Dr. Doug Mader's - "To Your Pet's Health"
Sunday, January 31, 2010
The Magnificent Bengal and the Story of a Cats' Saliva

By Dr. Doug Mader

Q. Cheeto is our Bengal cat, part leopardis felis, part Egyptian mau and part Maine coon cat. He is a magnificent creature with a wide nose and sensational markings and a big bushy tail.

Now in his late adolescence, he likes to show off his leaping and climbing skills and his ambush techniques. He enjoys rolling on and rubbing his neck all over anything he intends to call his, like the car and the house, for example.

I can't help thinking that this naughty boy (my wife is in love with him) is really a zoo animal. When he encounters another male cat and they start to hiss at each other, Cheeto produces a gummy saliva that drools from his mouth in a primeval cascade.

Does he store this stuff in some sort of sac inside him or does he manufacture it in the heat of the moment?

Knowing Cheeto as we do, we're quite prepared to believe it's a vestigial holdover. But who knows, it could be something unique to him.

Ever heard of anything like it?

-- Mark

A. Bengals are great cats! There is debate as to how far away from domestication versus the wild that they really are (it depends on the cross-breeding in their ancestry).

I have some Bengal patients that are as tame as any house cat, yet others that will try to take your face off. Aside from breeding, owner influence on behavior plays a big role. Regardless, they are, as you state, magnificent animals.

There are six major salivary glands in the mouth of most mammals (cats being a mammal). These salivary glands produce water to help moisten food as it is chewed. In addition, in mammals the saliva also contains enzymes that initiate the digestive process as the food passes down the gastrointestinal tract. These enzymes, which are actually a type of protein, can be very irritating to others (cats, dogs and people, for example).

When a cat gets into a hissing match, it is not uncommon for them to produce the excessive saliva, or drool as you call it. It is typically viscous in nature and makes for a good "display" when threatening, as well as adding to the discomfort of the victim should a bite occur.

The proteins in the saliva are not only an irritant but also the main component in what causes "allergies" to cats in people. When a cat grooms itself, it deposits saliva on its fur. This saliva dries into a fine powder. When "allergic" people pet the cat they come in contact with these salivary proteins and develop the typical allergic reactions -- sneezing, watery eyes, etc.

There is thought that Bengal cats are hypoallergenic. Human allergists, however, state that this is not the case.

That all said, what you are describing sounds normal. However, many things can cause excessive salivation. For instance, dental disease, gastric ulcers, fur balls and other problems can all cause a cat to produce more drool than would be expected. If you are at all concerned, then I recommend you have Cheeto checked out by your family veterinarian.

Dr. Mader is an ABVP board certified veterinary specialist practicing in the Keys. Send your questions to Mvh525@aol.com.