Purring is regularly associated with happiness. Most of the time, when humans hear a cat purr, it’s because the cat is happy and content. However, cats may also drool when they purr sometimes. Because drool isn’t something we usually associate with happiness, it can send mixed signals. Cats can purr and drool for reasons beyond happiness. Purring works both ways. It can make cats feel content, and cats may do it when they are content. Therefore, a cat in pain may purr to calm itself. Similarly, cats may drool when they are relaxed, or they may drool when they have a dental issue. Sometimes, cats may simply drool when they are in pain. Therefore, you must look at your cat’s body language to help determine what they’re feeling. You can’t rely on purring or drooling alone. Cats that are generally relaxed and laidback likely aren’t in pain. However, cats can also be very good at hiding their symptoms. The only symptom you may notice is a slightly lethargic cat that doesn’t look very relaxed. Cats may drool because of an illness, especially if it affects their teeth. However, toxin exposure and similar diseases can cause a cat to drool and purr simultaneously. Cats may also exhibit both of these behaviors if they are stressed. Once again, a cat may purr to calm down. An anxious cat may use purring as self-medication to reduce stress. While drooling usually isn’t associated with stress, it absolutely can be.
Is it Normal for Cats to Drool When Petted? Cats drooling when being petted is pretty standard. In many cases, cats associate the affection of their owner’s attention with nursing as a kitten. Therefore, they may drool as their body (subconsciously) prepares for food. Usually, this is a behavior that cats exhibit when they are kittens and keep throughout their lives. However, some cats may exhibit this behavior later in life or stop doing it as they age. Some indications are that kittens separated from their mothers too early may exhibit kitten-like behaviors more often, including drooling while being petted. However, there haven’t been any studies to determine this, so the link is largely anecdotal. It’s also unlikely to be a 1:1 cause. Cats separated from their mothers early may be more likely to exhibit kitten-like behaviors, but that likely isn’t the only reason. Personality can play a big role, as well. Image Credit: Ling Chen, Shutterstock How Do I Get My Cat to Stop Drooling and Purring? Mostly, there isn’t a way to get a cat to stop drooling and purring. While cats do have some conscious control over these behaviors, they are habits that are rooted in their subconscious. Cats don’t have to learn to purr or drool—they just do it. Therefore, training and correction usually don’t cause a cat to purr or drool less. These behaviors are both parts of your cat’s personality. There isn’t any way to get rid of it. However, if your cat has an underlying condition, it may drool more. For instance, cats with gum disease or tooth issues may drool. To combat this, you should visit your vet and clean your cat’s teeth regularly. Infections may need to be treated with antibiotics, and many cats will need a thorough cleaning by a vet. Your cat may stop drooling after these underlying conditions are dealt with. However, if it is more behavioral, the cat likely won’t stop drooling simply because you want them to.
Conclusion Cats may drool and purr simply because they are happy but there are other reasons, too. For instance, any pain in the mouth can cause pain and excess saliva production, and cats may drool and purr to alleviate some of this pain. If your cat suddenly starts drooling or looking unwell otherwise, you should take them to the vet. Many cats also purr when they are in pain, as it works as a natural pain reliever. Therefore, purring and drooling aren’t always good things. However, if your cat has a clear bill of health and doesn’t appear to be injured, it is likely just behavioral. In this case, there isn’t anything to be worried about. Some cats simply drool when they are content. Sources
wikihow.com petmd.com
Featured Image Credit: FLUKY FLUKY, Shutterstock
Purring is regularly associated with happiness. Most of the time, when humans hear a cat purr, it’s because the cat is happy and content. However, cats may also drool when they purr sometimes. Because drool isn’t something we usually associate with happiness, it can send mixed signals.
Cats can purr and drool for reasons beyond happiness. Purring works both ways. It can make cats feel content, and cats may do it when they are content. Therefore, a cat in pain may purr to calm itself. Similarly, cats may drool when they are relaxed, or they may drool when they have a dental issue. Sometimes, cats may simply drool when they are in pain.
Therefore, you must look at your cat’s body language to help determine what they’re feeling. You can’t rely on purring or drooling alone. Cats that are generally relaxed and laidback likely aren’t in pain. However, cats can also be very good at hiding their symptoms. The only symptom you may notice is a slightly lethargic cat that doesn’t look very relaxed.
Cats may drool because of an illness, especially if it affects their teeth. However, toxin exposure and similar diseases can cause a cat to drool and purr simultaneously.
Cats may also exhibit both of these behaviors if they are stressed. Once again, a cat may purr to calm down. An anxious cat may use purring as self-medication to reduce stress. While drooling usually isn’t associated with stress, it absolutely can be.
Is it Normal for Cats to Drool When Petted?
Cats drooling when being petted is pretty standard. In many cases, cats associate the affection of their owner’s attention with nursing as a kitten. Therefore, they may drool as their body (subconsciously) prepares for food. Usually, this is a behavior that cats exhibit when they are kittens and keep throughout their lives.
However, some cats may exhibit this behavior later in life or stop doing it as they age.
Some indications are that kittens separated from their mothers too early may exhibit kitten-like behaviors more often, including drooling while being petted. However, there haven’t been any studies to determine this, so the link is largely anecdotal.
It’s also unlikely to be a 1:1 cause. Cats separated from their mothers early may be more likely to exhibit kitten-like behaviors, but that likely isn’t the only reason. Personality can play a big role, as well.
How Do I Get My Cat to Stop Drooling and Purring?
Mostly, there isn’t a way to get a cat to stop drooling and purring. While cats do have some conscious control over these behaviors, they are habits that are rooted in their subconscious. Cats don’t have to learn to purr or drool—they just do it. Therefore, training and correction usually don’t cause a cat to purr or drool less.
These behaviors are both parts of your cat’s personality. There isn’t any way to get rid of it.
However, if your cat has an underlying condition, it may drool more. For instance, cats with gum disease or tooth issues may drool. To combat this, you should visit your vet and clean your cat’s teeth regularly. Infections may need to be treated with antibiotics, and many cats will need a thorough cleaning by a vet.
Your cat may stop drooling after these underlying conditions are dealt with. However, if it is more behavioral, the cat likely won’t stop drooling simply because you want them to.
Conclusion
Cats may drool and purr simply because they are happy but there are other reasons, too. For instance, any pain in the mouth can cause pain and excess saliva production, and cats may drool and purr to alleviate some of this pain.
If your cat suddenly starts drooling or looking unwell otherwise, you should take them to the vet. Many cats also purr when they are in pain, as it works as a natural pain reliever. Therefore, purring and drooling aren’t always good things.
However, if your cat has a clear bill of health and doesn’t appear to be injured, it is likely just behavioral. In this case, there isn’t anything to be worried about. Some cats simply drool when they are content.
Sources
wikihow.com petmd.com
Featured Image Credit: FLUKY FLUKY, Shutterstock
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