Why does my cat drool when I pet it?

Like us, cats can drool for different reasons and in response to various stimuli. Salivation is a normal and healthy phenomenon of your body, although it may be worrisome when it occurs excessively or suddenly.

Did you ever indulge your cat with pampering in your favorite areas and watched as a small source of drool was born from your small mouth? Then, surely you already asked yourself why your cat drools when you caress it. If you want to discover the answer, we invite you to continue reading this article.

Why do cats drool when we caress them?

Surely you already know this feeling of excessive salivation when seeing, smelling or just thinking of a tasty meal that “makes your mouth water”, or you already noticed a small slime of drool on the pillow when waking up from a rich nap. In these cases, the drool appears as a positive reflex against stimuli and situations that we like or relax. In a very similar way to what happens with us, a healthy cat can drool when he perceives stimuli of his liking and when experimenting pleasant, fun or relaxing moments.

If your cat drools when you caress it, purr and scuffle its cheeks or head in your hands or feet, it is saying that it enjoys being with you and receiving your pampering. Your feline can also drool when he smells or catnip or catnip, and when he smells his favorite food. Although the percentage of cats that experience this phenomenon is not very high.

When is excessive salivation worrisome?

As we said, the slime can be a natural and positive aspect of your cat’s behavior. But it is important to pay attention to know how to differentiate the “pleasure balls” from excessive and sudden salivation, which can be a symptom de poisoning, of poisoning or of certain pathologies.

When a cat drools for pleasure, this behavior is usually present from childhood and repeated regularly against pleasant stimuli, appearing as a pleasant and spontaneous response of your body. In addition, the pleasant dribble almost always appears as small liquid and transparent drops, which do not smell bad or are sticky.

If your cat begins to saliva excessively in an unusual way or without ever having done so, it is essential to consult your trusted veterinarian. The same is true in case of perceiving alterations in the color, texture and aroma of his drool.

And if, in addition, you want to know more about excessive salivation in domestic cats, we recommend you read our article “Why my cat drools a lot”.

Is your cat stressed?

Another frequent cause of excessive salivation in cats is associated with Stress buildup and stress, which tend to favor the appearance or aggravate the symptoms of innumerable diseases by weakening the animal’s immune system.

A stressed cat may be more aggressive or hyperactive, being more vulnerable to the development of certain compulsive behaviors. Your appetite and digestive functions are also often affected by environments and situations of extreme tension.

Are you paying due attention to your cat’s oral health?

Animals can salivate excessively, have bad breath and accumulate tartar in your teeth and gums as a result of poor oral hygiene. Oral hygiene is an essential care to preserve the health of your pet and provide an effective and appropriate preventive medicine. Although our cats can be very independent in their day to day, they need our help to guarantee their oral health, so that if you notice that your cat drools when you pet it and suspect that it may be for this reason, do not hesitate to go to the veterinarian .

When was the last time you brushed your cat’s teeth? If you have never done it or if you want to learn how to do it correctly, you can take advantage of our tips on how to clean my cat’s teeth.

This article is merely informative, in .com we do not have the faculty to prescribe veterinary treatments or make any kind of diagnosis. We invite you to take your pet to the veterinarian in case of any type of condition or discomfort.

If you want to read more articles similar to Why does my cat drool when I pet it?, we recommend that you enter in our section of Other health problems.