What's going on when a cat keeps licking itself?

A cat constantly licking itself may be grooming its fur, or it could be due to wounds, skin diseases, or stress. First of all, cats naturally have the behavior of licking their bodies, which is a normal situation. Owners can regularly bathe their cats or use a comb to help them groom their fur. Secondly, if the owner notices that the cat constantly licks a specific part of its body, they should check if there are any redness, rash, dandruff, or other skin problems. It's best to take the cat to the pet hospital for examination and treatment promptly.

Grooming

Cats are clean animals. When they feel dirty or have a scent they don't like, they will constantly lick themselves to clean up. However, since cats often ingest hair while licking, it's better for owners to regularly use a comb to groom their cats and feed them hair removal gel.

Wounds or skin diseases

When a cat has wounds or skin diseases, it will also lick itself to alleviate itching or pain. However, the mouth of a cat contains many bacteria, which can only cause repeated infections by licking the wounds. Therefore, it's essential to distinguish between normal fur cleaning and wounds or skin diseases.

Owners can observe if there is any hair loss, redness, or dandruff on their cats' bodies. If so, it's likely due to bacterial, fungal, or parasitic infections. It's recommended to take the cat to the pet hospital for examination and treatment immediately. Also, check if there are any wounds on the cat's body. If a wound is found, it needs to be cleaned and disinfected promptly. If the wound is large, it requires medical treatment and bandaging.

Emotional stress

Cats will also lick their fur to relieve stress, such as when they are scolded by their owners, move to a new home, change their cat bed, or encounter strangers.

In this case, it's advised for owners to gently stroke the cat's head and back or hold them in their arms to comfort them. The familiar scent of the owner can also help the cat feel safer. Additionally, taking the cat to a quiet and hidden place where it won't be disturbed or scared can help it relax. Let the cat stay in a corner until it feels better on its own.