Are you seeing your cat is consistently licking the floor?
Or maybe you’re wondering why does my cat lick the floor often?
This is the article you need where we will boil down everything we know about why your cat licking the floor quite often..
Let’s get started
Eccentricity in cats goes beyond excessive grooming, obsession with routines and habits, and little quirks. As you go with your life owning a cat, you will discover weirdness in them every day. Just like why you are on this page now.
You are wondering why your cat is licking the floor. As if licking their own body is not enough, you might think their grooming went beyond themselves and to their environment.
No, they are not licking the floor to clean it. They are licking the floor for another reason other than grooming and we’re here to help you figure out why.
My Cat Is Licking The Floor – Why?
Although it is not always bad that cats lick the floor, there could be a few possible challenges with this kind of behavior.
Your cat licking the floor must’ve made you wonder about a lot of things. Like, “why they do that,” “are they only licking the floor,” “do they lick furniture,” “is it something I should bring him to the vet about?”
Hopefully, our article helps you figure out answers to your questions.
First off, there are a lot of possible reasons cats lick the floor. The most basic and obvious reason is that something tasty and appealing to them may have spilled there recently and your cat was able to smell or taste it.
Cats have a piece of highly olfactory equipment that any odor undetectable to us, they can still easily pick up.
That is why, when you accidentally drop few drops of milk or slopped the juice from their wet food onto the floor, they will still be able to get that stimulating aroma.
Aside from that, your cat may also be able to even taste any substance dripped on the floor when she licks it, especially with porous surfaces like wooden floorboards or bare concrete or quarry tiles.
Related:
Other Possible Reasons Your Cat Licks The Floor
Cats lick for a lot of different reasons and it could vary from cat to cat. If you notice your feline is suddenly obsessed with your bedroom floor, you may discover some other reasons that could cause such behavior like:
Exploration – Just like the basic reason we mentioned, your cat catches a lot of smell. So, it could be that your room rug is smelly.
It could be a food spill, a pet accident, or some cleaning product that left their smell behind.
Your cat, being the curious creature he is may suddenly turn obsessed with the smell of a year-old pasta accident on your floor.
Pruritis – This medical prognosis happens to humans, too. However, for animals, particularly cats, the sensation provokes them to scratch, chew, and lick themselves as well as other inappropriate things, like your floor. Check if your cat has fleas, skin, sores or any signs of allergy.
Grooming Hurdles – A huge possibility why your cat licks the floor is still related to grooming. See, when cats try to groom and they can’t reach certain areas to groom, they may redirect cleaning to something else that is more accessible. Like the floor.
This is especially true if your cat is unable to reach his rear end or the middle of the back. If this is the reason, a good solution is to have a regular brushing session with him.
In behavior – Just like how excessive they tend to groom when they are stressed, it can sometimes manifest in them licking foreign objects.
Pica – A red flag in cat licking floors. If what is happening with your cat is Pica, he may be trying to tell you something.
More often than not, it indicates underlying health problems or diet deficiency.
A little licking here and there is somewhat normal for cats. However, if it has turned to compulsive licking, then a consultation with the vet could be necessary.
Cats licking the carpet may appear to be funny, but if during the process they ingest carpet strands, then that is something else.
Related:
Pica and Cats
One of the things you want to watch out for when you notice your cat lick the floor or the walls are when they act like they are eating objects around the house that are not food. Consuming non-food items is dangerous. Possible risks include;
- Electrocution when they nib on electrical wires
- Poisoning when they chew on some house plants
- Obstruction in intestines when they eat inedible objects
What causes Pica is unknown, but disease and behavioral maladies are thought to be an underlying cause of this strange behavior.
Most oriental cats, particularly Siamese cats are mostly affected by Pica and are assumed to be a genetic disposition.
Symptoms of Pica in Cats
The only clinical sign that cats are suffering from Pica is their consumption of inedible or foreign objects.
The most common items they target are plants, electrical and phone cords, wool, fabric, string, and the yarn that they love to play with.
Tabbies with pica may not ingest the items, but they would chew, lick, or suck on them.
Causes of Pica
The specific cause of Pica in cats is still being observed, although vets and specialists have linked this behavioral condition to possible causes like:
Disease
- Immunodeficiency virus
- Leukemia
- Hyperthyroidism
- Dental ailments
- Anemia
Genetic Disposition
- Oriental cat breeds
- Siamese cats
Behavioral Disorder
- Acquired behavior
- Attention seeking
- Stress
Dietary deficiency
- Hunger
- Not enough fiber
- Vitamins and minerals deficiency
Conclusion
Since the cause of Pica in cats is still being determined, veterinarians may run diagnostic exams to find out why your cat is unusually licking the floor. Treatment may vary according to how the vets assess the behavior of your cat.
However, you may treat your cat at home with the same treatments your vets may advise like:
- Removing target objects
- Giving access to chewing alternatives
- Structured playing
- Attending to dietary needs
Learn more about Pica and why your cats lick the floor through:
https://www.billingsanimalfamilyhospital.com/cat-licking-the-carpet/
https://wagwalking.com/cat/condition/pica
https://epicpetclub.com/my-cat-gags-when-he-smells-food/
Hi There, AJ Oren here. I am the founder of this amazing pet blog & a passionate writer who loves helping pet owners to learn more about their pets through my articles. I am also the content manager of this blog. I have experience in pet training and behavior, sheltering, and currently working for a veterinary clinic.