Ever caught yourself wondering, “Why does my cat lick the floor?”
Why does my CAT LAY ON THE FLOOR?
Why does my CAT LAY ON THE FLOOR?
Whether your cat loves licking laminate, tasting tiles, or chewing on the carpet, it’s a pretty funny cat habit, and not always in the “haha” way.
In this article, we’ll explore some of the most common reasons for thisunusual feline behavior.
Let’s dive into the topic and give you some answers.
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6 Reasons Why Cats Lick The Floor
Below you’ll find 6 potential reasons for this strange behavior. We’ve marked them “simple” or “scary,” to help you out.
If you even suspect it could be one of the “scary” reasons, please call your vet.
In fact, if you’re not 100% positive that it’s something simple, it’s always smart to have a vet check things out.
#1 Simple: Something Tasty On The Floor
Let’s get the most obvious reason out of the way first. If you drop food on the floor, your cat is going to be all over it.
Even once the food is gone, the smell and taste may remain.
Your cat’s extraordinarysense of smellmeans that she will notice even the subtlest of scents.
My cats sometimes get offcuts of raw chicken as a treat. They often end up dragging the chicken chunks from their bowls onto the tiled floor.
Unsurprisingly, once the chicken is gone, they start licking the tiles, which still presumably taste of chicken.
#2 Scary: Cleaning Products
Continuing with the theme of taste and smell, your cat could enjoy the scent of certain household cleaning products.
For example, somecats love bleach. The chlorine in bleach can smell like the pheromones found in cat pee.
Ammoniain other cleaning products is also a very similar odor as far as your cat is concerned.
Some cats go crazy for the smell, and some ignore it. Others may believe another cat has marked their territory, which can result in thesecats spraying.
Hopefully, you’ll agree with me when I say that the idea of licking the floor doesn’t set my tastebuds tingling.
However, your cat’s tastes are very different from your own. And their finely tuned noses also allow them to pick up things you don’t even notice.
Many of our floors are made of composite materials. Just likeplastic bags, they can contain compounds that are simply irresistible to your cat.
Likewise, concrete floors can taste of minerals, salts, and moss, all of which could be of interest to your cat.
#4 Scary: Dehydration
If your cat is licking a floor with a smooth, cool surface, it could be a sign that they aren’t getting enough water.
In the right conditions, small amounts of water can form on the surface of tiled and concrete floors due tocondensation.
Even if you’re providing bowls of water for your cat, they may see this source of liquid as being preferable.
Cats don’t just shun their water bowls for condensation. Somecats prefer to drink from the faucetand other moving water sources.
Check this video to know the signs of dehydration in cats:
#5 Simple: Texture
No floor is perfectly smooth, and over time these surfaces can become even more textured due to wear and tear.
Wooden and cement floors can be particularly rough in places, and your cat may find licking them to be a pleasant experience.
Cats can suffer fromobsessive-compulsive disorder, which manifests in a variety of ways, including repetitive licking.
Indeed, cat owners have reported that theircats chew on wood, which is a problem that has similar origins.
#6 Scary: Pica
What isfeline pica? Essentially it’s a condition in which cats eat objects and substances that are inedible.
It’s not just a cat thing; humans can also suffer from pica. This has no doubt helped us to better understand the condition in animals.
Pica can be triggered by many factors, one being a dietary deficiency. You can see acat chewing on metalif he lacks nutrients in their diet.
Other triggers can include boredom, stress, anxiety, compulsive genetic disorders, and underlying medical problems.
The video below shows some signs of pica in cats.
Why Is My Cat Licking The Carpet?
Cats are unique little individuals; they all have their own list of likes and dislikes.
So while some cats may enjoy licking hard floors, it was bound to be the case that some prefer to chew on or lick carpet.
With the exception of dehydration, all of the causes mentioned above in the “Why does my cat lick the floor” section also apply to carpet.
However, there is an additional reason that applies only to cats that lick carpet. It’s something we’ve touched on already, pica.
Wool Sucking
Wool suckingis a form of pica that is often seen in kittens and younger cats. These cats will lick, suck and chew on wool and other fabrics.
It is a nursing behavior, and generally, cats outgrow it by the age of two. However, it can continue into adulthood.
There is some indication that genetics influence wool sucking. It is more common in Oriental breeds like the Siamese and Burmese.
Carpet strands make carpets and rugs a prime target for cats affected by this behavioral compulsion.
Check out this video to also learn why cats like to lay on the floor.
What to consider when determining the cause of this behavior?
We’ll get on to the dangers of your cat licking the floor and what you can do to stop her in a moment.
