What this means
The first thing to know: when a cat starts licking itself more than before, especially one particular spot, it is very often a sign of itching, pain or illness, not a problem of character or habit. Cats spend a lot of time washing, so too much licking is easy to mistake for tidiness, and cats often groom when nobody is watching.
The cause can be in the skin: an allergy to food or something in the surroundings, fleas or other parasites, an infection. The spot being licked is sometimes the one that hurts: injured, inflamed or near a joint. In some cases odd licking and chewing movements and pawing at the mouth point to pain in the mouth or face, where the cat feels as if something were stuck there. Stress can play a part too, but that is worth considering only once a vet has ruled out illness.
Look more closely if the fur on the belly, thighs or flanks thins evenly, as if clipped, or if you find tufts of fur on the floor. Write down which spot the cat licks, when it began and whether it also scratches, eats less or acts differently.
Possible causes
These are things that can cause this sign. It is not a diagnosis, and they are not equally likely for your cat.
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An allergy to food or the surroundings
An allergy causes itching that makes a cat lick, scratch and chew its fur. Bald patches, small scabs or red skin can appear.
About the condition: Food and seasonal allergies -
Fleas and other parasites
Parasites irritate the skin and make a cat groom. A cat can lick itself because of them even when no fleas can be seen.
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A skin infection or another skin disorder
Fungus, bacteria or skin that is too dry or too oily itches or hurts. The cat licks until the skin is damaged even more.
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Pain in the spot being licked
An injured, inflamed or sore spot or joint can make a cat lick one place. The licking shows that something is wrong there.
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Pain in the mouth and face
Nerve pain in the mouth can cause exaggerated licking and chewing movements, pawing at the mouth and scratching of the face. Episodes can come and go.
About the condition: Feline orofacial pain syndrome -
Stress or changes at home
Stress can push a cat to groom too much. This is worth considering only once a vet has ruled out illness.
What else to watch for
These observations help your vet build the picture faster. Note down what you saw and when.
- Which spot the cat licks, and whether it is one place or the whole body
- Whether the fur is thinning, or there are bald patches or tufts of fur on the floor
- Whether the skin is red, scabbed or has small sores
- Whether the cat scratches, shakes its head or chews its fur
- Whether it paws at its mouth or chews on nothing
- Whether it eats and drinks as usual
When to book a routine visit
Book a visit if your cat licks more than before, licks one spot or has been scratching for more than a few days. If it is hurting its skin, face or tongue, or has stopped eating, contact a vet the same day.
Related conditions
Conditions whose entries mention this sign. The list is somewhere to read on, not a way to reach a diagnosis.
- Feline orofacial pain syndrome Nerves and muscles A painful condition of the nerves that carry feeling from the mouth and face. A cat suddenly feels intense discomfort in its mouth, as if something were stuck there, and paws at its face. It matters because the episodes can be distressing enough for a cat to hurt itself or stop eating.
- Fleas Parasites Fleas are small, jumping parasites that feed on a cat's blood. They cause itching, can set off an allergic skin inflammation and carry tapeworm, and in a kitten they can lead to anaemia.
- Food and seasonal allergies Skin and coat A condition in which a cat's immune system overreacts to something in its food or in its surroundings, such as pollen, house dust mites or moulds. It shows mainly as itching, and the cat scratches and licks until the skin is damaged.
- Hairballs Digestion and liver Clumps of swallowed hair that form in the stomach when a cat takes in more hair while grooming than its gut can pass on. A single hairball brought up is not necessarily serious, but hairballs that keep coming, or that come with a loss of appetite, show that something is wrong.
- Injuries General health Physical harm to the body: falls from a height, road accidents, bites from other animals, cuts or burns. Even an injury that looks minor can hide damage inside, and cats are very good at hiding pain.
- Skin and coat disorders Skin and coat A wide group of problems: allergies, parasites, fungal and bacterial infections, and skin that is too dry or too oily. The skin is the largest organ of the body, so its state and the state of the coat say a lot about a cat's health.
Body systems: Nerves and muscles Parasites Skin and coat Digestion and liver General health