Why a cat licks a person - TOP main reasons!


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 is licking important for cats?

If there is a cat in the house, then, contrary to popular belief, it requires some care. Especially if she is given the opportunity to have free access to the street. A pet that does not roam freely with other animals requires cosmetic care. Of course, cats are very clean creatures, and basically they carry out all procedures for themselves alone, without help.

It is for this reason that the cat constantly licks itself. The tongue of these animals is equipped with special “Velcro” that can clean off :

  • dirt and food debris;
  • waste products from the fur and all parts of the body;
  • dead hairs;
  • matted wool.

In addition, licking is also not only a cleansing procedure. In this way, the cat not only licks itself, but also distributes fat along the entire length of the hair. The sebaceous secretion secreted by the skin serves as a fatty lubricant and performs protective functions. Thanks to this, the wool becomes more elastic.

An additional advantage is the cholesterol content in sebaceous secretions. Under the influence of the sun, it turns into vitamin D, which is necessary for the cat’s health. Also, licking and styling the fur allows the pet to maintain normal thermoregulation. But all this frequent licking does not free the owner from caring for the cat.

If she has a luxurious coat, long and fluffy, then she should periodically inspect her for the formation of tangles. More often they fall in places that are difficult for the animal to reach - on the neck, under the chin, behind the ears, in the armpits.

Due to the fact that the cat constantly licks itself, long hair can gradually accumulate in its mouth . This leads to the fact that after a while she may begin to choke and belch on it. Therefore, it still needs to be scratched sometimes with special brushes, mittens and other devices. If tangles are found, they need to be cut off carefully.

When should constant licking be a concern?

If your pet frequently licks itself and there are negative changes in its behavior, this may be a warning sign.

Most often this is due to cases such as:

  • diseases, including infectious types;
  • allergic reactions;
  • stressful condition.

If a cat walks outside, you should carefully comb it and look through its coat. Often, cats lick each other as a way of paying attention to another individual. For this reason, a pet can become infected from street individuals. In the summer, it is necessary to carry out preventive treatment against fleas. Drops that drip onto the animal's scruff will help get rid of unwanted insects, and wearing a flea collar will prevent you from picking up new residents.

Ears also need to be checked periodically. A cat walking outside can become infected with ear mites and get a cold in the ears. And this must be detected in time and measures taken. It is enough to inspect the ears once a month and if you find any unnatural plaque in them, clean them immediately. If infection with parasites does occur, the animal usually behaves restlessly, constantly licking both itself and the owner.

In case of an allergic reaction, the pet is bothered by severe itching of the skin. In order to relieve irritation, the cat licks the fur down to the skin.

It is important to understand what could have caused the allergic reaction. For example, it could be a food allergy. This most often applies to domestic cats that have sensitive digestion.

It is better to buy it in specialized pet stores, where a consultant will help you choose the right option. An allergic reaction can also occur while taking medications. In this case, it is necessary to consult a specialist about discontinuing or replacing the medication.

Often the reason for constant washing is the animal's recent stress. For example, moving to a new house, strangers coming to visit, or simply excessive noise and loud sounds. In some cases, excessive licking can cause sores to appear on the body.

For the first time, the animal will need to be provided with complete rest. Then you can try giving him a massage and redirecting the pet’s attention.

Typically, if your pet licks itself, it is a natural process. Exceptions are those cases when there is a suspicion of a disease in the cat. As a rule, the animal becomes lethargic, regularly licking itself and its owners. In such a situation, self-medication will not work; the best option would be to contact a veterinarian.

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Symptoms of diseases

There are cases when licking people is a desire to draw attention to the pet’s health problems, and not a show of love or a request for affection. These may be diseases or conditions such as:

  • Skin parasites, including fleas. The cat worries not only about itself, but also about the people around it, and is trying to get rid of the problem.
  • Allergy. If feeding is incorrect or the food is changed, skin problems can occur, which leads to excessive licking of yourself and those around you.
  • Disturbances in general health. By licking frequently, the animal tries to signal that something is wrong with it. It is important to notice changes in behavior and contact a veterinarian promptly.
  • Infectious diseases. Some of them cause itching and rashes on the skin, which irritates the pet and he tries to get rid of it in this way.

