What to do if your cat keeps licking itself?

A cat constantly licking itself may be caused by various reasons such as eliminating body odors, injuries, allergies, ringworm, bladder inflammation, urinary stones, etc. If the cat is just trying to remove body odors, constant licking is a normal physiological phenomenon and owners don't need to be overly concerned. However, if there are other adverse reactions accompanied by the behavior, such as itchy skin, pain, and urination abnormalities, it is recommended to take the cat to a regular pet hospital for treatment.

Eliminating body odors

If the cat hasn't taken a bath and dust and dirt have accumulated on the skin, it will clean itself by licking, mainly to remove body odors. This is a normal phenomenon and no special treatment is required.

Injuries

If there is damage to the local skin, it can cause swelling and pain. The cat will lick the skin to alleviate the pain caused by the injury and can take medications under the guidance of a doctor.

Allergies

If the skin shows allergic reactions such as redness and itching, the cat will improve itself by licking and rubbing against objects. This can relieve the itching sensation and the cat may also need to take anti-allergic medications as prescribed.

Ringworm

It is an infectious skin disease usually caused by fungal infection, characterized by patches, mild itching, and papules. When the vesicles break, pus may ooze out. The cat will lick the pus clean and needs to take antifungal medications as directed.

Bladder inflammation

If a cat has bladder inflammation, it will exhibit symptoms such as frequent urination, urgency, and urinary pain. After urination, the cat will lick the external genitalia to remove urine residue and alleviate discomfort. The cat may also need to take antibiotics under a doctor's guidance.

Urinary system stones

The causes of urinary system stones include metabolic abnormalities, genetics, and unhealthy diets. They can lead to urinary system stones, causing burning sensation during urination, frequent urination, and hematuria. When urination abnormalities occur, the cat will lick the urethra mouth to promote urination. The cat can also take medications to dissolve stones as directed by the doctor. In severe cases, surgery may be necessary under a doctor's supervision.