First, you need to figure out which of the reasons listed above is the main cause of your cat’s behavior.
It’s very easy to jump to conclusions and assume the worst. But with a little bit of thought, you can come to a much more evidence-based conclusion.
Here are a few questions you can ask yourself that will help.
1. When Did My Cat Start Licking The Floor?
Is it something she’s always done, or is it new behavior? If it’s new, what has changed recently?
If it’s new behavior for your cat, it could indicate a recent change has caused herstress.
2. What Type of Flooring is it?
If your cat has a nutritional deficiency, the material she is licking could indicate which minerals her diet lacks.
3. What Time of Day Does it Happen?
Any sort of pattern in the time the floor licking takes place could help to spot behavior-related issues.
Your cat could be getting bored, hungry, or thirsty at these specific times. Identifying any patterns will help you to break the cycle of behavior.
4. How Often Does My Cat Lick The Floor?
If your cat licks the floor once every so often, it’s more likely they do so as part of normal cat behavior.
Conversely, if this is a habit for your cat and she’s always licking the floor, it’s a sign of a behavioral problem.
Should I Worry About my Cat Licking The Floor?
In isolation, licking the floor isn’t harmful or dangerous for your cat. The problems start when you think of all the other things that are on the ground.
Should you worry? It depends. Here are some things to consider when deciding how harmful your cat’s licking potentially is.
1. Chemicals
The odor and taste of a cleaning product may be attractive to your cat; that doesn’t mean they’re safe for her to ingest.
Take my earlier example of bleach. Most householdbleachwill act as an irritant, while more concentrated forms can be poisonous.
2. The Flooring Material
Carpet and damaged concrete could cause blockages or choking if your cat swallows carpet fibers or concrete chippings.
A wood floor carries the risk of splinters and internal obstructions if your cat breaks any of the wood away.
Flooring products contain a wide variety ofchemicals, including organo-tin compounds, which are toxic to the immune system.
3. Foreign Objects
No matter how much of a clean freak you are, there is always the risk that everyday objects or other items will find their way onto your floor.
If your cat is licking the floor, it’s not a giant leap for them to eat what they find down there too. Even a small stone accidentally swallowed could cause internal problems.
4 Tips For Stopping Your Cat From Licking The Floor
#1 See Your Vet
If you are ever in any doubt, seek advice from your vet. They will be able to ask you relevant questions about your cat’s behavior and make a diagnosis.
They will also help you develop a plan to stop the licking behavior and tackle any underlying health issue.
#2 Change Your Cleaning Products
If you suspect that your cleaning products’ smell or taste is what drives your cat crazy, look for an alternative.
Try using something that contains one of the smells that cats hate. Citrus is among them, so a lemon-scented product could be the perfect solution.
#3 Stimulation And Enrichment
If you believe your cat is licking the floor out of boredom, do something to brighten up their life.
Play with your cat and add some toys they can play with to keep themselves amused when you’re not home.
#4 Water sources
If you suspect she may be licking the floor for the moisture and isn’t drinking much from her bowl, look at alternative water options.
Cat fountains can be an excellent solution for cats with a natural preference for moving water.
In Conclusion
Why is my cat licking carpets and floors? That’s the question I set out to answer in this article.
We’ve discovered that possible reasons can range from you dropping food to a health issue called pica.
You should be more concerned if your cat is licking the floor habitually and less so if it’s just an occasional thing.
So if you are worried, use the knowledge you’ve gained here to assess the situation and discuss it with your vet.
Related: WHY DOES MY CAT LICK HIMSELF WHEN I PET HIM? (4 REASONS)
Has your feline ever had you asking, “why does my cat lick the floor?” Tell me all about it below.
Barry Stingmore
Barry Stingmore is a British content creator living in Fuerteventura, Spain. An animal lover at heart, he shares his home with a dog and four rescue cats.
Barry works with the island’s animal charities to help manage and care for feral and abandoned animals. Alongside fieldwork, he works to support the charities with fundraising and raising awareness.
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Licking the floor could be a sign that your cat is stressed, anxious, or bored. It could also be that she does it to get your attention. If your cat has been licking the floor for a few weeks now, this habit might develop into an obsessive-compulsive disorder where she can no longer resist the urge to lick the floor.
Why do cats lick the floor? The exact answer will vary between each cat, but it's likely that cats enjoy the taste, texture, or temperature of the floor. This is especially true if there's water on the floor as cats love unique sources of water. While rare, in some cases it could be related to a condition called pica.
It's possible your cat may be licking because of stress or anxiety. Licking has a way of calming them, much like a pacifier for a baby. The problem is a cat may lick excessively and groom themselves bald in spots. Cats that lick because of stress are considered to have a behavioral issue rather than a medical one.
