Why do Cats Lick Themselves?
Cats licking themselves are commonly called "grooming" or "grooming".
Not only does it keep your body clean, but it also has
various implications, such as calming your mind and adjusting your body
temperature.
Here are some things to keep in mind when your cat licks
itself.
Be careful when licking only specific parts!
If you see any of the following behaviors or symptoms,
you need to be careful.
- Licking or biting the same place for a long time
- The licked (bitten) place is red and hair is being
removed
These behaviors and symptoms are called excessive
grooming (overgrooming), and it is thought to be a disease caused by
psychogenic stress, pain and discomfort from the inside of the body, and even
itchy skin.
If you notice any abnormalities such as redness,
bleeding, or dandruff on your pet's skin, immediately see your pet's
veterinarian for proper treatment.
Also, to stop your cat from over-grooming, you need to
find out the root cause of the stress and remove it.
First, increase the amount of time you spend playing with
your cat and increase the frequency of physical contact. It is also
important to review whether the room is comfortable for the cat.
What to do if you lick the wound or medicine
After a cat has been spayed or neutered, it may become
concerned about the wound and lick it.
In addition, after applying ointment or flea and tick
medicine "Frontline", you can often see the act of licking the part.
In that case, you can put an "Elizabeth collar"
around your neck, or put an abdominal bandage or adhesive plaster on it to
prevent licking the wound or the medicine.
If you really dislike Elizabethan collars, you can also
use "Elizabeth wear", which is exclusively for post-surgery clothes.
Elizabeth's wear is a tank top type, so there is no
hindrance to movement. In addition, it does not slip down even when you
move, it fits your body so you don't feel like you're wearing it, and it's said
to be effective in reducing stress.
Along with licking, sometimes cats do purring.
Why do you lick where
people stroke?
After licking a cat, for some reason, it desperately
licks only that spot... Have you ever had that happen?
Did you really hate it even though you were happy with it
until a while ago? I feel sad, but it seems that this kind of psychology
is actually working.
To restore the hair
After being stroked, the coat of hair is inevitably
disturbed.
We humans also feel bad when the hairstyle that we have set is messed
up. It's the same with cats, and they may be thinking, "Don't mess
with what you've put in place!"
Many cats are picky, so they can't help but worry about
themselves, especially when it comes to themselves.
If you keep licking it after stroking it, we recommend
that you apologize in one word, "I'm sorry."
To get rid of the smell
After being stroked, the coat will always retain the
person's scent.
Cats sometimes feel uncomfortable unless their bodies smell like themselves, so
they try to lick and remove odors other than their own from their bodies.
I feel a little sad, but this is also a cat's instinct, so
please watch over me with warm eyes.
To feel safe
The reason why cats lick is not only to keep their bodies
clean but also to calm their minds.
Maybe he felt a little upset when he was stroked.
When you touch the cat, don't touch it all at once, but
let it smell your fingertips and gradually close the distance.
Cats stand in front of themselves and don't like being
petted from above. Also, staring at someone means "hostility",
so if they are looking at you, repeatedly blink to tell them that you're not hostile,
while gently stroking their neck or under your chin.
What is meaning of cats licking each other?
It may be a familiar sight in households with multiple
cats, but cats sometimes lick each other's bodies.
Expression of affection
Licking each other's body with other cats is proof that
mutual trust is built.
This behavior is called affiliative behavior, and when
cats lick each other, it is called allogrooming. By the way, Allo means
"other".
Allogrooming is an expression of affection between cats,
and by licking each other, they convey their feelings that they will always be friends
that they will get along and that they love each other.
Smell
Licking each other means that the other person will smell
you.
It is said that by putting your own scent on someone you trust, you are
appealing to them as a "friend".
Build trust
It is said that they build a relationship of trust by
licking each other.
Allogrooming is sometimes seen between females and
between females and males, but less commonly between males.
And even between females or females and males, if they don't like each other,
they won't allogrooming.
I only do it with people I like and people I trust.
If cats allogroom each other, it is proof that they like
each other and trust each other.
Get them to lick places they can't reach
No matter how flexible a cat's body is, there are parts
of the head, face, and back of the neck that you can't reach on your own.
I have a friend who I trust to lick that part and clean my
body.
If the trust relationship is strong, it seems that they
may adjust by bending their body or guiding them to the place they want to be
licked.