{"id":2601,"date":"2023-01-15T01:01:35","date_gmt":"2023-01-15T01:01:35","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/fluffytamer.com\/?p=2601"},"modified":"2023-01-15T01:01:36","modified_gmt":"2023-01-15T01:01:36","slug":"why-do-cats-lick-their-paws","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/fluffytamer.com\/why-do-cats-lick-their-paws\/","title":{"rendered":"Why Do Cats Lick Their Paws?"},"content":{"rendered":"<div id=\"ez-toc-container\" class=\"ez-toc-v2_0_65 counter-hierarchy ez-toc-counter ez-toc-grey ez-toc-container-direction\">\n<div class=\"ez-toc-title-container\">\n<p class=\"ez-toc-title \" >Table of Contents<\/p>\n<span class=\"ez-toc-title-toggle\"><a href=\"#\" class=\"ez-toc-pull-right ez-toc-btn ez-toc-btn-xs ez-toc-btn-default ez-toc-toggle\" aria-label=\"Toggle Table of Content\"><span class=\"ez-toc-js-icon-con\"><span class=\"\"><span class=\"eztoc-hide\" style=\"display:none;\">Toggle<\/span><span class=\"ez-toc-icon-toggle-span\"><svg style=\"fill: #999;color:#999\" xmlns=\"http:\/\/www.w3.org\/2000\/svg\" class=\"list-377408\" width=\"20px\" height=\"20px\" viewBox=\"0 0 24 24\" fill=\"none\"><path d=\"M6 6H4v2h2V6zm14 0H8v2h12V6zM4 11h2v2H4v-2zm16 0H8v2h12v-2zM4 16h2v2H4v-2zm16 0H8v2h12v-2z\" fill=\"currentColor\"><\/path><\/svg><svg style=\"fill: #999;color:#999\" class=\"arrow-unsorted-368013\" xmlns=\"http:\/\/www.w3.org\/2000\/svg\" width=\"10px\" height=\"10px\" viewBox=\"0 0 24 24\" version=\"1.2\" baseProfile=\"tiny\"><path d=\"M18.2 9.3l-6.2-6.3-6.2 6.3c-.2.2-.3.4-.3.7s.1.5.3.7c.2.2.4.3.7.3h11c.3 0 .5-.1.7-.3.2-.2.3-.5.3-.7s-.1-.5-.3-.7zM5.8 14.7l6.2 6.3 6.2-6.3c.2-.2.3-.5.3-.7s-.1-.5-.3-.7c-.2-.2-.4-.3-.7-.3h-11c-.3 0-.5.1-.7.3-.2.2-.3.5-.3.7s.1.5.3.7z\"\/><\/svg><\/span><\/span><\/span><\/a><\/span><\/div>\n<nav><ul class='ez-toc-list ez-toc-list-level-1 ' ><li class='ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-2'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-1\" href=\"https:\/\/fluffytamer.com\/why-do-cats-lick-their-paws\/#Normal_Grooming_Behavior\" title=\"Normal Grooming Behavior\">Normal Grooming Behavior<\/a><\/li><li class='ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-2'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-2\" href=\"https:\/\/fluffytamer.com\/why-do-cats-lick-their-paws\/#Pain_Relief\" title=\"Pain Relief\">Pain Relief<\/a><\/li><li class='ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-2'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-3\" href=\"https:\/\/fluffytamer.com\/why-do-cats-lick-their-paws\/#Boredom\" title=\"Boredom\">Boredom<\/a><\/li><li class='ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-2'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-4\" href=\"https:\/\/fluffytamer.com\/why-do-cats-lick-their-paws\/#Cleaning\" title=\"Cleaning\">Cleaning<\/a><\/li><li class='ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-2'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-5\" href=\"https:\/\/fluffytamer.com\/why-do-cats-lick-their-paws\/#Allergic_Skin_Disease\" title=\"Allergic Skin Disease\">Allergic Skin Disease<\/a><\/li><li class='ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-2'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-6\" href=\"https:\/\/fluffytamer.com\/why-do-cats-lick-their-paws\/#Hair_Removal\" title=\"Hair Removal\">Hair Removal<\/a><\/li><li class='ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-2'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-7\" href=\"https:\/\/fluffytamer.com\/why-do-cats-lick-their-paws\/#Spread_Sebum\" title=\"Spread Sebum\">Spread Sebum<\/a><\/li><li class='ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-2'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-8\" href=\"https:\/\/fluffytamer.com\/why-do-cats-lick-their-paws\/#Social_Bonding\" title=\"Social Bonding\">Social Bonding<\/a><\/li><li class='ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-2'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-9\" href=\"https:\/\/fluffytamer.com\/why-do-cats-lick-their-paws\/#Diet_Deficiency\" title=\"Diet Deficiency\">Diet Deficiency<\/a><\/li><li class='ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-2'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-10\" href=\"https:\/\/fluffytamer.com\/why-do-cats-lick-their-paws\/#Anxiety_and_Stress_Relief\" title=\"Anxiety and Stress Relief\">Anxiety and Stress Relief<\/a><\/li><\/ul><\/nav><\/div>\n<p>Cats licking their paws is a common and natural behavior. They do this to groom themselves and remove any traces of food or dirt. However, excessive or obsessive licking can be a sign of an underlying medical condition such as allergies, boredom, stress, or a psychological illness. If your <a href=\"https:\/\/fluffytamer.com\/why-do-cats-fold-their-paws\/\">cat is licking their paws<\/a> too much, it\u2019s best to consult your veterinarian for a proper diagnosis and appropriate treatment.