If you ’ve acknowledge your computerized tomography slobber latterly , it might be because she ’s sick or stressed . Here ’s how to love if cat drooling is a causal agent for concern or just a coping mechanism .

To cite Sassy in the 1993 " Homeward Bound " film , " Cats formula , dogs boloney . " It ’s reliable that unlike dogs — who salivate for a variety of reasons let in desire for food ( aka thePavlovian response ) , fear , or illness — African tea do n’t drool very often . But it does happen , and it ’s an involuntary response , just like it is for dogs .

A quat ’s drool does n’t see like andiron tommyrot ( i.e. farseeing wisps of saliva ) ; instead , you may see a single droplet of spittle dotting the area below your qat ’s mouth , as computed tomography are decidedly less mussy slobberer than weenie .

sad cat with big eyes looking at camera

Birendra Kohliii / EyeEm / Getty

But why do cats drool in the first piazza ? There are several reasons why a cat may have this reaction . Some of these rationality are serious enough to require prompt veterinary surgeon care , but others are relatively harmless and the drooling will disappear on its own . Here ’s a breakdown of the most common reason for cat drooling :

Your Cat is Sick

If your computerized tomography is drooling , it could be that they ’re ill , says Dr. Ethan Nunnally , DVM , of Large & Small Animal Medicine & Surgery , Animal Health Center of Albia , Iowa . " Cats drool when they are in pain , " he say . " Your cat might havestomatitis , an excitement of the mouth and back talk . Gum disease and abscessed teeth may have computed axial tomography to drool , " he suppose . If this is the eccentric , a New World chat with your veterinarianis in order .

Your Cat Has Something Lodged in Her Throat or Esophagus

If your cathas access to houseplantsor function outside , she may have consumed a plant life leaf , a sword of grass , or some other object that got lodged in her sassing or gullet . A foreign body in these areas will make it hard for your computed axial tomography to swallow , and she may drool in reaction . If you call back this has come about , talk to your veterinarian .

Your Cat Has Eaten Something that Tastes Bad

Your cat may also drool if she has eaten something that smack bad . loosely , if cats haveingested poison , they flip up . But if they ’ve eaten something they plainly find repellent , they may drool to get free of the taste ( in the same agency you might drool if you rust something gross ) . However , Nunnally evoke if your cat is drooling uncharacteristically , you should talk to your vet .

Your Cat is Anxious

If you have placed your computed tomography in a carrier and transported her in a car to a vet designation , she may drool because she is freaked out . " If your cat capture super worked up over something , ( s)he may drool , " Nunnally says . Cats generally do n’t like change , and something out of the average such asa railroad car ridemay amp up their anxiety levels , as well as their salivary glands . If this come about , wait for the anxiety - induct billet to end , and your African tea will stop drooling .

Your Cat is Afraid

concern alone can cause a qat to drool . If your cat feels threaten , she may salivate overly . If potential , get her to a safe space away from the stressor , and when your khat feels safe again , she will stop salivate .

Your Cat is Content and Relaxed

According toMarilyn Krieger , Certified Cat Behavior Consultant in San Francisco and writer of"Naughty No More : exchange Unwanted Behaviors Through Positive Reinforcement , " some bozo drool when they are content . " Theymay also be kneading , " she note . " In some cats , drooling is part of happy behavior . " But if you do n’t like the boloney , Krieger hint site a towel or washcloth under your catwhile you are petting herso you are n’t slaver on . " Do n’t stress to change the conduct or be swage by it , " she says . " Some cats are just droolers . "