Cats are renowned for their meticulous grooming habits, spending a significant portion of their day licking their fur. While this behavior is often associated with cleanliness, there are various underlying reasons why cats engage in self-licking. Understanding these reasons can provide valuable insights into your feline companion’s health and well-being. Let’s delve into the common motivations behind this fascinating feline behavior and when it might indicate a cause for concern.
Decoding the Lick: Reasons Behind Cat Self-Grooming
1. Strengthening Social Bonds and Showing Affection
Cats licking themselves, and even their human companions, can be a sign of affection and bonding. This behavior, known as allogrooming, is rooted in kittenhood experiences. Kittens learn to groom each other and their mothers as a way to bond and create social connections. When cats live together, they often groom each other around the head and face, reinforcing their group dynamic. Similarly, when your cat licks you while cuddling on the couch, it’s often a sign that they feel relaxed, happy, and close to you. Beyond affection, scent plays a crucial role. Cats are highly attuned to smells, recognizing their owners not just by voice but also by their comforting and familiar scent. Licking can also be a way for cats to mix scents and further solidify bonds within their social group, which can include you!
2. Maintaining Hygiene and Relieving Itches
Grooming is a fundamental aspect of feline hygiene. Cats lick, nibble, and bite at their fur to remove loose hair, dead skin cells, and potential parasites. Their tongues are uniquely designed for this task, equipped with tiny, backward-facing barbs that act like a natural comb, effectively lifting dirt and debris from their coat. However, licking can also be triggered by irritations. Fleas, mites, and other parasites can cause intense itching, prompting your cat to lick or bite at the affected areas in an attempt to find relief. Unfortunately, excessive licking in response to parasites can sometimes exacerbate the problem, leading to skin redness and inflammation. If you suspect fleas, look for small black specks (“flea dirt”) in their fur. If these specks turn reddish-brown when moistened, it’s a strong indicator of flea infestation, and your cat will require appropriate flea treatment.
3. Addressing Oral Health Issues
It’s normal for cats to lick their lips after eating or drinking to clean their mouths. However, increased lip licking, unrelated to meal times, could signal underlying dental problems. While some drooling is normal when cats are relaxed, excessive drooling, or hypersalivation, can be a symptom of conditions affecting their teeth and gums. Other signs of oral discomfort include grinding noises while eating or favoring one side of the mouth. Dental check-ups are especially important for senior cats, as they are more prone to dental issues. Furthermore, excessive drooling can also be a sign that your cat has ingested something toxic. If you suspect poisoning, immediate veterinary attention is crucial.
4. Seeking Pain Relief
Cats are masters at concealing pain, but sometimes, repetitive licking or biting at a specific body part can be a subtle indication of discomfort. Cats may lick or bite an area in an attempt to soothe pain. For instance, concentrated licking of the inner thighs or belly might suggest a urinary tract infection, particularly if accompanied by more frequent urination. Paw licking could indicate a wound, like a thorn or cut. Similarly, excessive licking and chewing at their rear end can be a sign of worms or blocked anal glands. If you suspect your cat is experiencing pain, a veterinary examination is always recommended to determine the cause and provide appropriate treatment. In older cats, arthritis pain can also lead to increased licking, although they may struggle to reach certain areas due to reduced mobility.
When Grooming Becomes Overgrooming: Recognizing Excessive Licking
While regular grooming is healthy, excessive grooming, or overgrooming, can be a sign of underlying issues. Cats typically groom themselves after meals or before naps and may groom more in warm weather for a cooling effect as saliva evaporates. However, constant licking, especially focused on one area, should raise concern.
Overgrooming in cats can be a manifestation of stress or anxiety, as well as abdominal pain, such as from cystitis. It can also be triggered by chronic mild itching due to skin allergies. Vigorous grooming can release endorphins, “feel-good” hormones, which may temporarily calm an anxious cat. However, the repetitive action of their rough tongue can damage hair shafts, leading to hair loss and even bald patches. In severe cases, overgrooming can escalate to fur chewing or pulling, resulting in red, sore skin.
Identifying Triggers and Seeking Professional Advice
If you suspect your cat is overgrooming, consulting your veterinarian is the first crucial step. Your vet can rule out medical causes such as pain, parasites, skin diseases, or allergies.
If medical reasons are eliminated, and your vet believes the overgrooming is behavioral, consider seeking guidance from a certified cat behaviorist. A behaviorist can help identify the underlying triggers for your cat’s excessive grooming. They may ask you to keep a diary to track when and where overgrooming occurs. Does it happen during loud noises, when strangers are present, or when your cat sees something outside? Documenting these patterns can assist the behaviorist in creating a customized behavior modification plan to help your cat overcome overgrooming and regain a healthy grooming balance.
By paying close attention to your cat’s licking habits and understanding the potential reasons behind them, you can ensure their well-being and address any underlying health or behavioral issues promptly.
