Cat Drooling
Cat Drooling Usually Indicates A Problem
If you see your cat drooling, more often than not it's due to a condition that requires attention. There are exceptions of course. While "normal" drooling can and does occur, drooling is something that cats usually do not do.
Infrequent drooling for a short period of time, or under a given set of circumstances may indeed be a normal occurrence, and no cause for alarm. Cats have been known to drool when being petted. Some cats drool when smelling food, and cats will often drool when frightened, or otherwise feeling stressed or apprehensive. Such instances of drooling are normally neither long lasting nor excessive.
The term for excessive cat drooling is Ptyalism, and usually indicates that something about the cat is not as it should be. In other words, drooling is very often a symptom of something else gone wrong. Most often the source of the drooling is a problem in associated with the cat's mouth, often with the teeth. A majority of adult cats, some say up to 80%, experience one form or another of periodontal disease, or have tooth cavities. The resulting pain will cause drooling. While most problems with the mouth are apt to be dental diseases, ulcers or abscesses in the mouth, or an injury to the tongue, can also cause drooling. Drooling is an indication that your cat is apt to be experiencing pain, and that is reason enough to get the cat to the veterinarian.
Nausea can cause drooling just as pain can, and can be a symptom of something amiss in the stomach or gastrointestinal system. A cat will occasionally have a problem in its esophagus which can cause both pain and nausea. Bee stings are another source of pain, experienced mostly by outdoor cats, as is exposure to toxic chemicals. There are a number of situations which can cause cat drooling which are more frequently experienced by the outdoor cat. The indoor cat, when fed a healthy diet, is not likely to suffer from most of these causes of drooling.
Drooling in older cats is often a symptom of a dreaded, and somewhat common disease, kidney failure. Cats with kidney failure, if severe, may suffer from uremia which can in turn cause painful ulcers in the cat's mouth, and subsequent drooling. Liver failure is another potential cause but is rather rare in cats.
When we see a cat drooling, especially if it is drooling heavily, the first thought coming to mind is rabies. As scary as this may seem, if a cat has been vaccinated against the disease, it is a very unlikely possibility. There are some good things which can cause drooling, such as medications the cat may need, but have a reaction to. If the cat is under the care of a veterinarian there is probably nothing to worry about.
If your cat is purring, acts contented, and is drooling a bit, all is probably well. If it's just drooling, or if it's drooling and showing any signs of discomfort, get it to the veterinarian pronto.