Why Does My Cat Drool When I Pet Him
If you’re a cat owner, then you’ve likely seen your feline friend drool at some point. While it may seem like a strange behavior, there are actually several reasons why cats drool—and they can be quite different from one another!
Drooling is a normal response for cats
Even though your cat is a domesticated animal, he still has the instincts of his wild ancestors. Domestic cats are known for their love of water, but they also have a strong sense of smell and will lick themselves when they want to clean themselves. When you pet your cat, it can trigger these instincts in him. Your pet may think that you are trying to clean or feed him by using your hand as a wet sponge or bowl full of milk!
Drooling is not only caused by pleasure; it’s also triggered by fear in some cases. If your cat feels threatened he may drool because his body produces stress hormones that lead to salivation. This helps him spit out any substances from his mouth if needed (such as vomit).
Your cat is experiencing pleasure
There are several reasons why your cat may be drooling when you pet her.
- She’s happy.
A happy cat will often drool, especially if the attention is new or unexpected. So, if you’ve just adopted a cat from a shelter and she seems to be overly enthusiastic about being petted, it could be that she’s so grateful for your affection that she salivates in response. This also can happen if you’re spending more time with your cat than usual—maybe because you’re home recovering from surgery or extended vacation. The same goes for when your favorite veterinarian comes over to check on Fluffy after surgery: You’ll want to keep some tissues handy!
- She’s stressed out by something outside of herself (like kids running around) or inside of herself (like pain). It’s possible that what appears as stress isn’t actually stress at all but rather discomfort related to something else going on with her health (i.e., dental disease). Your vet can help determine whether this is likely the case before determining how best to treat it if possible; otherwise there isn’t much more advice than providing comfort through gentle petting—and lots of treats!
Your cat may also drool from fear or anxiety
In addition to being a sign of stress and anxiety, drooling can also be a sign of pain. In fact, it’s one of the first signs that your cat is suffering from some kind of ailment. For example, if you notice that your cat’s gums are not pink but instead have turned pale or grayish-blue (or even white), this could mean that she has suffered some kind of trauma to the mouth or jaw area—perhaps after being involved in an accident or getting into an altercation with another animal.
If you notice that your kitty seems unusually lethargic and/or unresponsive when petted around her neck area—and especially if there are any other signs such as coughing up blood or other fluids from her mouth—she may have suffered damage from an injury somewhere in that region; this would require medical attention immediately so as not to worsen the injury further.
If your cat is a little feline slobber monster, it’s likely because you have a very content kitty.
If your cat is a little feline slobber monster, it’s likely because you have a very content kitty. When your cat feels content, relaxed and safe, he’ll often drool when being petted by his human companion. Cats then begin to lick themselves or even their litter box to clean up after they’ve left their mark on something that smells interesting to them.
Cats are known for being quick thinkers, but some have been known to chase after objects that move quickly in front of them. They may also lunge at small objects such as toys or balls if they’re bored and want some entertainment! If your cat does this behavior often make sure you provide him with plenty of toys so he can play with them instead!
If you’re wondering why your cat is drooling, the best thing to do is take her to the vet. This can help you rule out any medical causes for her slobbering and allow you to focus on managing whatever anxiety or stress she may be feeling.
