Nose blocked, hard to breathe	Vet treatment

1. Happiness & Relaxation

Some cats drool when they are extremely relaxed, safe, or comfortable. This happens because they produce more saliva during deep pleasure moments, especially when:

• Purring
• Kneading
• Sitting on your lap
• Being petted

This type of drooling is harmless. It stops once the cat calms down.

2. Nausea or Stomach Upset

Nausea is one of the most common medical reasons for drooling. Cats may drool because stomach acid rises, making them uncomfortable.

Common causes of nausea include:

• Eating something unusual
• Switching food too fast
• Motion sickness
• Hairballs

If nausea continues for more than 24 hours, a vet check is necessary.

3. Dental Disease (Gum Infection / Bad Teeth)

Dental problems are a major cause of drooling in cats. Issues like gingivitis, tooth infection, broken teeth, or abscesses make the mouth painful and force extra saliva to escape.

Warning signs:

• Bad breath
• Bleeding gums
• Visible tartar
• Difficulty chewing

Untreated dental disease can lead to tooth loss and serious infections.

4. Something Stuck in the Mouth

Strings, bones, grass blades, food pieces, threads, or small toys can get stuck in a cat’s mouth or under the tongue. This irritates the mouth and triggers sudden drooling.

Signs include:

• Pawing at the mouth
• Sudden refusal to eat
• Crying or meowing in pain

If you suspect something is stuck, do not try to pull it out yourself—this can cause injury. A vet must remove it safely.

5. Heatstroke

Cats do not tolerate extreme heat very well. When they overheat, they may pant and drool to cool themselves down.

Heatstroke signs:

• Excessive panting
• Drooling
• Weakness
• Red gums
• Collapse

Move your cat into a cooler spot immediately and get veterinary help.

6. Poisoning or Toxic Plants

Some toxic substances cause instant and heavy drooling. These may include:

• Toxic plants (lilies, aloe, poinsettia)
• Cleaning chemicals
• Human medications
• Insecticides
• Unsafe essential oils

Toxins irritate the mouth and stomach, causing drooling along with vomiting, shaking, or diarrhea. This is always an emergency.

7. Upper Respiratory Infection

Flu-like infections in cats can make them breathe through their mouth because their nose is blocked. Mouth breathing often leads to drooling.

Symptoms:

• Sneezing
• Coughing
• Discharge from eyes/nose
• Fever
• Loss of appetite

Infections need vet treatment such as antibiotics, steam therapy, or supportive care.

When Is Drooling an Emergency?

Seek urgent vet care if drooling is paired with:

• Vomiting
• Bleeding gums
• Trouble breathing
• Sudden weakness
• Foaming at the mouth
• Exposure to toxic plants
• Mouth injuries

These signs indicate a serious condition.

How to Prevent Excess Drooling

• Brush your cat’s teeth regularly
• Avoid toxic plants at home
• Maintain cool temperatures
• Feed high-quality, safe food
• Schedule yearly dental checkups
• Do not let the cat chew plastic, strings, or bones

FAQs

Q1: Is it normal for cats to drool?
Yes, but only when they are relaxed or purring. Continuous drooling is not normal.

Q2: Why does my cat drool when I pet him?
This is usually a sign of comfort and happiness.

Q3: Should I worry if my cat suddenly starts drooling?
Yes. Sudden drooling can mean dental pain, nausea, poisoning, or something stuck in the mouth.

Q4: Can stress cause drooling?
Yes. Anxiety or fear can trigger temporary drooling in some cats.

Q5: When should I take my cat to the vet for drooling?
If drooling is heavy, sudden, persistent, or comes with vomiting, breathing issues, or refusal to eat.