You may have heard that some cats tend to leave behind some drool. While this love juice, as it’s affectionately called, sounds odd, you may wonder if Ragdolls are a breed that loves to dribble.
Do ragdoll cats drool? Some Ragdoll cats may drool a lot, and some may not drool at all. Salivation is not a trait specific to one breed or another. Instead, drooling depends on differing factors. A Ragdoll’s tendency to drool will rely more heavily on its personality, upbringing, and overall health.
Salivation is a strange, slightly messy but completely cute behavior. If you want to learn more about why your cat may drool, then keep reading!
Harmless Reasons Why Your Ragdoll Drools
Curious as to why your Ragdoll’s mouth can turn into a water fountain? Most of the time, it’s just your cat expressing how it feels. It can indicate a wide variety of feelings by drooling, including contentment, hunger, and stress.
If you continue on, you’ll find the most common causes of salivation in Ragdolls. Taking notice of when and why your cat drools helps to understand your cat’s behaviors and rule out any medical issues.
Your Ragdoll is happy
It’s a mystery, but some cats drool when they are extremely happy. It’s usually accompanied by purring, head butting, and rolling over. Cat owners should take this as a compliment. It shows just how much your cat loves you, and that you share a strong bond.
Your Ragdoll is sleeping
Sometimes, when a person has a great night’s sleep, they’ll wake up to find a bit of drool on the pillowcase. The same thing happens to happy cats. When some cats are relaxed, they drool. Sleep position also plays a part.
If your cat sleeps with its mouth open and its head tilted, saliva can easily find its way on the cat bed.
Your Ragdoll is anticipating food
We all know that dogs drool at the smell of some delicious food. While this behavior is not as common in cats, it still can happen for the same reason. Animals start to salivate before eating because they are preparing to digest food.
Saliva is necessary because digestion begins in the mouth. While your pet chews, the enzymes found in saliva start to break down the food, making it easier for nutrient absorption. It’s not uncommon for some eager felines to start that saliva production a bit early.
Your Ragdoll is kneading
Similarly to drooling while happy, Ragdoll cats can drool while they knead. This is an instinctive behavior that stems from kittenhood. Kittens knead their mother’s stomach to help with milk production.
Also, it is a form of bonding. A cat kneads in adulthood if it feels completely content. So it’s no wonder a cat may drool while kneading.
Your Ragdoll is anxious
Some cats drool due to stress and anxiety. In some cats, nausea is a side effect or severe stress, and drooling comes with nausea. You may notice your Ragdoll drooling after encountering another animal it does not like or taking a dreaded trip to the groomer.
Your Ragdoll takes medication
Your ragdoll might drool if it’s administered oral medication. After just one time, your cat remembers the foul taste of its medicine. In anticipation of that bad taste, your cat may drool. It’s the body’s response when anticipating something unpleasant.
Also, your cat may drool after ingesting oral medicine. It’s another innate response that helps chase away a bad taste.
What To Do About A Drooling Ragdoll
As previously mentioned, drooling may not be your cat’s best trait. As long as you know it’s not caused by an illness, it’s completely fine. But that still does not mean you want to be covered in your Ragdoll’s drool. Cats can be quite messy sometimes!
Of course, there are plenty of ways to help you deal with your spitty kitty. It helps to recognize what triggers drooling in your cat so you can avoid it. Also, if you know what triggers drooling and you can not avoid it, you can at least be prepared.
Listed below are some tips to help you deal with your drooling Ragdoll.
Avoid stressful situations
As mentioned above, anxiety can lead to drooling. It is best to avoid these stressful situations at all costs. Unfortunately, that can not always be the case.
If you can not avoid the stress trigger, then try to make it as bearable as possible. For example, if your cat drools during car rides, try to find facilities close by to minimize your cat’s travel time.
If your cat drools each time you take out its medicine, then hide it from your cat until it’s time to administer the dose.
Keep a towel for pet sessions
If your cat is a happy drooler, there is not much you can do to reduce drooling unless you never want to pet your cat. Seeing how irresistible our feline friends are, that’s out of the question.
What you can do is prepare. Keep towels around for snuggles if you know your cat drools from petting. Lay it across your lap or chest to help stay dry. If your cat is a sleep drooler, place a sheet or towel over its bedding.
Visit your vet
Not sure what to do about your cat’s drooling? Pay a visit to your vet. Most vets have seen it all, and can often give you personalized options to help you control your cat’s drooling.
Even if drooling does not bother you much, it is still important to mention this behavior to your vet. Although it’s probably benign behavior, it’s best to play it safe and make sure it is not caused by an underlying illness.
Abnormal drooling in Ragdolls
Most of the drooling your Ragdoll does is harmless. However, some salivating can have a problematic cause. There could be an underlying issue or health concern causing your cat to drool. Below you’ll find some common reasons for abnormal drooling.
Dental Issues.
Some dental issues can lead to drooling. Gum disease, tooth injuries, and irritation are common culprits. Cats drool when they have dental ailments to help soothe the problem. Often, mouth issues in cats cause pain. Take your cat for a check-up if you suspect dental discomfort.
Foreign Bodies.
Cats love to explore with their mouths, which can be problematic. They may swallow toy parts or string. If the object is stuck, your cat may drool to help dislodge the foreign body.
Never try to remove string or elastic your cat has swallowed. It could harm its stomach or intestines if stuck. Seek professional assistance.
Medication and Toxins.
If your cat has a bad taste on its tongue, it will probably drool. Many owners notice their cats drool after taking some ill tasting oral medication. Cats that sample toxic chemicals or plants such as lilies or chrysanthemums may drool as a reaction.
Always try to be mindful of what your cat ingests.
Nausea.
Just like us, cats can experience nausea. It does, however, have many causes. Cats can become nauseated and drool from car sickness. It can also be a symptom of ailments such as inflammation and kidney disease.
Keep an eye out for other symptoms since nausea in cats often comes with vomiting and loss of appetite.
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