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Why Do Cats Clean Themselves After Eating – Facts To Know!

Why Do Cats Clean Themselves After Eating – Facts To Know!

We know by now that cats are very particular about cleaning themselves, especially after eating. According to the SPCA, our little kitties spend about five hours per day grooming themselves! But there’s one time in particular that they groom a lot, and that’s right after finishing a big meal. Why is this time so important to them? Why do cats clean themselves after eating?

Cats clean themselves after eating as an instinct to remain clean and ward off predators. A cat’s tongue is able to remove food, dirt, hair, and other debris while also conditioning the skin. Cleaning after a meal is normal and expected. 

In this post, we’ll learn a lot about the cat tongue, why felines are so fastidious about grooming, and what you can do if they need a little help getting clean. 

Reasons Cats Clean Themselves After Eating

Cats clean themselves for all sorts of reasons. Some are less obvious than others, but we’ll point out the ones you should keep an eye on below. 

It’s their instinct for warding off predators.

Your kitty may be perfectly safe from the dangers of the wild, but instinct from their big cat ancestors runs deep. In the wilderness, any odor can be sniffed out by a predator, and so cats thoroughly clean off their food remnants so that they will be undetectable. This habit has been passed down to our domesticated cats, proving they still have a little bit of the wild in them! 

They want that last little bit of food.

 Have you ever checked the bottom of your McDonalds bag to see if there were extra fries in there? Cats do that too! Their extra food is often along the edges of their mouth or caught in their paws. Cats are big fans of eating and want to make sure they get every last morsel!

Cats are built to be clean. 

 Cats like things clean, and that includes their bodies. They’re born with tiny hairs on their tongue called papillae, which serve as mini hair brushes (and sometimes feel like sandpaper if your kitty gives you kisses!) Cats like to be neat and orderly, and in the moments after eating, they may feel a bit unkempt, so they get to work grooming to be presentable again. 

Is It Normal For Cats To Clean Themselves After Eating

It is very normal for a cat to clean itself after chowing down on its meal. If a cat is not grooming itself, that should be cause for alarm. Given that it is their instinct, a cat that isn’t grooming itself is likely not feeling well. Not performing this ingrained behavior means your cat could have a serious illness and needs to be seen by a vet. 

Do Cats Really Get Clean When They Lick Themselves

Your cat’s tongue is a magical cleaning tool. Those little tongue hairs or papillae have a u-shaped cavity at the top, which carries saliva from the mouth down into the cat’s fur and skin. Scientists have studied this phenomenon in several cat species, from house cat to lion, and found the same thing in each. It’s similar to how we humans might brush our wet hair with a hairbrush to clean and untangle it, although instead of using water, cats do it by making their saliva. 

Additionally, as a cat licks itself, they flex their tongue, so it is perpendicular to the area they are licking, which helps the papillae brush as much fur as possible. 

Is Cat Saliva Clean

For cats’ purposes, yes, their saliva is very clean. On top of having magical hairs to clean their fur, cats’ saliva also contains a natural cleaning agent that helps clear their fur of dirt and other debris. 

However, this cleanliness does not mean your cat’s saliva is clean for you. The cleaning agent, along with the bacteria on a cat’s tongue, can cause rashes and other allergic reactions in humans, depending on your skin type. Just be aware of that if your kitty wants to shower you with kisses! 

Why Does My Cat Groom After Eating

The most prominent reason that cats groom after eating is to clear themselves of any odor. This is an instinct from before they were domesticated. Being clean in the vast outdoors meant that they had a much lower chance of being sniffed out by predators. It’s a 100% intuitive activity. 

Why Do Cats Lick Their Paws After Eating

The space between a cat’s toes is a prime catchall for dirt, debris, and extra food. You might see your cat chewing on a tiny area of its foot to get something out of there. Food can slide into that tiny space, particularly if your cat likes to eat by dipping their paws into their food. Getting all of those leftovers out is part of the full post-meal cleaning process. 

Why Do Cats Lick Their Mouth After Eating 

Cats have food leftover in their mouths the same way humans do. They lick their mouths and lips to get the remnants since they cannot use a napkin like we are! 

 One thing to keep an eye out for is a cat that licks its mouth a lot at other times. This can be a sign of oral disease and should be checked out by a vet. But if it happens right after a meal, licking is completely normal. 

Why Do Cats Lick Their Faces After Eating

The face is part of the mouth area, which is where your cat will start when they begin their post-meal grooming ritual. Oils and food particles could have migrated to other parts of the face during the feast, particularly if your cat got excited about it! Seeing as cats usually eat with their face down, it’s easy for them to make a mess. So they’ll lick their paws and brush at their face to get anything off that was left behind. 

Do Cats Need Baths

Many cats will never need a bath in their lifetime. Their fastidious grooming routine will be enough to keep them clean, detangled, and smelling just fine. However, there are some instances in which your cat might need a bath, including: 

● If they are playing outdoors and decide to roll in the mud or dirt

● If they get into something smelly in the trash 

● If they have long hair and it gets especially tangled

● If a cat gets fleas or other bugs in its fur

● If a cat is elderly or arthritic and can’t fully bathe naturally

● If the cat has little to no fur and needs your help removing body oils

To bathe a cat, you’ll need some approved cat shampoo or gentle dishwashing soap like Dawn. If your cat does not like being bathed, you’ll probably want a second person to help you keep them in the tub. Use lukewarm water that feels comfortable to you, combine it with your shampoo, and gently scrub your cat. To rinse, use a cup to pour water over their fur. Never put a cat directly under the tap, shower, or hose. 

After they get out of the tub, gently and thoroughly pat your cat dry to remove dripping water. You can probably let your cat mostly air dry if your home is warm enough. You can also try a blow dryer set to a very low, warm setting, but keep it moving around and don’t get too close to your cat’s body. 

Things To Consider

A cat’s grooming ritual is an important part of their lives as a feline, ingrained in them since cats first roamed the earth. They will groom carefully and often each day. A change in grooming habits can sign that something is wrong or that your cat is in pain. 

Grooming is also a sign of love. When cats groom each other, it’s similar to a kiss and likes performing a service for their friend. If a cat tries to “groom” you, it is a sign that they love and appreciate you. If this practice irritates you, gently stop the cat and speak in loving tones. You’ll probably have to work with them overtime to get them to stop doing it. Don’t ever abruptly stop them or scold them about their licking you – they could feel confused, mad, or hurt. 

Eating is the best part of the day for many cats. Expect that they will consume their meal and then properly go into a lengthy routine to achieve the utmost cleanliness. After all, cats are, as we know, perfectionists!