Why does a cat constantly lick itself

When you have a cat, you’ll notice they spend a lot of time licking themselves. It might seem like a normal habit, but have you ever wondered why they do it so much?

Cats groom themselves to maintain their cleanliness, but it goes beyond simple personal hygiene. They can even lower their stress levels and control their body temperature by licking. It’s a component of their self-care routine.

But persistent licking may also indicate an underlying medical condition. There are several reasons why a cat might overdo it, ranging from emotional problems to skin irritations. Knowing the reason will help you maintain your pet’s health and happiness.

Why does a cat constantly lick itself under its tail

Tail-plucking pets have a pathological habit that their owners quickly become aware of because it can be extremely annoying, particularly if the pet does it close to people or even on their bed. Since there are numerous explanations for this behavior, you shouldn’t just chase the animal away. Furthermore, a veterinarian must be contacted for each of them. For hours, a cat may lick itself beneath its tail because of:

• an allergic reaction to certain foods;
• the presence of parasites in the body (with this disease, the cat will lick not the fur, but directly the anal entrance);
• damage to the skin on the tail.

Licking beneath the tail is one of the common signs that a pet is under stress. Two things that can induce stress are the arrival of a new pet or ongoing renovations. Regular licking helps to soothe a furry companion.

Why does a cat lick its fur in different places, but the animal does not have fleas

When a cat owner discovers that his pet is continuously licking his fur, the first thing he considers is whether the pet has fleas. A cursory examination of the fur may not reveal the presence of parasites, but this does not mean that they are absent. Nits are not very noticeable; they resemble tiny, black dots on the skin in between hairs.

Nevertheless, fleas are not the only skin parasite that can cause persistent licking of the fur; scabies mites are another such parasite. Identifying them is simple enough when you look for symptoms like skin damage around the elbows, ears, and ankles.

If a cat is more likely to lick its fur in the summer but does not have fleas or parasites, it may be more susceptible to insect bites, such as those from mosquitoes.

Constant licking of the cat"s fur in the absence of parasites can be an initial sign of one of the pathological conditions:

• lichen;
• dermatitis;
• endocrine system disorders;
• otitis;
• skin diseases – demodicosis, pyoderma.

In addition to persistent licking, all of these pathologies present with other symptoms, such as skin erosions and wounds, as well as areas of intense peeling.

Signs of lichen and fungal infections

Cats with lichen-covered skin lesions have to urinate more thoroughly than usual. You should closely inspect the pet’s skin if the owner discovers that the animal has started to lick its fur most of the time. There should be crusts or areas of erosion visible between the hairs if there is lichen on the skin.

Everything is far more complicated when it comes to fungus.

Without a veterinary examination and an instrumental examination with specialized equipment, it is impossible to determine whether a fungal infection is present.

However, a watchful owner will notice several indicators:

• excessive dry skin;
• the skin in certain areas changes its color, becomes paler or, conversely, stands out excessively, becoming darker or brighter by several tones;
• the appearance of scales that are gray and separate from the skin;
• the fur becomes thinner.

It is impossible to diagnose a skin disease without the assistance of a veterinarian because similar symptoms can also be found in other conditions.

Dermatitis

It is just as difficult to diagnose dermatitis in cats as it is to diagnose a fungal infection. The cat experiences an ongoing burning and itching sensation, which causes it to lick its fur nonstop. Inflammatory processes on the skin are one of the most obvious symptoms of dermatitis.

Since it is nearly impossible to diagnose dermatitis when it is just starting, if a cat owner discovers that their cat is licking itself more frequently and for longer periods of time, they should take their cat to the vet right away.

Otitis

There is always excruciating itching associated with an ear infection. The cat will vigorously lick itself, use its claws to cause damage to its ears and muzzle, and shake its head nonstop. Additional indications consist of ear canal redness, edema, and pus leakage.