<\/p>\n<h2 id=\"normalgroomingbehavior\"><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"Normal_Grooming_Behavior\"><\/span>Normal Grooming Behavior<span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h2>\n<p>Cats are known for their fastidiousness when it comes to grooming. It\u2019s normal for <a href=\"https:\/\/fluffytamer.com\/why-do-cats-not-like-their-paws-touched\/\">cats to spend up to 50% of their time grooming themselves by licking, and this is one of the most common reasons why cats lick their paws<\/a>. When <a href=\"https:\/\/fluffytamer.com\/why-do-cats-lick-blankets\/\">cats lick<\/a>, they spread saliva over their fur, which helps lubricate it and make it shine. This keeps them looking and feeling their best, and also helps prevent mats from forming. Additionally, <a href=\"https:\/\/fluffytamer.com\/why-do-cats-lick-their-nose\/\">cats can use licking<\/a> as a way to remove loose hair. This is an efficient way for <a href=\"https:\/\/fluffytamer.com\/how-to-clean-cat-urine-from-clothes\/\">cats to stay clean<\/a> and look their best.<\/p>\n<h2 id=\"painrelief\"><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"Pain_Relief\"><\/span>Pain Relief<span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h2>\n<p>Licking can also be a sign of pain relief for cats. <a href=\"https:\/\/fluffytamer.com\/why-do-cats-lick-each-others-private-areas\/\">Cats will lick when an area<\/a> of their body is itchy or painful. Experts report there are many healing components to cat saliva, such as antibacterial and pain relief properties. If your cat has sustained a serious wound, you should consult your veterinarian as soon as possible. Additionally, <a href=\"https:\/\/fluffytamer.com\/how-often-cats-poop\/\">cats often<\/a> cannot massage areas that are too painful, so licking is their way of addressing the underlying pain.<\/p>\n<h2 id=\"boredom\"><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"Boredom\"><\/span>Boredom<span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h2>\n<p>Boredom is another potential reason for why <a href=\"https:\/\/fluffytamer.com\/why-do-cats-lick-their-butt\/\">cats lick<\/a> their paws excessively. If a <a href=\"https:\/\/fluffytamer.com\/is-your-cat-drinking-enough-water\/\">cat is not receiving enough<\/a> mental stimulation or is feeling bored, they may start to lick their paws as a way to cope and pass the time. This is thought to be due to the endorphins released when licking, which help relieve anxiety and stress. If your cat is displaying this type of behavior, it may be beneficial to provide them with more regular mental stimulation and enrichment activities.<\/p>\n<h2 id=\"cleaning\"><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"Cleaning\"><\/span>Cleaning<span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h2>\n<p><a href=\"https:\/\/fluffytamer.com\/why-do-cats-clean-themselves-after-they-eat\/\">Cleaning is another reason why cats<\/a> may lick their paws. Cats use their sandpaper-like tongues to remove dirt and other particles from their fur. They will also use their tongues to clean their faces, ears, and other parts of the body. When they lick their paws they wet them with saliva, which has antibacterial properties, and then use the paw like a washcloth to wipe away anything that might be on their face.<\/p>\n<h2 id=\"allergicskindisease\"><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"Allergic_Skin_Disease\"><\/span>Allergic Skin Disease<span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h2>\n<p>Cats can also be prone to allergies and skin diseases. Miliary dermatitis, also called scabby cat disease, is an allergic skin reaction caused by a variety of allergens. The presence of pustules or red bumps usually indicates a bacterial infection and warrants antibiotic treatment. <a href=\"https:\/\/fluffytamer.com\/why-do-cats-knead-and-bite-blankets-2\/\">Cats can have severe reactions to the flea\u2019s saliva when the bite<\/a>, and so even one flea can cause a large skin reaction. Up to one in five people <a href=\"https:\/\/fluffytamer.com\/why-do-cats-scratch-around-their-food\/\">around the world may be allergic to cats<\/a>, so it is important to be aware of any allergic reactions your pet may have. Furthermore, <a href=\"https:\/\/fluffytamer.com\/why-do-cats-knead-and-bite-blankets\/\">cats with milder disease may simply lick or bite<\/a> their paws in order to relieve their itching. Allergic <a href=\"https:\/\/fluffytamer.com\/cat-sneeze\/\">cats may develop crusty dermatitis or lick their hair so much that they cause<\/a> bald spots. Therefore, if you notice your <a href=\"https:\/\/fluffytamer.com\/why-do-cats-lick-themselves-when-you-pet-them\/\">cat is excessively licking<\/a> their paws, it may be indicative of an underlying issue such as an allergic skin disorder.