Psychogenic alopecia is a stress-related disorder. It is an obsessive-compulsive behavior where the cats suddenly cannot stop licking or chewing at themselves. Since grooming releases endorphins (hormones that make the cat happy), they will often partake in this pleasurable and relaxing ritual to help calm themselves.
For example, compulsive licking at the tail head may indicate a flea infestation, while cats with pollen or food allergies may lick their backs, abdomens or other areas of the body. Licking that causes excessive numbers of hairballs or hair loss is abnormal, Dr. Miller notes.
Provide Mental and Physical Stimulation. Be sure to provide environmental enrichment for your cat with cat trees, different types of toys, scratching posts, and frequent opportunities for play. This will help your cat build confidence and distract her from obsessively grooming.
A dog with separation anxiety will sometimes obsessively lick the floor, carpet, a body part, or something else as a sort of coping mechanism. Some researchers believe that when a dog licks something, it releases endorphins in their brain. These chemicals help calm the dog down.
Pica is a term used to describe the consumption of non-edible materials. It is most frequently seen in certain breeds, such as Siamese, Burmese, Tonkinese and other Oriental types, leading to the suggestion that there may be a genetic component with the trait passing down particular family lines.
Exploration – Face it, your carpet smells. Be it food spills, pet accidents, or cleaning products, your cat may just be obsessed with the taste of a six-month-old SpaghettiOs accident. Grooming obstacles – Cats who cannot reach areas to groom may redirect grooming to something more accessible.
Think food puzzles to engage minds and bodies, vertical space for climbing and surveying their domain, scratching posts, safe outdoor access (like a catio), window perches and interactive play. “Play is an important part of relieving stress,” Delgado says. “It helps cats release those feel-good hormones.”
Cats are typically very stoic animals, so if your cat suddenly seems to be in distress, it is a cause for concern. Howling, crying, hiding, and otherwise acting in a way that is out of character for your pet should alert you that something may be seriously wrong.
If your cat has anxiety, you may notice pacing or restlessness, hiding, decreased appetite, vocalization, hypervigilance, trembling, salivation, and excessive grooming.
Tell-tale signs include: Tormenting their prey rather than killing it straight away. Vocalises loudly (e.g meows, yowls) for no apparent reason. Very excitable (e.g goes into 'overdrive' and becomes uncoordinated)
Your cat's licking may be an affiliative behavior, which is a friendly, altruistic behavior. Mothers groom their kittens, and cats may groom one another, which is called allogrooming.
If you notice your cat licking or biting at the same spot over and over again, it could be that they are experiencing pain or discomfort in that area. Boredom, anxiety, or compulsive disorder. Compulsive cat chewing, scratching, or licking behaviors often develop in cats who are bored, stressed, or anxious.
Lick granuloma is a skin condition that cats and dogs can bring upon themselves by repeatedly licking an area of their body until they create sores. Working a spot on their skin over and over creates a red, irritated, hairless patch that may be similar to a hot spot.
There's no rule about how often you can dole them out, as long as you limit treats to 10% of their daily calories. Some owners choose to give one large biscuit each day. Others give a handful of kibble (perhaps 20 or 30 pieces) over the course of the day, one or two pieces at a time. Giving no treats is fine, too.
If your pet is licking their lips or the air, carpet, or bedding, or if they are eating grass, this could be a sign they are nauseous. You might also see signs like drooling, vomiting, diarrhea, decreased appetite, increased stomach noises, or lip-smacking. There are many reasons why a dog may be nauseous or vomit.
Dogs can experience psychological disorders which can lead to compulsive behaviors such as excessive licking. Stress, anxiety, separation and boredom can all lead to excessive licking.
Your Cat Might Be Exhibiting Mutual Grooming Behavior
Cats that are friends often groom each other simultaneously. Your cat's behavior of licking herself or the air when you pet her might be triggered by that mutual grooming desire.
Sometimes cats develop pica as a result of a compulsive disorder. If this is the case, you should talk to your vet about medication and other treatment options for compulsive disorders in cats.
Dietary Needs: Pica occurs in cats whose dietary needs aren't being met, resulting in hunger, mineral deficiency, vitamin deficiency, or a lack of fiber. Feline Disease: Pica is a symptom of an underlying disease such as FIV, hyperthyroidism, anemia, feline leukemia, dental disease, diabetes, and others.
While medication is not commonly used in the treatment of pica, some cats do benefit from antidepressants and anti-anxiety medications. Clomipramine and fluoxetine are two of the most commonly-used drugs for this condition, although they do not successfully address pica in all cats.
