Since cats can usually be caught licking almost every part of their bodies, owners may think that it is normal and natural for them to do so. They lick even their wounds. This licking behavior can reach up to the point of being a problem instead of a normal ways among feline creatures. However, owners and caretakers should give more attention to their feline pets and observe if the licking behavior is way too much more than what is useful. Careful examination of the pets is highly advised instead of just observing and noticing the abnormality due to obvious signs like ones in the form of wounds, skin loss and lesions.
There are different pointed out reasons for obsessive licking among cats. Mostly though, the action is brought about by pain or itchy feeling in their bodies. Get them checked by the veterinarian for any skin diseases such as the disc disease or anal sac impaction. Even the most common itchy disease can leave these sweet pets licking their own bodies more than ever. Flea infestation may also be the reason behind cats’ licking behavior. Normally, cats with fleas lick their tails’ head. Allergies to pollens and certain foods, on the other hand, trigger the licking of the back, abdomen and other parts of their bodies.
Basically, cat licking is all about them grooming themselves. However, too much of something or anything is always bad and not normal at all. Excessive cat licking behavior falls under this category. Know the time when the action is already not normal. Some cats even end up with bald spots due to their licking behavior. One good way to know this is when the cat starts to get hairballs and throw them up. This is a sign that the owner should stop thinking and start working. Get the pet cat to the veterinarian. They are the only ones who can give a good diagnosis behind the cat’s behavior. More so, they are also the ones knowledgeable enough to give out some tips and recommendations to work on when dealing with the cat’s behavior.
It is possible that the natural cat licking behavior gets too excessive due to the lack of discipline given by the owners, leading to pets that are quite immature for their age. Owners can discourage their pets from licking their bodies, especially the wounds, by placing a small amount of a bitter agent on those areas. This stops them from licking that body part. Eventually, they tend to avoid engaging in licking behaviors.
