What makes cats dribble

If your cat has something stuck in his mouth, it is likely to cause drooling. The string may be wrapped around something in the stomach or intestines and pulling can cause major damage.

Instead, get to the nearest open vet office. Cats that have licked, chewed on, or ingested a poisonous substance can develop excess salivation. Some topical toxins, such as pesticides or flea and tick preventatives not meant for cats, can cause drooling as well. If you suspect your cat has been exposed to something toxic, bring your cat to the nearest open veterinarian right away.

If you see something else in your cat's mouth, proceed with caution before trying to remove it. Not only can you cause further injury to your cat, but you might also get bitten! It's always best to get to the vet for an oral foreign body. Injuries to the mouth can often lead to excessive salivation. A cat that has been hit by a car may have a broken jaw that causes drooling.

Cats that have oral injuries from cat fights often drool. You may not be able to see evidence of an injury on the outside, but the drooling is a sign that you should see the vet. If your cat is drooling and you can't find an obvious normal reason, please contact your veterinarian.

Cats are experts at hiding illness. They often do not show there is a problem until they feel very sick. When in doubt, don't wait. Call the vet. Feline Dental Disease. Cornell Feline Health Center. Disorders of the Mouth in Cats. Merck Veterinary Manual. Know the Signs of Poisoning in Dogs and Cats.

Pet Poison Helpline. Actively scan device characteristics for identification. Use precise geolocation data. Select personalised content. Create a personalised content profile. Your cat may have a history of vomiting in addition to drooling, but this is not always the case. Cats can become nauseous for several reasons.

Gastrointestinal GI foreign body blockage is one cause of nausea in cats, which can lead to drooling. Your vet would need to do a physical exam to determine if there is a blockage. Diseases such as liver hepatic disease, renal kidney disease, pancreatitis, hyperthyroidism, and diabetic ketoacidosis , just to name a few, are other potential causes for nausea and drooling.

If your veterinarian suspects either of these disease processes, they may recommend abdominal ultrasound, endoscopy, or biopsy of the affected tissue. Unfortunately, cats are at risk for developing cancer, just like humans. If a cat has a cancerous mass involving the tongue or back of the throat, they may:. Not be able to fully close their mouth if they have a large oral mass or if there is a mass on their jawbone. Fractures of the jaw or skull and oral ulcerations from burns caused by chewing on electrical cords can also cause drooling in cats.

Cats with fracture trauma may require surgical intervention. Those that chew on electrical cords most commonly seen in kittens need pain control and possibly other supportive care, including a soft diet. Cats can drool if they taste something bitter, such as oral medications. The drool can be quite dramatic in this case. Try offering water or a treat after medicating your cat to help wash the bad taste out of their mouth.

Cats may drool if they have a neurological disease that interferes with their ability to move food around their mouth and swallow. These cats would potentially have other neurological signs, such as:. If a cat has problems with the nerves in their head cranial nerves , you would see more localized signs affecting their face only versus a health condition that affects their whole body, which could cause signs in multiple areas.

Many disease processes can cause neurological signs in cats. If your cat has been vomiting it may be due to eating too quickly, food allergies, or hairballs. But it can also be a sign of something more serious such as liver disease or inflammation of the intestines. These can all cause an increase in drooling. Your cat may need blood tests to rule out malfunctioning organs. This can answer your question of why is my cat drooling?

Dental disease is a major cause. And many develop other oral gum issues or swellings in the mouth that may lead to drooling. Your vet will prescribe the appropriate medications or may recommend tooth extraction.

They will conduct the extraction under general anaesthetic. Your cat can also have professional dental cleaning to keep on top of any issues. Chronic renal failure has many symptoms including drooling. It can result in loss of weight, increased thirst and urination, and bad breath. When waste products build up in the bloodstream they cause ulcers. Kidney failure is one of the most common causes of death in cats.

Your vet will take blood and give IV fluids. Your vet will administer the appropriate medication, and they will advise you diets that protect the stomach. Older cats may continuously dribble if they have oral tumours. This is accompanied by an unpleasant odour. Tumours growing under the tongue can cause difficulty in eating. If the drool is bloody then this is an indication that the disease is progressing.

Cancers can develop anywhere but often in the mouth. Signs include the inability to close the mouth, not eating, bad breath, and drooling.