Development of skin diseases

Skin diseases such as demodecosis and pyoderma cause excruciating, unceasing itching in addition to excruciating, never-ending discomfort for cats. The cat starts to lick its fur because of the constant "itching," and occasionally it licks it so hard that bald patches show on the fur.

Licking to the point of baldness

The purring cat’s owner might not even be aware that the pet’s near-constant licking of its fur is a sign that it is experiencing psycho-emotional instability.

As a rule, all owners are accustomed to the fact that cats lick themselves because they have dermatitis or parasites have settled in, but it is also possible that the cat is experiencing real emotional torment. This picture can be observed when the animal needs mating.

It’s enough to give the cat a course of medications with a sedative spectrum of action to bring the pet’s condition back to normal, which will consequently cause the bad habit of constantly licking the fur to disappear. However, it should be remembered that they need to be administered cautiously to avoid giving the pet adverse effects or addiction.

If the unpleasant habit appeared after the castration procedure

It is normal and entirely understandable for the animal to lick itself constantly after sterilization. Severe burning and itching occur during the healing process of the incision scar following surgery. It is expected that the cat will lick the skin repeatedly in an attempt to ease uncomfortable feelings.

However, it’s critical that the owner is aware of the potential consequences. Following surgery, if the incision is left wet all the time, it will heal poorly and too slowly, increasing the risk of secondary infection.

It is advised that the pet wear a surgical collar for ten days following castration, or until the suture has fully healed, to guard against unfavorable outcomes.

Diagnostic measures

An concerning sign that pathological processes are taking place in the animal’s body and are frequently linked to mental instability and extreme stress is continuous fur licking. It is therefore advised to take the cat to the veterinarian right away in order to determine the cause of this phenomenon and obtain an accurate diagnosis.

The animal will undergo a visual examination by the veterinarian, who will also recommend several laboratory tests. When dermatitis, fungal infections, or infectious skin diseases are suspected, the affected area is cultured bacteriologically. You will need to have a hormone test done in the blood if the veterinarian suspects that the cat has abnormalities related to the endocrine system’s malfunction.

Also read:

• cat grooming;
• vitamins for cats against hair loss;
• why does a cat lose hair in clumps.

Cats lick themselves continuously for a variety of reasons, chief among them being self-cleansing, de-fuzzification, and thermoregulation. Additionally, grooming keeps their coat healthy by distributing natural oils throughout their skin. Cats may also use licking as a calming or stress-reduction technique. It’s wise to consult a veterinarian if a cat is licking excessively, as this could be a sign of skin irritation, allergies, or anxiety.

Treatment

Since constant hair licking is a symptom of a particular pathology rather than a distinct illness, the best course of treatment will depend on the diagnosis:

1. If the cause of the symptom is such diseases as allergic reactions to food or hygiene products, drugs of a local spectrum of action are prescribed – ointments and creams that eliminate unpleasant symptoms, itching and burning. To prevent allergies from recurring, it is necessary to determine what exactly served as an allergen, otherwise the discomfort will return again. In case of a severe allergic reaction, antihistamines for internal use are prescribed.
2. Infections and inflammations on the skin of infectious origin require a course of antibiotics.
3. If a fungus is detected, antifungal medications are prescribed.

Watch the video to learn why cats lick themselves so much as well:

Reason	Description
Grooming	Cats lick themselves to stay clean by removing dirt and loose fur.
Stress	Excessive licking can be a way for cats to calm down when they feel anxious or stressed.
Allergies	Allergic reactions can cause itching, leading to frequent licking.
Pain or Discomfort	Cats may lick a specific area if they feel pain or discomfort there.
Parasites	Fleas or ticks can make cats lick themselves to relieve itching.

Cats licking themselves to stay clean and healthy is a normal and natural behavior. When this gets too much though, it might be a sign of something more serious.

A cat may overgroom due to stress, allergies, or even health issues. To rule out any health issues, it’s critical to monitor the cat’s behavior and, if necessary, seek veterinary advice.

You can give cats the best care possible for their wellbeing by ensuring they are comfortable and happy by understanding why they lick themselves.

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