My cat is drooling: how dangerous is it and should I see a vet?

It happens that for no apparent reason, the typical behavior of a pet changes, and its owners find themselves in a difficult situation. What to do in such a situation - wait for the "miracles" to go away on their own or take the pet to the vet immediately?

One such example, according to the SSPDaily website, is excessive salivation in cats. "Some cats suddenly start drooling, and this causes pet owners to be legitimately concerned about their health."

In this article, we'll tell you about the causes of this phenomenon, which will help you quickly understand the situation and decide what to do next.

Why do cats drool?

To begin with, it is normal for cats to drool when they are happy and calm, for example, when they are being petted. However, this habit is developed at an early age, so sudden "drooling" in an adult animal, at the very least, requires close observation and consultation with a specialist.

Thus, among the main causes of salivation in cats, veterinarians name:

• Dental diseases. In a cat suffering from toothache, in addition to salivation, the following symptoms may be observed: the animal chews food with difficulty, tilting its head to the side, and constantly loses it; the cat prefers soft food to solid food; there is a bad breath; saliva is secreted with an admixture of blood.
• Salivation in cats can be caused by upper respiratory tract viruses.

• Cats with drooling and lack of appetite may feel nauseous.
• Blockage of the gastrointestinal tract by a foreign body is one of the most common causes of excessive salivation in cats.
• Salivation can be caused by erythema of the jaw or skull, as well as oral ulcers resulting from burns.
• Cats salivate if they taste something bitter, such as oral medications.
• Salivation is caused by eurological diseases, in which cats have difficulty manipulating food in their mouths and completing the swallowing process.

Additional causes of salivation may include hepatic or renal failure, pancreatitis, hyperthyroidism, and diabetic ketoacidosis.

Why is a veterinary consultation important?

During a physical examination of animals, specialists usually quickly find the causes of salivation. However, be prepared that the animal will have to undergo tests, as well as an X-ray or abdominal ultrasound to further investigate the problem.