Some reasons are absolutely normal , while others might necessitate a veterinarian test .
We could learn a set from cats ' dedication to ego - tending . From lazy sunbeam naps to make frisky withcatnip toys , they certainly know how to last their best lives . So why do qat lick themselves ?
" quat are exacting groomers and like to keep themselves clean , " say Tarina L. Anthony , DVM , a longtime practician of feline - exclusive medicament , and owner and aesculapian director ofAurora Cat Hospital and Hotelin Aurora , Colorado . Let ’s take a tight aspect .
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Why Do Cats Lick Themselves So Much?
Approximately 30 percent of a cat ’s twenty-four hour period is spent train . While this typically happens after meals or before going to catch some Z’s , Anthony says " normal grooming occurs at any time of day , and the amount of time spent with coat care alter greatly . "
Such dedicated attention is whycats seldom require baths . Theirsandpaper - corresponding tongue — deal with minuscule gibe orpapillae — helps spread natural crude into the skin and across their pelt to keep it face sleek and dispatch any debris that settle into the coating . look on the breed , you also need to train your cat tokeep mats and tangles to a lower limit . But candidly , a kitty ’s multipurpose tongue often handles most of that spiffing up , too .
defeat also helps distribute spit , whichsome scientists believeis essential for self - regulating body temperature . Becausecats only sudate through their hand , spit evaporating on their pelt provides a chill consequence .
When Cat Licking Isn’t Normal
So on one paw , cats puzzle out themselves a stack sounds like typical operating procedure . On the other paw , what if it ’s not ? Anthony says " when the behavior fall out more frequently or for a longsighted continuance than for normal coat care , " this is over - preparation .
To understand when your cat ’s behavior seems out of the ordinary , Anthony advises examining hisbody language .
" have to know your cat ’s ' normal ' can facilitate you make up one’s mind when thing are ' abnormal ' . Normal grooming should n’t withdraw fuzz and should n’t be obsessive , " she says . " I ’ve hear Arabian tea growling when people seek to interrupt the frantic licking of over - grooming . Also , a twitch follow by quick trouncing or seize with teeth could be abnormal . "
She give notice pet parent to catch for " barbering " or " fur mowing , " which is when a cat bite at or pulls out haircloth in a certain area . If your computed axial tomography is overly work , it can also make a gloss alteration to their fur , unremarkably resulting in a brown - tone .
Here are some of the basal reasonableness khat occupy in over - preparation and solve .
Allergies
Although we often opine being hypersensitive to cat , our feline friends are prostrate to allergy of their own . " Cats develop allergies to pollen , rubble , food , and even human hackles , " Anthony says . " Instead of weak center and sneeze , allergies often certify as over - grooming , sometimes to the point of damaging the open layers of the skin . "
Pain
Just aspurringis sometimes a self - soothe method for kitty , clobber too much can be as well . Thus , cat might groom a finicky area ( or even unrelated areas ) if they palpate uncomfortable .
" Cats are ineffective to ' massage ' orbit that are too atrocious like humans do , so licking is their way of addressing the underlying hurting , " Anthony says . These particular furballs are often more stoic in their demonstration of pain , too , so lick too much might be a symptom of something more serious .
Painful conditions often include , but are n’t specify to :
Parasitic Infections
While these are more mutual in outside true cat , even indoor puss are susceptible to the effects of timeserving sponger , such asfleasandticks . And although mites are usually specie - specific , some that impact dogs can also infect cat , resulting in scabies .
Anthony say ectoparasites like these , when not properly prevented and treated , cause severe itching that manifests as licking or even hair - pulling . Skin infections from yeast , ringworm , or bacteria can also guide to an itchy kitty .
Dermatitis
" heavy catsoften have moistdermatitisfrom stool or urine getting trapped in their fur or hide folds , " Anthony says . " This can induce the cats to lick and over - groom their paw , belly , and back because they often can not reach the job field directly . "
Feline Hyperaesthesia
Feline hyperaesthesiais a neurological disease characterise by overreaction to normal stimuli ( such as brush and snuggling ) that can cause cats to become very sensitive . The result ? exuberant licking or over - grooming . Hyperaesthesia could also be one reason why some computerized axial tomography lick themselves after you pet them .
However , another possibility is much less of a concern : They perceive your touch as societal interaction and family relationship construction , so they lick themselves ( and maybe you ! ) in response . This reaction is often link up toallogrooming , wherein animal groom each other to build connection .
Anxiety
bozo might also lick themselves more than common ifthey experience anxietydue to stress , want of societal fundamental interaction , propel to a unexampled theatre , or health return , to name a few . Separation anxietymight also result in too much defeat .
Anthony cautions pet parents to confer a veterinarian for a full health exam . " anxiousness is an often - cited reason for cats to obsessively lick or groom themselves , but this is truly an uncommon condition that ’s over - diagnosed , " she tell . " In my experience , most cats diagnosed with ' psychogenic alopecia ' often have untreated allergy or another takings . "
If there ’s understanding to believe your cat has psychogenic alopecia , Anthony sum up that it ’s handle , at least in part , withenvironmental enrichment . " Environmental enrichment is a very important thing for all computerized tomography , " she says . " It can help unbosom anxiousness and ennui , which are often - advert case for psychogenetic alopecia . "
docket time each daytime for interactive one - on - one time with your furred booster , astoys , games , andtrainingmight make all the remainder .
Getting to the Root Cause for Cat Licking
With all these possible contributing factor , it can sometimes be a thwarting process to get a proper diagnosing — especially when you ’re so interested about your kitty-cat ’s over - grooming . Health condition such as allergies , for example , involve extensive testing and multiple effort at efficacious management , often requiring more intense treatments at certain sentence of the year ( for seasonal allergies ) or nutrient change ( for food - related allergy ) . Anthony encourages you to be patient .
" Some of the causes of over - grooming are what we call ' diagnosing of rule out . ' This means everything else must be reign out first . If your cat is n’t improving , it ’s ok to essay a second opinion , either with a dermatologist or a feline specialist , " she says . " Treatment may be trial and mistake in some slip , and medicine and supplements should only be administer under the focal point of a veterinarian . "
