Why is my new cat swallowing so much? Is it a sign of a health issue?

Stress/distress can sometimes cause a cat to drool. If she just came home today, I would give her some time to settle down and relax. If she continues to drool, or shows any other signs of illness such as loss of appetite, vomiting, disorientation, etc, bringing her to a vet ASAP is best.

It sounds as if your cat is trying to cough up a hair ball or something similar. I would recommend feeding her a food that is formulated for hair balls and/or try giving her Laxatone daily to help the hair balls pass on their own. If the problems persists you should have her checked by a veterinarian to make sure nothing else is going on.

I think you have good reason to be concerned in this case. Anytime a cat seems less active, it indicates that something is wrong. Swallowing frequently is something we see with cats that have upper respiratory infections, or complications within the throat like polyps or ulcers. It would be worthwhile to have Liam evaluated by a vet sometime within the next day or two. They will be able to further investigate the problem and determine how concerning this problem is. I hope that helps and Liam gets better soon.

I would feed her soft canned food until you are able to get her evaluated by your veterinarian. She could have an injury, an abscess, or even a tumor that could be inhibiting her swallowing. Watch her breathing closely as it is possible that what is inhibiting the swallowing may progress to inhibiting breathing. Best of luck and I hope she improves soon. Thank you for using Pet Coach.

If you think it is her teeth bothering her, she needs them examined by your veterinarian. The doctor will be able to assess the health of the gums and teeth and may suggest a dental cleaning / extractions. Most cats will require dental cleanings at some point in their life, and usually extractions. If she is refusing to eat, you obviously need to get her in to be seen sooner than later. Hope this makes sense.

Sometimes a viral upper respiratory infection can affect the back of the throat and cause swelling that could affect your cat’s ability to meow. Difficulty swallowing can also occur when something is lodged in the esophagus or if there is a problem with a tooth. I’m glad Lily ate some chicken, but if her normal appetite does not return soon I’d recommend seeing your vet for an examination.

Thanks for using Petco Pet Education Center, formerly Petcoach! If Milo was drooling that may be a sign of nausea which can be seen with gastrointestinal conditions like gastroenteritis, pancreatitis or conditions such as kidney disease, among others. If it has only happened once, it is fair to monitor him for now as long as he is otherwise doing well with a good appetite and activity level. If this is a persistent issue, or he does not feel well, have him evaluated by a veterinarian for further assessment and treatment. Good luck!