Why does my cat dribble?

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Have you noticed that your cat is starting to dribble? Find out why your cat is dribbling.

There may be many reasons why a cat dribbles. It is always important to put it into context. Some cats drool when they suck on material and knead with their paws at the same time. This is a common behaviour that occurs, and it is thought to be related to kittenhood.

Occasionally, a cat will dribble if he has eaten something that induced increased saliva production, in a similar fashion to us eating a lemon. Certain medications can also cause excessive dribbling. It is mainly related to the drug administration time itself, though.

Excessive dribbling can be a sign of pain. If there is any painful condition related to the mouth, either dental pain or ulceration of the tongue or gums, the body produces a large amount of saliva that can dribble from the mouth. If the pain is related to swallowing, the animal may reduce the number of times he swallows, but saliva is still produced.

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Some cats will dribble if they feel nauseous. It is important to remember that animals can feel sick and not be seen vomiting.

Last, but not least, my cats dribble like mad when they play with catnip toys.

Dribbling is related to either excessive production of saliva or reduced swallowing, and it is important to have your cat examined as soon as possible if it is frequent or constant.