【Written by a veterinarian】Don't ignore your cat's drooling! Dangerous causes (stomatitis, kidney disease) and an emergency checklist

Unlike dogs, cats rarely drool when they see food. If your beloved cat's mouth is wet or drooling, it's highly likely to be a sign of oral problems, internal organ disease, or severe stress. Neglecting "just a little drool" can lead to a rapid deterioration in health and even become life-threatening.

This article, from a veterinarian's perspective, will detail the "causes deciphered from the state of drool" and "dangerous signs that should not be overlooked."

Four Possible Causes of Cat Drooling, by Condition

1. Brownish, mixed with blood, or foul-smelling drool

Causes: Stomatitis, periodontal disease, tumors in the oral cavity or nasal cavity, etc.

The most common cause of drooling in cats is oral problems. Due to severe pain, you may see your cat make a smacking sound with their mouth or rub their muzzle with their front paws. They may also appear to have difficulty opening their mouth. If your cat is drooling, advanced periodontal disease or severe stomatitis is suspected.

Drooling also occurs with tumors in the mouth or nose. As the tumor destroys mucous membranes and bone, bloody drool or pus-mixed drool with a foul odor may appear.

2. Clear and thin drool, but in large, continuous amounts

Causes: Kidney disease (uremia), liver disease, etc.

What particularly warrants attention in senior cats is nausea due to internal organ diseases. When kidney or liver function declines, the body's detoxification and excretion processes slow down. This can lead to uremia, where toxins circulate in the body, causing constant nausea and clear drooling. Furthermore, as the body fluid's pH balance shifts towards alkaline, the oral cavity becomes prone to inflammation and stomatitis, which also increases the amount of drool.

3. Foaming at the mouth or sudden, excessive drooling

Causes: Poisoning, heatstroke, epileptic seizures, brain abnormalities, heart disease (thrombosis or pulmonary edema), etc.

This could be a sign of poisoning from ingesting ornamental plants (such as lilies), human medications, or leeks. If a cat has consumed a poisonous substance, it is an extremely urgent situation requiring immediate veterinary attention. Cats have different detoxification pathways than humans, and even a small amount can be severely dangerous.

Epileptic seizures, brain abnormalities such as brain tumors, or heatstroke can also cause a sudden onset of excessive drooling. In addition to drooling, symptoms may include facial or body twitching, stiffening, abnormally high body temperature, or loss of consciousness. These are also urgent situations, so seek veterinary care immediately.

Heart diseases such as hypertrophic cardiomyopathy can lead to a condition called pulmonary edema, or blood clots formed in the heart can block leg arteries. Symptoms mainly include open-mouth breathing, inability to move legs, purplish and cold paw pads, and pain when touching the legs, but drooling can also accompany these.

4. During car travel or extreme stress

Causes: Severe stress, motion sickness

When cats experience extreme fear or stress, such as during car rides to the vet, they may drool excessively due to an imbalance in their autonomic nervous system. Also, motion sickness can cause nausea, which may also lead to drooling.

[Veterinarian's Warning] Go to the Vet Immediately! Emergency Checklist for Life-Threatening Situations

If even one applies, seek immediate veterinary attention.

If your cat exhibits any of the following symptoms in addition to drooling, it's a sign that you should rush to an emergency veterinary clinic, even at night. This means it's a life-threatening level.

⚠️ If you see these symptoms, go to the vet immediately!

☑ Lethargic and unresponsive to calls
☑ Having seizures or being disoriented
☑ Rapid breathing or difficulty breathing (open-mouth breathing), inability to move legs, discolored or cold paw pads
☑ Repeated vomiting, or trying to vomit but nothing comes out
☑ Evidence of chewing on houseplants, human food, or chemicals

3 Key Points to Convey to the Veterinarian at the Animal Hospital

To ensure a smooth examination and accurate diagnosis, please make a note of the following information and relay it to the veterinarian. If seizures are occurring, video recording can also be helpful.

👨⚕️ 3 Key Points to Convey to the Veterinarian

About the symptoms

When did the drooling start, what kind of drool is it (color, odor, amount), and are there any other symptoms (as per the checklist above)?

Changes from usual

Changes in appetite or water intake, amount of urine (this helps in diagnosing kidney disease)

Suspected causes

Did they eat something off the ground, or have there been recent environmental changes like moving or guests?

From Diagnosis to Treatment: The Veterinarian's Approach and Home Care

Identifying the Root Cause through Blood Tests and X-rays

At the animal hospital, veterinarians will not only visually examine the mouth but also use blood tests (to check kidney and liver values), X-rays, and ultrasound examinations to find the underlying cause of drooling.

If periodontal disease or stomatitis is the cause, scaling (tartar removal), tooth extraction, antibiotics, and supplement administration will be performed. If it's an internal organ disease such as kidney disease, intravenous fluids, prescription diets, and medication are necessary.

For tumors in the oral cavity or nasal cavity, imaging tests such as CT scans and tissue examinations (needle biopsy or excision) are used to identify the type of tumor. Treatment appropriate for the type of tumor will be selected.

For heart disease, cardiac ultrasound and blood tests to measure cardiac biomarkers are effective. Epilepsy is difficult to diagnose and may require MRI scans. In any case, medication treatment for the disease will be necessary.

Daily Interaction for "Mouth Area" Checks + Regular Health Check-ups

Cats are animals that hide pain. By the time drooling occurs, the disease is often already advanced. To detect issues before drooling starts, it's important to accustom your cat to having its mouth area touched and to regularly check for gum redness and bad breath.

Drooling can be a symptom of various diseases, not just oral problems. Make sure to get regular full-body health check-ups and oral examinations.

Summary: Cat Drooling is an SOS Sign. Protect Immunity with a Stress-Free Life

Drooling in cats is never "just normal" and should not be overlooked; it's an important SOS from their body. By the time drooling appears, the condition is often already advanced.

To prevent the worsening of stomatitis or kidney disease, early detection is crucial, but above all, reducing daily stress and maintaining immunity is the best prevention.

If you notice even the slightest "unusual" sign, do not hesitate to consult your regular veterinarian.