Hi there! We are sorry you are here but happy to help. When your cat starts to drool it can be startling. I mean, this is a cat not a dog, right? No drooling is normal! Here’s what you can do.
What’s going on with your cat?
Cats will drool for a few reasons - Most of the time it is from an irritant in the mouth but can also be nausea.
Did you recently administer a medication?
If so, it’s probably going to resolve in the next few minutes.
What else is going on? Are they pawing at the mouth? Are they hiding or acting sick?
These could be signs that this is a bigger issue that is not going away on its own.
Here’s what you can do at home...
Offer fresh water. If this is from a bad taste, they may be able to flush out the mouth by drinking.
Should you try to flush the mouth yourself? Well, that depends.
- Cats are notoriously difficult to get medications into and this is no different. It might be a struggle.
- If your cat will allow you to squirt 5-10mL of water in the side of the mouth or cheek pouch, it is worth a try.
- If your cat is like most of our feline patients, I might be safest to skip this step until you know exactly what is going on and if this is necessary.
Does your pet need Urgent Care?
If it doesn’t resolve in 5 minutes, yes! There could be something stuck in the mouth and/or causing persistent irritation.
What can you expect from your visit?
Your Scout veterinarian may recommend:
Oral examination: In addition to a general exam, your Scout veterinarian will do an oral exam. In order to do this safely and ensure they can see the whole mouth, they may recommend some sedation to help with this exam.
Oral flush: Your Scout veterinarian will likely flush the mouth out after the exam to ensure any irritants are removed.
Topical treatments: If any ulcers are noted, your Scout veterinarian may recommend a topical mouth wash to help with comfort and healing.
Oral medications: There are some cases that might require pain medications or additional therapy that a pet will take orally.
Follow up appointments: If the drooling resolves after your visit, no follow-up is required. However, if your cat is still drooling, we will recommend that you come back in or see your cat’s primary care veterinarian. Sometimes drooling may be a sign of nausea, and a more diagnostics (blood work, x-rays) may be needed to find the underlying cause.
Remember that you are the best advocate for your pet. If you think it’s a problem, it probably is! We are here for you in your time of need.
