Why Does My Cat Lick Everything – What It Really Means

We’ve all been in a room before where there was a cat that would not stop licking! Whether it was their paw, their belly, or an item in the room, this can become annoying quickly. Licking can seem like a funny habit for cats, but the practice has more meaning than you might think. So now to answer the question you may have which is; why does my cat lick everything?

Cats lick everything to orient themselves in a room and establish their bearings. Licking allows cats to explore items, test their senses, and deal with allergies. Cats also lick as a coping mechanism as well as hydrating dry skin.

Licking is quite useful for cats as it’s a major tool used to explore their surroundings. However licking everything is not entirely normal. Let’s explore that next.

Six Reasons Cats Lick Everything

Seeing a cat lick everything around them may seem odd at first, however it is a very normal practice. Below are a few reasons your cat might be licking everything it can find and the meaning behind that behavior.

Cats Are Incredible Groomers

Veterinarians tell us that cats spend up to 50% of their waking hours grooming themselves.

They are very clean animals, and their vigilant licking routine allows them to remove any food or debris from their fur. This keeps them smelling nice on their own, without any water baths necessary.  

Cats Use Licking As A Coping Mechanism

Some cats take their lickings too far and develop an obsessive licking behavior.

Cats that do this often lick as a coping mechanism to relieve stress. If you find you have an anxious cat, they may need to be on anti-anxiety medication to relieve their stress more healthily.  

Cats Lick To Bond With Other Cats

Cats experience licking from the moment they are born. Mother cats lick their kittens to ensure they are breathing after they are born.

This practice of grooming others carries into a cat’s adult life. Most commonly, cats will groom another cat around their ears and the top of their heads as a sign of affection, as those places are hard for them to clean themselves. 

Cats Lick Inanimate Objects To Better Understand What The Item Is

Cats have a ton of sensory glands in their tongue and rely heavily on their sense of taste and smell to explain the world around them.

If you notice your cat licking a random item in your home, there is a good chance they are trying to use the taste and scent of that item to place what it is made out of.

Additionally, your cat might be licking an object that has a pleasing smell or taste to them.  

Your Cat Has Dry Skin

When cats constantly lick a specific area of their body, it likely is because that spot is bringing them discomfort. Similar to humans, cats can sometimes develop dry patches of skin during the cold winter weather. 

Your Cat Might Have Allergies

If you notice your cat develops excessive licking after sitting in the grass or when they are around a certain plant, they may have an allergy.

Often whatever they are allergic to will cause an allergic reaction, leading to irritation or itchy skin. They may try to soothe their allergy by licking. 

Is It Normal For Cats To Lick Everything

No, it is not normal for a cat to lick everything in sight. Cats are indeed big lickers for personal hygiene and socially grooming other cats, but there is a reason for concern if they are licking inanimate objects around the house. 

If you notice your cat licking everything, know that the condition is usually treatable, and your cat can move past their compulsive licking with some work. Adjustments should be made to your cat’s diet and home environment to mitigate obsessive licking behavior.  

Why Do Older Cats Lick Everything 

Your older cat may be licking everything in sight because they have developed Pica. This condition is defined as a cat who constantly licks or attempts to eat anything that is not edible in your home. This can range from licking your floors to the furniture in your house. 

While more research is needed to explore what causes Pica, it can often be found in older cats with some other illness, ranging from anemia to diabetes. It also is often linked to a potential dietary problem, such as a deficiency of an essential vitamin. 

Older cats can also begin to lose their eyesight, and your older cat may be licking things in your home because they are confused and have mistaken the inanimate objects for something else.  

Why Does My Cat Lick Obsessively 

Cats that lick obsessively could be suffering from either boredom or a compulsive disorder. Often obsessive licking in cats is a sign of a persistent mental imbalance. Cats can suffer from anxiety or other mental health conditions as well. 

If your cat seems to be a compulsive licker, spend time trying to redirect their focus from licking themselves into other playtime activities.

Obsessive licking occurs more frequently in cats the primarily live indoors, as they are often less stimulated by their surroundings than a cat who has free rein to explore the outside.

Another incident that can cause your cat to develop a licking condition is a big change in your home environment. If you have recently brought home a new baby or another new animal, this can trigger a cat’s compulsive episode.  

How Do I Stop My Cat Licking Obsessively

If your cat is an obsessive licker, you can stop them by eliminating any medical or stress-related problems inducing the licking in their life.

As we’ve already learned, there are many healthy reasons that cats need to lick themselves, but there are also many unhealthy habits that can develop around this. 

The main thing to look for is whether your cat is licking for a very long period or if they are licking very frequently throughout the day. If you can pinpoint that they are licking an area of their body that is causing them pain, you should resolve the obsessive licking by treating the injury. 

Outside of a medical reason, to reduce the amount your cat licks, you will have to reduce the amount of stress in their life.

Please take action to build them a safe corner of your home free of loud noises or stressors. Make sure your cat is getting enough exercise throughout the day. After a few weeks of this regime, evaluate if your cat is licking less frequently. 

How Do I Stop My Cat From Constantly Licking

To stop your cat from constantly licking:

1. Make it difficult for them to continue this behavior.
2. Start by removing all the intangible objects in your home that they frequently lick.
3. If you cannot remove the items, consider spraying them with a designated pet spray that should taste bitter and prevent your cat from continuing to lick. 

To occupy the time they would be licking, try providing safer alternatives like nontoxic pet toys and spending time cuddling with them instead. If you keep your cat distracted during the periods when they are most likely to want to lick, you can encourage them to break this bad behavior.  

Final Thoughts

In addition to all the other reasons, cats use licking to cool themselves down as well. Seeing as they are covered in a thick coat of fur, cats do not sweat all over their body.

They do have a few sweat glands in their paws, but for the most part, they use licking and saliva evaporation as a way to cool themselves down on a hot day. This helps them keep their body temperature within a normal range.

Licking also does a lot to help cats redistribute the naturally occurring oils that build up on their fur. The oils help cats regulate their body temperature by acting as a barrier to the elements, so it is a great asset to cats to groom themselves and distribute the oils evenly across their coat. 

Lastly, if a cat does have an open wound or injury of some kind, its saliva can act as a temporary guard against infection from bacteria.

This is a hereditary trait passed down by wild cats, and it was invaluable for them to ensure they didn’t constantly fall ill from open and exposed wounds.

In the current day, if your cat has an open wound, you should still consult with your vet as their natural enzymes may not be enough protection.