Why Do Cats Drool? Answers From Our Vets

Written by

Dr. Nenad Misura

Updated Date

Sep 3, 2025

10 minutes

A veterinarian is checking a cat's mouth for the causes of drooling. Another veterinarian is helping hold the cat still.

What Is Cat Drooling?

Drooling, sometimes called cat dribble or slobbering, is when saliva escapes from their mouth and drips onto their fur, your lap, or the floor. While drooling is mostly associated with dogs, cats can still do it, but it might be surprising for many.

A small amount of drool can be perfectly normal, especially when short-lived and accompanied by other behavioral signs of happiness.

On the other hand, excessive or constant drooling often points to a medical issue. This can be something dental, gastrointestinal, or even neurological. The key is to check other key indicators, such as your cat’s common behaviors.

Why Do Cats Drool?

A slobbering cat can mean a variety of things. We’ll start with the normal and harmless ones, then head on to the concerning reasons.

Normal or Harmless Reasons

Happiness and Relaxation

Cats drool because they are happy, content, and relaxed. This means that they love the situation they are in, where everything is perfect and just the way they like it. Cats may dribble when they’re curled up in your arms or playing with their cat toys.

Petting and Affection

If you wondered why cats drool when you pet them, it’s because they love it. Many cats associate gentle strokes with comfort and affection. Check for other indicators, such as purring and meowing, to confirm it.

Cats will sometimes let out a few vocalizations to indicate their contentment. In some cases, they might drool when kneading.

Anticipation

Just like humans, cats can also salivate when they sense some tasty food and treats. If your cat starts drooling while you’re preparing their favorite food, then it’s highly likely that it’s anticipating the meal and ready to feast.

Sleeping

Cats dribble whenever they fall into a deep sleep. When cats sleep, they are extremely relaxed, which can cause their mouths to relax as well and let a little saliva escape.

Concerning Reasons

A veterinarian is trying to keep a white cat happy and relaxed.

Dental and Gum Diseases

Oral diseases such as gingivitis, periodontal disease, and tooth resorption are common reasons why cats drool. These are usually extremely painful and uncomfortable, which is why they cause uncontrollable salivation.

Other accompanying signs will include bad breath, bleeding gums, or difficulty chewing.

Foreign Objects or Oral Injuries

Foreign objects that get lodged in your cat’s mouth can also cause drooling. Plus, oral injuries, cuts, and ulcers can induce a lot of pain, which makes saliva flow excessively.

Nausea and Digestive Problems

Cats drool whenever they feel nauseous, and this is often caused by gastrointestinal problems, kidney problems, or liver disease. However, even simple car rides and vet visits can make cats nauseous and drool.

Respiratory Infections

Upper respiratory infections can make it hard for cats to breathe due to nasal congestion and discharge. As a result, cats can sometimes drool. In a similar way, URIs can make it hard for cats to swallow, which causes saliva to pool in the mouth and spill out a bit.

Toxins and Poisoning

Sometimes, cats exposed to toxic plants, household chemicals, and certain drugs can excessively drool. This occurs because the toxins can irritate the cat's esophagus, causing nausea, which in turn leads to excessive salivation.

Oral Growths and Tumors

Oral growths and tumors cause pain, inflammation, and irritation, all of which can result in excessive drooling. Additionally, the lumps can sometimes interfere with swallowing, which also leads to the same result.

Neurological Issues

In severe cases, neurological issues can also be the cause of uncontrolled drooling in cats. While it's rare, the reason mainly stems from how these issues target the nerves or muscles involved in swallowing. Because cats will have difficulty swallowing, they can drool.

How Do Vets Find the Cause of Cat Drooling?

When drooling is accompanied by other significant symptoms, then bringing your cat to the clinic is the right choice. From here, our vets will thoroughly look at your cat’s mouth and examine other symptoms present.

We will look for the common reasons, which can be foreign objects or gum disease. Finding the exact disease will be the main option in treating cat drooling, since it’s more of a symptom rather than an actual disease.

The diagnostic process can include laboratory tests, screening for toxins and infections, or diagnostic imaging.

How to Help a Drooling Cat

A veterinarian is holding a cat still while another veterinarian is checking the cat's mouth.

Depending on the reason why your cat drools, the approach can vary.

Harmless Drooling

If your cat drools and there are other forms of body language that show happiness, relaxation, and contentment, then no treatment is needed. A little cat dribble in these situations is perfectly normal.

Dental and Gum Disease

For oral problems, treatment may include professional dental cleaning, antibiotics, pain medications, or tooth extractions. Regularly brushing your cat's teeth at home will help with recovery and prevention from similar diseases.

Foreign Objects or Oral Injuries

If something is stuck or lodged in your cat’s mouth, our vets will carefully remove it. In cases of cuts, ulcers, and deep wounds, the appropriate healing support methods will be used.

Nausea and Digestive Problems

When drooling is linked to nausea, kidney disease, or liver problems, our vets treat the root illness. This can involve medication, diet changes, and fluid therapy.

Toxin and Poison Exposure

If your cat has ingested something toxic, bring your cat to the clinic for emergency care. Activated charcoal to induce vomiting and hospitalization with IV fluids and medications will be done.

Respiratory Infections

Respiratory infections are usually treated with the right antibiotics, antivirals, and supportive care methods. Nutritional support will be very beneficial in the recovery process.

Tumors and Neurological Issues

The treatment for tumors and specific neurological issues that cause drooling in cats will include surgery, medications, and supportive care.

“A cat's body finds lots of ways to tell us .”
- Dr. Nenad Misura

Final Thoughts

So, why do cats drool? The answer depends on context and signs. If cats drool when they purr, knead, or show a relaxed body language, they’re showing contentment. However, if there are some significant health issues and symptoms that accompany drooling, then it’s a concern.