A cat is one of the cleanest animals; it can lick its fur for hours, putting it in order. She does not change her habit either after eating and sleeping, or after visiting the toilet and petting her owners. But sometimes pet owners begin to notice that the cat is more habitually engaged in grooming than usual, and the habit of licking turns into manic obsession. Now all the time, outside of sleeping and eating, the cat constantly licks its fur. This behavior of the animal not only can, but should alert the owner.
Why does a cat constantly lick its tail?
The owners of tailed purrs notice this pathological habit immediately, because it can be terribly annoying, especially if the pet does it near people and even on their bed. You shouldn’t just drive the animal away, as there are many reasons for this behavior. Moreover, they all require contacting a veterinarian. A cat can lick its tail for hours due to:
- allergic reaction to certain foods;
- the presence of parasites in the body (with this disease, the cat will not lick the fur, but directly the anal entrance);
- skin damage on the tail.
A symptom such as licking under the tail often indicates that the pet is under stress. Stress can be caused by the fact that the house has another pet or is undergoing renovations. Constant licking has a calming effect on your furry pet.
Interaction with the environment
A dog's licking can be interpreted as a way of communication. Like barking, this action is a tool for interacting with the environment. Animals use it in different interpretations to express certain emotions. Scientists say that this is how the natural instinct of animals manifests itself.
When a mother licks her offspring, she shows care and establishes contact with the babies. By licking each other, puppies engage in their first social interaction. A dog's tongue also acts as a scout, being a powerful sensory tool that helps evaluate nearby objects.
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Why does a cat lick its fur in different places, but the animal has no fleas?
The presence of fleas in a pet is the first thing a cat owner thinks about if he notices that he is constantly licking his fur. Even if a quick examination did not reveal parasites in the fur, this does not mean that they are not there. Nits are not so clearly visible; they look like black, very small dots on the skin between the hairs.
However, the cause of constant licking of fur can be not only fleas, but also other skin parasites - scabies mites. It is quite easy to identify them by such signs as the presence of lesions on the skin in the area of the ankles, ears and elbows.
If a cat licks its fur mainly in the summer, but does not have fleas or parasites, there is a possibility that the pet has increased sensitivity to insect bites, such as mosquitoes.
Constant licking of a cat's fur in the absence of parasites may be an initial sign of one of the pathological conditions:
- depriving;
- dermatitis;
- endocrine system disorders;
- otitis;
- skin diseases - demodicosis, pyodermatitis.
All these pathologies, in addition to constant licking, are accompanied by other symptoms - the presence of wounds and erosions on the surface of the skin, areas of severe peeling.
Signs of lichen and fungal infections
Infection of the skin with lichen forces cats to clean their toilets more carefully than usual. If the owner notices that his pet has begun to lick its fur most of the time, you need to carefully examine its skin. If there is lichen on the skin, pockets of erosion or scabs will be visible between the hairs.
With fungus everything is much more complicated.
It is impossible to determine the presence of a fungal infection without examination by a veterinarian and instrumental examination using special equipment.
But there are a number of signs that an attentive owner will notice:
- excessive dry skin;
- the skin in certain areas changes its color, becomes paler or, conversely, stands out excessively, becoming darker or brighter by several tones;
- the appearance of gray scales that separate from the skin;
- the fur becomes thinner.
Similar signs may be present in other skin diseases, so it is not possible to make a diagnosis without a veterinarian.
Dermatitis
Identifying dermatitis in a cat is no less difficult a task than diagnosing a fungal infection. A cat will constantly lick its fur because it suffers from an incessant feeling of itching and burning. One of the most pronounced signs of dermatitis is the presence of inflammatory processes on the skin.
It is almost impossible to determine the presence of dermatitis at an early stage of its development, therefore, if the owner notices that his cat has clearly begun to lick itself longer and more often, it should be immediately shown to a veterinarian.
Otitis
An ear infection is always accompanied by severe itching. The cat will lick itself vigorously, damage its face and ears with its claws, and constantly shake its head. Other signs include redness of the inside of the ear, swelling and pus discharge.
Development of skin diseases
Demodecosis and pyodermitis are pathologies of the skin that are accompanied by severe and constant itching, while the cat experiences severe, ongoing discomfort. Due to the incessant “mange”, the cat begins to lick its fur and sometimes does it so intensely that bald patches appear on the fur.
How to stop a cat from licking
If your cat is an avid licker, you can stop her by addressing any health or stress issues that are causing her to lick.
As we've already learned, cats need to lick themselves for many healthy reasons, but there are also many unhealthy habits that can arise from it.
The main thing to look for is whether your cat licks for a very long time or if she licks very frequently throughout the day. If you can positively determine that she is licking an area of her body that is causing her pain, you should resolve the compulsive licking by treating the injury.
Outside of medical reasons, to reduce the amount of licking your cat does, you will have to reduce the amount of stress in her life.
Please take steps to create a safe area for them in your home, free from loud noises and stressors. Make sure your cat gets enough exercise throughout the day. After a few weeks of this regimen, check to see if your cat is licking less frequently.
Licking to the point of baldness
The owner of a purring dog may not even realize that constant, almost non-stop licking of fur is a symptom that the pet is in a state of psycho-emotional instability.
