My cat’s behaviours are generally mysterious and extremely interesting. One of the many quirks the cat who owns your heart has been licking their paws.
If your furry friend is up on a windowsill or on your lap looking cuddly, you’ve probably also seen them flicking their lips and cleaning their paws.
But why do they do this? Paw licking is just one among a long list of grooming rituals, and, contrary to one’s first instincts, it turns out that it serves a number of purposes, from hygiene to stress management.
Knowing why whales breach teaches us to better care for these interesting creatures and to keep them healthy and happy. Let’s see Why Do Cats Lick Their Paws.
About the Science Behind Cat Grooming
However, to truly get to the root of why cats lick their paws, you have to understand how cats groom.
This is a type of tongue that a cat has used for its particular purpose. Their tongue is covered in tiny, backward facing barbs called papillae, and it’s acting like a natural comb that can reach deep into the fur to clean away dirt and loose hair.
They are also fed by these barbs, using them to glob saliva over their bodies in order to groom themselves.
Cats evolved to groom, and it’s instinctive to them. The kittens are groomed by their mothers right from the moment they are born, and while they’re learning to groom themselves, they’re also learning to bond and feel secure.
It is an instinct that lives on throughout their lives and one of its most obvious examples is the fact of grooming and paw licking being an integral part of their daily routine.
The problem with hygiene and cleanliness
Keeping clean is one of the leading reasons a cat licks her paws. Fastidious animals that they are, cats groom themselves well.
Licking their paws helps them to take out dirt, debris, or even food, or anything that may be stuck in the paws after they have gone through full adventures every day.
They often use their paws, after licking, to wash other parts of their body, such as their face, their ears, and their neck, which their tongue can’t get to so easily.
Outdoor cats will have mud or grass or something like that in their fur, so this makes sure that there are none of those contaminants.
This very involved cleaning even benefits indoor cats because they too are likely exposed to dust and allergens in their environment.
Regulating Temperature
Beyond cleanliness, paw licking serves a surprising purpose: temperature regulation. Humans sweat; cats don’t.
While they don’t have sweat glands everywhere, they do on their paw pads.
They cool themselves by spreading the saliva across their fur, because each time they lick their paws, the saliva evaporates, during which they get cooled.
You tend to see this more during hot weather because the cat instinctively knows how to keep itself cool.
This is an amazing testimony to their improvisation and self sustainability, they can keep their body temperature without outside aid.
Marking Territory Through Scent
Your cat is a territorial animal that marks their domain by smell. Their front paws have scent glands which release pheromones, the physical information which animals give off to one another.
- A cat sometimes licks its paws to get a stronger distribution of these pheromones, establishing its territory.
- It’s this subtle yet effective way of communicating that makes cats such an eccentrically interesting type of critter.
- Wherever they leave, they always leave messages, which are imperceptible but nonetheless powerful.
Also read: Why Do Cats Attack Their Owners? 10 Vet-Approved Ways
Reducing Stress & Anxiety
Most cats find more to grooming than a practical need, it is a way to self soothe. If a cat licks its paws, then it could be just the repetitive, rhythmic motion it is looking for.
For humans, this behaviour is also known to reduce stress and anxiety, like humans do with ‘calming rituals’ such as deep breathing or meditation.
Stressful times after a move, the addition of a new pet or a shift in routine can cause cats to over lick their paws.
However, one way to tell if your cat is suffering from stress is if you have observed this behaviour as it can give you an insight as to what is going on in their emotional state and can help you realise what the stressors are in your cat’s environment.
Also read: Why Do Cats Attack Their Owners? 10 Vet-Approved Ways
There is no shortage of health-related reasons.
Paw licking can sometimes be a sign that something more is going on. Whether the allergy is the result of food, environmental factors, or coming into contact with substances, it can produce itchy or irritated paws.
As a result, cats may excessively lick to relieve this discomfort.
Paw licking can also be caused by injuries, such as cuts, scrapes, or even splinters. Instinctively, cats will want to clean wounds because their saliva contains enzymes that may prevent infection.
Excessive licking can however, sometimes make the problem worse by causing further irritation or delaying the healing.
