Why Do Cats Lick Their Paws – 5 Reasons

Cats are always putting their tongues on things. Whether that be your face or the chew toy nearby. Cats tend to lick their paws too, and thats always a puzzling thing to see. So, why do cats lick their paws?

Cats will lick their paws for many different reasons. Some paw licking in cats is entirely normal, and cats will often lick their paws a bit when grooming or cleaning themselves. However, obsessive licking is not normal in cats, and it is often a sign that they may have something like allergies or anxiety going on.

In this article, we will be explaining everything that cat owners need to know about their cat licking their paws. 

Reasons Why Cats Lick Their Paws

There are five main reasons why a cat may lick their paws. The first, and possibly the most common, two reasons for paw licking in cats are grooming themselves and cleaning themselves up after eating. However, cats will also like their paws if they have allergies, are anxious or stressed, or have another medical issue that is causing irritated skin or obsessive-compulsive behavior. Here are the five reasons why cats lick their paws. 

They Are Grooming Themselves

Cats often groom themselves, and it is entirely normal for a cat’s self-grooming routine to include their paws. As long as the cat’s fur and skin are healthy around their paws and they are not excessively grooming themselves, a cat owner needs to worry about. 

They Have Just Finished Eating

Some cat owners may notice that their cat always licks their paws after eating. The cat is likely just cleaning some leftover food off of its paws when this occurs. This is especially common in cats that eat a lot of wet food. 

They Have Allergies 

Sometimes cats will obsessively lick their paws because they have allergies that are causing their paws to be itchy and irritated. In addition to excessive paw licking, a cat with allergies may also experience the following symptoms:

• Runny eyes
• Scratching around the eyes, ears, and nose
• Sneezing and coughing 
• Recurring ear infections 
• Vomiting and diarrhea 
• Noticeably red and irritated skin 
• Swelling around the paws, eyes, and mouth

Luckily, allergies in cats are usually easily treatable by a vet. If your cat is exhibiting any of the above symptoms, it is best to take them to the vet as soon as possible. It is important to note that cats rarely exhibit every single symptom of allergies listed above, and a cat’s signs of allergies will differ from cat to cat. 

They Are Anxious Or Stressed

Chronic stress and anxiety can also cause excessive paw licking in cats. They do this as a way to soothe themselves. You can usually tell if a cat is stressed or anxious by its rigid and stiff body language. 

They Have Irritated Skin Or A Medical Condition 

Some other medical conditions out there can cause a cat to groom themselves excessively. Most of the time, these conditions simply cause the skin around the cat’s paws to feel itchy and irritated. However, in some very rare cases, neurological conditions could cause a cat to excessively lick its paws because it is obsessive-compulsive. 

Is It Normal For Cats To Lick Their Paws? 

Yes, it is normal for a cat to occasionally lick their paws. However, it is not normal for a cat to lick their paws obsessively or lick their paws to the point where their skin appears to be irritated. Similarly, it is definitely not normal for a cat to lick their paws so much that they are missing hair around their paws. 

Why Do Cats Lick Their Paws And Then Rub Their Ears? 

If your cat is licking their paws and rubbing their ears, then this hints that they may have allergies. This is because allergies in cats commonly cause the skin around their paws and ears to itch simultaneously. As a result, it may be a good idea to take your cat to the vet if they are licking their paws and rubbing their ears, especially if they seem to be doing this all of the time. 

Why Do Cats Lick Their Paws And Rub Their Heads?

In addition to allergies in cats affecting their paws and ears, the skin around a cat’s nose, mouth, and eyes may also become irritated. As a result, a cat that is licking its paws and then rubbing its head may also be a sign of allergies. 

Why Do Cats Lick Their Paws After Eating? 

Cats lick their paws after eating simply because they are cleaning themselves up. This is especially true if they show no signs of allergies and have just finished eating some wet food. However, if your cat shows signs of having a food allergy, such as stomach irritation and itchiness right after eating, you should take them to the vet as soon as possible. 

How Can I Get My Cat To Stop Licking His Paws? 

The best way to get your cat to stop licking their paws is to get the cause of their excessive licking treated. For example, if your cat is licking themselves excessively due to allergies, then the best way to get them to stop licking themselves is to get the allergies treated. Luckily, cats’ conditions commonly cause excessive paw licking is usually easily treated by a vet. 

Things To Consider

There may be some other things that you will want to consider when it comes to cats licking their paws. This includes why cats bite their paws and when self-grooming becomes a health concern in cats. Here are some other things to consider about cats licking their paws and grooming themselves. 

Why Do Cats Bite Their Paws? 

Cats will commonly bite their paws as a way to keep their nails trim. This is usually a normal behavior in cats if it is not excessive. There should also be no signs of skin irritation around the paws, such as red skin or swelling. If this is the case, then a cat may be biting their paws as a way to soothe its itchy and irritated skin. 

When Is Self Grooming A Health Concern In Cats? 

Self-grooming is a sign of a problem if they are grooming themselves excessively. This is because obsessive self-grooming in cats can lead to hair loss, skin irritation, and even skin infections in very severe cases. Similarly, excessive grooming could be a cause for concern if they are showing additional symptoms of allergies, chronic anxiety, or another medical condition. It is always a good idea to take your cat to the vet as soon as possible if you are concerned about their grooming habits and/r are exhibiting unusual symptoms or behavior.