Drooling and Eye Discharge in Cats

We never like to see our cats feeling unwell, and excessive drooling (ptyalism) and eye discharge are two signs that might indicate just that. These symptoms can be related to dental health, ocular issues, systemic illness, or the environment.

Here, we’ll cover common questions about cat drooling and eye discharge and help you determine when treatment might be necessary for your cat.

Q1: Is it normal for cats to drool or have eye discharge?

Both the eyes and the mouth are normally producing some liquid: eyes in the form of tears and the mouth in the form of saliva. As such, small amounts of these liquids are normal.

A cat might have a small bit of drool when they’re relaxed or smell something tasty. Persistent drooling, however, is not typical. Drool should also be clear, not cloudy or bloody.

A small amount of clear or watery eye discharge can be normal, though most tears should drain out of your cat’s eye through the nose. Thick, colored discharge is abnormal.

Q2: What are common causes of drooling in cats?

Common medical causes of drooling in cats include:

• Dental disease: This is one of the most common causes of cat drooling. Drooling can occur secondary to periodontal disease, stomatitis, resorptive lesions, or other painful dental conditions.
• Oral pain or foreign bodies: Pain in the mouth causes excessive drooling. In addition to dental disease, pain can occur because of ulcers (sores), foreign objects stuck in the mouth, tumors, and more.
• Nausea or systemic illness: Nausea due to certain toxins, gastrointestinal upset, kidney disease, or other systemic illnesses can cause drooling.
• Respiratory infections: In some cases, drooling occurs after sneezing, but it can happen if the respiratory infection causes ulcers (sores) to form in the mouth.

Q3: What can cause eye discharge in cats?

Eye discharge is usually caused by some form of ocular irritation.

Potential causes of cat eye discharge include:

• Conjunctivitis: Also called pink eye, conjunctivitis often develops alongside respiratory infections.
• Upper respiratory infections (URIs): Eye discharge can occur due to conjunctivitis or ocular ulcers that may develop with URIs. These are often viral, like feline herpesvirus or calicivirus.
• Blocked tear ducts: Tear ducts can be blocked by debris or a growth. Blocked tear ducts are also common in brachycephalic (flat-faced) cat breeds like Persians.
• Corneal ulcers or injuries: Injuries to the clear outer layer of the eye are quite painful and cause a lot of tearing.
• Allergies or environmental irritants: Cats with allergies may have increased eye discharge, though skin issues are more common. Any environmental irritant that gets into the eye can also cause excessive tear production.

If you’re noticing cat eye infection symptoms, like eye discharge that’s yellow, green, or brown, it’s a good idea to get a bacterial infection ruled out.

Q4: Why might a cat have both drooling and eye discharge at the same time?

There are several reasons a cat might have both drooling and eye discharge at the same time.

Conjunctivitis is common with URIs. Calicivirus, a common cause of URI in cats, also commonly causes ulcers in the mouth. These may lead to pain-related drooling.

In some cases, eye discharge may occur when oral disease is present. The cat’s tooth roots are very near the sinuses, and significant inflammation in the area may lead to eye discharge.

Systemic illnesses that affect multiple body systems could also cause both drooling and eye discharge.

Keep in mind that your cat could also be experiencing two separate issues, such as a fractured tooth causing oral pain (and drooling) and a corneal ulcer causing eye discharge, at the same time.

Q5: How can I tell whether this is serious?

Signs that indicate you should seek veterinary attention include:

• Thick yellow, green, or brown discharge from the eye(s)
• Eye redness or discoloration
• Squinting, excessive blinking, or inability to keep the eye open
• Crusting of the eye(s)
• Swelling of the eye(s)
• Pawing at the face
• Loss of appetite or difficulty eating
• Vomiting
• Blood-tinged saliva
• Foul odor from the mouth
• Sudden onset of symptoms

Although these symptoms are definitively concerning, rest assured that the veterinarian can often diagnose the underlying cause quickly, sometimes only needing to perform a physical examination to determine the cause.

Q6: How do veterinarians diagnose these issues?

To diagnose the issue, the veterinarian may recommend:

• Full oral exam (potentially with sedated x-rays of the mouth)
• Evaluating tear production and flow through the tear ducts
• Eye exam, including looking through an ophthalmoscope, using fluorescein stain to look for eye ulcers, and potentially measuring eye pressures
• Bloodwork, urine testing, or imaging if systemic disease is suspected

Q7: What treatments might be recommended?

The treatment recommended will depend on the cause.

• Dental cleaning or tooth extractions: This is performed under anesthesia and is likely to be recommended for any dental health issue that’s causing symptoms.
• Antibiotics or anti‑inflammatories: These will treat infections (antibiotics) and reduce pain (anti-inflammatories). These may be given by mouth or placed directly in the eye, depending on the issue.
• Eye drops or ointments: Medicated drops may be recommended.
• Treating underlying systemic disease: If there is a systemic issue, like a respiratory infection, this will also be treated.
• Home care advice: Your veterinarian might also recommend specific home management techniques. For example, warm compresses may be used to remove discharge from around the eyes.

Although not all causes of drooling and eye discharge in cats are serious, these symptoms are often best evaluated by a veterinarian. Early assessment by a veterinarian allows for early treatment before dental and/or ocular problems worsen. Most causes of drooling and eye discharge are quite treatable with proper veterinary care. For any concerns, make sure to speak with your veterinarian.

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