My MC (oh excuse me all you purebred fanatics, I meant to say my ''Maine Coon Type cat) drools. Not constantly, I don't think, we think it is only when he's being played with or loved on. Large drips fall off of his two long, protruding teeth, so much drool that he can make quite a puddle. Is this normal?

-- Anonymous, December 01, 1998

Answers

I'm never quite sure what to say when people ask if something is "normal". Drooling when happy is not something every cat does, but in my household of several MCs, I do have one quite dedicated drooler, and have heard of others (not MCs, even).

I don't think it's the symptom of some dire disease, although it can lead to keeping small hand towels near the couch at all times... :-)

Regards,

Ambar

-- Anonymous, December 31, 1998

Droolers rule! Sort of, anyway. My first MCT (Beezer) was a drooler and a bath towel under his chin was more like the right size napkin. He was, oddly enough, declawed and neutered. Inspite of this, his disposition could not be faulted, until...he became a piddler. Our association came to an abrupt end after three years, when, for no apparent reason, he began to "leak" all over everything in sight (floors, chairs, my bed). I called the vet in twice, tried tranquilizers and Depo-Provera, to no avail. He went to a new home and, it would seem, found the cure.

I hope my present MCT (Snowden) will not follow in his malodorous pawprints.

-- Anonymous, March 03, 1999

Oh my drooling MC!! My cat Fisker is an older MC- probably around 12 years old, we've had him for 10 yrs. now- this drooling thing started a few years ago- check his teeth, they might need cleaning. I'd also check for rodent ulcer on lips, as a recurring problem in my MC. Good luck, and in the meantime, maybe a bib to keep his ruff clean?? Oh well, I havent tried THAT one yet, but a good cleaning with a damp washcloth (warmed) keeps the whole area fresher a bit longer. Ronda

-- Anonymous, March 21, 1999

Has your vet taken a GOOD look at his teeth...My M.C. drooled so much also, found out after MONTHS of slobber he had a very bad gum infection...The drool was not smelly so there was no indication of an infection. A good cleaning of his teeth by the vet took care of it!

-- Anonymous, August 01, 2000