If you have a cat, you already know how strange and unpredictable they can be. Unfortunately, when our cats have something going on, they can’t tell us. It’s up to us to fix it, and it can be challenging, which is where we come in!
If you’re here today because you’re wondering why your cat licks the carpet, you’ve come to the right place. Your cat’s behavior may be completely normal. If there is an underlying disease or behavioral problem, then we call the mouthing (and likely swallowing) of non-food items like carpet “pica”. Pica is an umbrella term because there are many underlying factors. In this article, we’ll first look at normal kitten behavior and then more about behavioral and medical disorders.
The 5 Reasons Why Your Cat Licks the Carpet
1. It might be delicious
Cats have an amazing sense of smell and spilled food or drink may have attracted them to the carpet. They may be licking the remnants of something on the carpet.
So, there is nothing wrong with their attention, but if you want to stop this behavior, try to distract your cat. The best way to do this is with a toy, but you can also spray the carpet with a safe deterrent that your cat won’t like. Just make sure it’s suitable for cats! It may also be time to clean your carpet.
2. Comfort Behavior
Cats lick and sniff as a comforting gesture, so if they lick the carpet, they may find it comforting in some way. Your cat can get comfortable and do this as relaxation. These cats are likely to lie down and knead while licking.
If your cat is just licking the carpet because they are so comfortable, you probably don’t need to do anything. As long as your cat gets all of his needs met and doesn’t hurt himself by ingesting the carpet. If you don’t want them to do this to your carpet, you can try to redirect the behavior to something else.
3. Boredom
Like people, pets get bored, and your cat may end up licking the carpet for stimulation or because they’re feeling frustrated. If you need ways to keep your bored kitty happy and out of trouble, buy new toys, get down on the floor and play, or get new climbing structures like a cat tree.
4. Behavioral Disorders
Anxious cats tend to lick themselves as well as develop pica as a coping mechanism. It can also be a manifestation of obsessive-compulsive disorders. Chances are, if your cat feels this way, there will also be other signs of stress, such as:
- Reactivity
- Assault
- Digestive issues such as diarrhea or constipation
- Excessive grooming/hair loss
- Too much scratching
- lack of appetite
- Increased sleep
- Isolation
- Peeing outside the litter box
Pheromone diffusers can help as they release calming scents to calm a cat’s nerves. Contact your veterinarian if you are concerned about your cat’s stress and anxiety levels. Environmental changes or even anxiety medication may be the answer.
5. Pain
A poor diet and malnutrition will cause pica. Malnutrition can also occur in cats that eat a good diet but due to gastrointestinal diseases, such as inflammatory conditions, parasites, cancers, etc., are unable to absorb nutrients properly. . The underlying disease can be almost anything. If your cat is feeling down, he may use licking as a coping strategy. So, a thorough physical examination by a veterinarian and veterinary tests can help ensure that your cat is healthy.
Frequently Asked Questions
Should You Be Worried About Your Cat Licking the Carpet?
If your cat has not eaten any fabric and their mental and physical health is good, they may only lick the carpet occasionally. If you are concerned about your cat, it is best to discuss these matters with a veterinarian, to get a plan to help your pet.
Whatever the reason, if your cat eats carpet fabric, they are at risk of developing a gastrointestinal obstruction or linear foreign body. So, if you notice this behavior in your cat, be alert for signs of illness such as poor appetite and vomiting.
Other areas of concern are the use of cleaning products that can cause oral ulcerations and gastrointestinal irritation in cats. So, be mindful of what you clean on the carpet, and stick to steam cleaning if your cat likes to lick.
Why Does Your Cat Lick You and Then Bite You?
You may have noticed that your cat also likes to lick you but then follows up by biting you. This is usually because they are grooming you but then they want to play. You may also have irritated them or crossed a boundary in some way. Their body language will help you figure this out.
Conclusion
There is no direct answer to why your cat licks the carpet. Some causes may be innocent, while others mean your cat needs help from you and their vet. If the behavior is consistent, it’s worth getting a check-up, especially if there are other signs of problems. Also monitor your cat for signs of a foreign body in the intestine, and seek immediate veterinary attention if this occurs.
Featured Image Credit: Cottonbro studio, Pexels