As a rule, all owners are accustomed to the fact that cats lick themselves because they have dermatitis or parasites, but it is also possible that the cat is experiencing real emotional torment. This picture can be observed when an animal needs to mate.
In order to normalize the pet’s condition, after which, accordingly, the bad habit of constantly licking the fur will go away, it is enough to give the cat to drink medications that have a sedative spectrum of action. But it should be borne in mind that they must be taken carefully so that they do not cause side symptoms or addiction in the pet.
The dog licked it - what to do?
Of course, kissing a dog is not only harmful to humans, but also beneficial. Despite the content of some pathogenic and opportunistic microorganisms in the saliva, a dog, along with kisses, gives a person a significant amount of dopamine, serotonin and oxytocin. Hormones are responsible for happiness, improving the owner’s mood, making him cheerful.
The dog licked it, what to do:
- If a child gets a dog in childhood, the risk of allergies and asthma is reduced. The child tolerates various viruses and diseases more easily.
- Strengthens the immune system. Indeed, a dog’s saliva may contain some opportunistic microorganisms that the human immune system fights. Due to constant communication with the dog, human immunity improves and the body’s resistance to various diseases increases.
- Don't deny yourself dog kisses. However, you should not allow your dog to lick his lips or mucous membranes. Nothing bad will happen if the dog licks his cheek, chin or nose.
With the owner
If an unpleasant habit appeared after the castration procedure
The fact that an animal licks itself non-stop after sterilization is a normal, understandable phenomenon. After surgery, when the incision scar begins to heal, this process is accompanied by severe itching and burning. It is not surprising that the cat will try to relieve discomfort by constantly licking the skin.
But it is important for the owner to understand what this can lead to. If the suture is constantly wet after surgery, this will lead to poor and too slow healing and increase the risk of secondary infection.
To protect against negative consequences, the pet is recommended to wear a surgical collar for 10 days after castration, until the suture finally heals.
Respect for the "pack leader"
Sometimes a dog will lick a person's face to show respect. Since it is a pack animal, it follows an established social order. Wild dogs lick the face of the leader of the pack to indicate hierarchy: to express respect and show that they are ready to obey the leader. An animal's desire to lick your face may be a natural impulse, showing that you are the master of the house.
Diagnostic measures
Constant licking of fur is an alarming symptom, indicating that pathological processes are occurring in the animal’s body, often associated with mental instability and severe stress. Therefore, it is recommended to immediately take the cat to the veterinarian to identify the causes of this phenomenon and make an accurate diagnosis.
The veterinarian will conduct a visual examination of the animal and prescribe a number of laboratory tests. If dermatitis, fungal infection or infectious skin diseases are suspected, a bacteriological culture from the affected area is taken. If the doctor suspects that the cat has problems with the functioning of the endocrine system, it will be necessary to take a blood test for hormones.
Treatment
If you notice that your cat is constantly itching, licking itself, and at the same time acting restlessly, hitting its tail, you should immediately take your pet to the veterinarian. It is better not to try to establish the cause and diagnosis yourself, since many of the symptoms are similar to each other. Laboratory analysis and proper examination will be required.
If the reason that the cat is constantly itching, licking and licking itself lies in fleas and other skin and fur parasites, then external treatment is prescribed. The veterinarian may prescribe special drops or sprays, or recommend treating the animal with medicated shampoo. As a rule, using all these drugs several times helps to quickly remove itching and irritation and overcome parasites. In the future, only timely prevention will be required.
If the skin ailment is caused by an infection or fungus, medicinal sprays and drops will also help in the early stages. But, as practice shows, special medications and antibiotics may still be required. If the cat is constantly itching, licking its face, scratching its ears and eyes, antihistamines are prescribed. An accurate analysis is performed and the source of the allergy is determined.
Therapeutic measures
Constant licking of fur is not a separate disease, but a symptom of a certain pathology, so treatment is selected individually, depending on the diagnosis:
- If the cause of the symptom is diseases such as allergic reactions to food or hygiene products, local spectrum drugs are prescribed - ointments and creams that eliminate unpleasant symptoms, itching and burning. To prevent allergies from occurring again, you need to determine what exactly was the allergen, otherwise the discomfort will return again. In case of a severe allergic reaction, antihistamines are prescribed for internal use.
- Infections and inflammations on the skin of infectious origin require a course of antibiotics.
- If a fungus has been identified, antifungal medications are prescribed.
Also watch the video why cats lick themselves so often:
Insufficient self-care
Regular self-care will help your pet look and feel great, but if she gets sick, she may stop taking care of herself. This happens with arthritis, pain or dental problems. Cats that are taken from their mothers too early may simply not know how to properly care for themselves.
Watch for these warning signs of poor self-care:
- Coarse or greasy coat.
- Small tangles on the body or tail.
- Traces of urine or feces on the paws.
- Unpleasant smell.
- Food particles on the face or chest after eating.
To give your pet an incentive to start grooming herself, start brushing her daily. Brushing stimulates the skin and blood circulation, and rids the animal of fleas and ticks. When she starts licking herself, try not to interrupt her. This is important for your cat, so let her get the most out of it.
To attract attention
Some pets experience a lack of communication with their owner. At the same time, animals try to attract attention to themselves by licking their faces. Sometimes this is interpreted as a desire to play. At first, the dog uses this action as an attempt to attract attention, then the process becomes a kind of game that the animal likes, but a person may not understand.
