Manifestations of cat drool in domesticated felines

The author is going to have a bit of fun with this in preparation for writing a paper. Readers, please forgive my lack of Photoshop skills, but the subjects studied were not photogenic when in drool mode.

Abstract: Cat drool is a well documented response to external pleasing stimulation. The author attempts to research the mechanisms that cause the drool responses. As varied are the breeds of felines, such appears to be the mechanisms that cause drool.

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Background: There are numerous reports of cat drool as a response to pleasant stimulation (1) (2). However, there is little detail into the mechanism of the origins of cat drool. Although domesticated cats are classified as one species, there are numerous recgonized breeds of cats (3). Therefore, it can be assumed that the mechanisms for cat drool should be similar in various breeds of domesticated felines.

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Experiment: Two domesticated felines were studied. Pleasure was induced by means of stroking top of head, behind ears, along spinal column, as well as tail. Stroking areas that were not pleasing to the feline (under chin, legs, and feet) were not done to prevent aggressive feelings. Once feline was in pleasure mode, observations were made.

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Results:
Case study #1: Adira (long haired calico)

Figure 1: Subject before induced pleasure state.

Figure 2: Subject during induced pleasure state. Subject was noted to experience drool from the center of the closed mouth. Subject would make efforts to avoid drool drips by swallowing about 2/3 of experiences.

Case study #2: Magnum (shorthaired striped tabby)

Figure 3: Subject before induced state of happiness.

Figure 4: Subject during induced happiness. Drool would appear selectively on right or left side close to the jaw line. Distribution of side preference was 50%. Subject allowed drool to drip for several minutes, before sneezing remaining drool in a forward splatter pattern.

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Conclusions:
The author observed two different physical manifestations of cat drool. Since both cats required the same stimuls to induce drool behavior, the author can discount the hypothesis that different stimulation patterns induce different drool patterns. Further studies should utilize age matched felines, as well as same species of feline, both of which the author was unable to execute.




The long (and short) of it is that my two cats drool when being petted. However, their pattern of drool presence is different. Should I just accept the differences and just get a life?