Sometimes it's hard to tell whether licking is getting out of control or just a normal feline drive, so here's a simple rule: If there's evidence of a wound, hair loss or even thinning of the fur, continual licking of the area is considered excessive. © 2001-2021  Of course, licking isn't always a good thing. Here's what you can do if you suspect your cat's habitual grooming behavior isn't so … Have a point of view to share? After surgery or an injury, your cat may try to lick the site of her wound, causing irritation, opening stitches or leading to an infection. These cats don’t want anything on their skin and will lick and chew until it is off. That’s what cat tongues and saliva are designed to do — in part, anyway. It is important to make sure your cat does not lick or chew on the drains or wound because the bacteria in your cat's mouth can worsen or cause an infection. They seem to relish ‘tasting’ their environment and can spend hours cleaning themselves. Your cat may respond to this itchiness by licking … Other preventative measures don’t offer this. By covering the wound, the cat doesn’t have easy access and may stop licking. That is how a cat treats its own wounds. All Rights Reserved. Tears are also beneficial to wounds due to the lysozyme enzyme. Wonder which dog or cat best fits your lifestyle? If theirs it's ok and natural. It might take several weeks for improvement to show. The bacteria in their mouths readily live and thrive in the moist warm environment of continuously licked wounds. The image of an animal licking its wounds is often associated with anyone’s attempt to feel better after a metaphorical injury. There are also medical reasons for a cat to lick wounds. Collars can sometimes be used to prevent licking issues, but some cats do not like these protective items. Every time the sore heals, it itches, which is why the cat keeps licking it. please install the latest version of Flash. All rights reserved. Take our breed quiz to find your next pet. Too much can cause hair loss, skin sores, and infection. After all, they lick their own anuses and drink from puddles. Please enter an address, city and/or zip code. More effective solutions are necessary. Unfortunately, cats lick wounds. Powered by Brightspot. You must be careful not to tie this collar too tight around the neck, although some creative and persistent cats can manage to get the collar off. There are some advantages to a cat licking wounds due to feline saliva properties. Cats with wounds such as a bite wound or laceration will lick that area. In the first few days after surgery, your cat may instinctively try to clean the operation site by licking. The enzyme lysozyme is found in many tissues and is known to attack the cell walls of many gram-positive bacteria, aiding in defense against infection. With these simple dental care tips, you can help keep your canine’s adorable smile shiny and healthy for life. As anyone knows, it’s important to keep a wound clean so in that way licking has its advantages. Vetstreet does not provide medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment. All rights reserved. Sometimes, this might mean they want to play or be pet, but in other cases, it can be a sign of something more serious like stress or anxiety. Discuss with your veterinarian first before applying any of these products directly to a wound; it may cause irritation, which could result in even mo… Skin ulcers have many possible causes including parasites, infections, allergies, disease, burns, and irritants. For wounds in the back half of the body, put the t-shirt on backwards, with the tail going through the hole for the head and the rear legs going into the arms. Some products can even safely be applied directly to the wound. I would see how this does for the itching. Vetstreet. Dogs, cats, small rodents, horses, and primates all lick wounds. A careful examination can reveal the presence of an injury. For wounds on the torso, an infant t-shirt may do the trick. The friendly and inquisitive LaPerm has an easy-care coat that comes in a variety of colors and patterns. If your cat does seem to be licking or chewing at the wounds or drains, then call your cat's veterinarian. If there's evidence of a wound, hair loss or even thinning of the fur, continual licking of the area is considered excessive. Minor licking may not be a problem but excessive licking can drastically slow healing or even cause severe infections. Skin ulcers in cats can be a red, inflamed sore spot on the cat’s skin, or the wound can open, seeping discharge from the affected area. Licking and chewing can also slow … They Want Attention. I figured I would write this blog about my findings as many of you may have the same question. But, licking can also cause problems. The abscess is filled with pus, bacteria and damaged tissue. The coconut oil will be good for the cat to consume. In these cases, why our cat licks a lot of limb can be related to the presence of una herida, both on the leg and on the foot, between the fingers or pads. And they do this by licking their tongue. For wounds in certain areas, bandaging the wound may be all it takes. A wound abscess often occurs from an animal bite which gets infected. Unfortunately for owners, if a cat concentrates on one spot on a couch or any other piece of … Therefore, you can witness that his wounds have passed in a short time. Licking comes naturally to cats, but sometimes this normal grooming urge crosses the line into obsessive behavior. Who knew? Check out our collection of more than 250 videos about pet training, animal behavior, dog and cat breeds and more. The question I have is why do you permit your cat to injure you? But when dogs and cats are truly injured, allowing them to lick their wounds can do more harm than good. Vetstreet does not provide medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment. The IHC Group. They are made that way. You may have to use a strip of sticky tape to tape the bottom hem of the t-shirt to the cat to prevent the shirt from slipping. Boredom and behavior problems can result in obsessive licking, resulting in injury and inflammation to the skin. The disadvantage is that it takes the cat a few days to get used to the collar. Vetstreet. The Elizabethan collar looks like a lampshade and surrounds the cat’s head, preventing him from getting to the wounded area. They can do this to clean the wounds. I had a client call me yesterday to ask me a question about why her dog licks her wounds where she just had surgery. Even though your cat might not realize that licking you isn’t actually helping you “get …