The cat constantly licks itself: the reasons for this behavior

Absolutely every cat, regardless of breed, age and living conditions, tries to keep itself clean. Therefore, every day the pet is carefully licked several times - its fur coat, body, each paw in turn, tail and genitals. But sometimes the completely natural process of grooming an animal takes on the character of an obsession, and the cat constantly licks, and the reasons for this behavior are not always clear. This needs to be sorted out.

In what situations do cats lick their heads?

If you woke up to your tailed pet selflessly licking your head, you can consider several reasons, and the main one is a passion for cleanliness. Probably, the cat considers the smell of shampoo too strong, or simply demonstrates the tenderness that it shows towards its own kittens. One of the reasons for this behavior may be the desire for dominance.

In the same list of reasons for the cat’s interest in the owner’s head, there is also a lack of attention. If this behavior of your furry pet causes discomfort, it is easy to wean her off it with the help of her favorite games and attention. If you can’t retrain your cat on your own, a specialist will always help.

The cat licks and itches, but there are no fleas

Even if no fleas were visible during a visual inspection of the cat, this does not mean that there are none at all. Very often, small black grains are visible among the fur, very similar to trash - these are nits. And sometimes, small transparent bubbles – lice eggs – are attached to the pet’s hairs.

However, not only fleas can cause a cat to lick and itch. This can also be done by other pathological microorganisms, such as scabies mites. In this case, the pet will have visible skin damage on the ears, ankles and elbows.

Other possible reasons for your pet licking and scratching include:

  1. Allergies to food, plant pollen, hygiene products, or insect bites (the cat scratches its face, scratches its ears, intensively licks and bites its paws). In this case, the veterinarian will recommend a diet to test for any specific component of the food that is causing adverse effects.
  2. Fungal and bacterial inflammation. A set of certain fungi and bacteria are found on the skin and mucous membranes of both humans and their pets. Being in a normal state, these microorganisms do not harm. But if the immune system weakens, their number quickly increases, and inflammatory processes begin. Fungal inflammation causes severe itching.
  3. Otitis is an ear infection that causes itching. A cat with otitis media itches and displays the following signs: it scratches its face, furiously rubs its ears, and shakes its head; swelling and redness of the ears appears, and purulent discharge from the ears.
  4. Skin diseases (pyodermitis, notoedrosis, demodicosis, etc.) arise as a result of skin pathologies. The rashes that appear on the skin cause severe itching and discomfort. Scabies can also be accompanied by external signs such as baldness.

The cat is overly excited

Cats love to be petted, but sometimes a long petting session gets them over the edge. When this happens, our sweet and laid-back kitties may experience something called petting aggression.

It is thought to have something to do with the nerve endings connected to your cat's fur, and petting too often can cause discomfort. If your cat is gently licking you while you pet her and she suddenly bites you, this is probably the reason.


Image credit: congerdesign, Pixabay

Signs that a cat is overstimulated include widened eyes, folded ears, and tail flapping. Take the time to notice if your cat exhibits these signs when you pet her, and end the petting session before your cat reaches the point of overstimulation.

Some cats have areas of their fur that they can tolerate longer than others. By watching your cat's body language, you can make petting enjoyable for both of you.

What to do if your cat is constantly licking

Having noticed that the cat has begun to lick and scratch almost all the time, and this is no longer simple self-care, the owner first of all needs to examine his pet for fleas. If fleas are not found, you need to remember whether one cat food was changed to another, whether a new shampoo was used, and whether any plant bloomed in the house.

A cat that scratches itself until it bleeds, licks itself and shakes its head frequently is most likely suffering from one of the skin diseases. You need to take her to the vet immediately. It will not be possible to make a diagnosis on your own, since scratching can be accompanied by many pathologies.

At the veterinary clinic, scrapings will be taken from the cat and microscopic and bacteriological studies will be carried out on their basis. They will allow you to identify fungal spores (if microsporia and trichophytosis occur) or mites (if demodicosis, sarcoptic mange or notoedrosis are present).

If the veterinarian suspects hormonal disorders, he may refer you for a blood test and, based on the results, will conduct an examination of the cat’s endocrine system.

Is your cat sick?

There is also some not entirely pleasant information about why cats lick themselves and their owners. According to one version, the cat reacts with this behavior to skin diseases or parasites. In order to accurately determine whether there is any need to worry, the animal must be examined by a doctor. Beforehand, at home, you can identify whether there are reasons to worry. Rashes, dermatitis, and lichen will be noticeable. But to find out whether there are worms, monitoring the cat’s appetite, its well-being and feces will help.

