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If you have recently noticed that your cat is obsessively licking, it might come as a concern. Whether they are overgrooming or lapping on random household objects, you probably want them to put the brakes on it.
Here, we will discuss some reasons why this might be happening and some at-home solutions you can try. You can work to combat the issue alone or speak with your veterinarian to rule out any significant problems.
Disclaimer: Home remedies are not an alternative to professional medical advice. If your pet has a serious issue, please consult your vet immediately.
Why Might Cats Excessively Groom?
There are several reasons that cats might excessively groom. So, we must stress that exploration of the underlying cause is essential.
The main causes for excessive grooming include:
- Allergies
- Stress or anxiety
- Underlying medical issues
- Boredom
- Pain
If you notice other concerning signs accompanying the licking, such as red, or irritated skin, you should make an appointment with your vet to discuss the problem in more detail.
Why Might Cats Excessively Lick Objects?
Some cats are just plain weird—but licking objects can be a sign of a bigger medical issue. Typically with cats trying to eat or lick non-food items, it could be a sign of pica.
Pica1 is the medical term used to describe cats who regularly ingest things with no nutritional value, such as dirt, clay, ice, paper, and sand.
Though pica may spike from an underlying health condition, it can also be the result of stress, and there is even a possibility that the genetic ancestors of your feline’s bloodline might play a role. Your veterinarian can help you determine the underlying reasons and create a management and prevention plan to avoid fatalities.
The 8 Remedies for Excessive Licking
1. Reduce Anxiety Triggers
Stress management is huge for cats with anxiety. When a cat is stressed out, they might resume excessive licking as a coping mechanism. Your cat might not realize they’re doing this, but their behavior can come as a way to soothe themselves.
Another frequent sign of stress includes hair pulling. Your cat might pull out large chunks of hair, creating bald patches on their coat. This type of self-mutilating behavior is an indication that a management plan is absolutely needed.
Stress is a huge problem, but it could also be an actual anxiety disorder that plagues your cat. Some cats are naturally more insecure and susceptible to anxiety and stress than others, which can trigger these behaviors even in apparently calm settings. Try spending some time observing your cat to understand what is causing them to feel stressed, and remove it if at all possible.
It may be something as big as bringing a new baby home—which they’ll simply need time to adjust to—or something more minor like a change in the furniture layout or normal feeding times. For more anxious cats, you need to speak with your veterinarian to determine a good management plan.
2. Explore Dietary Concerns
If your cat seems to be licking their fur more than normal, and you notice irritation on their skin, allergies could be the reason. Allergies can have many potential triggers, including environmental and dietary. The only real way to tell is to have your cat thoroughly examined by a veterinarian.
Environmental allergies include grass, pollens, mites, certain chemicals, and other compounds found in their daily living space that could be triggering an exaggerated immune reaction. Food allergies are typically related to something in their daily diet, most commonly specific proteins from meats, eggs, dairy, wheat, or soy.
As much as grain-free recipes are spread all over the place these days, grain allergies are actually some of the least common that cats can face. So, before you make any dietary changes, it is crucial to pinpoint exactly the cause so you can come up with a real solution. Still know that large amounts of grains are not a part of a cat’s natural diet since in the wild they will only consume them in tiny amounts if they are inside their prey’s gastrointestinal tract.
3. Rule Out Pain and Discomfort
If cats are feeling pain or discomfort due to an illness or injury, they might excessively lick as a coping mechanism or an attempt to get rid of the uncomfortable feelings. Some conditions will not present any other apparent sign but your cat’s health and quality of life is compromised.
If this is the case your vet is the right person to help, after a complete physical examination and perhaps a couple of biological sample tests, the vet can diagnose any medical underlying cause of excessive licking. Your vet will also recommend the best treatment and management plan to help your cat.
4. Try Redirecting the Behavior
If your cat isn’t supposed to be licking something constantly, you might as well positively redirect their attention. Some really great alternatives to your cat licking everything in sight include catnip and cat grass.
- Catnip – Catnip has been widely revered for centuries. Most cats are highly drawn to the substance, as it mimics a pheromone reaction in them. Interestingly, only about 60–80% of cats are affected by catnip. So this will only work if your cat appears interested.
- Cat Grass – Many owners are catching onto cat grass. Cat grass is a small pan of grass that you grow indoors specifically for your kitty to munch on. If your cat is constantly looking for something to put in their mouth, this is a safe, healthy alternative that gives them a boost of roughage in their diet.
5. Offer More Entertainment
Excessive licking could be a cause of sheer boredom. Maybe your cat just needs a ton of toys to keep them busy. The more your cat is occupied, the less downtime they will have to lick random things in your home.
And, if you haven’t thought of it already, maybe your cat could use a playmate. Instead of randomly licking objects around your house, perhaps they could enjoy grooming their new friend.
6. Keep Surfaces Clean
Cats can smell much better than we can. If they are smelling remnants of food and other attractive smells, they might be licking every single fiber they can gather. Clean your counters and other surfaces of your home thoroughly to remove the scent. Make sure the area where you collect garbage in your house is also free from residue.
7. Use DIY Citrus Sprays
Some cats despise the smell and taste of citrus. It’s extremely easy to get a few lemon rinds to make a lemon spray concoction. Once you add some lemon or oranges, and water, you can spritz the different surfaces of your home where your cat might be excessively licking.
While this is usually an excellent way to deter them, some cats actually enjoy the taste, and consuming citrus, especially in excess, is toxic to cats so you have to keep an eye on them.
8. Seek Veterinary Attention
If you think this is a very peculiar behavior that doesn’t seem to reduce no matter what you do, a vet appointment might be necessary. There can be many underlying health conditions that cause your cat to lick excessively.
It could be that they are lacking a nutrient in their diet or have something going on with a part of their body. When the brain isn’t signaling correctly to the body, it can cause all sorts of weird behaviors.
Also, if you notice any accompanying signs, make sure to note them so you can discuss everything with your vet.
- Related Read: How to Keep a Cat From Licking Its Wounds
Conclusion
No matter the underlying reason for your cat’s obsessive licking, you can use one or more of these methods to curb the behavior. Ultimately, making an appointment with your vet is the best idea. That way, if it can be helped, your vet can make recommendations or prescribe treatment as necessary.
- Next on your reading list:Can Cats Drink Almond Milk?
Featured Image Credit by: TeamK, Pixabay