<\/p>\n<h2 id=\"hairremoval\"><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"Hair_Removal\"><\/span>Hair Removal<span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h2>\n<p>When cats groom, their barb-like tongues not only stimulate the sebaceous glands, they also help remove dead hair, skin cells, and parasites. By licking their fur and skin, cats are able to rid themselves of any unwanted debris, as well as provide themselves with a soothing experience. Not all cats will have the same amount of hair removal when licking, as it depends on their coat type and length. Longer <a href=\"https:\/\/fluffytamer.com\/why-do-cats-like-hair-ties\/\">haired cats<\/a> may have more debris than shorter haired cats, but both will still benefit from the natural hair removal process.<\/p>\n<h2 id=\"spreadsebum\"><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"Spread_Sebum\"><\/span>Spread Sebum<span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h2>\n<p>Cats are equipped with a special grooming tool &#8211; their tongues. When cats groom themselves, their tongues spread sebum, an oily secretion produced by glands at the base of their hairs. This helps the cat\u2019s coat stay moisturized and healthy. Additionally, cats lick their fur to help cool off in hot temperatures. The saliva evaporates off their fur and helps regulate their body temperature &#8211; a great benefit in hot weather!<\/p>\n<h2 id=\"socialbonding\"><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"Social_Bonding\"><\/span>Social Bonding<span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h2>\n<p>While cats licking their paws is a normal behavior, it can also be a sign of social bonding. Cats may lick and groom each other for social bonding or affection, because the other <a href=\"https:\/\/fluffytamer.com\/why-do-cats-smell-good\/\">cat smells<\/a> interesting, or as an act of dominance and establishing the hierarchy. This grooming strengthens their social bonds, so your cat may groom you to nurture your relationship. Sorry, it\u2019s not because they secretly love you. A cat behavioral expert explains the main theories behind the feline behavior of licking as \u201cmarking their territory\u201d and \u201callogrooming\u201d. Allogrooming is the kind of grooming cats do with the mates in their clowder. They like and accept you, and their tongue and nose are now filled with your scent, making them feel more secure in your presence. Cats that are bonded sometimes show sweet displays of affection toward each other, like grooming. They\u2019ll lick and bite each other, clean the other\u2019s fur, and distribute saliva all over their body to help them with primping.<\/p>\n<h2 id=\"dietdeficiency\"><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"Diet_Deficiency\"><\/span>Diet Deficiency<span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h2>\n<p>Finally, diet deficiency is another reason why cats may be licking their paws. <a href=\"https:\/\/fluffytamer.com\/cat-minerals\/\">Cats may be lacking in certain vitamins and minerals<\/a> that can lead to them licking their paws for relief. A diet rich in vitamins and minerals is important for cats to ensure they are getting the proper nutrition they need. If your <a href=\"https:\/\/fluffytamer.com\/why-do-cats-lick-each-other-then-fight\/\">cat seems to be licking<\/a> its paws excessively, it may be a sign that it is not getting enough of certain vitamins and minerals. In this case, consulting with your veterinarian is a good idea to determine the best course of action.<\/p>\n<h2 id=\"anxietyandstressrelief\"><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"Anxiety_and_Stress_Relief\"><\/span>Anxiety and Stress Relief<span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h2>\n<p><a href=\"https:\/\/fluffytamer.com\/why-do-cats-paw-at-the-window\/\">Cats may also lick their paws<\/a> excessively when they feel anxious or stressed. This behavior can be triggered by environmental changes, such as a move to a new home, or the absence of their pet parent. Overgrooming can be seen as a way for cats to cope with their anxiety and stress. Licking releases endorphins that can help reduce anxiety levels. <a href=\"https:\/\/fluffytamer.com\/why-do-cats-lick-dogs\/\">Cats may also lick<\/a> as a way to cool off if they are overheated and to feel safe from potential predators. It is important to <a href=\"https:\/\/fluffytamer.com\/do-cats-recognize-faces\/\">recognize when your cat<\/a> is licking excessively, and provide them with the proper care and support to help relieve their stress and anxiety.