Should My Cat Be Grooming Itself So Much?

Grooming is a very natural behavior in cats. You will often watch your cat sitting in the corner just going to town licking and grooming itself, another cat, or even the family dog. However, there are instances where cats get a little exuberant about licking. They may even start grooming you, which some people want to discourage.

Cat Grooming Itself by ex.libris

There are a number of reasons that you may want to discourage your cat from grooming himself. One of the major reasons is if your cat is injured or recovering from surgery. If you get your cat neutered or spayed, your cat may be tempted to lick the wound clean. The problem is that your cat does not necessarily know when to stop, and he or she can end up removing stitches or causing further injury.

If your cat is injured or recovering, you can purchase several topical products to help prevent licking. Discuss the products with your vet to make sure that they will not cause any further irritation to the wound, and then apply the product to the affected area. Many of these products have a nasty flavor that discourages your cat from licking the wound.

Another way to prevent your cat from licking any wounds is to use a bandage. In certain areas of the body, a bandage will completely keep your cat from licking the affected area. However, bandages often pose a challenge to your cat, and he or she may go after the area with fervor.

If you have tried bandaging and topical ointments, you may end up having to put the dreaded cone on your cat.

This is a collar that forms a cone around your cat’s head. Your cat will look funny, and he or she will probably be fairly humiliated, but it will keep your cat from licking the affected area. Just make sure you move breakables out of the way, and keep an eye on your cat. The cone collar will throw off your cat’s balance and ability to maneuver certain areas. Your cat will become clumsy for a while.

Another reason why you may want to prevent your cat’s licking behavior is if it is causing injury to itself. Some cats will lick and lick until their fur starts to fall out and they form sores. Excessive licking is a result of food allergies, anxiety, stress, and other items. Stopping the excessive licking is not always about deterring behavior.

If there is a medical reason, you need to see the vet. Even if you are not sure, you should check with your vet first to rule out any medical issues.

If your cat is licking excessively out of stress, anxiety, or other psychological reasons, deterrents like sprays or ointments will not do anything to decrease the stress. In fact, it may even increase the problem. Therefore, you need to find the root of the problem to solve it.

For instance, a cat may be licking excessively, because it feels like it is low on your priority list. To stop the licking, you may just have to devote some extra time to your cat each day where it is just your time to play. By giving your cat your undivided attention, you may stop your cat from licking.

If you are confused about what issues your cat may have, you may want to contact a professional. Discuss the issues with your vet. If he or she cannot help you solve the problem, the vet will probably know some cat experts that will know what to do.

About the Author
Written by Michael Moyssidis
For more information about Cat Grooming and more cat care training tips visit http://catcareinfosite.com/catcare.html

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