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Why is my cat drooling, gagging, and has a foul-smelling rear?

Updated On September 23rd, 2025

Pet's info: Cat | Domestic Longhair | Female | spayed | 8 years old | 8.8 lbs

My cat is suddenly drooling and smacking her lips. She made a huge brown mess in her butt area. I thought it was diarrhea but it smells foul and not like feces. She’s gagging and the only thing coming out is foam. She’s still smacking and drooling. I’m worried and since we are quarantined there is no vets in my country currently opene

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2 Answers

Most Helpful Answer

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Answered By Dr. Melanie, BVSc MS

Veterinarian

Published on April 15th, 2020

I see you posted a premium question about Kitty and I answered it for you. I will post my answer below: Thank you for contacting Petco Pet Education Center, formerly Petcoach with your question about Kitty. Poor girl! I'm wondering if the problem around her anus is due to her anal sacs. They may be infected causing the substance you saw on her fur and bad smell. She could be drooling due to nausea. I would bathe her back end to clean it up, but if it keeps happening, she needs to see a vet for it. Vets are seeing pets for emergencies and illnesses, and this does count. As for the drooling, feed her a bland diet of boiled white meat chicken (no bones) in small amounts several times a day for a couple of days. Then slowly add back in her normal diet. If the drooling continues on the bland diet, she refuses to eat the bland diet, she vomits the bland diet, develops diarrhea, stops drinking water, starts vomiting water, or becomes very lethargic, she will need to see a vet right away. I hope this helps!

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2Pet Parents found this answer helpful

Related Answers from Veterinarians

  • Image profile

    Answered By Dr. Melanie, BVSc MS

    Veterinarian

    Published on April 15th, 2020

    Thank you for contacting Petco Pet Education Center, formerly Petcoach with your question about Kitty. Poor girl! I'm wondering if the problem around her anus is due to her anal sacs. They may be infected causing the substance you saw on her fur and bad smell. She could be drooling due to nausea. I would bathe her back end to clean it up, but if it keeps happening, she needs to see a vet for it. Vets are seeing pets for emergencies and illnesses, and this does count. As for the drooling, feed her a bland diet of boiled white meat chicken (no bones) in small amounts several times a day for a couple of days. Then slowly add back in her normal diet. If the drooling continues on the bland diet, she refuses to eat the bland diet, she vomits the bland diet, develops diarrhea, stops drinking water, starts vomiting water, or becomes very lethargic, she will need to see a vet right away. I hope this helps!

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    1Pet Parents found this answer helpful

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