Why does my cat drool when I pet him? An expert explains

While you’re showering your cat with consideration, you is perhaps pondering, ‘Why does my cat drool after I pet him?’ Certainly, in the event that they had been comfortable, they wouldn’t be drooling gloopy saliva? The reply may shock you and I’ve the low down on all of this.

My title is Annaliese Morgan, and I’m a sophisticated surgical veterinary nurse. I’ve additionally written veterinary academia, pet care books, and have articles since 1999. 

While chances are you’ll count on your cat to crave and drool over the greatest kitten meals or greatest cat meals, drooling also can occur as a result of a myriad of different situations, and being petted is one among them. Why would they drool although at a supposedly comfortable time and when ought to I fear about hypersalivating and take my cat to the vet? 

Contents

1. Why does my cat drool after I pet him?
2. Is it regular for my cat to drool after I pet him?
3. Ought to I take my cat to the vet if he’s drooling?

Why does my cat drool after I pet him?

While drooling or dribbling saliva generally is a signal of one thing else lurking within the background, more often than not it’s merely your cat’s pure response to being petted and beloved. 

Chances are you’ll discover your cat purrs alongside drooling or rubs their physique towards you too. This phenomenon happens as a result of affection and love they really feel for you being so giant, it makes them really feel exceptionally relaxed. When a cat is tremendous relaxed, their mouth muscle tissues (and related anatomy) additionally chill out and drool can drip or plop out because of this. Try our characteristic on learn how to know in case your cat loves you if you wish to discover out different methods they specific their like to you (so your cat nonetheless adores you even when they don’t drool!)

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Is it regular for my cat to drool after I pet him?

The reply to that is dependent in your explicit kitty and state of affairs. Normally, dribbling while you might be petting them is nothing to be involved about as it’s in response to your cat being happy and comfortable. Usually cats who exhibit this conduct begin drooling whereas being petted as younger kittens. This tends to then proceed all through their life. Breeds with flat faces (referred to as a brachycephalic formed face) and people with irregular mouth and dental formations could drool extra daily purely as a result of anatomy of their mouths, once more that is regular and nothing to fret over.

It’s much less uncommon, nonetheless, for an older cat to begin drooling – particularly in the event that they weren’t doing this earlier than. It may be an indication of an underlying well being situation or harm that may require the eye of your veterinarian. 

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Ought to I take my cat to the vet if he’s drooling?

There are occasions when drooling requires a go to to your vet. For instance:

• If it’s a new conduct or response
• If different indicators and issues accompany the drooling
• They’re outdated
• They’re unwell
• They’ve returned dwelling after being lacking or out roaming
• They’re a kitten teething
• Anytime you might be apprehensive or involved about it

Drooling, even while being petted, if it isn’t regular on your cat, could point out an underlying well being situation.

While the under situations are usually not an exhaustive listing, they do give different doubtless causes as to why your cat must see a vet if they’re drooling. Solely then can an accurate prognosis be made and any remedy given if required. Please word this can range from cat to cat and will likely be on a case-by-case foundation. 

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1. Dental illness

The Cornell Feline Well being Centre experiences a staggering 50% to 90% of grownup cats over the age of 4 years have some type of dental illness. Drooling is one signal that dental issues are afoot. Different signs embrace (your cat could have one or a couple of of those): 

• Gingivitis (infected gums)
• Issue consuming or not consuming
• Oral/dental ache
• Lumps or sores within the mouth
• Free tooth
• Retained tooth
• Fractured tooth
• Extreme tartar build-up
• Abscesses
• Blood-tinged saliva
• Pawing on the mouth
• Halitosis (dangerous breath)

Residence dental care, medicine, and maybe dental work or surgical procedure could also be required.

2. Higher respiratory an infection 

An an infection within the higher a part of the respiratory tract could cause ulceration within the mouth leading to drooling. Sneezing, nasal and eye discharge, and never consuming and ingesting usually may be seen. Your vet can diagnose this and deal with it accordingly.

3. Gastrointestinal blockage

A blockage or a caught object anyplace alongside the gastrointestinal tract could cause nausea and due to this fact drooling. Your cat should be seen by a vet instantly for those who suspect they’ve a overseas physique.

4. Upset abdomen/nausea

Drooling or extreme salivating is frequent when your cat feels sick. If they don’t seem to be consuming as nicely on high of drooling, it warrants a vet journey. Drooling and nausea could happen for a lot of causes together with kidney illness, one thing offensive they ingested, or a part of the digestive system being infected or contaminated.

5. Medical situation

A number of well being situations akin to kidney (renal) illness, diabetes, hyperthyroidism, pancreatitis, sure cancers, and irritable bowel illness can all trigger drooling. In the event you discover any change of their consuming patterns, conduct, weight, or vitality, have your vet study your cat.

6. Neurological subject

Neurological illness or any points affecting the nerves, particularly these serving the top, could cause drooling. Different indicators of neurological harm embrace stability points, weak point, issues chewing or selecting up meals, and dropping meals.

7. Damage and trauma 

Trauma, whether or not attributable to direct or oblique incidents, can all trigger drooling. From ulcers to burns to fractures and wounds all of those could make your cat drool – significantly if you’re petting across the affected space. 

8. Stress and nervousness

Each of those behavioral situations initially come up from a plethora of different triggers however each could trigger your cat to drool as a symptom of it. Usually you’ll discover different indicators and issues out of character on your cat in these situations. Ask your vet or cat behaviorist for assist. They’ll rule out any medical issues first after which deal with an applicable conduct plan.

Drooling could be cute till it’s not. Sadly, many well being situations could cause it too. In case you are asking your self various instances, ‘Why is my cat drooling?’ Have a learn by means of this characteristic to see if any of those issues resonate along with your state of affairs. Love them or hate them, cats’ tongues are tough and really feel bizarre to the contact – this characteristic explains the frequent query, ‘Why do cats lick you?’

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