You will be able to notice from the behavior of the predator what the mystery of this phenomenon lies. When she licks her owner's hands, she can do it with love or confusion. Observe your pet's behavior. Perhaps she just wants to show how she feels about you.

Preventing itching

Prevention of itching plays a very important role, so compliance with its basic measures will prevent the development of pathological processes accompanied by unpleasant symptoms.

Carry out hygiene procedures as often as possible - wet cleaning, washing cat bowls and washing their bedding.

Regularly clean your pet's ears and treat them with special medications.

Provide your pet with a balanced diet and try to prevent it from coming into contact with other animals.

Now everything has become clear why a cat can lick and itch. To solve the problem with a cat licking, you will have to be patient and time. And it doesn’t matter whether it’s a psychological or physiological reason. By providing your pet with enough attention and proper care, you can count on the fact that after some time his life will return to normal and his fur will be restored.

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Communication between cat and owner

Our pets are loyal and open to communication. And if you want to find yourself a loyal friend who will simply be nearby and give you good emotions, get an animal. But now I would like to talk about an interesting phenomenon in the behavior of cats. You've probably seen a cat lick a person's hands or face. There are reasons for this:

  • Your pet wants to show you love. While humans can express feelings through words or hugs, cats have other methods. This behavior is instinctive, and later we will look at why the pet exhibits it. You may already understand what we're talking about. But for now let's move on to the next point;
  • Each animal has its own territory and “its own owner.” Therefore, with this behavior, the cat simply designates you as a member of the family. There is another option, when the pet does not perceive the owner as the main one, but, on the contrary, tries to clean it like a junior;
  • You are in a bad mood and your pet wants to feel sorry for you. The cat also reacts to its stress. If you notice that your four-legged companion spends a long time cleaning himself, it could be stress. Or dermatological problems. But if an animal likes to lick a person, then she wants to comfort you.

No matter how rough your pet’s tongue is, you should always accept his affection and care. After all, this is how your pet expresses her feelings, wants to distract you from negative experiences, and feel sorry for you. There are other reasons, for example, the desire to get a treat. But even in this case, the animal shows sincere love for you. Why a cat likes to lick a person’s hands is a rather broad question. To understand your pet, you need to observe and communicate with him. Each animal has its own unique character. Yes, and a person influences the behavior of a pet. We talk about his actions, parenting methods, reactions to pranks and satisfaction of food needs.

There is no doubt that felines can be very smart and funny at the same time. And in their behavior you can find care for a person, their owner. Where there is a cat, there is an opportunity to console yourself and enjoy pleasant communication with the animal.


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Why does a cat constantly lick itself?

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.

The cat wants to rest

Cats love to play with their people and it's a great way to bond. However, they also have mood swings, and if you become overly persistent in playing and petting your pet, she will feel uncomfortable. Overstimulation occurs when a sensitive part of the body is touched accidentally and repeatedly. Your pet may lick and then gently bite you to show that he wants to take a break.

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.

Main reasons

Cats are one of the most independent and self-sufficient pets you can keep at home. Some people periodically feel like they are the ones living with their animal, and not the other way around, they behave so proudly. Therefore, when pets start licking their hands, many people want to think that this is only because of strong love and affection. However, this is not entirely true; there are also other reasons for this.

Expressing affection and care

This behavior is one of the main reasons for licking the head, hands, face, and hair of its owner. A cat avoids people who, for one reason or another, are unpleasant to them. This could be a smell, a neglectful or rude attitude towards an animal, and many others. Therefore, if a pet shows sympathy in this way, there is no need to scold or drive him away. This behavior will cause the animal to lose trust. When it becomes uncomfortable from prolonged licking with a rough and wet tongue, you should not drive the cat away, but divert his attention to a treat or toy.

Maternal instinct

After birth, when kittens are still blind and deaf, they communicate with their mother through tactile interactions. Cats lick their offspring many times a day. This moment remains in the memory of animals for life. When they reach puberty, but do not have kittens for one reason or another, they thus demonstrate maternal instinct. Cats begin to lick their owner, thereby replacing the care of kittens. This seems funny and cute, but this behavior should alert the owner; it can harm the health of the pet. In this connection, veterinarians recommend sterilizing animals at the age of less than 12 months, if matings are not planned in the future.

