Does Your Cat Lick Too Much?
Cats are very particular about cleanliness and spend most of the time grooming their fur. Though it is quite normal, their unusual obsession for licking can be a little suspicious. Cats lick their owners to show affection as licking others is also an act of socializing in the feline world. However, when habitual licking transforms into a kind of addiction it can be a stress relieving and anxiety alleviating act. It may indicate that the cat is not well and is dealing with some physical or mental health issue. Some cats lick and chew to the extent that they develop bald patches.
When Do Cats Lick Abnormally
Compulsive licking can be observed in cats when they are suffering from any sort of parasitic infestation like flea swarm or worm infestation. Cats that are affected by parasitic attacks usually tend to lick their tail head whereas pollen allergies or food allergy may cause itching in their abdomen or back which is eased by licking. A cat may also lick painful areas developed due to anal sac impaction or disc disease.
Why Does My Cat Lick Me
Cats naturally lick their owners to shower their love and develop trust. However, when licking is excessive you need to watch out. Your furry companion might be conveying her pain through this kinda behavior.
How To Prevent The Cat From Licking Too Much
As over licking cat can be annoying due to their rough tongue and also a cause of concern for some health issue, here are some ways this problem can be alleviated to some extent.
· When cats have some genuine health problem like fleas, lice, worms or some other disease which is why she is licking incessantly, you must treat her with specific drugs formulated to cure the infestation and disease.
· If the reason is mental stress and anxiety, try implementing some mind distraction methods. For instance, give her chews to eat or toys to play. Give a nice massage while combing her coat gently. It is sure gonna work as cats love to gain the attention of their owners. Massage has been also found to reduce anxiety and irritation caused due to hormonal imbalances.
· A veterinarian advice would be helpful in understanding the reason behind licking and you would get informed about the ways to deal with this problem.
As a matter of fact, the problem is easy to resolve if consistent care and affection are provided to the feline. Moreover, being patient can make it easier for pet owners to cure their cat completely, as it may take a couple of months to get her back to normal.