Your cat’s health is a top priority.
If he’s drooling and not eating, it’s essential to diagnose the reason. Many pet owners wonder if their cat’s drool is a sign of something serious.
So, why is my cat drooling and not eating? You might have noticed that your cat is drooling and isn’t eating much food lately.
This is common and is usually nothing to worry about. Cats can drool for many reasons.
Some cats drool when they’re happy or excited, and this can happen in response to a favorite toy or treat. Other cats drool because they’re sick or in pain or because they have an upset stomach.
Cats can also drool because they’re stressed or uncomfortable or if they’re nervous around people or other animals. It’s important to find the cause of your cat’s drooling and treat it appropriately.
For example, if your cat is sick, try to figure out why and treat it accordingly. If your cat is drooling because of stress or anxiety, try to calm them by taking them to the vet or by using a pet calming spray.
If your cat doesn’t do anything else besides drool, it’s nothing to worry about. But if they’re sick or in pain, you should take them to the vet as soon as possible.
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Why Is My Cat Drooling And Not Eating?
Upper Respiratory Illness
If this is the case, your veterinarian will want to rule out a bacterial infection by sampling the mucus from the nose and throat for bacteria growth.
Sometimes upper respiratory infections are accompanied by fever as well. Your veterinarian may also order blood work to look for anemia or other signs of infection in the body.
Treatment for an upper respiratory infection in cats may include antibiotics and other medications to help reduce inflammation of the airways and improve breathing as well as appetite stimulants to promote healthy eating habits.
Motion Sickness
Drooling in a vehicle is a common symptom associated with motion sickness in dogs, but it can also occur with cats as well.
Some veterinarians believe that this is actually a behavioral issue rather than a true medical condition; however, others feel that it is actually a medical problem related to the inner ears.
Symptoms can include vomiting, diarrhea, restlessness, excessive salivation (drooling), and even seizures in some severe cases.
Treatment usually involves providing your cat with a motion-sickness medication such as Dramamine or Cerenia.
Gagging, vocalizing, and chewing cats often exhibit a variety of symptoms when sick or in pain.
Heatstroke
Heatstroke may occur when your pet is exposed to temperatures over 85 degrees Fahrenheit for an extended period of time without access to shade or water.
This can quickly lead to dehydration and heat exhaustion. Signs of heatstroke include panting heavily, increased heart rate, vomiting, diarrhea, weakness, lethargy, lack of coordination, loss of consciousness, and possibly seizures.
If you suspect that your pet is experiencing heatstroke, you should move him or her to a cooler location with plenty of water and seek veterinary attention immediately.
Cat breeds with flat faces, such as Persian, Himalayan and Burmese cats are prone to respiratory problems due to their facial structure.
Foreign Matter
A little item may lodge in your pet’s throat and cause choking or difficulty breathing if swallowed.
You may attempt to remove the foreign substance yourself by inducing vomiting or by placing your finger in the animal’s mouth to see if the item passes into the throat or if it remains in the esophagus.
Always consult your veterinarian before performing any procedure on your pet. If the foreign object cannot be dislodged easily or if the animal appears distressed in any way, contact your veterinarian immediately for assistance.
Ingestion of poisonous substances from household items can be very dangerous to a pet’s health.
Dental Issues
Your cat might be scratching at its face, ears, or paws without apparent cause and it could be a sign of dental disease.
Rotten teeth, ulcers, gum infections or other dental problems can cause irritation in the mouth that may lead to excessive salivation.
This condition is usually very painful for the animal and may interfere with eating, drinking and even sleeping.
Oral tumors are another common cause of oral discomfort that can cause excessive drooling and pain when chewing food.
Tumors of this type should be evaluated by a veterinarian to rule out a more serious underlying disease such as a tumor of the oral cavity or a gastrointestinal obstruction.
The cat will drool excessively if he/she has rabies infection.
This disease is caused by a virus which attacks the nervous system and causes death if not treated in time. Rabies vaccination will prevent the disease.
So if the pet is not vaccinated on time then this disease can spread from one to another through salivation.
Toxin Exposition
Toxic chemicals are another cause of drooling in cats, such as lead, arsenic, antifreeze, insecticides and rodenticides.
Your cat may have licked up these toxins from its environment and then been poisoned as a result.
Symptoms can include lethargy, vomiting, diarrhea, jaundice, depression, tremors and seizures.
Vomiting and Diarrhea Treatment (Dehydration) Treatment of a cat who has vomited repeatedly is usually fairly straightforward – provide plenty of fresh drinking water and feed small meals more frequently throughout the day.
Avoid giving the cat any fatty foods as these can make the problem worse.
Trauma
Cats are naturally inquisitive creatures, however they also like to scratch and play.
It is likely that your kitty has bumped its head at some point or another, but it is important to take head injuries seriously as they can quickly become life-threatening if left untreated.
Traumatic brain injuries can cause severe bleeding in the brain, which can result in permanent damage or death if not treated promptly.
If you observe any of these symptoms in your feline friend, contact your veterinarian immediately.
Wounds Other causes of excessive drooling in cats include wounds or cuts in the mouth and throat, or irritation of the mouth due to teeth that are broken, chipped or worn.
Excessive salivation will normally disappear once the mouth has been cleaned and any irritation has healed.
What Should You Do If Your Cat Is Drooling But Not Eating?
Calm the Cat
During this time, cats may become agitated and anxious.
It’s best to soothe them down with soothing words and gentle stroking to help reduce anxiety and stress.
Examine Your Medications
This is done to learn more how medications are affecting your cat’s health.
Testing may also determine if your cat has a heart condition or any other serious health issues.
During this time, cats may become agitated and anxious. It’s best to soothe them down with soothing words and gentle stroking to help reduce anxiety and stress.
After diagnosing the problem, the doctor will decide the best treatment option for you cat.
You should take your cat to the vet as soon as possible after noticing the symptoms above to ensure their health is not compromised further by ignoring them.
The more information you provide, the easier it will be for the veterinarian to diagnose the problem with your pet cat.
Certain drugs might have unpleasant side effects, so it is best to discuss any medications or supplements that your cat is taking with the veterinarian before administering the medication to your pet.
Visit a Veterinarian Right Away.
This is a typical reaction for a cat owner who has noticed their cat is sick or in pain.
Allowing this to continue can result in more severe symptoms, or even death.
Your first priority should be to schedule an vet appointment as soon as possible; that way, the veterinary team can examine the cat and come up with a diagnosis as quickly as possible.
It should take less than 24 hours to receive an appointment from most veterinarians.
The veterinarian will throw light on the cause of the problem, and provide you with a list of possible treatments based on the severity of the condition.
Also Read: Why Is Cat Drooling But Acting Normal?
Final Words
Excessive salivation indicates that your feline friend is not feeling well and needs medical attention immediately.
It will also indicate motion to seek help at the earliest rather than later because your pet may suffer from a severe ailment such as diabetes or kidney disease, which can be fatal if not treated on time.
Whatever the reason, you should seek veterinary help as soon as possible.
