Cat Drooling

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If you've ever seen a cat foam at the mouth after riding in a car to the vet's office or getting a dose of medicine, you know that a little drool goes a very long way! But while you're hunting for an absorbent towel, you may wonder if your cat's drooling is normal or a sign of a problem.

Causes of Occasional, Short-Term Drooling in Cats

Some common causes of cat drooling are behavioral, fairly benign, and quite short-lived. These include:

More Serious Causes of Cat Drooling

Abnormal drooling in cats is caused by problems that occur inside the mouth and those that originate elsewhere in the body.

The following are some examples of conditions in the mouth that may lead to drooling:

Other signs of oral disease that may accompany drooling are foul breath, blood-tinged saliva, difficulty eating, or refusal to eat the usual foods. The cat may look uncomfortable and paw at her mouth. Sometimes drooling is the first and only sign of an oral problem.

If your cat is drooling or foaming at the mouth for no obvious reason, drooling persists for more than half an hour, or there are other signs of illness simultaneously, it's time to call the vet.

Conditions elsewhere in the body that can cause drooling include:

Toxin Exposure Is a Common Cause of Drooling in Cats

Exposure to toxins is an important consideration in a cat that is drooling. Some household cleaning products, ingested directly or licked off the fur, as well as some houseplants may burn the lining of the mouth and cause drooling. Many flea dips, spot-on flea preventatives, and insecticides are very toxic to cats and may cause drooling. These products usually also cause additional signs off illness such as vomiting, muscle tremors, weakness, and lethargy. If your cat is showing these signs or you suspect that she was exposed to a toxic chemical, seek veterinary care immediately. Bring labels or product information with you if possible.

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