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>Cats licking their paws is a common and natural behavior. They do this to groom themselves and remove any traces of food or dirt. However, excessive or obsessive licking can be a sign of an underlying medical condition such as allergies, boredom, stress, or a psychological illness. If your cat is licking their paws too [&hellip;]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":1,"featured_media":2618,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"_uag_custom_page_level_css":"","_lmt_disableupdate":"no","_lmt_disable":"no","site-sidebar-layout":"default","site-content-layout":"default","ast-site-content-layout":"","site-content-style":"default","site-sidebar-style":"default","ast-global-header-display":"","ast-banner-title-visibility":"","ast-main-header-display":"","ast-hfb-above-header-display":"","ast-hfb-below-header-display":"","ast-hfb-mobile-header-display":"","site-post-title":"","ast-breadcrumbs-content":"","ast-featured-img":"","footer-sml-layout":"","theme-transparent-header-meta":"default","adv-header-id-meta":"","stick-header-meta":"","header-above-stick-meta":"","header-main-stick-meta":"","header-below-stick-meta":"","astra-migrate-meta-layouts":"default","ast-page-background-enabled":"default","ast-page-background-meta":{"desktop":{"background-color":"var(--ast-global-color-4)","background-image":"","background-repeat":"repeat","background-position":"center center","background-size":"auto","background-attachment":"scroll","background-type":"","background-media":"","overlay-type":"","overlay-color":"","overlay-gradient":""},"tablet":{"background-color":"","background-image":"","background-repeat":"repeat","background-position":"center center","background-size":"auto","background-attachment":"scroll","background-type":"","background-media":"","overlay-type":"","overlay-color":"","overlay-gradient":""},"mobile":{"background-color":"","background-image":"","background-repeat":"repeat","background-position":"center center","background-size":"auto","background-attachment":"scroll","background-type":"","background-media":"","overlay-type":"","overlay-color":"","overlay-gradient":""}},"ast-content-background-meta":{"desktop":{"background-color":"var(--ast-global-color-5)","background-image":"","background-repeat":"repeat","background-position":"center center","background-size":"auto","background-attachment":"scroll","background-type":"","background-media":"","overlay-type":"","overlay-color":"","overlay-gradient":""},"tablet":{"background-color":"var(--ast-global-color-5)","background-image":"","background-repeat":"repeat","background-position":"center center","background-size":"auto","background-attachment":"scroll","background-type":"","background-media":"","overlay-type":"","overlay-color":"","overlay-gradient":""},"mobile":{"background-color":"var(--ast-global-color-5)","background-image":"","background-repeat":"repeat","background-position":"center center","background-size":"auto","background-attachment":"scroll","background-type":"","background-media":"","overlay-type":"","overlay-color":"","overlay-gradient":""}},"footnotes":""},"modified_by":"admin","uagb_featured_image_src":{"full":["https:\/\/fluffytamer.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/01\/cat_licking_paw.jpg",1536,1024,false],"thumbnail":["https:\/\/fluffytamer.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/01\/cat_licking_paw-150x150.jpg",150,150,true],"medium":["https:\/\/fluffytamer.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/01\/cat_licking_paw-300x200.jpg",300,200,true],"medium_large":["https:\/\/fluffytamer.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/01\/cat_licking_paw-768x512.jpg",768,512,true],"large":["https:\/\/fluffytamer.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/01\/cat_licking_paw-1024x683.jpg",1024,683,true],"1536x1536":["https:\/\/fluffytamer.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/01\/cat_licking_paw.jpg",1536,1024,false],"2048x2048":["https:\/\/fluffytamer.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/01\/cat_licking_paw.jpg",1536,1024,false],"yarpp-thumbnail":["https:\/\/fluffytamer.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/01\/cat_licking_paw-120x120.jpg",120,120,true]},"uagb_author_info":{"display_name":"admin","author_link":"https:\/\/fluffytamer.com\/author\/admin\/"},"uagb_comment_info":0,"uagb_excerpt":"Cats licking their paws is a common and natural behavior. They do this to groom themselves and remove any traces of food or dirt. However, excessive or obsessive licking can be a sign of an underlying medical condition such as allergies, boredom, stress, or a psychological illness. If your cat is licking their paws too&hellip;","_wp_old_slug":"","_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/fluffytamer.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/2601"}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/fluffytamer.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/fluffytamer.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/fluffytamer.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/1"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/fluffytamer.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=2601"}],"version-history":[{"count":0,"href":"https:\/\/fluffytamer.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/2601\/revisions"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/fluffytamer.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/2618"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/fluffytamer.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=2601"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}