Cats aren’t big droolers. While a little drool is nothing to worry about, a waterfall can be a sign your kitty is sick.

Here are some reasons your cat might drool too much, along with suggested treatments.

Mouth disease and tooth decay. Tartar buildup can rub on the inside of your cat’s lip, causing them to slobber. To check, pull their lip back toward their ear. Do their teeth look like concrete? Are they brown? Are the gums red, swollen, or even bleeding?

Try a professional cleaning first, and then brush their teeth daily. Have your vet check for gingivitis, mouth ulcers, and tumors.

Trouble swallowing: While playing, a string or a toy might get stuck in your cat’s mouth or wrapped around their tongue. Try to remove the object yourself or call your vet for help.

Then again, your cat might want to resist swallowing just because they have a bad taste in their mouth. Maybe they didn’t quite swallow their medicine, or they licked or ate something gross. 

Heatstroke: Pets with flat faces, such as Persian cats, are more likely to have heatstroke. It isn’t as common in cats as it is in other animals, though. Still, if your cat’s had too much sun or not enough water, that’s dangerous for them.

Always have fresh, clean water available. Make sure your cat has shady places to cool off, too. On very hot days, keep them indoors, limit their exercise, and never leave them in a parked car. Call your vet right way if you suspect heatstroke.

Stress: Open-mouth panting and breathing are signs of anxiety. Being stressed can cause your cat to drool. There may be multiple reasons for their stress. If this happens when you put them in the car to take them to the vet, try putting them in their carrier in the back seat without driving anywhere. Then, slowly work up to backing out of the driveway and driving around the block. Gradually repeat the routine as needed to ease their stress. You can also drape a breathable cloth over the carrier before heading out, so they don’t panic.