Cat drooling – when should I see a vet?

Updated 2026-09-30 · 1 sources

Based on: PDSA

Contact a vet today

This can have a serious cause – contact your vet today if any of the warning signs below apply, or if you are unsure. In some cats, drooling is normal when they are happy and relaxed, while excessive or sudden drooling can be linked to dental disease, something stuck or mouth pain.

When to contact a vet What to do now

Contact a vet if you see any of this

Drooling suddenly increases or becomes continuous
Vomiting, diarrhoea or lethargy
Your cat appears distressed or in pain
You think your cat may have eaten a toxic substance or poison
You think your cat might be suffering from heatstroke

What you can do now

Contact your vet today.
Note when it started, how often it happens and what else you see.
Take a photo or short video to show your vet.
Keep fresh water available.
Let your cat rest somewhere calm.

Don't

Do not give any human medicine.
Do not wait if it gets worse.

What it can mean

Drooling can be completely normal in some cats when they are happy and relaxed.^[1] Excessive drooling or a sudden change in drooling habits can be a sign of dental disease, something stuck or mouth pain.^[1]

Other signs that can come with it

Vomiting
Diarrhoea
Lethargy
Distress
Pain

sudden

Possible causes

Dental disease
Something stuck
Mouth pain

What the experts say

“Contact your vet immediately if: Your cat's drooling suddenly increases or becomes continuous.”
— PDSA [1]

If your pet is struggling to breathe, has collapsed, is having a seizure or can't stand up: go to the nearest vet now.

Not sure how serious it is?

OkPaw asks a few quick questions about your pet and tells you in 30 seconds whether it can wait. Free on Google Play for Android.

OkPaw is on Android now – an iPhone version is on its way.

Common questions

Can drooling be normal in cats?

Yes. Some cats drool when they are happy and relaxed.^[1]

When should I contact a vet about drooling?

Contact your vet immediately if drooling suddenly increases or becomes continuous, or if your cat has vomiting, diarrhoea or lethargy, appears distressed or in pain, may have eaten a toxic substance or poison, or might be suffering from heatstroke.^[1]

What might a vet do?

A vet may ask about your cat’s drooling habits, medical history and other symptoms, examine your cat including inside the mouth, and run blood tests if necessary.^[1]

Sources

PDSA

How this page was made: written with the help of AI from the sources below, then checked claim by claim against those sources. Urgency levels follow OkPaw’s fixed safety rules. It is guidance, not a diagnosis. How we write our pages

The same page for dogs →