A drooling cat is usually the result of excess saliva production. This is called hypersalivation. A wide variety of causes can cause hypersalivation in cats. Thus, a consultation with your veterinarian is essential in order to determine the origin and propose an adequate treatment.

Saliva is continuously produced within the mouth by the salivary glands. It not only keeps the oral cavity moist, cleans the mouth but also facilitates the digestion of food by lubricating it.

In cats, there are 5 pairs of salivary glands, i.e. a total of 10 glands distributed on each side:

• 4 pairs of major salivary glands: mandibular, parotid, zygomatic and sublingual;
• 1 pair of minor salivary glands: molars (located in the mouth near the molars on either side of the tongue).

Hypersalivation is also called ptyalism. It is important to distinguish between normal production of saliva when activated by a stimuli from abnormal production. If you find that your cat suddenly starts to drool in large quantities and it persists, then an underlying cause is present. Thus, a multitude of causes can be at the origin of hypersalivation in cats:

• Attack of the salivary glands: many attacks of these glands such as inflammation or the presence of a mass (tumor, cyst) may be involved;
• Oral cavity damage: damage to the oral cavity can lead to hypersalivation. There is thus an inflammation (which may be due to dental damage, in particular tartar), an infection, the ingestion of a toxic plant or a toxic substance, an abscess, a tumor or even a kidney disease, for n ‘ name only some;
• Ingestion of a foreign body: ingestion of a foreign body can cause damage to the salivary glands, mouth, pharynx or even the esophagus and cause ptyalism in cats;
• Damage to the pharynx, esophagus or even the stomach: neurological damage, gastroesophageal reflux, tumor, inflammation, megaesophagus (dilated esophagus) or gastric ulcers may also be involved;
• Metabolic disorder: due to fever or kidney failure for example;
• Neurological disorder: many diseases such as rabies, tetanus, diseases causing convulsions or even causing nerve damage preventing the cat from swallowing properly.

This list of causes is not exhaustive and there are other attacks at the origin of ptyalism in cats. However, what can sometimes be interpreted as hypersalivation is actually a buildup of saliva in the mouth due to a swallowing problem (the act of swallowing) while saliva production is normal. This is called pseudoptyalism.

As you can see, there are a wide variety of causes that can cause hypersalivation in cats. Some may be benign but others can be very serious for his health and represent an emergency. Therefore, if you notice that your cat is suddenly and heavily drooling, you should contact your veterinarian who will be able to guide you on the urgency of the situation. Note if other symptoms are present such as:

• a change in behavior;
• difficulty swallowing;
• loss of appetite;
• difficulty in breathing;
• swelling of the mouth;
• lips or neurological signs. 

You can also try to see if your cat has any foreign object in their mouth. However, be careful not to get bitten. If this turns out to be too complicated or dangerous, do not hesitate to go to your veterinarian for more safety.

In all cases, a veterinary consultation is necessary, whether it is an emergency or not. The latter will perform an examination of your animal and ask you a series of questions to determine the cause of the ptyalism. Additional examinations may be necessary. The treatment that will be prescribed to your cat will therefore depend on the identified cause.

Several actions can be taken in prevention. For example, since rabies is a serious, fatal disease that can be transmitted to other animals and humans, your cat should be vaccinated against this disease and kept up to date on its vaccinations. Although France is currently free from rabies, cases of imports of cats and dogs from countries where rabies is present occasionally remain. Thus, the disease can spread very quickly if no precautions are taken.

In addition, regular maintenance of your cat’s mouth, which includes brushing the teeth as well as regular descaling, prevents tartar formation but also maintains healthy oral hygiene.

Finally, it is important to learn about toxic plants in cats so as not to expose them to these plants to prevent them from ingesting them.

In any case, don’t forget that your veterinarian remains your referent. So do not hesitate to contact him for any questions.