Tricyclic antidepressants (TCAs) are one possible option for treating chronic anxiety in cats. TCAs raise the amount of norepinephrine and serotonin in the body. These two hormones are involved in regulating mood and anxiety. Clomipramine (Anafranil) and amitriptyline are examples of TCAs used for cats.
Signs of stressed cats can include: becoming more withdrawn or hiding more than usual. becoming less tolerant of people. hesitating or becoming reluctant to use the litter tray, go through the cat flap or sit on your lap.
The answer is clear when you realize that the average lifespan of an indoor cat ranges from 10 to 20 years, whereas cats who go outdoors typically live only 2 to 5 years.
Cats that are ill will usually show changes in overall appearance, energy level, sociability, coat appearance and/or amount of shedding, appetite, litterbox usage, breathing, or discharges from the eyes or nose. In general, any sudden change should alert you that your cat needs veterinary attention.
If your cat sleeps on your bed, he may choose a position that lets him see out your bedroom door more easily. If he's curled up in a ball under your bed or in a quiet corner, then he may be hiding. Cats who sleep under the covers might love being close to you, or they might be hiding to feel safer.
Species appropriate punishment such as “hissing” or the use of punishment devices such as a water sprayer, can of compressed air, or hand held alarm are better than using any physical techniques since they are less likely to lead to fear and retaliation.
Although many cats love the taste of this salty and sweet spread, cat parents should avoid giving their feline friends peanut butter. It provides no nutritional value and, more importantly, certain ingredients, like fat and added artificial sweeteners, can be harmful or even toxic to cats.
There may even be a genetic predisposition for pica in some breeds of dogs and cats. Labrador Retrievers and Siamese and Birman cats seem to experience pica more frequently than other breeds.
Cat anxiety may be caused by pain or illness, exposure to something toxic or infectious diseases that affect the nervous system. A psychological trigger may be to blame, like a traumatic experience, lack of proper socialization or a history of abuse or neglect.
FHS can affect both male and female cats equally, and it usually starts early in life. FHS can cause cats to abruptly shift from happy to upset without apparent provocation. Cats with FHS can display freezing behavior. Genetics seem to be at play in both human schizophrenics and cats with FHS.
Cats with FHS often show bizarre behaviors, ranging from occasional lack of activity (freezing) to apparent hallucinatory behavior. Genetic factors appear to play a role. Schizophrenics also display bizarre behaviors, sometimes showing a lack of activity.
It appears that cats can sense human moods as well as depression. Cats are observant and intuitive, and this allows them to understand emotional cues from humans. So when you are depressed, they can sense that too.
Short answer: yes. When their needs for companionship are not met, cats can become depressed. They can also get separation anxiety. Unfortunately, feline separation anxiety often goes unnoticed until it becomes severe.
Impacted glands emit a noxious odor and the anal area may become swollen and irritated. In response to the irritation, the cat may lick the rectal region or scoot and rub the anus on the ground.
Rolling on the ground can spread the cat's scent. Because cats primarily communicate through the way someone or something smells, they use their scent glands on their cheeks, paws, and flanks to put a personal scent on it. This behavior is seen in both domestic cats and large cats.
A cat's tongue sticks out while they're eating or drinking because it helps to transfer cat food and scoop up water into their mouth. At the end of mealtime, they may use their tongue to loosen crumbs from their teeth.
Cats with UTIs try to urinate very frequently, they may pass only small amounts of urine, they may strain to urinate, they may cry out or whine when urinating, and there may be blood visible in their urine. Urinating outside of the litterbox is also a red flag that something is wrong in the bladder.
While some vets and animal experts seem to agree that cats can get ADHD, the condition isn't recognized by all. Cats can exhibit symptoms or personality and behavioral traits that are often linked to ADHD in humans, especially human children.
The syndrome will remain present for the cat's entire life, but episodes only last for one to two minutes. Behavioural adaptation, pharmaceuticals and alternative medicine. Good, provided the cat doesn't self-mutilate excessively.
Toys or other objects of stimulation may help distract your cat during a compulsive grooming episode. Your vet may also prescribe medications that modify behavior, such as clomipramine and fluoxetine.
As well as being a method of communication, staring is also a sign of a close bond between you and your cat, as they are unlikely to hold eye contact with someone they don't like or trust.
What is Feline Stomatitis? Feline Stomatitis is a condition seen in many cats where chronic inflammation affects the soft tissues of the mouth (gingiva and mucosa). It is also known as gingivostomatitis, lymphoplasmacytic stomatitis, or more accurately mucositis.
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