Lack of attention

When the owner does not give his pet enough attention, this is fraught with damage to furniture, torn wallpaper and loss of mutual understanding with each other. Particularly active individuals can even bite a person. There are several signs that your cat wants affection or play that should not be ignored:

  • flattens ears;
  • nuzzles hand;
  • licks the owner's nose and face.

The pet can lie flat on the floor at the owner’s feet and turn one side or another, as if showing an area of ​​the body where it needs to be stroked or scratched.

Many cats enjoy having their foreheads and ears scratched. Moreover, the fur on the forehead should be stroked against growth, and the ears can be pulled a little. Some pets love it if their belly is touched, others cannot stand it. During molting, animals love to be combed, which is also worth taking into account.

If, when caressed by the owner, the cat begins to purr gently, this indicates that she is happy with everything and is enjoying herself.

You can start stroking without waiting for a call from your pet, but take the initiative yourself. To do this, you need to bring your hand to a distance of about 10 cm from the animal and scratch it nearby; if it reaches out and begins to rub against the owner, then the call for affection has been accepted.

Cat dominance

When licking, sometimes a cat shows its dominant role in the family. In this way she means that this person is her property. At the same time, the pet leaves its scent on the owner. If there are no signs of aggression, there is no need to fight this, as this is normal, because it is not for nothing that everyone knows that a cat is one of the most independent pets.

Anxiety and stress

With increased anxiety and stress, a cat often begins to lick itself and its owner. If such behavior has not been noticed before, or if it was much less so, you need to show the animal to a veterinarian, because this is a symptom indicating the presence of some pathology.

Another reason for this behavior is the animal’s low self-esteem. Licking the owner is a way to win him over and keep him safe. At the same time, the pet is tense and will constantly expect a trick, rather than enjoy communicating with the owner.

Boredom

Some animals, often and for a long time being alone, try to have fun on their own. Some start eating a lot, while others start licking. This is a way to cope with boredom. First, they constantly carry out the washing procedure, and then switch to the owner’s things, as well as hair, hands, face, and the person himself. Sometimes animals go so far as to lick until the hair falls out, followed by the formation of a wound in this place that constantly gets wet. At the same time, they do not stop licking, even in such critical situations.

If this happens to pets, you need to seek veterinary help.

Naturally pungent odor from the owner

Cats have a very highly developed sense of smell, so they can lick the hands, feet, and armpits of their owners who come in the evening after work. The fact is that the smell of sweat formed on the human body during the day is a bait for animals. And by licking it, pets try to protect their owner from persecution by other animals and encroachment on their territory.

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.

Licking kittens and humans: what are the similarities?

It is not without reason that a cat shows care by licking. Even in childhood, your mother cat took such care of your pet. This action is associated with pleasant emotions that are associated with safety and protection. Have you noticed how a cat licks kittens? In fact, there is something similar in the behavior of a pet with a person. Cat love manifests itself in different ways, but it is through licking that the mother takes care of the kitten. She hides him from predators by licking his scent, and also teaches him to care for her fur. But even in the usual washing of children, the cat shows maternal affection.

In other cases, the owners observed that small predators can also lick each other. If your cat shows you such caring attitude, then he perceives you as part of his family.

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.

Why do furry pets lick their skin?

If cats show increased attention to the owner's skin - hands, or face, and especially when they lick armpits, it can be assumed that they need pheromones. The fact is that sweat contains hormones similar to substances with which cats attract the opposite sex. Thus, the pungent smell of sweat has a calming effect for cats. In a similar way, these animals react to catnip, valerian and mint, which have a very relaxing effect on furry pets. It is possible that your pet simply does not have enough salt with sodium and other minerals.

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.

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.

Examples of how to wean a pet

Why does a cat walk past the litter box: the main reasons and what to do

The cat's increased interest in hygiene procedures begins to irritate over time. To correct the situation, there is no need to scold or punish your pet - he will not understand the reasons for such aggressive behavior and will lose trust in the family.

Important! Weaning from obsessive and bad habits always begins with finding the source of irritation and eliminating it.

Licking your face

Obsessive attention to the face may be associated with:

  • with the smell of used cosmetics;
  • the aroma of certain products;
  • using eau de toilette or mouth freshener.

Before starting the process of weaning a kitten, you need to change decorative and medicinal cosmetics, toothpaste, brush your teeth and wash your hands after eating, and give up perfumes with a strong aroma.

