Cat Foaming At The Mouth - Vet Shares What To Do

Seeing your cat foaming at the mouth can be alarming.

As cat owners, we get to know our felines’ usual behavior and habits, so when something seems off, our intuition kicks in that something serious may be going on.

This article will go over some common reasons for cat foaming and drooling and what you can do to help your furry friend.

Why Is My Cat Foaming at the Mouth?

There are several possible explanations for cat foaming and excessive drooling. Here are some of the most common causes:

1. Nausea

Just like humans, cats can feel nauseous for various reasons. Motion sickness, pregnancy, medication side effects, pancreatitis, and other gastrointestinal issues can all bring on nausea and cause a cat to foam at the mouth. Other signs of an upset stomach are lethargy, hiding, appetite changes, and vomiting.

If your cat seems otherwise healthy, try withholding food for 2 hours while continuing to provide water. Then, offer very small meals every few hours if your cat is keeping it down. Call your vet promptly if vomiting persists, your cat shows no interest in water, has a fever, or does not show improvement.

2. Dental Disease

Dental problems like stomatitis, gingivitis, abscesses, or broken teeth can cause pain, infection, and excessive drooling. You may also notice bad breath, trouble eating, and unkempt fur around the mouth. Preventive care like teeth brushing and professional cleanings can reduce the chances of dental disease. If you suspect a problem, schedule a veterinary dental exam right away.

3. Anxiety

Stress and anxiety can also lead to cat foaming and drooling. Other signs may include restlessness, hiding, lack of appetite, and excessive vocalizing or grooming. Try to identify and manage your cat’s stressors. Your vet can also recommend anti-anxiety medications and behavior modification techniques.

4. Irritants or Toxins

Exposure to toxins, chemical cleaners, topical flea products, plants, or other irritants can cause drooling and foaming when ingested or absorbed through the skin. Look for vomiting, dilated pupils, trouble walking, diarrhea, lethargy, or seizures. If poisoning is suspected, call your vet or the ASPCA Poison Control Center immediately.

5. Seizures

Seizures may cause muscle twitching, loss of consciousness, foaming at the mouth, chomping motions with the jaw, vocalizing, and loss of bladder/bowel control. If your cat experiences a seizure, take note of all symptoms and contact your vet right away for an exam and diagnosis. Medication can help control seizure activity once the underlying cause is found.

6. Medication Side Effects

Some oral medications or eye drops can cause excessive drooling due to their bitter taste. This is usually temporary until the medication is absorbed. Check with your vet if it persists more than an hour or two. Offering a treat after giving medication can help rid their mouth of the bad taste more quickly.

7. Infections

Upper respiratory viruses and other infections like stomatitis or rabies may cause drooling or foaming. Rabies is rare in vaccinated cats but can be fatal if untreated. Notify your vet promptly if your cat has any unusual discharge, fever, appetite loss, lethargy, or other concerning symptoms. Your vet will recommend testing and treatment options.

What to Do If Your Cat Is Foaming at the Mouth

Persistent drooling or foaming warrants a call to your veterinarian, especially if paired with lethargy, appetite changes, bad breath, vomiting, or other signs of illness. Your vet will perform a physical exam and ask about your cat’s medical history.

Diagnostic tests like bloodwork, urinalysis, imaging, and dental evaluations may be recommended. Treatment will depend on the underlying cause but may include:

• Nausea: Anti-nausea medication and small, frequent meals. Withhold food if vomiting persists.

• Dental disease: Professional cleanings, extractions, antibiotics, pain medication. Preventive home care.

• Toxins: Inducing vomiting, flushing stomach, anti-seizure medications, IV fluids, bloodwork monitoring.

• Infections: Antibiotics, antivirals, supportive care. Strict isolation protocols for contagious diseases.

• Seizures: Long-term anticonvulsants and monitoring for underlying disorders.

• Rabies: Quarantine and humane euthanasia to prevent human exposure.

Follow all your veterinarian’s at-home care recommendations closely. Seek emergency vet care if your cat’s condition worsens or does not improve within 1-2 days of initial treatment. Let your vet know right away if any new symptoms develop. Stay vigilant, and partner closely with your vet to help get your cat healthy again!

Prevention Tips

While foaming at the mouth may arise suddenly in response to a health problem, there are steps you can take to reduce risks:

• Brush your cat’s teeth regularly to prevent dental disease. Obtain annual professional cleanings.

• Keep all human medications, toxins, chemicals, and plants out of paws’ reach. Dispose of flea/tick medication packaging carefully.

• Give cats their own enclosed carrier space in the car, and use Feliway spray to prevent motion sickness.

• Watch for any emerging health issues, and take your cat to the vet promptly if you have concerns.

• Keep your cat 100% indoor-only, and ensure they are up to date on vaccines, deworming, and preventives like flea/tick and heartworm medication.

Stay alert to changes in your cat’s behavior or health, and contact your veterinarian right away about any foaming at the mouth episodes. With prompt care, most cats make a full recovery and return to being their happy, playful selves again soon!

Ask Your Vet

• What diagnostic tests will be needed to evaluate my cat’s condition?

• Can you demonstrate proper at-home tooth brushing technique for my cat?

• Are anti-anxiety medications an option for my stressed cat while we work on behavior modification?

• Do you have any tips to make car rides less stressful for my travel-anxious cat?

• Should I switch to a urinary or dental health prescription diet for my cat?

• What signs warrant an emergency veterinary visit?

Don’t hesitate to reach out to your trusted vet with any questions or concerns about your cat’s health and wellbeing. We’re here to help!

The Takeaway

Cat owners are understandably alarmed to find their pet foaming at the mouth or drooling excessively. While it may look serious, the cause is often benign. With prompt veterinary care, most cats fully recover.

Stay vigilant for any emerging symptoms, and don’t hesitate to call your vet if your cat’s condition concerns you. Familiarize yourself with common toxins, maintain good preventive care, and partner with your vet to keep your cat healthy and happy!