WHY DOES MY CAT DROOL WHEN I PET HIM?

Cats are funny little things. I’m a firm believer that if someone says that they’re not a cat person, this is simply because they’ve never had one. To have one is to love one - they’ll win you over in seconds.

Unlike man’s best friend, the dog, you have to earn the right to see the softer and loving side of our feline friends.

They don’t show their personalities to just anyone, it’s usually reserved for their owners who they trust. 

It is also our canine companions that we often associate with big and adorable slobbery drooling faces, but you may be surprised to learn that just like dogs, and even humans, cats are susceptible to drooling from time to time.

Particularly when they’re having a good cuddle and a pet, that leaking saliva can sometimes be seen dangling from underneath their chin. 

When you see this, you may be wondering why it’s happening. After all, it’s not something cats are known for doing.

​And as pawrents, we reserve the right to worry over every last little thing - they are our babies! Well, worry no more, because, throughout this article, all of your wonderings, worries, and questions will be answered. 
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DO CATS DROOL? ​

Yes! Lots of animals drool, it’s a pretty common thing, think about it, even most humans are prone to a bit of drool when their head hits the pillow.

All drool really is, is excess saliva which is a liquid part of digestion. This part of digestion pours out through our salivary glands and collects in our mouths.

Drool is just when too much saliva collects in your mouth while it’s open and thus escapes. For humans, drool is most common during sleepy slumber, but for our feline friends, it is slightly different. 

When it comes to drooling pets, you probably automatically picture a slobbery dog.

That’s because dogs actually have four pairs of salivary glands so there’s a lot more saliva trying to find its way out of their mouths.

However, surprisingly cats actually have even more salivary glands than dogs. Cats have five.

​They do not tend to produce anywhere near as much drool as their canine counterparts, though.
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WHY DO CATS DROOL?

A small amount of drool is a pretty normal thing for your kitty cat. They may drool for many reasons that are similar to humans.

They may drool when they’re pretty peckish or when they are flat out with their mouths hanging open wide. 

An excessive amount of unrelenting drool though is probably a good indicator that there is some sort of problem or issue.

These problems can range in severity from the drool being caused by emotional stimuli to issues such as inflammation or an inability to swallow food.

​If your little furbaby does seem to be drooling a little too much, I would recommend taking them to see the veterinarian.
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WHY DOES MY CAT DROOL WHEN I PET THEM?

A cat drooling while they’re getting a good old fuss is another story. Strong emotions can cause your kitty to start drooling.

They often drool when they are upset or afraid, but it’s more likely in this case that they are extremely happy. 

Chilled-out and relaxed cats often equal drooling kitties. Being incredibly relaxed and happy can cause a physiological reaction such as drooling.

​So if your cat drools when you’re giving them cuddles, it is probably because they feel very safe, and secure, and are just really loving those cuddles.

DOES DROOLING MEAN MY CAT IS POORLY?

One thing I think all pet owners can relate to is hating watching their little fluffy babies in pain. Having a sick kitty can sure be a worry.

So does drooling mean that your cat is sick? It really depends on the amount of drool. If it’s a little bit here and there there’s probably no immediate cause for concern. 

If your kitty seems to be drooling fairly often, or in particularly large amounts, then it can be an indication that your pet is sick.

Drooling is a common symptom of dental diseases, oral cancer, and other kinds of mouth infections.

​Dental disease tends to be the most common culprit with a whopping 85% of kitties over 3 years old having some form of gum or tooth disease.

If you notice the excess saliva contains blood or has a foul odor then it’s likely dental disease is the issue at hand. You’ll want to make an appointment with your vet, as soon as possible, if this is the case.
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CAN ANYTHING ELSE CAUSE CAT DROOL?

There may be a few other reasons why your cat is drooling, some more worrisome than others.

​For example, your cat may drool should they have a viral respiratory condition that causes ulcers in your kitty’s mouth. 

It could be a case of your cat eating something that they shouldn’t have.

A foreign body may have got lodged in their mouths and the excess drool is to help wash it out as such.

It could also be something stuck in their belly and the drool is part of their efforts to sick it back up.
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FINAL THOUGHTS

There can be lots of different reasons why your cat is drooling. If it’s only a little bit here and there, it’s perfectly normal.

They are most likely drooling in their sleep or when they’re feeling hungry much in the way that we humans do.

If they’re only drooling when you're petting them, it is most likely that you’ve cuddled them into a relaxation coma, and they are simply snoozing away very, very happily. 

However, if your cat is drooling excessively, you may want to take a quick trip to the vet. This is because excessive drooling can be a symptom of something a little more serious.

​And I would always advise it better to be safe than sorry. Catching something early is always the better option, so I would advise just making sure that they are okay.