Cat Drooling – Concerning Cat Behavior Needs a Vet Visit

Cat drooling may seem cute, but this concerning cat behavior needs a visit to the vet. While you may associate the behavior with being hungry, feline drooling is actually a red flag of problems.

Tracey Jensen, D.V.M., Dipl. ABVP, medical director at Wellington Veterinary Hospital in Wellington, Colorado explained, “The typical cat does not drool for no reason. If they’re drooling, something’s wrong and they need to be seen by the veterinarian to get to the bottom of it.” If you note this concerning cat behavior, make sure you take your furry friend for a check-up ASAP. The bottom line – if your cat is drooling it is typically a sign of pain, which mean your kitty could be suffering from a medical issue.

Related: Cat Health Questions: Veterinarian Explains Why Cats Have Droopy Tummy

There are very rare cases in which your cat may drool without any underlining issues, but Dr. Jensen states, “In my 23 years of practice, I’ve only seen a handful of cats that drool and it’s more of a behavioral thing — they’re drooling as they purr.” Consider your cat’s age in this scenario. “That’s usually in young cats, and they do it often and repeatedly. If this is a cat who has never drooled before, however, it would be extremely unlikely that this would be a behavioral response. It’s more likely there is some reason that cat does not want to swallow,” the 2015-2016 president of the American Animal Hospital Association elaborated.

To be on the safe side, getting your cat’s drooling behavior checked out it always a smart choice. It could be the result of mouth pain. If your cat also experiences a change in eating habits, that is another sign that your cat’s health could be at risk. Another red flag associated with drooling or pain is weight loss. Usually, the focus on the exam associated with drooling will be the mouth which could mean X-rays depending on the level of drooling, pain, appetite issue or general concern.

Related: Cat Obesity And Health Problems On The Rise: Are You Over-Feeding Your Pets?

In short, cat drooling is not normal and you should have your feline’s unusual habit looked at by a medical professional. If nothing else, for your peace of mind and your cat’s general well being.

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