14 Reasons Your Cat May Be Drooling

Has your cat ever surprised you with a drool session during a cozy cuddle? Imagine the purring and kneading, and a little drool might slip out. Sometimes, cats drool when they are at their happiest and most relaxed.

But drooling isn’t always a sign of contentment. Cats may drool when feeling sick. Understanding why your cat is drooling can help you care for them.

Why is my cat drooling?

Cats drool for many reasons, from relaxation to serious health problems. Read about some causes of drooling. But contact your veterinarian if your cat is drooling excessively or with other symptoms. This could indicate a health condition that needs treatment.

1. Happiness and contentment

Some cats drool when they feel happy, excited, or relaxed. Many pet parents have experienced this firsthand. Minor drooling when your cat is purring, is anticipating a treat, or even while sleeping is not usually cause for concern.

2. Bitter medication taste

Cats might drool when they taste something unpleasant, like a bitter-tasting medication. A cat’s mouth might naturally respond by producing excess saliva to wash away the unpleasant taste.

3. Pain

Cats who are in pain may drool. A number of health conditions can cause pain in cats. These include:

• Injuries

• Pancreatitis

• Mouth pain

4. Fear

Fear is another reason cats may drool. Other signs your cat may be stressed or anxious include:

• Body language that makes them look smaller

• Hiding

• Aggression

• Overgrooming

• Not using the litter box

• Dilated pupils

• Trembling

• Panting

• Meowing more than usual

5. Dental disease

Dental disease in cats can cause mouth pain, inflammation, and excessive drooling. Several types of dental conditions can lead to drooling, such as:

• Gingivitis

• Periodontitis

• An oral abscess 

• Tooth resorption

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Studies suggest that up to 90% of cats have dental disease at some point. Cats with oral health issues might also show other symptoms, including:

• Difficulty eating

• Bad breath

• Bleeding in or from the mouth

6. Upper respiratory infection 

Your cat may drool if they have a respiratory infection. Two common infections in cats are feline viral rhinotracheitis and feline calicivirus.

Cats with a respiratory infection often have other symptoms, such as:

• Runny nose

• Eye discharge

• Congestion

• Sneezing

• Coughing

7. Foreign objects or mouth injury

Cats are curious creatures. They may investigate objects with their mouths and swallow something they shouldn’t. Notice if your cat is drooling, gagging, or regurgitating or has trouble swallowing. If so, they may have a mouth injury, or a foreign object may be stuck in their digestive tract.

8. Upset stomach

Sometimes, cats drool when they have an upset stomach. Nausea or vomiting can be caused by several things, such as:

• Motion sickness

• Eating something they shouldn’t

• Food allergies

• Digestive issues

• Medication side effects

9. Exposure to a poison

Drooling, vomiting, fever, and diarrhea are common poisoning symptoms in cats. Cats can be exposed to poisons or toxic substances in three ways: eating, breathing, or absorbing them through their skin, especially their paws.

For instance, the inviting smell of lilies might attract some felines, prompting them to take an exploratory nibble. Lilies are beautiful flowers, but they are toxic to cats. In addition to drooling, cats who ingest lilies may vomit, not want to eat, and develop kidney failure.

If your cat encounters a poisonous substance, contact your veterinarian immediately. You can also call a pet poison hotline for advice on what to do.

10. Rabies

Rabies is a less common reason cats may drool. If your cat spends a lot of time outdoors, they may encounter a wild animal infected with rabies. Raccoons, skunks, foxes, and bats are common carriers of the rabies virus.

Symptoms of rabies in cats may include:

• Drooling

• Aggression

• Changes in behavior

• Loss of muscle control

In recent years, cats have become the most common domestic animals infected with rabies. To protect your cat, ensure they receive the feline rabies vaccine. You can also lower your cat’s risk for rabies by keeping them indoors.

11. Heatstroke

While heatstroke is less common in cats than dogs, drooling can be a symptom. Other symptoms of heatstroke may include:

• Skin that’s hot to the touch

• Panting

• Vomiting

• Restlessness

• Fever

Overweight or flat-faced cats may be more prone to heatstroke. 

12. Oral cancer

Oral cancer may cause cats to drool. The most common oral cancer in cats is feline oral squamous cell carcinoma. Oral cancer is the fourth most common type of cancer in cats overall, affecting up to 20% of cats.

In addition to drooling, signs of oral cancer in cats may include:

• Bad breath

• Loss of appetite

• Facial swelling 

• Difficulty swallowing

13. Feline stomatitis

Feline stomatitis is a condition that causes severe inflammation in the deep tissues of a cat’s mouth. Excessive drooling is a common sign, especially if the saliva appears thick or tinged with blood. 

14. Liver disease

Complications of feline liver disease may include conditions like hepatic encephalopathy and hepatic lipidosis. These are both linked to excessive drooling in cats.

When should you see a vet about cat drooling?

If you notice your cat’s drooling is excessive or they have other symptoms, contact your veterinarian immediately. Additional symptoms to look out for along with drooling include:

• Poor appetite

• Vomiting

• Diarrhea

• Difficulty breathing

• Trouble swallowing

Also seek urgent medical attention if you suspect your cat has been exposed to a toxic substance or has had a seizure. These are all emergencies.

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Written by:

Jana Botelho

Jana Botelho is a freelance editor and content creator in the pet industry. She is passionate about creating resources that help pet parents support their animal companions.

Edited by:

Renée Fabian, MA

Renée Fabian is the senior pet health editor at GoodRx. She’s worked for nearly 10 years as a journalist and editor across a wide range of health and well-being topics.

Reviewed by:

Ghanasyam Bey, DVM

Ghanasyam Bey, DVM, is from Cleveland, Ohio, and attended Princeton University for undergraduate studies. After a year of biology research at Duke University, he attended Ohio State College of Veterinary Medicine.

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