Why is my cat's tongue hanging out and drooling? Is it an emergency?

Thanks for using Petco Pet Education Center, formerly Petcoach! Drooling that lasts more than 2 hours is an indication to see the vet. Broken tooth, mouth ulcers, electrocution (does she chew cords?) toxin, GI upset, foreign body, and more can all cause this - and all need some degree of medical attention. Best wishes to you and Malsle!

Nausea is a common cause of [drooling](https://www.petcoach.co/cat/condition/drooling/) or foaming at the mouth. There are several other causes as well, such as [dental disease](https://www.petcoach.co/cat/condition/dental-disease-1), oral trauma, tooth abscess, [stress](https://www.petcoach.co/article/10-signs-your-cat-is-stressed), tumors in the mouth, [stomatitis](https://www.petcoach.co/cat/condition/gingivitis-and-stomatitis), poisoning, and even rabies (rare if your cat is vaccinated for it). In the absence of other signs, such as [vomiting](https://www.petcoach.co/cat/condition/vomiting/), I would be concerned that this drooling and foaming at the mouth may be caused by a dental problem, such as a broken tooth or a tooth abscess. You should take Petunia into your vet for a health check and mouth exam. It would be a good idea to get her in a soon as possible (not an emergency, but first thing Monday) because if it is a dental problem, it will be very painful, and she will likely stop eating. Your vet can rule out other causes of these symptoms at the exam.

I suggest taking your cat to your veterinarian or a 24-hour emergency clinic as soon as possible. Excessive drooling in a cat can be a sign of a number of problems including (but not limited to) nausea, dental disease. Ingestion of a toxin, foreign object caught in the mouth, salivary gland disease, ulcers in the mouth, cancer of the mouth, neurological disorders, or eating something that tastes very bad. Excessive drooling is also a symptom of rabies. Many cats will chatter their teeth while watching birds or other prey animals; however, chattering could alos be an indication of pain or neurological in nature.

Poor Snuggles! Drooling can be a sign of pain, nausea, getting into something toxic, and dental problems in cats. Given that she doesn't want to move and is making weird noises, I would be concerned that she is in pain and may have been injured during the day. It would be best if she was seen by a vet right away for a health check.

Thank you for contacting Petco Pet Education Center, formerly Petcoach with your question about Thumbelina. She could hand injured her tongue. Since she can eat wet food, it’s not an emergency. Keep feeding her wet food over the weekend, and have her seen by a vet on Monday. If she stops eating or appears to be in significant pain, then take her into an emergency vet. Best of luck.

From the photo her tongue looks like it may be swollen with a blister on the tip. Excessive drooling for several days can be from a burn on the tongue, something caustic that irritated her mouth, or something stuck in her teeth. Please give her wet food with added water, and continue to give water by syringe if she’s not drinking. I recommend a veterinary exam to find the reason for her symptoms, and get treatment. The mouth has a good blood supply so most mouth problems will heal quickly. Thanks for using Petco Pet Education Center, formerly Petcoach to help you care for Adee.

I am sorry to hear about Blue. One thing we worry about in male cats exhibiting this behavior is a urinary blockage. It can make them lethargic, vomit, not eat, painful (drooling can be a sign of pain). If you aren't sure he is urinating normally or if you press on his lower belly and he is painful then we would be very concerned this could be his issue and this is a medical emergency and he should be seen right away.