Cats drool to keep themselves cool during periods of heat or stress.

When they are too warm, they will lick their paws and then wipe them over their head. They may also lick water from bowls or take a drink.

Cats are unable to sweat, so they rely on panting to cool themselves by releasing heat through the mouth, pulling the moist air over the surface of the tongue and throat before breathing it out.

In addition to panting, cats can also use their tails to cool themselves. The base of the tail is more heavily muscled and contains an abundance of blood vessels, which the cat will contract to release body heat.

This process is referred to as piloerection. Once a cat has cooled itself down, it will stop drooling and licking, and begin grooming itself again.

Drooling When Eating or Drinking

Cats will often salivate when eating or drinking because they are tasting their food. This helps them recognize what is food and what isn’t. If a cat is not feeling well or has a fever, it may drool excessively while eating or drinking because it does not feel well enough to swallow properly.

Drooling from mouth pain may also occur if your cat has tooth problems that cause pain when eating or chewing on things like toys. In these instances, however, cats usually do not lick their paws afterward. Cats also drool when they are over-excited, stressed, or sick. Cats may drool because they are not drinking enough water or if they have a fever.

Dental Disease

Dental disease is one of the most common health problems in cats, which can lead to drooling. A dental exam can give your veterinarian a good idea of the health of your cat’s teeth and might be able to catch the dental disease at an early stage.

A veterinarian may recommend a dental treatment plan consisting of brushing your cat’s teeth with a toothbrush or waterless solution, feeding food that helps prevent plaque buildup, and creating an individualized oral care plan.

Brachycephalic syndrome is a condition common in brachycephalic (short-nosed) cats, such as Persians and Himalayans. It is characterized by respiratory distress due to narrowed airways, upper respiratory infections, and difficulty eating and grooming.

Upper respiratory infections are one of the most common conditions that veterinarians treat in cats. The inflammation and irritation caused by these infections can cause drooling.

Respiratory Conditions

Cats can experience respiratory conditions just like humans. As a result, they may drool during the day when they are not eating or drinking. Cats will usually drool more when they are in pain or when they cannot breathe well.

They may also drool because of a fever. If a cat is drooling excessively, it is always recommended to visit the veterinarian to determine the cause of the problem and get treatment.

Diarrhea

Diarrhea can be a common problem for cats. It is generally caused by a change in diet, food allergies, or stress. In some cases, it can be caused by intestinal parasites such as worms or bacteria. If your cat has diarrhea, he will likely have a soft stool with lots of mucus. He may also have cramps and abdominal pain.

If you notice that your cat is having diarrhea, it is best to take him to the veterinarian to get treatment. Your veterinarian will want to perform tests to determine the cause of the problem and treat it appropriately. This can help you keep your cat healthy and happy for many years to come!

Oral Cancer

Oral cancer is one of the most common cancers in cats. It often occurs on the tongue, but can also happen on the lips, gums, or salivary glands.

Oral cancer may cause your cat to drool, lose its appetite, or refuse to eat. It’s important to get your kitty checked out by a veterinarian if they are exhibiting these symptoms.

Diabetes is also common in older cats. It’s a disease that causes the body to have difficulty processing sugar. If your cat is suffering from diabetes, you may notice that their urine develops an odor and they constantly drink water.

If you are concerned about your cat’s health or are worried that your cat may have a health problem, reach out to your veterinarian. They will be able to perform tests and determine if there is an underlying medical cause for the bad breath.

Foreign Bodies

Both cats and dogs sometimes have problems with foreign objects in their mouths. Foreign bodies in the mouth can be anything from a piece of plastic to a metal staple.

Foreign bodies in the mouth can cause drooling, difficulty swallowing or choking. Foreign bodies in the mouth can also cause cuts and infections.

Fear

Cats often drool when they are taking in the scent of their prey. This is an instinctual response that has developed over millennia. When cats get near their prey, they instinctively sense that they are close, and drooling is a way to increase their chances of catching what they are hunting.

It is very important to understand that when your cat is drooling, it doesn’t mean he is sick or in pain. If you notice your cat drooling, there are a few things that you can do to help him.

The most important thing you can do for your cat is to clean his whiskers after he has been eating or drinking. You don’t want to clean them every time he drinks or eats, but if you notice them becoming wet and dirty, it’s best to clean them off with a washcloth.

You want to be careful not to make his whiskers too wet, though, because this can cause him discomfort; it’s best if they are just dampened.

Another thing that may help reduce the amount of drool your cat produces is brushing his teeth daily. This will keep his teeth healthier and may reduce the amount of drool he produces as well. Brushing can be done either with a toothbrush or with a finger brush.

Many cats love having their teeth brushed and this will make it easier for you since cats often resist having their teeth brushed. By using a finger brush, you can brush their teeth without them even knowing; they’ll just think they’re getting a massage!

It’s also good because it leaves no mess behind and your cat will never associate brushing with anything other than something pleasurable!

Final Thoughts

Cats drool for several reasons. One reason is that they can’t produce enough saliva due to a medical condition. Another possible reason is that the cat is feeling stressed and the saliva is a response to that stress.

A third reason is that the cat has an infection and the drooling may be a result of the fever it causes. The last reason could be that the cat has ingested something that caused it to drool, such as hair or string from a toy.

The first step to treat a cat that is drooling excessively is to see a vet. The vet will ask the owner questions about the cat’s medical history and may do a physical exam.

The vet needs to determine if there could be an underlying cause for the drooling. This may involve blood tests and possibly x-rays or other tests.

If there is no underlying cause for the excessive drooling, then the cat will be given pain medication, if it doesn’t have any other medical conditions that would preclude it from receiving medication. Some cats are given anti-fever medications and antibiotics as well, depending on what is causing the excessive drooling.