A cat "chewing her cud" -ever seen this?

Red is a maine coon. She is very affectionate and is a great cat, although she does something strange. While she is purring, she will start chomping down on nothing. The closest thing I can compare it to is a cow chewing her cud.
Anyone have a similar situation with their cats?

nancy

One of my cats, Jill, does this also. But when she's doing this she is also dripping saliva...dont know why or what it is, and she's never had a problem with it

that sounds sooo cute!

Does she have a teeth problem?

Originally Posted by WellingtonCats

Does she have a teeth problem?

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I don;t think so -she has been to the vet for checkups and they never found anything.

Hmm, strange sounds cute though!

When was her last checkup? How old is she? Did the vet do bloodwork? Sometimes, a potassium deficiency can cause the symptom you are talking about. Others, it can be caused by an infection in the gums -- when your vet looked at her teeth, did he also look closely at her gums? If there is any redness there at all, even if there isn't a tartar buildup, this cat should have a complete dental cleaning and subgingival scraping.

Maybe it's just a habit?

Originally Posted by mrandmrsbrummet

Red is a maine coon. She is very affectionate and is a great cat, although she does something strange. While she is purring, she will start chomping down on nothing. The closest thing I can compare it to is a cow chewing her cud.
Anyone have a similar situation with their cats?

nancy

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YEAH, EXACTLY! My cat does this too. Most often right when im preparing his food for him. Dont know why either. My cats breath does smell slightly, does yours? I looked at his gums, I dont see any redness or inflammation.

Salem Cat--a Feral Attached Itself To Me And Became My Indoor Cat. Whenever He Was On My Lap He Chewed. The Vet Said It Was Contentment And That It Simulated Nursing. He Also Drooled Horribly When He Got Going And The Vet Told Me They Drool Because They Are Excited. Sounds To Me Like Your Cat Super Loves YOU And Is Content But Excited ! Mine Quit When He Realized He Was "home" And He Never Would Let Me Hold Him If I Went To Answer The Door. He Was Scared To Death Of Going Back Out!