Hey, cat lovers! If you've ever caught your feline companion in a drool-filled moment and wondered if it's more than just a sign of contentment, you're not alone. Drooling in cats can be more than meets the eye – a piece of string nestled under their tongue, stress-induced salivation, an under-the-radar disease like gingivostomatitis, or even something as uncommon as a portosystemic shunt (PSS). In some instances, we never find out the underlying reason and such is the case with idiopathic causes. Each of these triggers presents its own unique challenges and requires different solutions. As devoted cat parents, we must distinguish between a simple, carefree drool and a signal of a potential health issue. In this article, we'll uncover the often misunderstood phenomena of drooling in cats, providing you with the knowledge and actionable steps you need to ensure the well-being of your purring companion.
1. Stress
Stress is a surprisingly common cause of drooling in cats. Our feline friends may seem independent and nonchalant, but beneath that calm exterior, they can be pretty sensitive to changes in their environment. Stressors such as a new pet in the house, changes in their routine, or a noisy environment can cause a cat to feel anxious, leading to physical responses including drooling in cats.
2. Gingivitis or Stomatitis (gingivostomatitis)
Dental disease, specifically gingivitis or stomatitis, is a common culprit behind drooling in cats. Gingivitis, which is inflammation of the gums, can cause significant discomfort and result in your cat drooling excessively. This condition is often a result of plaque and tartar buildup on your cat's teeth, leading to red, swollen gums that bleed easily. If your cat experiences pain while eating, it may drool as a result of difficulty in swallowing its food. This could also be accompanied by other symptoms like halitosis, decreased appetite, and even progressive weight loss.
3. Sublingual Foreign Body
Sublingual foreign bodies, under the tongue, like a piece of string can indeed cause your cat to drool excessively. Cats are notorious for their curiosity, often leading them to chew or swallow non-edible objects that can get stuck under their tongue or elsewhere in their mouth. The tongue acts as an anchoring point and the rest of the string enters the gastrointestinal tract. Other concurrent symptoms of a foreign body underneath the tongue can include inappetence and vomiting.
4. Portosystemic Shunt (PSS)
Portosystemic shunts (PSS) are a relatively rare but serious condition that can cause drooling in cats. Essentially, PSS is a liver blood vessel abnormality that allows blood from the cat's intestine to bypass the liver, resulting in a buildup of toxins in the bloodstream. These toxins can affect various body systems, including the central nervous system (CNS) which results in excessive drooling in cats.
Hypersalivation and drooling occur in 75% of all cases of portosystemic shunts in cats. Cats suffering from PSS may exhibit symptoms such as failure to grow, weight loss, small stature, loss of appetite, and changes in behavior.
5. Idiopathic
Idiopathic causes, or causes that are essentially unknown or unexplained, can often be behind episodes of acute, sudden-onset drooling in cats. In these cases, your cat might begin to drool excessively for no discernible reason, only for the symptom to resolve spontaneously within a couple of days. While it can be puzzling, these idiopathic drooling episodes are usually benign and typically don't warrant immediate concern. It's hypothesized that they may be due to transient irritants or mild, self-limiting digestive upsets that are difficult to pinpoint.
In conclusion, there are many causes of drooling in cats. Stress and gingivitis/stomatitis (gingivostomatitis) can trigger excessive salivation, as can sublingual foreign bodies or nausea. Portosystemic shunts (PSS) are a somewhat rare but serious condition that may also cause cat drooling, while idiopathic causes remain largely unexplained. It's important to pay attention to your feline companion for signs of distress when they're drooling excessively so you can provide the necessary care and treatment quickly if needed. With a proper understanding of these potential triggers and regular checkups with your veterinarian, you'll be able to ensure the well-being of your purring friend!