What's going on when a cat drools?

There are many reasons why a cat might drool, with the main ones being oral diseases such as dental calculus, gingivitis, and stomatitis. When a cat over four years old starts to drool, it's mainly due to dental calculus and other oral diseases. It is recommended to thoroughly examine the cat's mouth to determine the timing of the dental calculus. Additionally, oral ulcers and other diseases could also cause the cat to drool.

The cause of drooling in cats can be varied and is often clinically assessed based on the cat's age. When a cat under four years old exhibits drooling symptoms, it is more likely due to gingivitis or stomatitis. Gingivitis is mainly caused by bacterial infections, with clinical manifestations such as red, swollen gums and drooling. Stomatitis is a general term for a group of diseases, which can be caused by physical and chemical stimuli, bacterial infections, and herpes virus infections. If the cat hasn't been vaccinated against infectious diseases, it's necessary to test for herpes virus infection. Herpes virus can cause severe stomatitis, with clinical symptoms such as bad breath, drooling, swollen gums, and oral pain. There is no permanent cure for herpes virus infection, and the mainstream treatment principles currently involve controlling bacterial infections, maintaining oral hygiene, and using drugs to inhibit virus reproduction.

Cats over four years old should focus on checking for dental calculus in their mouths. Dental calculus not only irritates the teeth, causing sensitivity but also leads to bad breath and excessive drooling. It is recommended to remove excess dental calculus from the teeth through methods such as scaling.

Lastly, drooling could also be caused by factors such as laryngitis, salivary gland swelling, and salivary gland inflammation. The specific cause requires further examination and treatment at a pet hospital.