Persistent paw licking or combined with any other signs of redness, swelling, or or limping needs to be evaluated by a veterinarian.
These may be signs of more serious things like infections or parasites, or even arthritis.
Also read: Will Cats Kill Rats? 5 Vet Tips on Feline Hunting Skills
Social and Instinctual (Genetic) Behaviours
Cats groom themselves, of course, but it’s also a bonding experience. Allogrooming is the mutual grooming you see cats in a household practice.
In licking each others fur and paw, they bond socially and put their trust in each other.
Grooming is, in fact, still very deeply rooted in solitary cats. The origins of this behaviour actually lie in a similarly important matter for their wild ancestors, not just cleanliness but survival.
The difference between blending into their environment or being noticed by predators could all come down to being well groomed.
Also read: Why Won’t My Cat Drink Water? 7 Hidden Health Issues
Paw Licking in Different Cat Breeds
Like all cats, the instinct to groom is a strong one, but there are some cat breeds which are particularly prone to this characteristic.
Siamese cats are just one example of Oriental breeds that have very picky grooming habits and spend a great deal more time licking their paws and scrubbing their fur than most other breeds.
Conversely, long haired breeds such as Persians tend to need help with grooming for their owners as their coats are denser.
Knowing how to groom your cat based on its breed will help you care for its overall health and well being.
Also read: Why Is My Cat Suddenly Clingy? 5 Surprising Vet Reasons
When to Be Concerned
Paw licking is normal behaviour, but it’s important to realize when it might be a sign of a problem.
Excessive licking should not be ignored if it causes hair loss, skin irritation or open sores.
They could be signs of dermatitis, fungal infection or in some cases, even obsessive compulsive disorder (OCD).
Watched to see if your cat’s behaviour and grooming habits changed.
Anything unusual and you should ask for professional advice. Minor problems don’t get worse if you get early intervention.
Taking Care of Your Pet’s Healthy Grooming Habits
Being a cat owner, you are one of the vital pieces of your feline friend’s grooming habits. Offer a stress free, clean environment to start with and see how much this affects their overall wellbeing.
Look over your cat’s paws regularly for any signs of injury, or irritation, or to check that their nails are sufficiently kept so they can’t scratch your cat by accident.
A balanced diet also is important. it helps have healthy skin and hair. A cat with a shiny, well kept coat is often a cat that is receiving the correct nutrients.
If your cat has an ageing or mobility problem that means they’re having trouble grooming, try helping them with a gentle brush or a clean.
wrap up on Why Do Cats Lick Their Paws
Cats lick their paws for any number of reasons, including to keep clean, keep warm, or for stress or for territory marking.
This seemingly simple behaviour is a window into their complex world with the possibility of seeing, not only some of their instincts and emotions towards being hunted but also provide an insight into their health.
Understanding your cat’s grooming habits and by observing these habits, you will learn more about your cat and build a great bond with your kitty.
Next time you see your cat licking its paws, remember why such an amazing creature is so adorable.
Also read: Why Do Cats Purr? – Best Vet Research – Cats idea
FAQ: Why Do Cats Lick Their Paws
Q1: why do cats lick their paws after eating?
Ans: After eating, cats lick their paws just to clean up. It’s in this behaviour that food residue is removed thereby preventing odors and infections. Besides that, it’s actually a grooming instinct linked to their natural hygiene and the upkeep of themselves.
Q2: my cat keeps licking between his toes?
Ans: If your cat keeps licking between their toes your cat may have some irritation, an allergy, an injury or a parasitic infection. See if there’s any redness, swelling or debris. If the issue continues, see your veterinarian for care and treatment.
Q3: why do kittens lick their paws?
Ans: The most common reason is for the kittens to groom themselves, or because it want the fur clean and away from dirt. It also helps them regulate body temperature and helps them develop coordination. Additionally, kittens find licking a comforting and secure thing.
Q4: cat licking paw until it bleeds?
Ans: If your cat is licking the paw until it bleeds, it may be a sign of injury, infection or stress. Go to a vet to figure out what has brought it on and get it treated.
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