If licking causes a lot of inconvenience, then you can use negative reinforcement tactics. When trying to approach the pet, you need to gently but firmly push it away. After several repetitions, it will dawn on him that the owner does not agree to let him lick his nose.

To distract attention, you can use toys with catnip - they are sold at any pet store. Changing your cat's scratching post and climbing tree also helps combat unnecessary affection.


A new scratching post can distract a cat

Licking hands

Why does my cat constantly lick his hands? The love of cleaning fingers and palms can be provoked by:

  • hand creams;
  • chlorine-containing detergents;
  • the aroma of food - at first the cat will smell them, looking for a source that interests him.

To combat a cat’s obsessive attention, veterinarians recommend:

  • put fur gloves on your hands - over time the animal will switch to them, leaving your hands alone;
  • lubricate them with lemon juice - the aroma of citrus fruits scares cats;
  • stop using certain brands of creams;
  • Wash your hands thoroughly after eating and using Belizna.

Why does a cat lick his hand? This may involve begging for food. You should not give in and fulfill the demands of your furry pet - excess weight will cause health problems, and rare requests for treats will develop into regular ones.

Licking feet

The smell, especially after a day of work, is attractive only to pets. There are several other sources of increased attention to the owner’s lower extremities:

  • plant-based cream;
  • dense vegetation.

First you need to solve the problem of attractive cosmetics and dirty feet. Immediately after returning home, the owner will have to wash them, and the usual cream should be replaced with one that is uninteresting for the pet (with the smell of lemon, etc.).


A girl hugs a cat, relieving stress in the animal.

Playing together with a cat will distract his attention from the coveted limbs and will save the owner for a long time from “bringing gloss and shine.” If an animal is trying to communicate in this way that it is nervous, just take it in your arms, hug it, say something affectionate - it will feel protected and will stop attracting attention to itself.

There are a large number of reasons for strange and unusual behavior in cats. They cannot be fully deciphered - animal psychologists claim that each pet is individual and why it repeats certain actions is impossible to fully understand. However, the owner must analyze the cat's behavior and, if possible, take action.


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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:

  1. 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.
  2. Infections and inflammations on the skin of infectious origin require a course of antibiotics.
  3. If a fungus has been identified, antifungal medications are prescribed.

Also watch the video why cats lick themselves so often:

How to prevent a bad habit

Constant licking of fur is always associated with the fact that the cat develops itching of various etiologies on the skin. Its occurrence can be prevented by taking preventive measures:

  1. The good health of a pet depends primarily on its owner, who must regularly sanitize the cat's litter box and food bowls.
  2. Don’t forget about antiseptic treatment of pussy ears using special products. This way you can prevent the appearance of lichen and fungal infections.
  3. To prevent fleas from appearing, the cat needs to be bathed regularly, the fur must be treated with special preparations, and a special flea collar must be put on the pet.
  4. It is recommended to carefully approach the issue of choosing industrial food and natural products so that your pet does not develop allergies.
  5. You can prevent excessive dryness of the skin and its peeling, which is why the cat begins to constantly lick itself, by choosing the right hygiene products for bathing - they should be specialized, in no case human or even children's.

Proper care of your pet and sufficient attention is the key to ensuring that the cat feels good, both mentally and physically.

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How to break your pet's habit

When an owner is annoyed by such excessive attention from his cat, there are several ways to try to get rid of this habit:

  • A game. By switching attention to entertainment and giving your pet an outlet for energy, you can relieve her for a while from the desire to lick something or someone.
  • Weasel. If the problem is stress or lack of attention, you need to pet and hug the animal more often, and the problem will disappear soon.
  • Change of interests. Apply a special solution – catnip – to your pet’s toys. It is sold in pet stores. Its scent will attract the cat's attention.
  • Refusal. If your pet's behavior becomes overly intrusive, every time he tries to lick him, you need to gently but decisively push him away and make it clear that this is not worth doing. After some time, the method will work and the cat will stop trying.
  • Substitution for another item. Buy a fur mitten and put it on your hand every time you try to lick your fingers. After time, attention will switch to the object, and the owner will no longer be needed.

It is worth remembering that such behavior of a pet can be due to a whole range of different reasons and there is no need to get angry or scold him for it. After all, with such behavior the cat does not want to cause harm, but is simply trying to attract the owner’s attention to his person or show love.
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