Drooling Cats

[LindaTX]

Hi All, I was wondering, why do some cats drool....while others don't.  I have three who do (all long-hair tabbies) and three who don't.  They seem to do this more as they get older.  Its like they form little balls of saliva and then sometimes they will shake their heads and spit flys everywhere.  Does anyone know what causes this?  I have a long-haired kitten who will be a yr old next week and she hasn't started drooling yet. Her mother is 2 and she is a drooler.

[janelovescats12]

Some cats will drool their whole life because they did it as a kitten. I have heard of it being because of over enjoyment. Catnip can also cause drooling for the same reason.

[ninja112]

I totally agree, it has nothing to do with age, my leophus is only 3yrs. old. Once I start petting, and he starts purring, the drooling begins, I call it making rice, its like he's a pot of steaming rice... lol he's one of my four babies

[PrettyKitty1]

Linda,

I agree. Your cats drool on you because they feel most comfortable with you. Hope you don't mind cat saliva LOL

[LindaTX]

Hey, PK, actually the dental issue is what got me started wondering about the drooling.  Then I realized with my cats it seemed to be only the long-hairs doing it and also with the kneading. SO I thought maybe it was a breed specific activity.  My cats, the droolers, only seem to drool on...ME.  So I think I've come to the conclusion that my drooling cats just really love and knead me.  They all do seem healthy enough.

[PrettyKitty1]

hehehe...my cats drool when we are eating something they want to sink their teeth into.

Linda,
Cats drool when they are angry, and also spit. They drool when they are hungry and happy and comfy as well. This is just one of their abilities to let us know what's up at any given point in time. They drool when they're scared, nauseated, or about to vomit hairball. Pain and problems in the mouth cause drooling. So a cat with gum disease or dental issues could drool. Exposure to toxins contained in plants or cleaning products will also make a cat drool.  Seizures and liver problems can cause a cat to drool. I can go on and on LOL

[rumpled]

My Ozzy drools when he is happy - when you get him to purr and purr, you end up with a big wet spot on you or something around you. He is not much of a kneader, he never did until he watched his sister Josie do it, as his sister tends to knead you until you are sore. She has to be next to me when I sit or lay down.

Ozzy is a medium haired cat. I cannot convince him not to drool. He is my first drooler.

[LindaTX]

Wow, Pip...you have a wealth of knowledge and experience with both drooling and non-drooling cats.  Petting....yes definitely seems to stimulate it.  The droolers seem to knead also.  onyxangel....I agree, I think young or old...once a drooler, always a drooler.  Pip, have you found that long-hairs drool and the short-hairs don't?  And how can you convince a a drooler not to drool?  I don't like the fallout :)

[Piparskeggr]

Heya;

Both of the Grey sisters (Victoria and Calamity)  drooled as they got older; when we were petting them and they purred up a storm...those little beads, head shake and "kitty rainfall!"  Neither of them started until they were over 10.

Cammie also did what we called "nose drool;" same stimulus, petting and purring.

Neither Cerridwen nor Dancer drooled.

Teia is over 11 1/3, but doesn't purr very hard, yet; no drool.

Kestrel just turned 10, purrs loud, but doesn't drool...

Hildie will be 9 in November, purrs real hard, drools a little, gets the wet nose, too.

Chessie purrs, then play-nips and runs away ,-)

I don't remember little Tuna-Cat (the kitty I left with my folks when I got married) drooling, nor Junior, Tiger or Fonz, the three cats my wife's family had when we dated.

So, I'd say it's an individual thing, like some people snoring =)

[onyxangel]

I never knew cat's drooled until I got married and spent time with my mother in laws cats.. They are young and drool so I'm not sure it has to do with age really. Not saying it cant cause it but I dont think it's the reason they do. The cats here only drool when you are scratching or petting them. They are on cloud nine and start drooling haha.
Hope that helps a little