Cat drooling when purring - What does it mean?

If you’ve ever seen a sliver of saliva creep down your cat’s chin as you stroke them, you may wonder: why does my cat drools when they purr? Although this can be a sign of a very relaxed or content kitty, excess dribbling is a cause for concern, especially if your cat doesn’t seem like their usual happy self.

Many cats dribble a little, and for various reasons, including happiness when they’re being stroked, or during extreme relaxation. But drooling can also sometimes be a sign of a health problem, or if they’re feeling stressed. The endorphins released when a cat is very happy can trigger some dribbling, which is entirely normal, but similar hormones can also be released in response to stress. If your cat doesn’t seem relaxed, or is anxious, off their food or showing some unusual behaviour, it may be because there’s something wrong.

In this article, we’ll look at the cause of cat drooling when purring, and cover why does my cat dribble when they purr, to get to the bottom of it. We’ll also look at what’s normal when it comes to cat dribbles when purring, including when and why too much drool might indicate an issue.

Is it normal for cats to drool when purring?

If you’re asking yourself ‘why does my cat dribble when they purr?’, and wondering if it’s normal cat behaviour, first consider whether it’s normal for them. A little bit of cat drooling when purring, or in a state of deep relaxation, is very common. Many cats show some mild happiness-related dribbling, but not all cats do it, and some dribble more than others. Different breeds, variations in mouth shape, and differing emotional responses can impact their levels of dribbling. If they’ve always dribbled a little as they purr when you stroke them, or if they’re very excited, and your cat seems happy and content, it’s usually nothing to worry about.

However, dribbling in cats can be caused by mouth problems, toothache, a foreign body being stuck in the mouth, stress and anxiety, illness, nausea, heat exhaustion, injury or if they’ve eaten or drank something they shouldn’t have. It’s important to observe how your cat seems in themselves. If your cat has suddenly started dribbling, is dribbling more than usual, is appearing scared, not eating, or behaving strangely, it’s important to consult your vet. 

Cat drooling: When it's normal and when something's wrong

A cat drooling when purring can be harmless for many cats, especially when it’s just a little bit. A small amount of clear salvia, or small spit bubbles, appearing from your cat’s mouth as they are stroked, or when deeply relaxing, is usually nothing to worry about. However, hypersalivation - also known as ptyalism - is when saliva production is increased, and can be a cause for concern. 

Sudden, heavy, foaming or increased drooling could indicate a problem. A change in the consistency or colour of your cat’s saliva can also indicate a health issue or an injury. Any sign of illness, abnormal behaviour, vocalisations, bad breath, a cat licking more than usual, pawing at their mouth, being off their food, and drinking less or more than they usually would may be further signs that your cat needs to see a vet.

Abnormal drooling in cats

A cat suddenly drooling more is worth investigating. As a general guide, excessive drooling leaves their chin fur wet, or it may start pooling on the floor or their cat bed. If you see blood in their drool, or abnormal colour or appearance, it’s always best to consult your vet.

If your cat appears distressed and won’t eat or drink, contact your vet immediately. Excessive drooling or mouth foaming can happen if they have ingested something poisonous. If you suspect toxicity causing the drooling, get in touch with an emergency vet. Happy dribbling cats usually behave very differently to cats drooling due to illness or injury, so trust your instincts. If you’re wondering why cats hiss when they’re drooling, or if they're wide eyed and don’t want affection, it’s important to get them seen by a vet sooner rather than later.

Drooling can also be a sign of oral pain. Cats are stoic animals and hide oral pain well. Drooling can be a result of painful or damaged teeth, an injury in the mouth, or gum disease. If you notice any of these signs, please contact your vet for an oral examination:

• Being quieter than usual and hiding
• Turning their head away to avoid being touched
• Changes in eating habits
• Bad breath
• Swollen or red gums
• Drooling
• Pawing at the mouth
• Shaking their head

Why is my cat drooling?

Many owners notice small cat dribbles when purring, which is usually a sign that your cat feels completely relaxed and at ease with you. They may temporarily lose control of their mouth muscles, leading to a little bit of saliva to drip down. This may also happen when they sleep or if they’re very excited too.

If your cat is not purring or showing relaxed body language, look at how they are behaving. If they seem stressed, try to remove the source of their anxiety to see if the drooling improves. When dealing with a stressed cat, having a safe, calm place for them to retreat to, or using pheromone plug-ins, may help. 

Look out for signs of illness, pain or tooth problems. Cat dribbling can be caused by mouth problems, trauma, kidney problems, heatstroke, or feeling sick. It can also be a side effect of some medications, so refer to the leaflet if your cat is taking any current medicines.

Why does my cat drool when I pet him?

If you’re wondering ‘why does my cat drool when he purrs?’, a common reason is that your cat is in a relaxed and happy state. Physical affection can trigger a cat to start drooling with happiness, accompanied by very relaxed muscles, and they may be subtly showing you how much they enjoy your attention.

If your cat dribbles when purring - as long as it’s short-lived, and accompanied by relaxed body language and other signs of health and happiness, such as gentle head rubbing against you and cat kneading - you can usually be assured that your cat is simply in a state of bliss and contentment. Some experts think cat drooling through happiness is related to kitten hood, as they would knead and rub against their mother to stimulate milk production.

Is it normal for cats to drool when happy?

For many cats, dribbling a little when feeling happy or very relaxed is entirely normal. A cat who feels emotionally and physically at ease may dribble a little, which is a sign of a strong human-cat bond between you both. If your cat is drooling more heavily, though, it’s always best to consult your vet.

Giving your cat catnip may also sometimes cause your cat to dribble. The effect of catnip commonly causes cats to salivate in a state of euphoria. As long as it’s used in moderation, this is usually nothing to worry about.

Why does my cat dribble when they purr?

Lots of cats dribble when they’re purring and being stroked, or if they’re feeling very content and laid back. Cats dribbling lightly when purring can be both a psychological response, as endorphins are released which trigger the saliva glands, as well as a physical response as their mouth relaxes and may let a little bit of dribble seep out. Lucky you!

Mild dribbling is quite different to intense drooling, which may be heavier and happen when cats aren’t being stroked and purring. If in doubt, speak to your vet.

Discover more secrets to cat behaviour, the best cat care and interpreting their little signs of affection, which can help to support you as a cat parent, on our WHISKAS® blog.