Cats love to be petted. They purr and seem to enjoy the attention. Some people think that cats love being petted because it makes them feel good like they are being loved.
Petting a cat also helps to keep them calm and relaxed. There are even cats that drool when petted. Why?
Why my cat drools when I pet him?
When people pet their cats, they often expect them to purr or, at the very least, perk up their ears. But for some cats, petting results in drooling.
There are many reasons a cat might drool when petted. Still, the most possible is that they are just happy or content and enjoying the tactile sensation of being petted. This is because saliva glands in the mouth are stimulated by being petted.
Apart from being a sign that he likes being petted, it can also be a sign of illness or other problems, including:
- thirsty
- being overwhelmed by the loving gesture and receiving too much attention
- anxiety
- having a fever
- having dental problems
Thirsty
When you pet your cat, you may notice that he sometimes drools. This is usually due to his thirst, not being content with the amount of water he’s getting from his food or drink.
Cats have a lot of saliva and must consume lots of water to keep their mouths and throats clean. When your cat is thirsty, he’ll start drinking more than usual, which will cause him to drool.
To help keep your cat hydrated, you can use a water fountain. Just like the features offered by the following products
Overwhelmed by the loving gesture and receiving too much attention
Many people assume that a cat drools when they’re content, but this isn’t always the case. Cats can drool when overwhelmed by the loving gesture and receive too much attention.
This is because cats love receiving affection but may feel overwhelmed by it. If you’re petting your cat and he starts to drool, don’t be alarmed – this is just a sign that he loves being loved!
Anxiety
Cats who drool when petted may sign anxiety. This can be caused by things like being in a new place, being handled inappropriately, or experiencing a change in their environment. A cat’s natural response is to try and remove any potential danger by secreting saliva.
Some common signs that a cat is anxious or nervous around people include hiding when someone approaches them, pacing back and forth, or constantly arching their back.
If you think your cat might drool because he’s nervous or anxious, you can do a few things to help him feel more at ease.
First, try to determine the root cause of his anxiety or stress. If you know your cat is afraid of being alone or loud noises, try leaving him alone in quieter surroundings while you’re out. And avoid making any sudden noises.
You can also give your cat toys that he can play with indoors- like a scratching post filled with colorful balls- to help him expend energy and tire himself out so that he won’t feel so stressed.
Having a fever
Having a fever can cause your cat to drool. Drooling is an involuntary reflex that helps the body cool down. When a cat has a fever, their body temperature is elevated, and they might produce more saliva to help cool down.
You can tell if your cat has a fever or not by using a thermometer for pets, just like below:
Having dental problems
If your cat has a lot of dental issues, they may start to drool when you pet them because their mouth feels dry and uncomfortable.
Besides, saliva from their teeth can cause saliva to flow from their mouth in large quantities, which is why cats often drool when they’re feeling stressed or anxious.
To reduce plaque on your cat’s teeth and freshen their breath, you can use dental care finger wipes from the vet’s best.
What are the signs my cat is drooling?
If you have a cat, you know that they love to lick their fur. This is something that they do to keep themselves clean, and sometimes they drool while they’re doing it.
You might not think your cat is drooling all the time, but there are some signs that will let you know. Here are a few of the most common ones:
- Your cat is constantly licking their lips or face.
- They’re constantly having to stop and wipe their mouth or chin.
- Their fur is greasy and matted down, usually around the neck and shoulders.
- There’s often a lot of saliva on the floor around them or furniture nearby.
What can I do to stop it?
You can do a few things to help stop your cat from drooling.
- Make sure they have plenty of water and food. If they like crunchy foods or are eating a diet high in moisture, making sure those items are unavailable will help keep them from drooling. If their food doesn’t seem to stop the drooling, try switching to a different type of food or giving them a small portion of wet food several times a day.
- Keep them entertained by playing with them or giving them a good pet. You can also give them some toys that will keep them amused and distracted, so they don’t have time to drool.
- Make sure their mouth is kept clean – use a toothbrush and some antiseptic mouthwash to keep it that way.
- Ensure they’re not sick – if they are, their saliva might be directed elsewhere to cool down.
- Training your cat using positive reinforcement, such as feeding them treats when they stop drooling.
- Finally, be aware that some cats drool simply because they enjoy the sensation (and you can’t always control that!).
Conclusion
There could be a few reasons your cat might drool when you pet him. One possibility is that he’s showing his happiness and pleasure at being touched. Another possibility is that your cat may indicate some illness or other problem.
Suppose your cat is drooling excessively or has any other unusual symptoms. In that case, it’s important to get him checked out by a veterinarian as soon as possible.
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